The ezPalm Blog


April 1, 2008

Piano Lessons For Adults: More Fun, Easier, & Faster Than Piano Lessons For Kids

Filed under: Online Music — admin @ 8:42 pm

Piano lessons for adults is generally LOTS more fun than it is for kids, primarily because the only adults that play piano are people who really want to, which is certainly not true of most kids that take piano lessons because their parents want them to.

But that’s not the only reason by a long shot.

Adults in record numbers are signing up for piano lessons all around the world, for a variety of reasons, including:

* Because of the internet, adults have become aware that piano lessons don’t have to happen in a music studio or store, so they are not locked into a schedule of showing up for a lesson every Tuesday at 4. Now they can choose their own time and schedule and learn at their own pace via lessons available on the internet.

*Adults have become aware that traditional methods of learning by reading music and practicing scales is not the only way to learn to play the piano. They have become aware that learning chords and chording techniques is a viable option.

*Chord-based piano learning methods are excellent for beginning adults, since they can quickly learn enough to make their songs sound good in a reasonably short time. It doesn’t take years of intense practice to be able to play a familiar tune in the right hand while chording in the left hand.

*Many adults have found that by learning chords, they can come through the “backdoor” of piano playing. They learn to play chord-style quickly, and enjoy it so much that they are then motivated to learn to read music and go on to master traditional sight-reading.

*In addition to the musical benefits, professional people have discovered that piano playing is one of the most relaxing things they can do after work. It allows them to get their minds off the activities of the day and just focus on the pleasure of making their own music.

*Some have even taken it a step further and become proficient enough to play at social events and parties. Just being able to play “Happy Birthday” while everyone sings along is a real social advantage, and satisfying emotionally as well.

*Other adults use their new-found piano playing skills to play in their churches or on worship teams, or just to accompany themselves as they sing.

*Piano playing adults can create their own music in their own way - they can “do their own thing” in music. They can create moods ranging from joy to silliness to sadness to patriotism to whatever matches the need of the hour.

*And last but certainly not least, chord piano lessons taken over the internet or in home by way of DVD’s and CD’s are much less expensive than traditional lessons, and can be replayed over and over as necessary.

Whatever the reason, adults in increasing numbers are doing what they thought they would never do - they are willingly taking piano lessons, knowing the benefits are many and wonderful.

Desiree Bruyere is a free-lance writer and amateur piano player who plays jazz & pop piano strictly for the love of it. She takes piano lessons online and on DVD from her native France, and got started by taking the free 2-year online course in Secrets of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions offered worldwide, then later took the Crash Course In Exciting Piano Playing For Adults.

A Sure-Fire, 10-Step Formula To Get Started As A Coach Or Consultant

Filed under: Best Self Improvement Resources — admin @ 8:09 pm

“My guess is first I’ll need some zippy flyers and a tri-fold brochure” said an email from Matt last week. Sadly, he is not the only one thinking that the first step to building a professional business is printing fliers and brochures. After all, that’s what everyone does, right? And it seems like a logical place to start, doesn’t it?

It’s interesting that while most people who call me about my marketing mentoring services are well established practitioners looking for a new edge, Matt’s message was one of the 14 emails I got last week from people who are just starting to build their practice.

They all wanted to know the best way to get started fast but seemed to be fixated on getting their fliers and brochures ready.

Fact is, “zippy flyers and tri-folds” are a bad idea when you are just starting out. They can be pricey if you want them to look sharp. But even worse - they are so “inflexible”.

If you are just starting out, I’m more than sure, that you will quickly go through several “adjustments”. I’ve seen people spent thousands on the “zippy brochures” only to find them useless in a couple of months.

So if getting brochures doesn’t work what’s the right way to go? Here is my sure-fire 10-step formula to quickly get started as a coach or consultant. And, if you are a well established practitioner, these ten tips may just give you the swift kick in the pants you need to re-invigorate your marketing.

1. PLAN.
Yes, I know you’ve heard this before, but still too few people take the time to do this.

Find out what makes you tick. Evaluate your own strengths, desires, skills. What are you really good at? What do you love learning about? If you’ve worked with clients before - what type of clients did you have best results with so far?

If you don’t have at least your “who” (your ideal client), “what” (the problems you solve) and “how” (your unique solution) figured out, don’t even bother moving to step two.

2. Find a “hive”.
This is a critical step that most people completely overlook. You’ve got to find a market that WANTS what you’ve got (or what you want to learn.)

Ideally, people in this market should already be aware of their problem, have a real desire to solve it and the money to do so.

Evaluate if you can easily find and reach those people. Do they have an association, annual conference? Is there a list you can buy? If you can’t find a hive - look for a different target market or change your offering.

3. Listen and learn.
Talk to people you want to work with. Learn their language; how they communicate about their needs and problems. Ask them to tell you what solutions they are looking for and their preferred method of learning and solving problems.

4. Develop your Magnetic Marketing Message.
Learn to describe what you are offering in 15 seconds or less.

Make sure your message clearly communicates three things: who you help, their problem, and your unique solution. This message is about the people you work with not about you.

This is where you get your business cards. I recommend you name your business in a way that communicates what you do and get some basic business cards to start.

The ones from vistaprint.com are great. $10 or $15 will easily get you started, although I recommend you spring the extra five bucks and opt not to have their branding on the back of your cards.

If possible, make your card an invitation to contact you. For example, my own cards advertise my free marketing report and invite people to download it from my web site.

5. Create attraction tools.
Write a few “Top 10″ articles and a “special report” that address the biggest problems your potential clients are experiencing.

Here is a hot tip for you: if you don’t think you have enough expertise on the topic you want to teach - start by interviewing a few experts.

6. Build a basic web site.
Don’t wait for months or years. All you need are a few simple pages that communicate your magnetic marketing message, give you a place to post your articles and invite your visitors to sign up for your electronic newsletter or ezine.

Oh, I guess that would be step six and a half - start your ezine! It’s so simple to do, there is just no excuse not to have one. You can start with something like www.ezezine.com - it will cost your nothing to send a monthly message if you have fewer than 1000 subscribers.

If you’ve got a large list already, use something like www.kickstartcart.com (the system I’m using.)

7. Start teaching!
Offer free teleclasses and build interest around what you are going to coach or consult on. This is an important step; it allows people to get to know you and “sample” your services while it gives you an opportunity to test and tweak your content.

8. Help your first 5-10 clients.
Coach a few people in your target market for free or trade services with them to get started. This will allow you to get your first success stories fast. Make it a habit to collect testimonials from every client.

If you are having hard time getting your first few clients here is your clue - focus more on how to “create more value” for your clients and less on how to “get” clients.

9. Develop group programs.
Selling open-end coaching or consulting engagements can be tough. It’s often hard to get people to see what they will get out of working with you.

You can overcome this by developing specific, close-end programs. They are easier to explain, offer more “tangible” outcomes and are more affordable since there are several participants paying for your time.

Those programs can become your “great client incubator” - a place from which your larger/individual assignments and projects will come.

10. Keep’em coming.
Once you get your first few clients it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stop marketing. But you’ve got to keep your marketing machine cranking at all time.

Most successful coaches and consultants learn that continuous education-based marketing (marketing by sharing their expertise) can get them more than enough business and establish them as undisputable experts at the same time.

You too can get similar results by writing and publishing articles, developing info-products and getting invited as a speaker to groups that attract your potential clients.

This is obviously only a beginning guide. But I guarantee that if you follow those 10 simple steps in just six months to a year you too can build a successful practice.

(c) 2004 Adam M. Urbanski

EzineArticles Expert Author Adam Urbanski

The Author, Adam Urbanski, a Marketing Mentor, helps Service
Professionals and Small Business Owners attract more clients.
For more free tutorial articles, hot how-to tips and a FREE 32-page marketing guide go to http://www.themarketingmentors.com

Insurance for Those Who Run Bed and Breakfast Properties

Filed under: Insurance Info — admin @ 4:32 pm

A Bed and Breakfast, often referred to as a B&B, is a private residence with several rooms of which are set aside for overnight guests whose paid accommodations include breakfast. Modern Bed and Breakfast often consciously tries to recall earlier days - they are generally established in charming older houses which have been refurbished and adorned with antique furniture.

Hence insuring one’s bed and breakfast property is a better idea to recover any loss caused accidentally. Also, if a guest is injured while staying in the bed and breakfast, and if the adequate liability cover is not in place, the owner has to face the loss. Another important reason to insure one’s property is incase one has to close its doors for a while, especially during peak season, due to any number of problems such as fire and storm or a violent or accidental event at the premises. Hence insuring your property at the right time and right insurer will help a prospective owner to compensate the loss.

Most of the bed and breakfast insurance policies cover one’s personal property, liability exposures, and optional coverage such as those incurred through business. Property coverage include special cause of loss, actual cash value or optional replacement cost, business income and extra expense, newly acquired or constructed property and business personal property.

The policies available could also cover bodily injury and property damage, contractual coverage, personal injury, advertising injury and host liquor liability. Optional coverage includes crime, food spoilage, guest inconvenience coverage, employee benefits administration liability and ordinance and law coverage.

Generally most insurance policies cover all the bed and breakfast activities including the supply of food and drink. The coverage can be extended to weddings, garden parties, visits by day trippers to historical homes, in-house gymnasiums, fishing and bicycle use, limited horse riding activities and even legal liability cover on stolen credit cards.

Most insurance companies prefer to be informed about changing circumstances within a bed and breakfast property. The management companies should be aware of this responsibility - existing building policies may be affected if there is an increase in the number of bed rooms from that shown in the schedule, and the change not conveyed to the insurers in time for their consideration.

Hence before getting in to any insurance package, it is advisable that the prospective customer rationally selects the package that suits him the best by shopping around and comparing terms, conditions and premiums on a like for like basis.

Jason Hulott is Business Development Director of Protection
Insurance. Protection Insurance is an internet based insurance
business dedicated to getting consumers the very best insurance rates and the best products. Products include UK Car Insurance,UK Home Insurance and Self Build Insurance

The Ins and Outs of Internal and External Relations

Filed under: Hall Of Management — admin @ 3:16 pm

INTERNAL PUBLIC RELATIONS: Never overlook an opportunity to do internal public relations about your department and its offerings. A training department must, first and foremost, be visible in the organization it serves. Larry Lottier, Manager, Education of Dana Corporation publishes a training department course catalog with faculty, course listings and course descriptions to publicize his department’s offerings. Gary Slobodian, Assistant Manager, Corporate Staff Development, of Great-West Life Assurance Company has found that getting training on the agenda at national sales meetings increases his department’s visibility.

ACHIEVING CREDIBILITY: Make sure your department has credibility within your organization. There are several ways to attain (and maintain) credibility. Your departmental plan of action must “… support what the organization is trying to do, be integrated into it,” says Susan Warshauer, whose upcoming book, Inside Training and Development, Creating Effective Programs, examines this. The trainings offered and the department’s overall philosophy must give tangible answers to the needs expressed by senior management. Understanding that business plan its goals, mission, ethics and company positioning is essential to the training department being seen as “one of us” by the rest of management. To have this kind of personal credibility with senior executives, a training manager must “speak the language of the suits.”

BENEFITS OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS: If you are considering using outside consultants to supplement your in-house training staff, consider some of the benefits of external people that our experts identified: –Breadth of experience, have been inside several other organizations, more objectivity, wider range of solutions. (James Hayes) –You can buy `being up to date’ with the latest technology; it costs to teach an internal person that. (Robin Grumman) –Sometimes outside eyes see more. (Sharon Burns) –Technical experts can fill needs we can’t do in house. (Mary Belle GrosJacques) –You don’t need to pay them benefits or keep them on staff. (Markus Zimmer).

DRAWBACKS OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS: If you are considering using outside consultants to supplement your in-house training staff, consider some of the drawbacks of external people that our experts identified: –They don’t know the culture. (Barbara L. Thornton) –May not be available the next time you need them. (Ken Wessel)

–You never know what you’re going to get; there is an element of risk that you may not need with a first time program. (Susan Warshauer) –An internal person is hooked into the performance appraisal system at the company, and external person needs more supervision, more of a manager’s time. (Sharon Burns).

Copyright AE Schwartz & Associates All rights reserved. For additional presentation materials and resources: ReadySetPresent and for a Free listing as a Trainer, Consultant, Speaker, Vendor/Organization: TrainingConsortium

CEO, A.E. Schwartz & Associates, Boston, MA., a comprehensive organization which offers over 40 skills based management training programs. Mr. Schwartz conducts over 150 programs annually for clients in industry, research, technology, government, Fortune 100/500 companies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. He is often found at conferences as a key note presenter and/or facilitator. His style is fast-paced, participatory, practical, and humorous. He has authored over 65 books and products, and taught/lectured at over a dozen colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Zeaxanthin Prevents Age Related Macular Degeneration: Did You Know That?

Filed under: Great Medical Tips — admin @ 12:51 pm

You’ve likely heard that carrots and the Beta Carotene they contain are good for your eyes sight.

But there is much more to the story than this.

For instance did you know that**:

1. Two eye protecting carotenoids called Zeaxanthin and Lutein, which are more powerful that Beta Carotene, are essential in protecting the eyes from free radical damage, the destruction of protein and age related blindness?

2. Ningxia Wolfberries are rich in both Zeaxanthin and Lutein i.e. 15 gms of Ningxia Wolfberries contain as much as 3 mg of Zeaxanthin?

3. That Ningxia Wolfberries have one of the highest antioxidant ratings of any food known on the planet?

4. That Zeaxanthin, even more that Lutein, is thought to be the key agent in helping to prevent, aged related macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy?

5. That the Zeaxanthin contained in Ningxia Wolfberries is, because of their unique chemical form ( i.e. esterified Zeaxanthin Dipalmitate), quickly and easily assimilated by the body boosting blood levels of Zeaxanthin by 2 to 5 times.

6. That age related changes in vision are noticeable as early as age 50 in many individuals?

7. The highest level of Zeaxanthin in the body is found in the central part of the retinal, the area affected by Macular Degeneration?

8. That the effective therapeutic dose to prevent age related Macular Degeneration is 6 mg of Zeaxanthin and Lutein?

9. That age related Macular Degeneration affects over 1.8 million in the US over the age of 40 and that an additional 7.3 million are at risk?

References:

** Gary Young ND, Discovery of The Ultimate Superfood, Essential Science Publishing, July 2005

Nick Arrizza M.D. is trained in medicine & psychiatry. He is an international healer, coach, speaker, and developer of the powerful Mind Resonance Process(TM) (MRP)
Young Living Web Site: http://www.youngliving.org/arrizza

Nick Arrizza, M.D. - EzineArticles Expert Author

What is the Government Doing on Identity Theft?

Filed under: Net Hall — admin @ 11:52 am

Unlike SPAM where the Federal Trade Commission proved completely incompetent and consumers experienced a nearly 3000% increase in SPAM since the FTC put out their press releases that they were going to take a bite out of SPAM; it appears that the justice department is indeed making some headway on Identity Theft.

Although did you know that Identity Theft and SPAM are related in many ways, as there are folks stealing credit information from online Internet users thru “key stroke” loggers, Phishing Techniques and computer Spyware. What is the Government Doing on Identity Theft? Well here is what the Federal Trade Commission is doing; most of it is about consumer education;

http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

The President of the United States has signed two new bills into law to go after Identity theft criminals and the Justice Department is indeed making headway. Consumers can get free videos and learn better how to protect themselves. Additionally the credit card companies are getting better at catching the bad guys also.

Alberto Gonzales also recently announced a 20 country, 10 agency set of arrests which affected over 50,000 consumers of identity theft and they sent all the criminals that they caught to jail. No, this does not completely wipe out Identity Theft but all these things together; well it’s a good start. Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow - EzineArticles Expert Author

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Astrology: The Rising Sign

Filed under: Spirituality Links — admin @ 7:44 am

When your Astrological Chart is drawn up by the astrologer according to the information you have given of your birth date, time of birth and also the place of birth, it appears as a large circular disc with a smaller one in the centre in which the individual is symbolically placed. The larger circle of 360 is usually equally divided into 12 segments of 30 like equal slices of a cake. Each of the 12 segments is known as a ‘house’ with the first one being that on the left and just below the horizon or horizontal in the chart. Numbering anticlockwise, the twelve houses are represented in sequence and named according to their numerical place - First House, Second House and so on. Sometimes the Rising Sign may appear as only a few degrees above the horizon and at other times 28 or more. When it is sharing the influence of the next sign rising as in these latter degrees to the 30 it is called “on the cusp” and the characteristics of that Rising Sign are modified by those of the one following. The Rising sign is strongest in its essential characteristics the closer it is to the 15 or midway point.

The zodiacal sign in which the Sun is placed at your birth is what is commonly called your Sun Sign, Birth Sign or astrological sign. The symbol for the Sun is immediately placed appropriately in the sign and the degree that it occupied at the moment of your birth .All the other planets will also be placed according to their actual astronomical position.

At the beginning of each house is one of the zodiacal signs which dominates that particular house. The ruling or dominant sign governing the first house, once it has been established by astronomical calculation, is placed on the Chart on the left hand horizontal and this is called your ‘Rising Sign’. Only an astrological chart drawn with scientific accuracy can determine the exact degree of the Rising Sign.

For example, let us call that zodiacal Rising Sign, Aries. The rest of the zodiacal signs are then placed in their natural order and in anticlockwise fashion around the circle of the Chart, to finish with the sign Pisces shown as ruling the 12th House, situated above the horizon, just as Aries is below.

Basically this means when you begin to consider your personal make-up there are two main factors to consider, not just the one. Even though your Sun sign (your known Birth Sign) may be Cancer, you must take into account that Aries will also play a dominant role in your nature, particularly regarding your physical appearance, your outer personality and many of your instinctive reactions to life events. In this case although you may be highly emotional, as indicated by Cancer, you will have very strong outgoing energies and attitudes which are positive and very different from the more sensitive person you are inside. You will have an outer appearance of forceful, direct and more adventurous personality than the quieter soul you know as your true nature.

Most of us start life with these two different and often opposing influences inherent in our personality and in our potential psychological equipment. Our Rising sign is different from our Sun sign. We have to come to understand this mix of influences and absorb the best of the energies of each into our own intelligent blend of characteristics. We must make a study of both these signs in our first attempt to understand how astrology reveals our main character traits, as they represent the constituents in our unique and complex recipe of human nature.

But of course there are also many cases where both the Sun sign and the Rising sign, because of astronomical configurations, will be the same. In which case, there is an intensification of all the traits and no moderating influences and a Taurean person with Taurus also as the Rising sign will show classical virtues and faults of a Taurean - a double Taurean so to say! It is certain that such an individual will know that the clues to his nature and his life will be found through study of the Taurean energies and principles.

It is the degree of the Rising Sign which accents or moderates the characteristics association with that sign, according to the distance between its neighbouring signs. So with 1 degree Aries rising there would be still the strong influence of Pisces. As the qualities of Pisces are very different from Aries, in character analysis this factor would have to be taken into consideration. With 28-30 Aries rising, one would have to add the strong up and coming influence of Taurus which, in this case would add some caution to the rashness of the Aries nature.

The factor of the Sun Sign and the Rising Sign and their proper interpretation is very interesting subject which has been the focus of a great deal of research over the last century or so. There is ample evidence to show that certain definite features and circumstances will be common to those persons having similar factors in their birth charts. This helps you to feel confident when seeking to clarify particular details.

Many come to know that the Sun sign is what you come into the world with regarding your talents, soul purposes and spiritual attitudes and the Rising Sign is the indicator of our physical appearance and outer personality - the tool through which our soul expresses itself.

The Rising sign strongly influences some aspects of our appearance (as to whether we are fair, dark and some influence over proportion and facial features). It affects our health, giving us clearly defined physical strengths and weaknesses. It accents all personality likes, dislikes, attitudes and attributes to frequently describe how different a personality you are compared with your siblings - who were born at different times and sometimes different places.

So it is wise to study the energies and influences of both the Rising Sign and the Sun Sign in combination, in order to see which factors you feel accurately describe your personal make up. It is good to know at the outset what the opposing or conflicting elements in your character are likely to be. It is also helpful to know the positive, complementary qualities which you can use in a resourceful and positive manner.

Analysing another person’s horoscope is very much like trying to distinguish the flavourings in a complex recipe of a cake - some of the separate ingredients may in time be identified but the ultimate flavour and taste are beyond any analysis, just as the work of coordinating and utilizing the various astrological energies is entirely a matter for the individual himself.

Analysing your own Chart is very different from reading the report of a professional. It requires you to be without bias which is almost impossible except regarding events and circumstances. However such an exercise has many rewards. It can make you aware of your qualities, both good and bad and encourage self improvement.

Interpreting astrological energies is a difficult task which is why many astrologers remain somewhat aloof from personal contact with the subject, preferring to use computer aids for the scientific preparation and to rely upon only one personal consultation for a reading.

Others liken it to psychology and their work of interpretation to the analogy of creating order out of pieces of a jigsaw - with each factor being just another piece to find a place for in the complex pattern of the personality. It cannot be emphasised enough, that Astrology is both a science and an art.

If you sincerely wish to understand the subject, there are many books covering various aspects and some courses which take you from a study of the zodiacal Signs and their associated qualities , to the placement of the other planets, the importance of the Moon upon your emotional nature, the relationship between the planets in the birth chart, the common link with parents and loved ones, health matters, good and bad fortune, relationships, interests and events and of course that which fascinates many people, their future. One must be cautious of taking notice of the general and often superficial comments in astrological newspaper columns. These often serve to denigrate the science.

Every professional astrologer should be well versed in setting up your personal chart providing you have a record of the exact time and the place of birth. Each individual astrologer has his own methods and system of interpreting your Chart. Many specialise in particular aspects such as health, relationships, character, future events and even weather prediction. It is important to find a good professional with considerable experience in the field of your own interest. In the meantime, be aware when reading of matters related to your Birth Sign or Sun Sign that you must also take into consideration the qualities of your Rising Sign.

Michael Russell - EzineArticles Expert Author

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Astrology

6 Common Mistakes in the Sales Hiring Process

Filed under: The Sales Way — admin @ 2:04 am

Is lack of sales results, more sales training costs, months of
unearned salary and damage to your company’s image or
reputation your company’s method of NOT finding good
salespeople? For most companies it is!

The “trial and error” method of hiring salespeople is very
costly to a business. Without a viable way to hire quality
sales people everyone in the same organization is negatively
affected. Without revenues there often are not adequate human
and financial resources to best service customers or grow the
business.

“Sales” Pays the Bills

If you’re a seasoned business owner or a manager of a business,
you learn that sales fixes most business problems … in other
words, when sales revenues are strong, you can more afford to
make business mistakes or throw more money at any number of
business problems. However, when sales are down you cannot
afford any level of unnecessary incremental cost.

Zig Ziglar, the famous sales trainer, once said, “Sales people
are really the only people in business who pay the bills!” For
vital, revenue generating positions like sales, businesses
cannot afford a trial and error method of finding quality
sales personnel.

Show Me the Way!

Hiring quality employees has always been a major challenge for
any business owner or manager. Hiring mistakes are common no
matter the business function and most are directly attributed
to six fundamental hiring mistakes:

1) Assuming the hiring manager knows how to qualify people

Being able to effectively interview and qualify people, like
any other skill is not an innate talent. Some people are
better than others at assessing hire candidate’s potential. As
a hiring manager you must seek others perspectives of
candidates and establish an interview team for each open
position, than collectively discuss each candidate for optimum
results.

2) Not defining EXACTLY what you are looking for in a new hire

The adage: “If you don’t know what you want you’ll never get
it” applies in hiring salespeople. When you establish an
interview team, document a comprehensive job description with
duties and responsibilities clearly defined for each interview
team member. Be sure to list desirable talents, skills and
areas of knowledge. If you want multiple perspectives on
candidate traits or experiences, have each person focus on a
limited number of desired skill sets.

3) Assuming specific business functions know how to hire “like”

talent

Do sales people best know how to hire other sales people? Not
necessarily! Just because someone is capable in a specific job
function does not mean they know how to hire people with the
same level of talent.

4) Over emphasizing a hire candidate’s personality or “looks”

This one is obvious, but, one of the most common hiring
mistakes.

5) Not effectively checking previous employment references

If you consistently miss critical insights into a salesperson’s
capabilities, motivations or character prior to hire, it is
generally because you chose not to or did not effectively
investigate a candidate’s previous employment history. Given
the potential cost of a poor hiring mistake, it makes
financial sense to spend a nominal amount of money and have a
professional check out a candidate’s references.

6) Hiring in your own likeness

Everyone likes to hire people who either have their same;
background, education, philosophies, interests, motivations or
friends, but, more often than not, this is a major mistake.
Sales team diversity is critical to long term sales success.

If your organization can establish an effective program to
evaluate potential new sales personnel on a probationary basis
you can also significantly reduce your hire risks. Establish a
legal document whereby the candidate and your company mutually
agree to a 4 to 6 month “mutual evaluation period”. Define
upfront all position performance metrics for the candidate and
a clear financial remuneration to be paid if they do not meet
the performance thresholds. Be sure this agreement is written
by a qualified attorney. If the “honeymoon” is wonderful,
there is a good chance the marriage is going to be a success!

Organizations have a shared responsibility to hire the best
selling talent possible. Whether you seek experienced sales
people or “rookies” with just energy and attitude, a
disciplined approach to PRE-qualifying tomorrow’s sales
superstar is paramount. If you cannot find quality sales
people, don’t compromise!

About the Author:

Mark Smock is President of http://www.business-buyer-directory.com,
the FIRST International business buyer directory of its kind.
Business Buyer Directory provides a non-traditional means for
proactive business buyers to locate businesses for sale
worldwide that meet their exact registered purchase criteria.