Forbes called him the consummate salesman. Fortune Magazine praised him in their article, “The Art of Selling”. Newsweek called him “something special”. He received the title of Greatest Car Salesman by the Guinness Book of World Records. Who is this sales legend? Joe Girard is his name. Joe sold automobiles. He sold big ticket items one at a time, selling 1,425 cars in his best year. How did he do it? One of his secret weapons was greeting cards!

Joe sent out an average of 13 cards every year to each of his clients. He would send one card a month and holiday cards in December. He hired two assistants to help and remembered customers with birthday cards, anniversary cards and any celebratory occasion you can think of from Halloween to Groundhog Day.

He knew that business greeting cards inspired customer loyalty and proved that by keeping his name in front of his customers, they would be motivated to refer him to their friends as well as return when they needed another car.

Why not try it yourself and experience success just like Joe!

{source: Biztactics}

Times are tough but don’t take it out on your co-workers. Here are some suggestions to help keep a positive attitude going in the workplace.

Empathize. You aren’t the only one suffering. Lend a sympathetic ear and know that as a team, you and your co-workers will get through this together.

Encourage. Without funds for bonuses or raises, monetary rewards will need to be replaced by something else that offers encouragement for a job well done. Recognition from management can be just such a replacement. Remember to thank those who have helped to reach company goals. Success at any level helps to secure jobs. Celebrate milestones. Birthday cards or Anniversary cards can be awarded to employees and customers to generate smiles. The minimal cost will result in immeasurable goodwill, encouraging continued business efforts.

Be flexible. Change is hard but remaining flexible will make it easier to take. Keep your eye on the goal and be ready to adjust to reach it effectively. Be willing to take on new responsibilities and work as a team to achieve goals even if it means giving up some of your presumed power. At times like these, it is the company good that matters most.

Focus. It is natural to want to hold on to your position at all costs when downsizing and layoffs threaten. However, you may miss the opportunity to shine if you lose track of your focus. Do the best you can possibility do in the tasks you are given even if it means letting go of some activities you may not be as well suited for.

Perform. Honor your commitments and meet deadlines. Make a difference now when it counts more than ever. Be the best you can be and your company, and ultimately your job, will be secured.

Give back. You spend the majority of your waking hours at work. Make it a pleasant experience by getting to know your co-workers better. Consider teambuilding opportunities such as volunteer or charitable activities you can do together. In touch times, remember to give back to those less fortunate.

Just remember to hang in there and hang together. As the saying goes, “All for one and one for all”!

Companies are letting people go right and left, people are doing their best not to buy, but to survive, a company still needs to make sales numbers. How do you do it under these conditions?

1) Focus. Narrow your target audience to those most likely to buy. Don’t waste your time trying to talk someone into something they don’t need during difficult times. Use your energy instead to market to someone likely to purchase what you’re offering.

2) Stay positive. It is best to avoid the negative news and just stay positive. All events have an end date and you should plan for future success by staying positive, spreading your hopeful energy around by pointing out ways your product or service can help improve the bottom line of your client’s business.

3) Do your homework. Before pitching your wares to a company find out everything you can about them. Use facts when telling them what your product or service will do. Help them justify the expense by giving them exact information pertaining to their business. They won’t be impressed by your canned presentation but may be encouraged to commit if you give them real numbers that will help justify their decision to buy.

4) Strengthen relationships. Use this opportunity to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones. Even if you don’t make an immediate sale, you will be first in their minds when things do loosen up and they are ready to buy. Surprise valued customers with Happy Birthday Cards. After meeting with someone, send follow-up Thank You Cards with your business card inside. These simple extra efforts will stick in their minds and reward you with future sales.

5) Stay visible. Even if you think there is no point in even trying to make a sale, resist the temptation to hide. As the saying goes, when things get tough the tough get going. Get out there and network. Meet people, learn what other businesses are up to and be ready to use your contacts when needed. By staying visible your calls will be accepted and/or you will be the first person they contact when your products or services are needed.

By all means, do not lose hope. Stay focused, positive, informed, compassionate and visible and your determination is certain to be rewarded.

This just in from the Texas Motor Speedway…

While taking a practice run this morning in preparation for tonight’s qualifying race, CardsDirect car #411 hit the wall, taking a nasty tumble. Word from the track is that a greeting card competitor may have been responsible for the mishap which is still under investigation.

Driver, Sam Steady, was uninjured but the car is not in good shape. In fact, according to the pit crew, it cannot be repaired in time for qualifying. And so, unfortunately, CardsDirect’s Nascar run has ended before it’s even really begun!

The experience has, however, put CardsDirect out in front of the personalized greeting cards race and sparked some creative discussions opening up a new line of cards perfect for fast paced corporations interested in powering up their businesses. New card designs will include, “Rev up Sales by Sending Customer Appreciation Cards” and “Lead the Pack by Remembering Loyal Clients with Corporate Birthday Cards”. Still others include, “Drive Sales with Business Referral Cards” and the unfortunately popular, “Sorry I Passed you on the Last Lap Sympathy Cards”.

Hopefully with Thank You Cards for the pit crew and some repair and recycling, #411 will be back in the race by April Fool’s Day next year!

We at CardsDirect are pleased to announce our entry into Nascar’s Samsung 500 this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Yes, although plans have been in the works for months, we have just now added the paint to our car and selected our driver. He is none other than one of Grand Prix’s best, Sam Steady. Know as “Mr. Speed” in the racing community, Sam was quite excited to be named CardsDirect’s driver of choice and looks forward to leading the pack at Sunday’s race.

At CardsDirect we believe that the race for business is key in today’s challenging economic times and personalized greeting cards sent to commemorate big events like birthdays or anniversaries or just to say thank you for your purchase are key to maintaining and growing your business. To enhance this mission we feel the buzz surrounding Nascar is the perfect vehicle for carrying our message forward and leading the pack in the greeting card industry.

Buckle up for a fast passed run for the checkered flag when CardsDirect and Mr. Speed take on the pack this weekend. Cards and Cars, a great winning combination!