Three Word Podcast

Episode 193, Lean into Life!

Create Sales meetings in minutes. Lisa Thal is an Author, Speaker, and Business Coach. She has over 36 years of marketing, sales, and leadership experience. She wrote the book "Three Word Meetings."  Lisa coaches leaders on simplifying sales and business meetings with fun and interesting 3-word topics to create a conversation and inspire your sales team.

 

In episode 193, I share what I learned when celebrating my birthday.

 

One key to happiness is our ability to keep learning and staying curious. Acquiring knowledge that changes our perspectives and ability to stay curious and keep learning enriches our lives.

 

I recently celebrated a birthday, and each year I reflect on what I learned, whom I met, and what is next for me—my year filled with new adventures, learning, losses, and heartbreak. But I will say I learned something from all my experiences. That life is short, that people and our fur kids matter. So lean into life!

 

Achieving Success in Sales is all about Goal-Setting, Self-Care, and Learning. I thought I would share a few takeaways I learned this past year that may help you.

 

Sales is a fast-paced and competitive industry that demands a lot. It can be both exhilarating and exhausting, from the pressure to meet targets to the need to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. However, it takes more than hard work and determination to excel. I will explore three essential elements of success in sales: goal-setting, self-care, and learning. By setting specific goals, taking time off to recharge, and continuously learning, you can achieve your sales objectives while maintaining your physical and mental well-being.

 

Set specific goals.

I set a goal to get my real estate license. I have so much respect for those that have and maintain their license. Many things went into getting that license. Set the goal, lay out the road map, including the courses required and local and National tests you have to pass, and set the timelines. I am happy to say I joined a cutting-edge brokerage called ExP Realty. They are transforming the real estate industry as Netflix and Amazon have done if you want to learn more private message me.

 

In sales, Goal-setting is a crucial aspect of your job. However, it's not enough to have vague targets like "increase sales" or "expand the customer base." To achieve success, you need to set specific, measurable, and achievable goals and break them down into smaller tasks. For instance, instead of aiming to "increase sales," set a target of selling ten more units per month or increasing revenue by 15%. Then, create a plan of action for achieving these objectives, such as reaching out to more potential customers or cross-selling products to existing clients. By setting specific goals, you can stay focused on what you want to achieve and create a roadmap for how to get there.

 

Take time off for self-care.

One piece of advice, use your vacation time. It gives you new perspectives when you see different environments. Every year, Liv and I travel to other places. I make a girl's trip every year with my dearest friends and cherish that time together. This year I joined seven other women on a golf trip. We laughed, and I learned something new from their life experiences.

 

Sales can be stressful and demanding, and it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to take care of yourself. However, neglecting your physical and mental health can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and job dissatisfaction. Taking time off is crucial to relax, refresh and recharge. It can mean different things to different people, but some self-care activities you can try include exercising, meditating, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing a hobby. By prioritizing self-care, you'll not only feel better, but you'll also be more energized and focused when you return to work. 

 

Make learning a priority.

I love learning new things. This year I completed the Sandler Sales Training program. I discovered better ways to communicate, prospect new customers, and help solve our client's biggest challenges. 

If you're in sales, you understand that it is an ever-changing field; you must upgrade your skills and knowledge to stay ahead continuously. You can do this by reading books, listening to podcasts, and attending seminars or courses related to your industry. Another way to learn is to find a mentor. By making learning a priority, you'll not only gain new insights and perspectives, but you'll also enhance your value to your customers and companies.

 

Continuously evaluate and adjust.

Setting goals, taking care of yourself, and learning can help you succeed in sales. However, evaluating your progress and adjusting your strategies as needed is essential. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may not meet your goals or encounter unexpected obstacles. It's important to stay flexible and open-minded and be willing to try different approaches until you find what works best for you. Regularly re-evaluating and adjusting your goals and strategies can help you stay on track toward achieving success.

 

Achieving sales success requires more than hard work and determination. By setting specific goals, taking time off for self-care, and continuously learning, you can achieve your objectives while maintaining your physical and mental well-being. Remember to evaluate your progress and adjust your strategies as needed regularly. With these essential elements of success in sales, you can navigate the fast-paced and competitive world we live in and achieve your goals.

 

Stay curious and keep leaning into life!

 

Create engaging sales meetings in minutes! 

My easy-to-use process can quickly create impactful meetings tailored to your team's needs. 

 

Learn more at www.Threewordmeetings.com.

Episode 192 Increase Sales Without Relying on Luck!

Create Sales meetings in minutes. Lisa Thal is an Author, Speaker, and Business Coach. She has over 36 years of marketing, sales, and leadership experience. She wrote the book "Three Word Meetings."  Lisa coaches leaders on simplifying sales and business meetings with fun and interesting 3-word topics to create a conversation and inspire your sales team.

 

Episode 192, I share that it takes more than luck to be successful in sales. It requires hard work, focus, and consistency.

 

Have you heard people say that luck plays a role in sales success and wonder what the truth is? 

 

Let's explore the role of luck in sales and discuss the importance of hard work, focus, and consistency to succeed.

 

Was it luck or timing when setting a new meeting or closing a sale?

 

Luck certainly plays a role in sales success, but it is only a small part of the equation. The best way to increase your chances of luck playing in your favor is to focus on other elements of sales you can control, like networking, relationship building, and effective communication. But the most important of all is the often overlooked element of hard work.

 

Sales require dedication to the task and commitment to productivity. There are no shortcuts to hard work. It takes time and is a process.

 

Focusing on hard work and effort will increase your chances of gaining luck. Hard work is the foundation for success in sales; it helps you develop essential skills and build meaningful relationships with clients. With consistent, persistent effort, you can create a solid reputation and open up endless possibilities for growth.

 

Hard Work:

Hard work is essential for achieving success in sales. It takes dedication, determination, and a solid commitment to build relationships with clients, understand their needs, and develop strategies to address them. 

 

It also means taking the initiative and not being afraid to take risks. There is no substitute for hard work and dedication in sales. Successful salespeople consistently try to exceed expectations and create value for their clients. With enough hard work, you, too, can become successful in sales.

 

So remember: luck can only take you so far regarding the sale. Don't underestimate the power of your effort and dedication.

 

Focus:

Staying focused is critical to achieving success in sales. It involves staying true to your goals and being driven by a desire to succeed. It requires setting aside distractions and focusing on the task: building relationships, understanding customer needs, and delivering value-driven solutions. 

 

You can remain motivated and determined to succeed in sales only by staying focused. Staying focused also entails paying attention to the details, such as following up on leads and remaining patient. With a clear vision of your goals, you can stay on track even when times get tough and keep pushing yourself to reach your objectives.

 

Consistency:

Being consistent is essential in sales. It involves staying true to your core values and building trust with clients through reliable and predictable actions. Consistency means delivering value consistently, whether dealing with an existing customer or a potential one. 

 

Being consistent will earn you a solid reputation in your industry as someone trusted to deliver on their promises. It also means ensuring that whatever you promise is delivered. With enough consistency and trustworthiness, your sales success is sure to follow.

 

Selling is about responsibility; it's not about luck. 

It is clear that although luck may play a part in sales success, it is far from the only factor. It's about taking action, being proactive, and believing you can make a difference with your clients. Luck will help you along the way but won't replace hard work, focus, and consistency.

 

With enough dedication and determination, you can become successful in sales without luck being the deciding factor. So, don't forget that hard work and perseverance will always be your best investment in achieving sales success!

 

Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. 

 

If you could do me a favor, please share this episode, rate it, or subscribe for Free where ever you get your podcast, so you don't miss out on the next three-word podcast.

 

 

Create engaging sales meetings in minutes! 

My easy-to-use process can quickly create impactful meetings tailored to your team's needs. 

 

Learn more at www.Threewordmeetings.com.

Episode 191 Time is Money!

Create Sales Meetings in Minutes!  Lisa Thal is an Author, Speaker, and Business Coach. She has over 36 years of marketing, sales, and leadership experience. She wrote the book "Three Word Meetings."  Lisa coaches leaders on simplifying sales and business meetings with fun and interesting 3-word topics to create a conversation and inspire your sales team.

 

_{Maximize Time and Focus on Making Money!}

 

_{As the clocks spring forward, I have a few recommendations to maximize your time and focus.} 

 

 

_{As the saying goes, Time is money! You have limited Time to make sales as a salesperson, so finding ways to maximize your Time and focus on money-making activities is essential.}

 

_{Before I share tips on how to maximize your Time each day, I wanted to spend some time focusing on you.} 

 

_{How do you feel about yourself? Because I can list all the tips to save you Time and help you be more productive throughout the day. But the day starts with how you feel—the direction and actions you will take.}  

 

_{It could be the most critical TIME in your day. I highly recommend that you start your day with this morning routine. It will help you set your mindset for the day before diving into your business activities.}

 

_{Let's look at the word TIME.   The goal is to schedule 3-15 minutes a day for you!}

_{Begin by walking through this process.}

 

 

_{Thankful - Think about something you are grateful for today, not just a general topic. Not generic that anyone can be grateful for, but specific to you. I am thankful for the blue sky; my family is too generic. Trying to be more precise, I am grateful that I can talk to my mom every Morning, my sisters, that I spend Time running my fur kids, and my conversations each Morning with the love of my life, Olivia.}

 

_{Insight - Learn something new and gain new insights. You can perhaps listen to your favorite Podcasts or audiobooks or read something that will inspire you.}  

 

_{Meditation - Our days have multiple deadlines and timelines. So we must find better ways to slow the mind. Meditations like Walking and breathing-focused movement can help. For more examples https://mindworks.org/blog/different-types-meditation-technique/}

 

_{Exercise - Everyone needs to keep moving. Take your fur kids for a walk or Play with your kid's in the yard. Incorporate scheduled Time to go for a 5–15-minute walk. Make it fun and something you look forward to.}

 

 

_{Now let's shift gears to tips to help you save Time and be more productive.}

 

 

_{Set Goals and Objectives}

_{Setting specific daily goals and objectives is the best way to maximize your Time. It helps keep you focused and ensures you are accomplishing things that will help you reach your goal of making more money. It also helps ensure you are not wasting valuable Time on activities that don't contribute directly to earning more money. Make sure your goals are realistic and measurable so that you can track your progress.}

 

_{Organize Your Day}

_{Organizing your day is vital to maximizing your Time and focusing on money-making activities. It means developing a plan for how to use all the available hours in the day, including when you start work, take breaks, have client meetings, etc. A focused strategy will help keep you focused and lets you stay on top of tasks without getting overwhelmed or side-tracked. It also ensures that all your energy is devoted to the most critical tasks first.}

 

_{Utilize Technology} 

_{Utilizing technology is another excellent way to maximize your time as a salesperson by automating processes or freeing up more daily hours so you can spend more face time with your clients. Automating emails or scheduling meetings can save valuable minutes throughout the day, which you can spend doing other money-making activities. For example, using customer relationship management software can help streamline lead tracking.}

 

_{Get Grammarly, a software tool to ensure your emails have the right tone, clarity, proper grammar and punctuation, and spelling.} 

 

_{How can AI help your sales?}

_{The increased insights and flexibility AI generates allow sellers to tailor messaging and proposals and implement account-based marketing and account-based selling. In addition to helping you sell more, thoughtfully applied AI can help move customer relationships to a higher level. AI tools like Chatgpt, Jasper AI, and HubSpot are great tools to save Time.}

 

_{Your Time is money!}

_{Time is our most valuable tool, especially for salespeople with limited daily hours, to generate revenue for their companies and themselves. I hope these tips can help you maximize your Time to focus on money-making activities such as prospecting for new customers, closing deals, or following up with existing clients.}

 

_{Time is money, so use yours wisely!}

 

_{If you have the Time, could you do me a favor? Please share this episode, rate it, or subscribe for Free wherever you get your podcast, so you don't miss out on the next three-word podcast.}

 

 

_{Create sales meetings in Minutes!}

_{Learn more at www.Threewordmeetings.com and start getting creative with your next sales meeting!}

Episode 190, Could your sales performance use a change?

Simplify Your Sales and Business meetings. Lisa Thal is an Author, Speaker, and Business Coach. She has over 36 years of marketing, sales, and leadership experience. She wrote the book "Three Word Meetings."  Lisa coaches leaders on simplifying sales and business meetings with fun and interesting 3-word topics to create a conversation and inspire your sales team.

 

Episode 190, Could your sales performance use a change?

 

This week's episode is about the power of our words. This week three words, Should you or Could you?

 

One word that can change your sales outcomes Should or Could.

 

Many other factors, including product quality, market demand, and of course, the skill of the sales team, determine sales performance. However, one factor you could be overlooking is the power of language.

 

Studies have shown that when people imagine themselves in a future situation, they focus on the potential obstacles rather than the possibilities. As a result, they often underestimate what they can achieve. Specifically, the word "could" can profoundly impact your sales performance.

 

When it comes to sales, how you phrase something can mean the difference between success and failure. One word, "could," can make all the difference when closing a sale. Let's look at why this small change can significantly impact your sales performance. 

 

 

The Power of "Could" 

Changing the wording from "What if I fail?" to "What could I achieve?" can make a big difference. When people focus on what they can achieve, they are much more likely to take action and achieve their goals.

 

When talking to prospects, using "could" instead of "should" allows you to open up more possibilities and effectively engage with them. For example, instead of saying, "you should buy our product," say, "you could benefit from our product." This subtle change creates an opportunity for collaboration between you and your prospect. It also shows that you are listening to and understanding their needs, which builds trust and increases your chances of making a sale. 

 

Using the Word "Could" Strategically 

In addition to showing that you understand your prospect's needs, using "could" strategically can create a sense of urgency or scarcity. For instance, if there is limited availability for a product or service, saying that they "could miss out on this amazing offer if they don't act now" might be enough to tip them over the edge and make them decide to purchase right away. 

 

Another way to strategically use this word is, to be honest about what they could gain from buying your product or service. Instead of simply telling them what it will do for them, let them know how it could help solve their problem or improve their life. Help drive home the value proposition and show them why buying from you is worth it. 

 

Here are three tips you Could use to improve your performance.

 

1. Rewrite your goals: A key factor to success in improving sales performance is how certain you feel, and one of the best tools for that is rewriting your goals from "should" statements to "could" statements. For example, instead of saying, "I should increase my sales by 10% this quarter," try writing, "I could increase my sales by 10% this quarter."

 

2. Imagine a successful outcome: Visualize what it would be like if you achieved the goal you have set for yourself and how different it would look and feel if you used "could" instead of "should." It will give you more confidence while developing and working towards your goals.

 

3. Be patient and persistent: It may take time to change your mindset from "should" to "could," but be patient with yourself and persist in unlocking these new tools powerfully. You can see more significant results with improved sales performance with consistent effort.

 

There is power in words when selling products or services. Simply changing one word —from should to could —can make all the difference in closing a sale or missing out on an opportunity entirely. Use "could" strategically when engaging with prospects; it shows that you understand their needs and helps build trust with potential customers, so they feel comfortable enough to purchase from you. Try incorporating this small but powerful change into your sales process today!

 

Make sure you are focusing on the possibilities rather than the obstacles. And always remember that the word "could" can make all the difference in your success.

 

If you could do me a favor, please share this episode, rate it, or subscribe for Free where ever you get your podcast, so you don't miss out on the next three-word podcast.

 

Learn more at www.Threewordmeetings.com and start getting creative with your next sales meeting!

 

 

 

 

Episode 189, 3 seconds can change the direction of your business!

Lisa Thal created Three Word Meetings to help you develop meaningful and engaging meeting content. The Three Word Meeting book gives you 52 Three Word topics you can use- it’s never been easier to get your message across! You can create uniquely tailored content for your team, allowing you to craft powerful messages in no time.

 

Episode 189,  3 seconds can change the direction of  your business!

 

Growing up, most of us experienced the five-second Rule. If you dropped your food on the floor, eating it after 5 seconds was okay. I think that may still apply today.

 

What about the 3 Second Rule?

 

It's hard to imagine that 3 seconds can shape the outcome of our future. I wanted to share my experience from this week as I was coaching new sales talent on how to use this principle to their advantage. I thought I would share with the three-word podcasters this week.

 

What is The 3-Second Rule?

 

It's a strategy to apply when you need to get something done but find it challenging to start. For example, do you have difficulty waking up in the morning, starting your exercise, or calling on new clients? Regardless of what it may be, the 3 Second Rule is great and can be incorporated into our lives immediately. You take action in 3 seconds or follow three steps to get started.

 

How does it work?

Identify the first three steps in each activity you have difficulty starting. For example, the first three steps for getting up in the morning are A. Take off the cover or blanket; B. Move to the edge of the bed; C. Get up to walk out of the room

 

The same strategy applies to our business. A. Identify the client you want to call; B. Identify the benefit you can offer; C. Make the call—no hesitation. 3,2,1 Call! No hesitation!

 

Use the three-second Rule to your advantage by being decisive and acting quickly.

I was coaching our team on setting meaningful appointments with new prospects. We reviewed the list of targets they created, and they identified the decision maker and why they felt they should have a conversation with them. What's next? Count to three and start dialing. No hesitation or self-talk with all the reasons you shouldn't call.

 

We don't want that if we don't call and have zero opportunity and open the door for another vendor to connect.

 

The three-second Rule is a great way to improve productivity and make quick decisions without hesitation. Taking advantage of the three-second Rule means understanding that the window of opportunity won't be open forever, so it's essential not to let those moments slip away.

 

Developing an instinctive ability to act or decide within three seconds ultimately results in faster outcomes and better decision-making. Being decisive in this way increases efficiency through completing tasks quickly, reducing time spent on making decisions, and overall setting yourself up for success. 

 

Pause for three seconds for better outcomes.

There are times we need to pause. Pausing three seconds gives us time to reflect vs. react. I know many times over my career that I could have used the three-second Rule to pause and reflect on what a customer or co-worker shared versus reacting without a filter and answering their question.

 

According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, sitting silently for at least three seconds during a difficult moment in a negotiation, confrontation, or even conversation makes both people more deliberative -- and leads to better outcomes.

 

When asking clients questions or answering their questions, pause for three seconds to allow them the space to think about what you asked them. Conversely, when replying, wait 3 seconds to show that you are being thoughtful in your response.

You're trying to find a way that works for both of you.

The three-second Rule is a great tool to have in your life. It can help you quickly make decisions and be decisive. Just one simple second of hesitation can cost you a lot, but being brave and taking action will always pay off. So, don't waste another opportunity: implement the three-second Rule today. You'll find that you'll start making much better decisions with less regret. 

 

Disclaimer: Of course, there are some areas where it's not always wise to rush into things such as job interviews or investments; for those situations, though, the three-second Rule can still help by guiding the thought process to make again well-informed decisions more quickly. 

 

The three-second Rule is versatile enough to be applicable in different life scenarios, so why put it on hold? Immediately take control of your life today by implementing the three-second Rule; do things more efficiently while still making mindful choices. Taking initiative yields great results, so why wait? Implement the three-second Rule to live a life full of promising outcomes!

 

Get started, ready? 3, 2, 1, GO!

 

If you think someone could benefit from this episode, share it, rate it, or subscribe for Free where ever you get your podcast, so you don't miss out on the next three-word podcast.

 

Learn more at www.Threewordmeetings.com and start getting creative with your next sales meeting!

 

Episode 188, 5 W’s to help you Rule The Day!

Simplify Your Sales and Business meetings. Lisa Thal is an Author, Speaker, and Business Coach. She has over 36 years of marketing, sales, and leadership experience. She wrote the book "Three Word Meetings."  Lisa coaches leaders on simplifying sales and business meetings with fun and interesting 3-word topics to create a conversation and inspire your sales team.

 

Episode 188, I share how my visit to Smoothie King set my intention to Rule The Day!

 

You may ask what a trip to Smoothie King has to do with me and my day. Every Friday morning, I treat myself to a 20-ounce Lean 1 Vanilla smoothie as a reward for the week. I pull up to the window each Friday to pay and hear these three words: Rule The Day! As I drive away, I smile and think that even a stranger encourages me to take control of my day and life. 

 

So what does Rule The Day mean?

It is to set a standard that guides your behavior.  

What do I need to do today to take control of my day?

 

So let me ask you a question. 

What standard do you set for yourself each day? Yes, we all have to-do lists of tasks that need completing each day, and If you like me, that list keeps growing with other people's asks and my tasks. So for many of us, our days are ruled by others. 

 

 

Today, salespeople do so much more than just close sales. Success in today's sales environment is about having a transparent strategy, building trust with our clients, and solving problems. If you do it well, you realize it is a process and takes time.

 

Effectively managing your time based on your schedule and workload takes commitment. The rewards of knowing time management are well worth the planning and dedication.

 

As professionals, we have a range of responsibilities. Managing our time to tackle these tasks is an important skill and is extremely necessary to optimize our performance. So how can we make the most of our days and manage the day?

I want to share the 5 W's so you, too, can Rule The Day!

 

The 5 W's to Rule the Day!

 

WHAT. 

To Rule the Day, you must prioritize your activities that need to get accomplished that day. We must see a path of daily actions leading to our overall goal. If possible, do these activities first. You will feel in control and inspired to know you moved your business forward. What is the number priority you need to complete?

 

WHEN. 

We prioritized what needed to get done. Now we determine when it will get done. Choosing when you do will set you up for success. For example, if creating new clients or growing your current business is what you need to do, then it must be your number one priority of the day. You scheduled that time on your calendar to focus and eliminate all distractions until you complete the goal. If this is your priority, do not answer emails or surf your social channels until you accomplish the priority for the day.

 

HOW. 

Scheduling a certain amount of time for each priority is critical. How you divide your available time each day plays a significant role. I recommend looking at your day and blocking the time you believe you need to complete your priority tasks. Make sure you correlate your time division of the day according to the task's priority. We must be intentional so that other lower-priority tasks don't stop us from achieving our top priorities.

 

Avoid multitasking because our brain is not programmed to handle numerous tasks simultaneously. Juggling multiple projects and switching between tasks require your brain to stop and refocus.

 

It can take up to 15 minutes for our brain to return to a productive state—time we likely don't have.

 

WHO. 

Identify the people that can help you achieve your priorities. We have co-workers that steal valuable time from us. We must be careful not to spend too much time away from our priorities. I am all about collaborating with other team members, and we don't want that to be when you focus on your priority tasks to move your business forward. When looking at your day, is someone on your team available to delegate non-priority tasks? Do you have sales support to create your proposals so you can stay focused on setting new meetings or client-facing?

 

 

WHY.

The Why is everything! The Why is the inspiration for the day and why you do what you do each day, which I believe is to impact your life and clients' business. Applying the 5 W's is all about Time management and helps you understand what needs to be a priority today and what can wait until tomorrow.

 

WIN

You will win the day by focusing on What, When, How, Who, and the Whys!

 

So I encourage you to Rule Each Day, Apply the 5 W's and Become Unstoppable!

 

If you think someone could benefit from this episode, share it, rate it, or subscribe for Free where ever you get your podcast, so you don't miss out on the next three-word podcast.

 

Learn more about Simplifying Your sales meetings using 3-word topics at http://www.threewordmeetings.com.

Episode 187, Five strategies to love your career.

Simplify Your Sales and Business meetings. Lisa Thal is an Author, Speaker, and Business Coach. She has over 36 years of marketing, sales, and leadership experience. She wrote the book "Three Word Meetings."  Lisa coaches leaders on simplifying sales and business meetings with fun and interesting 3-word topics to create a conversation and inspire your sales team.

 

Episode 187, Are you in Love with the Work you do?

 

I have a question for you. 

How in Love are you? And I am not talking about your personal life, although I care about that.

 

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your Love for your job? 

Is it a 3? or 6? Payday, now that's a 10! You maybe say, Lisa, it depends on the day.

 

In our life, we choose a career, or a job chooses us, and we move through different life stages of that career, sometimes without a ton of self-examination or reflection on whom we have become and how we can continue to grow in the direction of our life's ambitions and dreams.

 

For some of us, Work can be a calling; for others a way to cover our expenses. Wouldn't it be more enjoyable to experience fulfillment each day?

 

 It becomes easier when you work alongside those you love and appreciate. When you think about it, we spend more time each day, on average eight hours, with our co-workers than our partners or spouses. (this could be why Olivia and I have made it 23 years) Smiling!

 

I also understand that just like our love life, we can sometimes fall in and out of Love in our work life. We sometimes look for a little spark to remind us why we do what you do each day.

 

I started to reflect on my role at my company and why I have spent the last 36 years loving what I do. For me, it comes down to learning. I learn from those I work with, the clients I have had the pleasure of helping, and those I coach.

 

This week reminded me why I love what I do and what excites me daily. We recently hired three new account executives. Their role is to help companies with marketing and sales. For them, this is their first job out of college or their second year in the business world. I aim to identify where they are today and strategically coach them to achieve their goals and dreams. Plus, I want to do it in less time than it took me to achieve my goals. 

 

I must be patient and understand that great relationships require listening, honesty, support, and time. What a gift to impact another person's life and income, and that takes commitment.  

 

I recommend you do the same. Take the time to reflect and discover or rediscover why you do what you do. Please think about your career and your role each day for your company. Maybe the flame has recently dimmed, and you need to recommit yourself to the relationship. Or you may realize that you need something else to fulfill you. 

 

Here are a five strategies to put romance into your career.

 

Love yourself. 

Recognize what you are doing right. You have to love yourself first before you can love someone else. Identify what you're bringing each day to the relationship. In any great relationship, acknowledging the other person's efforts is critical to developing more appreciation and Love. If there are areas you are struggling with, look for places you can make progress, this will give you the energy and confidence to keep going.

 

 

The intention with Attention:

Be intentional with your day. Create an intention for the day overall (e.g., staying connected; being present; being of value; collaborating. Write down what you will do today to live your intention with Attention. Then at the end of the day, evaluate: How did you do? Where did you succeed? What got in the way? How did you overcome it? 

 

 

Connect with others:

Relationships are about connecting with someone else. Devote time in your day to connect with others on your team. It can be asking someone to lunch or a happy hour after Work. Suppose you're still working remotely; set up a virtual lunch and a time after Work to connect for dinner or drinks. Call a co-worker if your working remotely to say hi and see how they are doing. These conversations may help you love your job in a new way. The goal is to get to know someone new. You never know what you will discover.

 

Learn something new

You may be bored and uninspired if you have been doing the same job or tasks for years. Challenge yourself by learning something new and exciting.

 

Offer to help out a different department. Volunteer to take on new responsibilities. Take a new course to advance your skills. Find a mentor or hire a coach to talk about your future path. Whatever you do, make sure it is interesting to you. It will help you look at your role in a new light.

Boredom will never help you love your job, but being excited about something new will.

 

Set new goals. Goals are the benchmarks you review for the progression of your career. Without them, we often feel directionless and unmotivated.

Goals help you drive your career forward. They can be the exact change you need to love your job. If you are currently working without clear goals, it's time to change that.

 

 

Some relationships end.

Be honest with yourself and know when the relationship is over. It's no one's fault. You can have bad days and weeks, but you can't have bad months. It takes courage and strength to realize that this career opportunity has taken you as far as you can go. It may be time to try something new.

 

I know that life is short and that if you spend eight hours a day working, make sure that Work inspires you!

 

If you think someone could benefit from this episode, share it or rate it. 

 

Learn more about Simplifying Your sales meetings using 3-word topics at http://www.threewordmeetings.com.

Episode 186, How do you play the game?

Simplify Your Sales and Business meetings. Lisa Thal is an Author, Speaker, and Business Coach. She has over 36 years of marketing, sales, and leadership experience. She wrote the book "Three Word Meetings."  Lisa coaches leaders on simplifying sales and business meetings with fun and interesting 3-word topics to create a conversation and inspire your sales team.

 

Episode 186 is all about how you Play the game regarding your business. 

 

So I have a question for you.

 

When it comes to your business, should you be playing more Defense or Offense? 

 

Some of you may say Defense, I need to protect what I have and minimize any risk my business I have already created. Many of you may say "Offense" because I need to develop new clients to grow my business and maximize my upside. Well, I believe both answers are correct. We need to play "defense" to protect our business and relationships and play "offense" to go for growth.

 

 

I love NFL Football, and our Cincinnati Bengals have made our city proud of their performance. Throughout our season, both sides of the ball helped us win games. Who Dey! Our business is like the NFL.

 

What we have to do is have a game plan and execute it. For example, in the NFL, I will use the Cincinnati Bengals. The coaching staff and players prepare their game plan based on the team they are playing. They make adjustments based on the information they have on their competitors.

 

The goal of the Defense is to stop the other team from scoring. Both sides of the ball review countless hours of film on their competitors to see the opportunities they can expose. The offense constantly looks for ways to score by adjusting and controlling what they can. In many cases, a great defense wins the game. 

 

How much Defense is in your work day, managing your email inbox and unplanned customer calls with issues, market conditions, and daily distractions that steal valuable time from you connecting with current or new customers? You feel like your day got away from you, and your game plan for growing your business is sitting on the sidelines.

 

What can you do about that?  

 

You need a complete game! A game plan that allows you to play Defense when necessary and offense to score more clients. You do need to protect the business you created. It took time and energy to develop your business, so you must ensure you do everything you can to protect it. It can become a balancing act.

 

How do you play offense in business?

 

An offensive player in business works on tasks that get them closer to scoring and delegates other tasks that get in the way of them reaching their goal. They ignore distractions.

 

Creating new conversations and introductions for new opportunities will ensure your business keeps scoring. The best news about playing offense is that it is in your control. 

 

So what does your game plan look like today, tomorrow, and this week? 

 

Have you identified certain people from your network that can do an introduction to you? 

 

Have you blocked time on your calendar to identify companies that you can help solve a problem? Focused time with no interruptions?

 

It's easy to fixate on all the things out of our control. What I have come to realize over my career is that there are two we absolutely can and should be in all our game plans: our plan and our ability to execute it. The sooner we shift to focusing on those, the sooner we can start playing offense and start scoring new clients and growing our business.

 

Playing offense, of course, is what your business is all about. Your terms, timetable, innovation, or opportunity to create, and knowing you're leading the industry and making others course correct or play catch-up. 

 

Keep learning through each experience, adjust your game plan when necessary, and stay aggressive with your approach. 

 

I guess the adage is true: The best Defense IS, in fact, a good Offense.

 

If you think someone could benefit from this episode, I invite you to share it.

 

Learn more about Simplifying Your sales meetings using 3-word topics at http://www.threewordmeetings.com.

 

 

Episode 185 Stay With It!

Simplify Your Sales and Business meetings. Lisa Thal is an Author, Speaker, and Business Coach. She has over 36 years of marketing, sales, and leadership experience. She wrote the book "Three Word Meetings."  Lisa coaches leaders on simplifying sales and business meetings with fun and interesting 3-word topics to create a conversation and inspire your sales team.

 

Episode 185 Stay With It!

This week's episode is about understanding that accomplishing a goal is a process. This week three words, Stay With It!

 

Have you ever had one of those days or weeks where things didn't go as planned? If I could see everyone, I think I would see you shaking your head yes or holding your hand up in the air saying oh yes.

 

We live in such an instant society that we expect things to happen instantly. When they don't happen as quickly, we get frustrated, impatient, and sometimes give up. 

 

It got me thinking about how many years it takes for the wine to age. The answer is about 2-3 years. The standard for the aging process of Bourbon is a minimum of two years. It's a process that takes time, and so do our sales efforts.

 

Well, it was one of those days for a co-worker whose job is to set a new meeting with potential clients so that we can help with their marketing. His sole role is to identify the companies that may need digital marketing support or recruitment needs.  

 

I stopped by to say hi and ask how his day was going. By his body language and reply, it seemed to be a bit of a rough day. He shared that he was frustrated with making calls all morning, and no one answered. He said this has never happened where he made calls, and no one answered. I thought to myself, I am surprised anyone answers a call to a number they don't recognize, but I kept listening.  

 

I shared that prospecting is hard, and most of us in sales that have to do this to find new customers hate it. It takes an average of 8 cold call attempts to reach a prospect. But if you give up after too few tries, you pass up a potential opportunity.

 

I asked him to share his process in connecting with the list of potential clients. Had he created an 8-step process to connect with these prospects? Or was he giving up after a few attempts, assuming we weren't a good fit ?(insta-society). I noticed that we tend to pile on in those moments. Let me explain what I mean. When you face a setback or frustration, you are in a different state of mind, and everything seems to go wrong. You had a day of making calls, and no one responded. I am tired, frustrated, and piling on more negative experiences.  

 

I shared that he has a challenging job calling people, not expecting his call, and convincing them to meet with him. But if he could shift his thinking a bit and realize that when he called, they were busy. ( Again, they weren't expecting your call) That you have to stay with it! You must find a way to earn a conversation if you believe you can help this company solve a challenge. You can't give up after a few attempts when we know it could take 8 or more. You have to have discipline and patience. 

 

Let me ask you a question. 

Is there something you are facing that is frustrating you because it's not happening quickly enough? 

What process or system have you created to help you achieve your desired outcome?

Is there a different approach that you could be using?

 

My advice if facing a setback is first, don't take it personally; stay positive. So much of staying positive comes down to perspective and mindset. It's all about the lens through which you see your job, day-to-day tasks, and career. The way you look at things and the things you look at change. 

 

Approach each situation as a way to help vs. sell. Not everyone your calling will be a good fit for your products and services. And a good sales professional realizes that. We are not calling to sell; we're calling to help. Because we never know where someone might be in the buying cycle or what challenges they face, we should never assume we can't help. We are looking for an opportunity to have a conversation to see if we can help or if our company is a good fit.

 

Stay Persistent! In the advertising world, effective frequency is the number of times a person must hear your advertising message before responding. The same applies when making calls to new clients.

 

We know our frequency of connecting is, on average, eight times. We never know exactly where each prospect is in their buying journey. Stay with it and realize that they may not be ignoring your messages, we may not be a top priority that day, or they would have called us. Stay with it until you get a no or a not yet.

 

Your persistence, attitude, attempts and adjustments will be the difference in realizing your goals. 

 

Stay With It and See it Through!

 

If you think someone could benefit from this episode, share it, rate it, or subscribe for Free on Itunes or Spotify, so you don't miss out on the next three-word podcast.

 

Learn more about Simplifying Your sales meetings using 3-word topics at http://www.threewordmeetings.com.

Episode 184, The 4 steps to your success!

Simplify Your Sales and Business meetings. Lisa Thal is an Author, Speaker, and Business Coach. She has over 36 years of marketing, sales, and leadership experience. She wrote the book "Three Word Meetings."  Lisa coaches leaders on simplifying sales and business meetings with fun and interesting 3-word topics to create a conversation and inspire your sales team.

 

Episode 184, Framework for Success.   Learn the 4-step system for you to exceed your goals.

 

It's annual review time.  

How do you feel about your performance last year?  

Are you feeling confident about your business plan for this year?

Annual reviews are the time to reflect on the past twelve months, celebrate the wins, and see where you may have fallen short. In a recent sales meeting we talked about the year, and how many of us reached our goals. We also discussed the framework to exceed our goals by applying a 4-step system.  

 

If I told you there was a 4-step system to help ensure you achieve your goals, would you follow it? There is a secret and an approach to achieving your goals!

 

This 4-Tier GOAL Framework takes the guesswork out and guarantees success. It focuses on the letter in the acronym "GOAL" in the 4 Tier GOAL Framework and how to use it to help you achieve your goals. I learned this system from a podcast I was listening to called On Purpose from Jay Shetty and had to share it with you.

 

Focus on Growth, Not Goals

People's biggest mistake is focusing on goals, not the growth needed. Putting intention into action requires a focused look at what growth is necessary to achieve the goal. 

 

Answer these key questions to determine what kind of growth will be needed:

• What skills do I need to learn or improve? 
• Do I have all the tools I need? 
• What abilities do I need to gather or grow? 
• What qualities do I need to strengthen or develop? 
• What habits do I need to grow or change?

 

Strategically focusing on these questions provides the framework needed for improvement and achievement of the goal. We focus on growth vs. the goal.

 

Prioritize Opportunities

There is no shortage of things that take our time or attention. Being clear about our intentions and focus is vital and helps us avoid getting distracted by opportunities that don't help us meet our goals.

 

One of the biggest reasons we don't achieve our goals is that we say yes to too many things that are not our priority and no to too many things that are our priority.

 

For example, one of my priorities is working out every morning. I say no to everything else during my workout time unless it is a family emergency.

This decision gives me hard and fast criteria to stick to when considering if something is important enough to come between me from achieving my goal.

 

If my goal is to get up early, I may have to say no to late-night outings because it doesn't fit the criteria for meeting my goal.

Having criteria in place also helps us evaluate when it's okay to go outside of that. For example, someone looking to grow their business and needs new clients has to set criteria about blocking time to do so. You may have to say no to other requests that steer you away from your plan.

One of the biggest reasons we don't achieve our goals and resolutions is that we don't create criteria around our opportunities. 

 

Take Action

We need to be strategic in planning how we will achieve this. Too many of us set these lofty goals but never break them down into how we will get there. We have goals and an understanding of opportunities, but we fail to implement a plan. It requires discipline and consistency.

 

I am a visual, so it may help to think of goal achievement as a ladder. Each rung is vital for success. Breaking a goal down into achievable steps makes it less overwhelming; it motivates you to start now. 

 

If your action plan does not build a step ladder to steps you can begin right now, that is not a complete action plan.

For example, I shared that my goal was working out in the morning, but it is not actionable. I need to break it down into steps, like running these five times a week at 6 am. Breaking it down into steps will bring success. The more specific you are, the better your opportunity to follow through.

 

A complete action plan includes the following:  

• What are we going to do – what is the goal, and what are the small steps  
• When we are going to do it – put the time and date on the calendar 
• Where is this taking place – chose it
• How we are going to do it – be specific about tools, equipment, strategy
• Whom we are doing it with – have accountability
• Why – what is our motivation 

 

Learning 

The final piece of the framework for reaching your goals is Learning. The intentional focus changed everything. Knowing what this year will be about helps provide direction and purpose.

 

In what areas are you committed to growing this year? 

What are you learning now that will make it more successful?

Commit this year to learn. Read more, talk to others, and take classes. Focused learning fosters curiosity, exploration, and intrigue. It puts fuel into the momentum you need for personal and professional growth.

 

Keep celebrating the wins, and create time and energy for learning. This area allows you to learn new skills, prioritize opportunities, take action and grow!

 

Thank you for supporting me with the Three Word Podcast.

If you think someone could benefit from this episode, share it, rate it, or subscribe for Free on Itunes or Spotify, so you don't miss out on the next three-word podcast.

 

Learn more about Simplifying Your sales meetings using 3-word topics at http://www.threewordmeetings.com.