Posts Tagged ‘Technology-driven change’
Visual communication devices are another tool that can aid in a radical management environment. Notice the terminology “visual communications” rather than simply video or Web conferencing. There’s a difference between a video conference and a visual communication.
Anyone who has ever traveled and has used their laptop and one of the many free video conferencing programs, such as Skype, to communicate with friends and family has discovered the power of visual communications. Visual communications heighten the bond you have with someone when you cannot be with them in person. If this form of communication works with our family members, why aren’t we using this powerful tool with customers and collogues, such as a team member in a different city or an international client?
Visual communications helps you smooth out contentious give-and-take or handle emotional or sensitive issues. It also adds dimension to the interaction. There’s a reason why you shake someone’s hand when you meet them: the more senses you involve, the higher the connection. So anytime you can enhance communication between team members, the faster change will occur.
Many large companies have video conferencing systems that require a big fancy room with expensive equipment. That’s not the only option for video anymore. Today’s new computers come with a built-in video camera. That means you can do video conferencing on a personal laptop from your desk, your home, or anywhere in the world. The software is free and comes with your system. And with some computers, you can have multiple people on at the same time and video conference with them all at once.
Additionally, the new iPhone4 has video chat built in, which means you have the ability to do visual communications right on your phone. If someone on your team doesn’t have a new iPhone, don’t worry. Other smart phone providers will follow suit and in the near future all smart phones will have visual communication capabilities, as will all smart pads, such as the next generation iPad.
Posted in Future Tech, New Tools. Tags: Burrus, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, Radical Management, Technology-driven change, Video Conference, Visual Communication. 1 Comment »
No one can deny that the original telephone Alexander Graham Bell invented in 1876 has changed significantly. From a luxury item proudly displayed as the centerpiece of the home to something small, portable, and powerful that people keep within arm’s reach 24/7, the humble telephone has evolved into a mini personal computer capable of much more than traditional voice phone calls.
Continue reading ‘Is an App Necessary For My Business?’ »
Posted in Anticipating the future, Competitive Advantage, Future Tech, Marketing, New Tools, Technology News. Tags: Android, Apps, Blackberry, Burrus, Business Apps, Business Growth, Business Marketing, Business Strategy, Competitive Advantage, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, iPhone, Smartphone Apps, Technology-driven change. No Comments »
Look at the specific ways in which you compete in the marketplace as well as what makes you unique. Then decide how technology can redefine the way you compete. For example, when was the last time you bought something from the Polaroid Company? At one time, they were the king of instant photography. But then technology and digital photography changed their industry, and the way they competed (instant photography) changed…but Polaroid didn’t change with it.
Continue reading ‘Always Take Competition Seriously’ »
Posted in Anticipating the future, Competitive Advantage, Customer Service, Future Tech, Planning, Solving Problems. Tags: Anticipate, Burrus, Business Growth, Business Strategy, Change, Compete, Competition, Competition in the Marketplace, Competitive Advantage, Customer Service, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, Exceed Expectations, Future Technology, Redefine, Redefining, Technology, Technology-driven change. 1 Comment »
Today we’re in an era of technology-driven transformation. That means you can attain higher profits when you use technology to redefine your products, your services, and/or how the industry in general works.
Continue reading ‘How To Use Technology To Know Where You’re Going’ »
Posted in Anticipating the future, Competitive Advantage, Sales, Solving Problems. Tags: Burrus, Business Growth, Creating Jobs, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, Economic Recovery, Economy, Global Economy, Recession, Recovery, Redefine, Redefining, Technology, Technology-driven change. No Comments »
Honda’s Asimo humanoid robot is now taking orders from a human brain using technology that allows a user to control its movements by thought alone.
Continue reading ‘The Power of Human Thought’ »
Posted in Technology News. Tags: BMI, Brain Machine Interface, Burrus, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, Future, Future Tech, Future Technology, Honda, Honda Asimo, Robotics, Technology, Technology-driven change. 2 Comments »
A new Internet service called touchatag (formerly tikitag) allows you to create your own radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and 2D barcodes (QR codes) that automatically launch online applications (including Skype, iTunes and Web browsers) using a variety of devices.
Continue reading ‘Do-It-Yourself Smart RFID Tags’ »
Posted in Technology News. Tags: Burrus, Business Growth, Business Marketing, Business Strategy, Competitive Advantage, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, Future Tech, RFID Tags, Technology-driven change. 3 Comments »
As more people realize and embrace the fact that social media marketing is a real time experience rather than a “wait till I get to my computer” experience, they’re taking advantage of the processing power today’s mobile phones have to offer.
Continue reading ‘The Driving Forces of Mobile Social Media Marketing’ »
Posted in Competitive Advantage, Future Tech, Marketing, New Tools, Sales, Social Media. Tags: Burrus, Business Growth, Business Marketing, Business Strategy, Communication, Competitive Advantage, Customer Service, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, guidelines for social media, Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Social Networking, Success, Technology, Technology-driven change, Web 2.0. 3 Comments »
Wind Tower is designed to address many of the drawbacks of conventional propeller systems. Called the Windspire, it combines low cost and aesthetically pleasing design with ultra-quiet operation and rugged construction to produce approximately 2000 kilowatt-hours per year in 12 mile per hour average winds.
Continue reading ‘Wind Tower – A Unique, New Wind Generator’ »
Posted in Technology News. Tags: Burrus, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, Energy, Energy Independence, Environment, Future Technology, Technology, Technology-driven change, Wind Power. 6 Comments »
Honda has rolled the first mass-production fuel cell automobiles off the assembly line. Called the FCX Clarity, the revolutionary new car looks and drives just like its gas-powered counterparts, but produces no harmful emissions. It’s powered by a specially designed, 100-kilowatt fuel cell that’s 65 percent smaller than other designs, leaving enough interior room to carry four passengers comfortably, while boasting a top speed of 100 miles per hour and a range of 280 miles.
Continue reading ‘The Hydrogen Car Has Finally Arrived’ »
Posted in Technology News. Tags: Business Strategy, Competition, Competitive Advantage, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, Future Tech, Future Technology, Sales, Technology, Technology-driven change. 3 Comments »
Over the last two months I have shared several trends for every salesperson to know: #1 Your past success will increasingly hold you back, #2 Technology-driven change will dramatically accelerate (Rapid change is your best friend), #3 Time is increasing in value, and #4 We are shifting from the information age to the communication age.
This month I would like to share the final two trends I have identified for successful salespeople to keep abreast of changes in their industry.
#5 SOLUTIONS TO PRESENT PROBLEMS ARE BECOMING OBSOLETE FASTER
Almost every salesperson has been told to be proactive, which means to be taking positive action. How do you know if a certain action is positive? You wait and see. That sounds like a crapshoot with bad odds. Therefore, you need to be pre-active to future known events. To determine pre-known events, you need to look at your customer segment and identify what types of events you are certain they will be experiencing soon. You then focus your actions on what will be happening rather than on what is happening. Being pre-active also means that you change the way people think. For example, if you put out a new product or service and hope it catches on, you’ll quickly learn that it can take a long time because you’re not actively changing the way people think about how the product can be used or how it might change their lives. Therefore, constantly educate your customers on the value you and your products and/or services offer so they begin to rethink the results they can achieve and the value you provide.
#6 THE VALUE YOU BRING TODAY IS BEING FORGOTTEN FASTER
Sell the future benefit of what you do. Most salespeople sell the current benefits of what they do. But your customers already know the current benefit you offer. One of the reasons customers leave you for a competitor is that you haven’t cemented the future benefit you can bring them. Your goal as a salesperson should be to establish a long-term, problem-solving relationship with customers rather than a short-term transaction. Your most profitable customer is a repeat customer. Therefore, you want customers to see the benefit you can give them over time, not just in the present. You want to show how the products and services you offer are going to be evolving with their needs. In other words, you want to sell the evolution of your products or services. Unfortunately, most salespeople don’t know their future benefit. Therefore, you need to sit down with your fellow salespeople and create a list of future benefits that you have for your customers. Also, talk to the people developing the products and services and get an idea of where they’re taking them. Realize that you’re more likely to deliver future benefits if you think of them ahead of time. As a side benefit, this kind of dialog will also help internal communications within the company.
SALES SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE
The more you understand and adapt to today’s current business trends, the better your sales will be—today and in the future.
Posted in Anticipating the future, Customer Service, Marketing, New Tools, Planning, Sales, Solving Problems. Tags: Burrus, Business Trends, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, Future Opportunity, Sales, Technology-driven change, Trends. No Comments »
Every industry and profession goes through changes, and the sales profession is no different. Just because a certain sales technique or mindset worked in the past doesn’t mean it’ll work today. To be a top performing salesperson, today and in the future, you need to continually adapt to both market and social conditions.
With that in mind, there are several new business trends taking place—all of which affect salespeople in every industry. Understand what the trends are and how to maximize them so you can reap the rewards of a successful sales career.
#1 YOUR PAST SUCCESS WILL INCREASINGLY HOLD YOU BACK.
People who are in sales long-term tend to be successful. Realize, though, that success is your worst enemy. When you’re at the top and doing well, you’re really just trying to keep up and meet demand. Having so many sales knocking at your door lulls you into a false sense of security. As such, you’re not looking at enough future opportunities because you’re too busy reaping the rewards of the current opportunities.
You’re not sowing the seeds of future success, and that’s setting you up for a fall. An old saying goes: “If it isn’t broke don’t fix it.” In today’s world we need to rework that statement to be: “If it works it’s obsolete.” For example, if you just bought the latest laptop, is the next newer and better version already in existence and about to be released to the public? You bet! Remember that rapid obsolescence isn’t just about products; it’s about how we do our business too.
#2 TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN CHANGE WILL DRAMATICALLY ACCELERATE.
It’s human nature to protect and defend the status quo. However, you have to understand that technology is changing the future, your customers’ behavior, and your company’s reality. That means if you don’t change, you’ll be soon out of a job. As a salesperson, you need to embrace change and make it your best friend rather than fight it and hold tight to the way things were. So how do you make rapid change your best friend? You spend some time thinking about where the changes that are impacting you and your customers are going. Remember that change causes uncertainty in customers’ minds. You can bring certainty to your customers when you are confident in where change is going. You can lead your customers through the change, causing them to view you as more than just a salesperson, but as a solutions provider and trusted advisor.
TO BE CONTINUED…MORE SALES IN YOUR FUTURE
Successful salespeople know that in order to stay on top, they need to keep abreast of trends and changes in their industry. Only then can they stand out and be a true solutions provider for their prospects and customers. Next month, I will share additional trends to help you understand and adapt to today’s changing sales industry.
Posted in Anticipating the future, Customer Service, Future Tech, Marketing, Sales. Tags: Burrus, Business Trends, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, Future Opportunity, Sales, Technology-driven change, Trends. No Comments »
We have all used the term “high tech” at one time or another. But there is a new term I have coined that is far more powerful: higher tech.
Technology-driven change comes to us and at us very well disguised; as savior, enemy, innovator, disruptor, blessing, and curse. My goal is to unmask high technology and reveal it’s real face – yours.
That’s right. It’s not the tools that are all-important; it’s what you do with them. Because for all its momentum, technology-driven change still lacks one thing: a steering wheel. And that’s where you come in. It is imperative that high tech remain the servant of humankind’s inherent genius for figuring out what our newest tools could do, what they should do, and most importantly, what they must do.
Now that the high tech genie is out of the bottle, can we cram the wily magician back in there? No way! And that’s fine by me. Higher tech has such enormous promise that it’s worth a little extra effort to get the kinks out. If I may borrow from Intel’s famously successful slogan and logo: Higher tech has people in it.
Posted in Future Tech. Tags: Burrus, Dan Burrus, Daniel Burrus, Future Technology, High Tech, Technology, Technology-driven change. No Comments »
