Sales Without Selling - Part 2 - The Right Passion, ahem, Person

Let's review what was covered before going further. The previous entry covered how the best sales is done without the customer ever knowing they were being sold. "Smell this perfume", "taste this appetizer", "try this cleaner": All ways to sell (if done properly) without selling. Bonus points if you can do it with nothing ever being said.

But how in the world do you get a team of people who can do that on a regular basis?

With a lot of patience, practice, research, and, yeah, time. Not to say that you'll be sailing the glistening seas of sales nirvana immediately following, but it will get you on the right path.

Hiring is a pretty complex process. Here I thought you read a resume, discussed it, interviewed, and either hired or passed on that person. Sure, now add lots of other steps in-between.

When we thought of how we wanted our Connection Development Agents to approach community businesses, we quickly realized that we talk about our offerings not as sales people, but as passionate citizens. So anyone working for us has to have the passion too.

And that, you cannot train.

So, is the resume check sufficient? Nope. For now, let's skip over the skills and qualifications assessment (which we perform differently as well) to what we can call step one:

• Do they have the vision, the passion?
• Are they open to learning about sustainability and community improvement?
• How does that passion appear when talking to someone they just met?

Yes, that is step one. We are a social enterprise, and everyone involved must truly care for it to succeed. A sales person visiting a retail establishment is not what we want, nor can ever use.

A passionate member of the community aiming to help another resident in building a more sustainable world isn't selling. They're making a difference.

And that's not easy to explain in a "Help Wanted" ad.

"GREEN" Is The New Black

This is a guest post by one of our Gold Certification Level members, Organic Catering & Events.

We love to throw a party! There is the food, the cocktails, the friends, the music, and décor.  So much fun.  The one thing we don’t like is the waste.  As a caterer and event planner in South Florida, I became more concerned with that waste. 

As we enter into the season of entertaining, the good news is that with a bit of creativity and a little know-how, you can have a fun festive affair, without it taking a toll on the environment.

Some tips for this season:

1. Supplies: Think like Grandma- Use the Good Stuff- break out the china, crystal and linens. If the event requires disposables look into the new lines of bamboo and plant starch plates, cups, utensils and napkins, they are biodegradable from a continual renewable supply with little negative impact on the environment.
2. Food: Leave behind your global thinking this time and think local.  Shipping ingredients from other parts of the world requires a tremendous amount of fuel.   Look to your local farmers market or CSA- Community Supported Agriculture.  The food will be fresher, taste better and generally more cost effective.
3. Décor: Be resourceful.  Use things you already have in a new and different way.  Use a potted plant orchid or fresh herb, wrap the pot in a cloth napkin and display on a glass block or cake stand for the center of each table.  Afterwards, plant in garden and reap the rewards.
4. Drinks: Simplify here and take advantage of local or seasonal ingredients by serving a signature cocktail and just some select wines and sparkling waters for your event. My favorite this year is our “Florida Snowball Martini” a mix of coconut waters, vodka a triple sec. Fun, Festive and Memorable. Keeping it stylish and unique without the waste.

For more info on how to have a green party or event and other eco-friendly food, drinks and entertaining tips call or email www.OrganicCateringandEvents.com or 954-568-2383

Always in Good Taste,

Chef Marci Boland

How Will You Change the World (Steve Jobs, in memoriam)

Yesterday evening, we learned incredibly sad news...Steve Jobs has passed away.  He fought gallantly with pancreatic cancer and thrived on borrowed time for many years, bringing joy and his unmatched passion to his family and the world.

The story of his life will be told, and retold, in every media outlet, each aiming for a unique way to honor his life and accomplishments.  For they are wide-ranging.  Under his leadership, the world developed a relationship with digital music players, phones that acted more like science fiction, and slabs of glass that expanded on this idea exponentially.  But that’s not doing his contributions justice any more than saying that Einstein came up with an equation.  For entirely different reasons, the world is notably better following their presence.

He saw the world differently, in some ways, how it should be, others, how it could be.  He changed not only how people interact with technology, but developed it in such a way that those intimidated could approach it with confidence.  Art and engineering, together.  Complexity encircled by simplicity.

He’s been called the greatest CEO of all time, and it’s surely a valid statement, considering Apple is the most valuable company on the planet.  It’s certainly one of the most influential.  So what can we learn from his legacy?

That one idea can make a difference.  That boundless passion can shape an industry.  That putting your heart and soul into what you believe can change the world.  "Stay hungry.  Stay foolish."

Many years ago, Apple released a new marketing campaign entitled “Here’s to the Crazy Ones”.  It struck such a chord with people everywhere that it can still be found on every Mac.  Take a close look at that letter being written on the icon for TextEdit and you’ll see.  Art and form, together.

Here’s to the crazy ones.

The misfits.

The rebels.

The troublemakers.

The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see things differently.

They’re not fond of rules.

And they have no respect for the status quo.

You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.

About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.

Because they change things.

They push the human race forward.

And while some see them as the crazy ones,

We see genius.

Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world,

Are the ones who do.

So, how will you change the world?

A Redesign & New Name!

Well, the redesign has been completed!  If you happen to be reading this post through Facebook, I'd strongly recommend you visit our blog at blog.greenprofitsolutions.com.  It has been re-styled and formatted to greatly enhance usability, provide a more welcoming experience, and give you the information you want quickly and effectively.

Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ Sharing: At the end of each post, there is a row of sharing buttons to quickly share with your network.

But now, on to the question you are most definitely asking: What in the world are Teacups of Sustainability?

Excellent question.

I am a tea person.  Tins of loose-leaf tea kind of tea person.  At home, it's the only thing I drink.  Cold, hot, as long as it is decaf after 3, all is great.

For the coffee drinkers in the audience, think about how tea is served.  Very often, it is in one large pot, with each person partaking in the experience using a small cup, call it a teacup.  This allows the tea you're drinking to stay warm (not too much in each cup), while the larger teapot remains hot.  Each pour is as wonderful as the last, since no sips are inappropriately tepid.

So a Teacup of Sustainability is the same idea.  Think of each post as a teacup.  Hot, fresh, and informative.  Every new post provides a few more insights into the large teapot of sustainability.  And you are welcome to partake in as much or as little of the conversation as you'd like.

Thank you for reading and I look forward to keeping the conversation fresh!

One final question: Do you think the address of the blog should be changed to teacupsofsustainability.blogspot?

A Sale Without Selling

Don't think about a sales person.

What was the first thing that naturally came to mind? Of course, someone trying to sell you something. Car salesperson, perhaps? Maybe phone service...I can save you a ton of money on your cell phone bill.

In reality, the best selling is done without you ever realizing you were being sold. It isn't meant to sound nefarious or "sneaky"; that's just the way it happens. Remember that nice restaurant you were at last week, the one with the great waitress? Going in, neither of you considered an appetizer or their daily drink special, but half an hour later, there you are, sipping away on a wonderful concoction and fighting for the last of the incredible dip. 

Did you enjoy the meal more with those perks? The empty plates and glasses speak volumes. 

So, were you swindled? Of course not. Most likely, the waitress sold you without selling. Maybe she mentioned what the chef was featuring that night, or even explained her favorite items on the menu.

This is how sales should be handled in every industry. Unintrusive and catering to their desires and needs, showing how the product fits the customer, not trying to shape the customer to the product. 

Turns out, this is a rare skill. Lesson learned for our own team.

But, oh, such a shame...our time is up for today! More on how we have worked to overcome this issue and let our clients and potential customers learn how our products and services can help them next time.

A (Big!) Month of Updating

Wow, it's already been over a month since the last update to the blog! Amazing how time went by so quickly, with the soft launch of the Greater Good Alliance (finally!) and the bringing on of two wonderful Connection Development Agents, one of whom is just celebrating her engagement!

Good thing I missed the debt ceiling debate because it sure seems like everyone else had something to say about it. Strange, considering it was a non-issue through all of America's recent history. It's as if certain people are determined to put non-issues in the way of getting real things done.

I can tell you with certainty that we are not those people. In this time, we have launched the ever-evolving website for the Greater Good Alliance, enhanced the Business/Non-profit site, and designed a mobile-signup system for our Connection Development Agents to use while at a business. That's not including the multiple sales and informational presentations, ROI spreadsheet, marketing slicks, and other digital and print items. Or the fact that we now have a full-slate of launch non-profits to help, with many more on a waiting list (Interested? Sign up at business.greatergoodalliance.com and we'll get back to you very soon!).

Our social media presence has also continually been active on Twitter, Facebook, and even LinkedIn (one of our executives moderates the largest Green CPA group on LinkedIn), with regular growth and rising interest.

Alright, alright. You aren't reading this to have me market to you. But remember, most of the world is that way today. You aren't a person, you're a consumer. Organizations and companies who remember that there is a person behind the wallet are generally much more successful. So approach everything with a grain of salt, be prepared to ask questions, and remember to do your homework before agreeing to something or making a purchase.

And if you are offering a product or service, market to the person, not the consumer.

I'll leave you with one of my e-mail signatures: Make a difference in the world...give back!

I'm Busy...Got Words to Write?

This blog is mainly operated by two of our company executives, and it is unfortunately a difficult thing to keep current with all else we are working to achieve. From the continuing development of the Greater Good Alliance to sustainability projects under GreenProfit Solutions, we're a busy bunch!

So first, some updates. What in the heck have we been doing? Well, we're making progress with website development for the Greater Good Alliance and have more details to share:

For consumers (remember the $5 credit upon launch!): www.greatergoodalliance.com

For businesses/non-profits: business.greatergoodalliance.com

Daily Connection Sample Site: www.greatergoodalliance.com/demo

Internally, we are also finalizing welcome kits, implementation programs, and other materials specially for our member non-profits and businesses.

And now...on to the real purpose of the post!

We want your words! Intelligent, well-versed, and passionate words, but your voice nonetheless. We would love to offer guest writers a venue for spreading a message of community empowerment, environmental responsibility, and business development. If you have something to say, please contact us to discuss publishing! Our mission incorporates helping the community, both private and public, and this will simply be another area in which to do so.

Once more, contact us for information on becoming a guest writer on our blogs. Or, let us know if you would like our own written material...we have a well-stocked library of topics already covered, available for your publications.