Discover practical advice, inspiration, and insights to help you succeed in business and grow both personally and professionally.
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Think about how many interactions with other people you have each day: ordering your coffee, chatting with a stranger over lunch, or meeting people on a bus on your way back home. Each interaction represents an opportunity to turn a stranger into a customer. At Cydcor, we believe that networking is crucial for finding new contacts. Here are some tips for turning connections into customers.
Refine and Memorize Your Elevator Pitch
The function of an elevator pitch is to communicate what you do to someone else. If someone can’t understand your business, they won’t be able to see the value it could provide. Your story should be conversational and convey your work briefly.
Work the Contacts You Already Have
You know more people than just those you interact with every day: think on all of your friends and their friends, former coworkers, family members, and past clients. Connect with as many people as you can to get your name out there. Network with “People You May Know” on LinkedIn, fellow alumni, or get to know people who have the same creative outlet as you.
Determine Who Will Make a Good Connection
A good contact is someone who would find value in working with you and seems genuinely interested in what you do. People should be comfortable with you before you give them your pitch. If they like you, they’re more likely to want to learn more about you and about your business.
Follow up With Potential Customers
Put potential customers’ information in your contacts list as soon as you get a chance. Send them an email to follow up if they’ve expressed interest in working with you, or even if you just want to say how great it was to meet them.
Market Yourself Online
Compose smartly crafted newsletters and keep a valuable blog up to date with fresh, new content. The more people who subscribe to your platforms and pay attention to your company, the better. Also leverage the power of social media. More and more people these days use social media to learn about a topic or a business. Social media can help you reach people you normally wouldn’t interact with on a daily basis. So, take advantage of the many networking sites available online.
Be Mindful of Your Potential Client’s Needs
Once you have made a first impression on a new contact do not overstay your welcome if you notice they are busy or rushed. Offer a friendly good-bye after you’ve exchanged contact information, and then be on your way. Don’t flood them with too much information. Be aware of the queues your contacts give you such as time constraints. You will be better off leaving your contacts wanting to know more about what you have to offer at a later time rather than forcing a conversation when is not the right time.
So, tell us, do you use casual conversations to discover new customers? what techniques do you use to find new customers in creative ways? Post your story on Twitter and follow us @Cydcor.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
Professional development is a process that improves your job skills through ongoing education and training. As you study and as your skills improve, you will have greater mastery over your assignments. Cydcor encourages investing in professional growth for our employees and sales associates. Your confidence will grow and you will become a better and more valuable employee.
Download a podcast application to your phone to make it easier to find, subscribe, and listen to your podcasts. Several podcast apps are available for iPhones and Androids. Imagine having an entire professional development library on your phone! Here are some of our favorite podcasts for professional development:
Todd Henry has spoken to tens of thousands of people around the globe in a range of industries. He and his guests will teach you how to bring creativity and passion to your work. You will learn new strategies for solving problems while achieving a healthy work and life balance.
Erik Fisher interviews experts who have solutions for problems you face every day. If you’re determined to complete your to-do lists, then this podcast is for you. Recent guests include Chris Brogan, a bestselling business strategy author, and Dave Delaney, an authority on problem-solving skills.
Michael Auzenne and Mark Horstman are management experts. Career Tools will teach you how to build business relationships and networks. You’ll discover your leadership skills and you will learn to use them wisely. You’ll learn practical suggestions for gaining recognition and career advancement.
Harvard Business Review IdeaCast
Hear cutting edge ideas about management and innovation from Sarah Green, the editor of Harvard Business Review. Her Harvard connection gives her the clout to attract guests like Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Alphabet, Inc., Google’s parent company.
Podcasts for professional development are an inspiring resource. Try to have a pen and notebook nearby while you’re listening. You never know when inspiration may strike—and you don’t want to lose a great idea.
What are your favorite professional development podcasts? Listen to those that we’ve suggested and then let us know which ones you like best. Post your story on Twitter, follow us @Cydcor, and share this article with your friends to start a conversation with your community.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
About Getting There: A Book of Mentors by Gillian Zoe Segal
What makes a good mentor? In Getting There: A Book of Mentors, Gillian Zoe Segal interviews thirty leaders in their fields to provide tips and tricks on how they were able to make it to the top. These potential role models describe hurdles they had to overcome in life, setbacks they had to handle, and the lessons they learned even in their lowest moments. The mentors give practical career advice as well as wisdom they’ve acquired over the years. Getting There is the perfect read for anyone attentively focused on their future or facing challenges in getting to the next level in their career. Finding success is never easy, but a great mentor can make the path toward achievement easier to navigate.
Cydcor decided to review this book after discovering an excellent Forbes.com article on door-to-door selling as the first step to billions.
Why Cydcor Reviews Recommends This Book:
Segal interviews people from many different fields: art, politics, science, and business. Each mentor walks the reader through their journey of making it big, explaining that the path isn’t always easy. Failures happen and difficulties arise, but it’s not impossible to outlast these complications. Almost all of the mentors in this book have experienced a moment that let them transcend these challenges.
This isn’t a book filled with research or studies. Instead, it offers narratives that put an emphasis on being human, and how that allows people to face anything. The advice the book Getting There offers is top quality, from real people who started out ordinary and became extraordinary. Although these people may all be from different fields, the advice is still sound and applicable for anyone looking to make something of themselves. It’s truly a great and inspirational read.
Our Favorite Part
Of all the different mentors interviewed in the book, John Paul DeJoria (co-owner of Patron Spirits and Paul Mitchell US), Sara Blakely (owner of @SPANX), , and worldwide recognized artist Jeff Koons have the most insights applicable to the business and sales industries. All three began their careers as door-to-door salespeople, and that experience made an impact that affected them permanently. Like the rest of the book, these chapters feel like an intimate one-on-one talk where wisdom is easily absorbed. The struggles these mentors faced can help shed light on many of the challenges everyone faces while trying to build a successful professional life.
What do you look for in a mentor? Tell us about the qualities you value when searching for a role model. Share a photo on Instagram and follow us @Cydcor
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
Get motivated by the stories of these legendary entrepreneurs who started with nothing and achieved success with hard work and determination.
If you take small, determined steps and focus on your goals, you will not allow anything to stand in your way to success. These 7 entrepreneurs, when faced with roadblocks, found a way to win. Let these stories of success strengthen your determination to never give up, and get you on the path toward being a great entrepreneur.
Selling fax machines door-to-door taught Blakely that persistence was the key to success. This experience gave her the strength she needed during the development process of her Spanx business. Initially, every manufacturer she met refused to help her. But, she didn’t stop until she found someone who liked her idea. She persisted despite hearing too many no’s. Eventually she sold 8,000 pairs during the first 6 minutes of her appearance on QVC, the home shopping channel.
Jin Sook and Do Wong Chang moved to the United States from Korea in 1981 with close to nothing. While working multiple jobs to make ends meet, the couple decided to open a clothing store in 1984: Fashion 21. Their store emulated Seoul, Korea’s fast and affordable street fashion, and customers loved it. Within one year, sales at their innovative store reached $700,000. Today, Forever 21 has 480 stores across the country and is known for its unique, stylish, youthful, and affordable apparel.
Rowling was a single mother living on state benefits when she received a $3,000 advance—after a dozen rejection letters—to write her first Harry Potter novel. She finished the manuscript for the first novel on a manual typewriter, not being able to afford a computer. Even though it seemed like her dream wouldn’t come true, the author persisted, never giving up on her dream. To date, the series has sold over 400 million copies.
Schultz grew up in a Brooklyn housing project and was able to attend college on a football scholarship. His early years in Brooklyn, college, and at Xerox taught him that perseverance was a key to success. Schultz worked his way up the corporate ladder, leading Starbucks onward and upward to its massive success today. His passion for accessible and tasty coffee led to more than 20,000 Starbucks Coffee shops opening worldwide.
Winfrey was born into poverty in rural Mississippi, but became the first African American television correspondent in Nashville when she was just nineteen. The Oprah Winfrey Show was launched in 1983 and was the foundation for Winfrey’s media empire in movies, radio, and publishing. Oprah’s story has inspired millions of women to overcome adversity, shoot for the stars, and carve out their own niche in the world.
Do you find inspiration in the struggles faced by other entrepreneurs? Tell us who inspires you to work harder in order to achieve your goals. Post your story on Twitter and follow us @Cydcor.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
About The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Marie Kondo is a cleaning consultant from Japan. Her best-selling guide to organizing, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, is the result of years of study and experimentation. Kondo discovered her passion for tidying up when she was a child. Her book describes an early fascination with finding ways to create order out of chaos. Like Kondo, Cydcor believes that a well-organized workplace inspires creativity and increases productivity—and Kondo is a great teacher of these values.
Kondo’s descriptions of her struggles and successes have an emotional punch. Her writing reveals a universal truth: most of us have a clutter problem at work and at home. And it can’t be solved with a conventional cleaning strategy. Why should you read this book? It’s simple—Kondo’s solution to your clutter problem is permanent.
Why Cydcor Reviews Recommends This Book:
Kondo provides a simple solution to improve the quality of your work life and home life. If you carefully follow her instructions, you have a chance of finally getting your life in order. Kondo is determined to get you to try her life-changing magic. Her process is simple, and the detailed instructions she provides are easy to understand. The author writes with conviction, and just like Cydcor, she provides solutions that work.
Our Favorite Part:
Kondo insists that you tidy by category. Start with your papers and move on to supplies and then your files until you’ve gone through everything. Our favorite part of Kondo’s technique is that it requires no special tools. There is only one simple rule to follow: once you start tidying up, don’t stop until you’ve gone through all of your possessions. Unwanted items go into trash bags to be donated, recycled, or discarded. In just under 200 pages, Kondo shares her simple secret; the life-changing magic of tidying up allows us to find joy at work and at home, pure and simple.
Do you need to get control of the clutter that’s getting in your way? Let us know your favorite tips for staying organized. Share your ideas on Twitter and follow us @Cydcor.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
These words of wisdom will inspire you to overcome any obstacle in your path.
An inspiring quote is the perfect tool to use when you find that an obstacle is blocking your way forward. We’ve collected 20 inspirational quotes for you to read when you need encouragement. At Cydcor, we teach our employees and sales representatives to embrace optimism. You will find an optimistic, positive perspective within the quotes we’ve selected.
Find a quote that is meaningful to you, then take a few moments to reflect on how it applies to the obstacles you face. Write it down on a piece of paper to become more familiar with the words and wisdom it contains. Display it in a place where you’ll see it regularly. Read the quote out loud whenever you need inspiration. Reminding yourself every day of what inspires you, of what pushes you to achieve greater things, is a powerful tool for maintaining your professional progress.
Is there a special quote you turn to when you’re facing an obstacle? Post it on Twitter, follow us @Cydcor, and share it on your social media platforms. We want to know what motivates you when need it the most.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
Entrepreneurs need to be workers, managers, and leaders willing to work hard, take risks, and turn obstacles into opportunities.
Entrepreneurs bring a mindset for success to every activity. They have an outlook that welcomes innovation and adapts quickly to new business strategies. At Cydcor, we value people with a passion for providing outstanding customer service. We also believe that a commitment to ongoing professional development is a key component to the growth of each entrepreneur.
Here are some strategies that will help you improve your performance, contribute to your company’s success, and become a great entrepreneur.
Have a Plan
An entrepreneur must have a practical plan for success that includes daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Track your accomplishments’ impact on your company’s performance. Streamline your work process. Volunteer for opportunities to do more.
Know It All
Entrepreneurs are curious, open to learning about their industry, and listen to what customers want. They’re experts at what they do, bringing a fiery passion to their work every day that inspires those around them.
Be Firm and Flexible
An entrepreneur understands the importance of negotiation. When you reach a breaking point in a negotiation, be flexible. Use your entrepreneurial spirit to optimize your offerings in response to your customers’ needs.
Take a Risk
Entrepreneurs must be willing to risk their time and effort and become comfortable with uncertainty. So, learn to evaluate risk and estimate the value of your time against potential gains.
Build a Team
Entrepreneurs are leaders who know they can’t accomplish everything by themselves and know the importance of having a strong team to support them. Make sure to check in with your team members often. Ask if they need help. Allow them to provide their input when taking decisions. Celebrate the team’s victories and have fun together. An entrepreneur may be able to work alone, but will succeed and will go further only with a team.
Make a Difference
Highly valued entrepreneurs use their success to make a difference. They understand that giving back to the community is necessary. There is no greater reward than knowing you’ve made a significant change in someone’s life. In addition, establishing a brand with a reputation for social good builds consumer recognition and trust. As Virgin Group founder Richard Branson said: “doing good is good for business.”
Believe in yourself, in your vision, and in the value that your work brings to your customers and your community. Focus on these strategies, work hard, and support your team, and you will become a great entrepreneur.
What’s your favorite part about being an entrepreneur? Share your experience on Cydcor’s Facebook page and let us know what you think. We value your experiences and look forward to hearing from you.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
The most productive part of your day happens the night before.
If you set aside 10-30 minutes each night to plan for the coming day, you’ll wake up with a purpose and will be ready to act on your to priorities for the day. Developing an evening routine may not only help you get better sleep by not rushing through the morning but will also help set your day for success.
It may take adjustment to find an evening routine that works for you. Start with these suggestions Cydcor has for you and see if they help you start the day off on the right foot.
Get Alarmed
Decide on a bedtime and stick to it. Get up at the same time every morning. Set an alarm to remind you to start your evening preparations. Consider using a fun and friendly alarm tone if it makes getting up easier—whatever works. The key here is actually getting up when the alarm goes off—resist the urge to hit that snooze button! Be ready to wake up and start the day with an optimistic attitude.
Plan Your Meals
Healthy eating provides the energy and stamina you need throughout the day. Just before bed, prep next day’s breakfast, make your lunch, and decide what you’ll have for dinner the following evening. You may finally eat that broccoli you always say you’re going to eat—instead of just ordering takeout due to having to run for a last minute meal.
Straighten Up
Walk around your living space and put away things that are out of place. Wash your dishes and put them away. Waking up in a clean house reduces your stress levels and gives your day a calm start. Plus, when you get home at the end of the day, you’ll feel relaxed instead of stressed about all the tidying that needs to get done.
Dress Rehearsal
Pick out your clothes for the next day. Organizing your clothes and planning your outfits takes the stress out of getting dressed. You’ll know when laundry needs to be done and you won’t have to fuss with indecision in the morning when you’re still trying to just wake up. This is simply one of the best ways to always dress for success
Review Your Day
Take a look at your calendar and review tasks for the next day. Identify one or two things you want to accomplish. Study your schedule for any potential problems and schedule time to address them.
Get Inspired
Once your evening tasks are complete, read that book next to your bed. Find a writer or topic that will inspire a positive attitude and personal growth. Be sure to check out Cydcor’s recommended books that every manager needs to read. You’ll conquer your day with enthusiasm, optimism, a nourishing breakfast, and a killer sense of style.
Do you have an evening routine that makes your day more productive? Share your tips on Twitter and follow us @Cydcor. We want to know what works for you.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
Cydcor has funded another medical mission through Operation Smile, this time taking place in Bolivia. Cydcor volunteers will be assisting the Operation Smile team during the medical mission which will provide cleft palate surgeries for children in need.
With the help of fundraising volunteers across the country, last June Cydcor raised more than $150,000 during the “Day of Smiles” fundraiser. As a result of the money raised, Cydcor was able to fund two medical missions- this one taking place in Bolivia and another one where the location is yet to be determined in Spring 2016.
This isn’t the first time that Cydcor has funded an Operation Smile medical mission trip. In early June 2012, Cydcor volunteers traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to change the lives of children in need. In early 2014, Cydcor volunteers traveled to traveled to San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico and were able to help provide many surgeries with the money raised through Operation Smile fundraisers. Finally in November 2014, Cydcor joined Operation Smile on a medical mission to Guatemala. Overall, Cydcor has raised more than $850,000 to sponsor these life-saving medical missions.
Each mission sends doctors, volunteers, and equipment to an area with limited healthcare access and provides screenings and surgeries for children. Cleft palates often result in complications to eating, drinking, speaking and even breathing. Many infants do not survive this condition if left untreated. Operation Smile and Cydcor hope to restore many smiles around the world and give these children a chance to thrive.
This year, six Cydcor volunteers who made outstanding fundraising efforts were recognized with the special honor of assisting the medical teams and families in Bolivia. They arrived on March 9th and will be there until the 16th of March.
A very rewarding aspect of assisting on these missions is having the chance to spend time with the families of the children undergoing surgery. Cydcor volunteers also help conduct screenings, entertain the children while they wait for surgery, and provide support and comfort to families throughout the process. Their contribution is very emotionally demanding but a very rewarding experience overall.
Cydcor is proud of its partnership with Operation Smile and the success of the Day of Smiles fundraising campaign. The donations raised through this campaign will allow more less-fortunate children access to medical care.
Thank you to everyone in the organization who worked so hard on the fundraisers. Let’s continue changing lives once smile at a time!
You can make a donation to Cydcor’s Operation Smile campaign today and support this great cause!
Follow Cydcor on Facebook and YouTube for updates about our company and the latest news about our 2016 medical mission with Operation Smile.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
You have to commit to professional development to advance your career. Business professionals are eager to share their knowledge, insights, and experience--if you know where to look.
Professional development improves abilities and skills through education and training. Some employers will train you on the job. Sometimes you can learn a new skill by watching people at work. On occasion, you’ll read a book or take a class.
The Internet has made professional development much easier. We identified ten blogs to launch your professional development with a potent punch:
Partnering with managers and business owners taught Tom Foster the secrets to improving personal performance and teams’ productivity.
Start something awesome, do something awesome, and finish something awesome. Turn passion into productivity and become the best at whatever you do.
Cheryl Cran will teach you to welcome change, embrace technological innovation, and build agile teams.
Small Business Trends presents cutting-edge strategies for entrepreneurs running a small business and committed to improving their performance.
http://under30ceo.com/category/blog/
Traveling around the globe or to new destinations in your hometown will give any entrepreneur a fresh perspective on how to do business. Check out this blog for news, advice, trends, and event for any young entrepreneur.
Everything you didn’t know about everything there is to know about marketing. Godin is a master at messaging and communication. This is a great resource for looking to improve your career projector and professional development.
http://letsgrowleaders.com/blog/
Over twenty years of customer service, marketing, and sales experience has provided Karin Hurt with the ability to teach how to strategize change and build healthy business cultures. He’s also the expert in building vibrant customer communities.
http://www.theelpodcast.com/blog/
Skip school and dive into the in-depth insights you’ll find in the informative interviews with leading business authors. Visit Cydcor Reviews to find more about the books every business professional should read.
Aspiration leads to inspiration and acclamation. Art Petty teaches professionals to improve themselves and their teams through the use of objective strategy, observation, and continuous learning.
http://randomactsofleadership.com/
Discover the skills required to transform conflict into collaboration. Susan Mazza is a progressive thought leader with a passion for facilitating excellence.
Do you have a professional development plan for mastering new skills? Share your favorite resources in our comment section. Also be sure to follow @Cydcor on Instagram to learn more about our company based in Agoura Hills, CA!
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. On Friday, March 4th, Cydcor volunteers and employees will wear dark blue, the same blue as the Colon Cancer Alliance’s star logo, to honor those battling and affected by colon cancer.
The Cydcor team has taken this cause to heart. They’re devoted to creating awareness about colon cancer and its prevention because recently, it’s become a personal battle. Barbara Majeski, a dedicated Cydcor philanthropist and Operation Smile philanthropy ambassador, has been diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.
Barbara has been a role model for the Cydcor team and has always gone above and beyond to help others. She has led Cydcor’s fundraising efforts to help children in need around the world.
Barbara is an inspiration to everyone at Cydcor and her impact is global. As proof, Operation Smile named Barbara their Humanitarian of the Year for her record-breaking fundraising.
Cydcor has raised more than $850,000 to sponsor life-saving medical missions providing free cleft lip and palate surgeries. Unfortunately, Barbara’s 6-month treatment plan prevents her from taking part in Cydcor’s Operation Smile 4th and 5th missions – taking place in Bolivia and the Dominican Republic this spring—but she looks forward to returning as Cydcor’s philanthropy advisor and as a cancer survivor.
Now, it is Cydcor’s turn to help Barbara create awareness of this often-preventable disease. Barbara speaks from her heart: “If I can help spare one person from the misery that cancer brings, then I have given meaning and purpose to this experience.”
In Cydcor’s most recent YouTube video, Barbara speaks to how fortunate she has been to have access to the most cutting-edge technology since her diagnosis—something that many people do not have.
“This experience has further fueled my understanding that we need to always be looking for ways to help people that don’t have access to quality medical care,” she says.
Please listen with your heart and join our effort in the fight against colon cancer. Learn more about Barbara and her experience battling cancer here: http://www.barbaramajeski.com/blog
Join Cydcor employees as we work together to find a cure for colon cancer. Wear dark blue this Friday, March 4th and share your photos with @Cydcor on Instagram by using the hashtags #BlueForBarb and #Cydcor.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.