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Keys to Success 2016 Destination: Austin, TX

Jan 20, 2016

0 min read

Flickr CC via Photon Phisher

Austin, TX is Cydcor’s destination for this year’s Keys to Success event! Held annually, Keys to Success is an opportunity for our company to define this year's business goals. Keys to Success also helps to create excitement for the year ahead, and reinforces the best practices in our business, as well as opportunities to earn recognition. Cydcor is pleased to host both the residential Keys to Success and the B2B & Retail events from January 26th – 31st, 2016. This is the first time in Keys to Success history that there will be two events instead of one!

What makes Austin the perfect place to host #KTS2016? For starters, it’s the state capital of Texas and is the 11th most populous city in the country. It’s also the fastest growing of the 50 largest cities in the U.S. Here are a few other fun facts about this vibrant city:

The Texas State Capitol building is huge! Standing 311 feet from the ground, it’s taller than the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. It contains 392 rooms, 118 vaults, 924 windows, and 404 doors. Built from 1882-1888, the architecture remains impressive even by today’s standards.

Austin loves music and entertainment and boasts over 100 live music venues throughout the city. The Austin City Limits music festival is one of its most famous events. Over three days, more than 130 musical acts get together to play live in the beautiful Zilker Park. Austin is also known for South by Southwest, an annual festival of film, interactive media, and music. Past acts have included The Flaming Lips, Foo Fighters, Kanye West, and Lady Gaga.

Like every fast-growing city, there is a few famous people from Austin. Notable celebrities born here include Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock, R&B singer Ciara, legendary journalist and TV anchor Walter Cronkite, hip-hop recording artist Nelly, and NFL quarterback Drew Brees.

Here is a fact about Austin you probably didn’t know: living under the Congress Avenue Bridge are close to 1.5 million bats! That is the biggest urban bat colony in North America!

Throw those horns up! Austin is home to the Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Football Stadium, home to the University of Texas Longhorns. With a seating capacity of over 100,000 people, it is the biggest football stadium in Texas and the eighth largest football stadium in the United States!

Interested in expanding your horizons while taking in Austin’s many sights? The city is home to many renowned museums like the Bullock Texas State History Museum, Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum.

Did you know that Austin also has an awesome food scene?  Breakfast tacos are one of the most popular foods in the city, and many people travel to the city just to try them. Be sure to stop by the local-recommended Veracruz All Natural to get your breakfast taco fix! Stop by Pieous for some delicious pizza, or La Barbecue for some good southern grilling. And don’t forget Gourdough’s “Blueballs”—delicious blueberry donuts covered in blue frosting—for dessert!

Are you excited for Keys to Success 2016? We know we are! Tweet us your favorite fun fact from above with #KTS2016, and follow the latest news and announcements regarding the event on Cydcor’s Facebook and Instagram!

Cydcor’s Keys to Success 2016 Photo Series Contest

Jan 19, 2016

0 min read

We're gearing up for Keys to Success 2016 in Austin, TX with a photo contest on Instagram! The winner will receive $200 cash. To enter this contest:

1) Share three pictures on Instagram (a creative picture holding a door key, one picture while traveling, and one at an interesting location at the Hilton hotel in Austin, TX)

2) Tag @Cydcor on all three photos

3) Include the hashtag #KTS2016 in all three photos.

The contest starts on January 19th, 2016 at 12:00 PM PST/ 2:00 PM CT.

Two winners will be selected, one for our Retail Keys to Success 2016 event on Wednesday, January 27th, 2016 and one for Business to Business/Residential Keys to Success 2016 event on Saturday, January 30th, 2016.

Best of luck, and we can't wait until #KTS2016!

Retail KTS 2016:

Terms and Conditions (Instagram)

(i) Post three photos on Instagram (one showing a door key, one of you traveling, and one of you at the Hilton Austin hotel), (ii) tag @Cydcor and (iii) use the hashtag #KTS2016, for a chance to win $200 cash to be awarded at the Keys to Success Event. Pictures posted anytime from Tuesday, January 19th, 2016, 2:00 PM CT until Wednesday, Jan. 27th, 2016, 8:00PM CT will be automatically entered in the Cydcor’s photo series contest.  To be eligible, entrants must be (i) at least 18 years of age and (ii) an owner, employee or contractor of a Cydcor independent corporate licensee. Profanity or inappropriate language or images, as determined by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, will be disqualified. The winner will be selected by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, and announced via Cydcor’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CydcorLLC) as well as on Cydcor’s Instagram (@Cydcor), and on Cydcor’s Twitter (@Cydcor) on Wednesday, Jan. 27th, 2016, on or soon after 9:00PM CT (no later than 11:59 PM CT). This promotional offer is not intended to create a partnership, joint venture, co-ownership or other association between Cydcor and the participant.

This promotion does not have a connection with Instagram, Inc. in any way and is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram. By entering the contest, participants agree to fully release Instagram from any and all liability, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.

B2B-Residential KTS:

Terms and Conditions (Instagram)

(i) Post three photos on Instagram (one showing a door key, one of you traveling, and one of you at the Hilton Austin hotel), (ii) tag @Cydcor and (iii) use the hashtag #KTS2016, for a chance to win $200 cash to be awarded at the Keys to Success Event. Pictures posted anytime from Tuesday, January 19th, 2016, 2:00 PM CT until Saturday, Jan. 30th, 2016, 8:00PM CT will be automatically entered in the Cydcor’s photo series contest.  To be eligible, entrants must be (i) at least 18 years of age and (ii) an owner, employee or contractor of a Cydcor independent corporate licensee. Profanity or inappropriate language or images, as determined by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, will be disqualified. The winner will be selected by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, and announced via Cydcor’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CydcorLLC) as well as on Cydcor’s Instagram (@Cydcor), and on Cydcor’s Twitter (@Cydcor) on Saturday Jan. 30th ,2016, on or soon after 9:00PM CT (no later than 11:59 PM CT). This promotional offer is not intended to create a partnership, joint venture, co-ownership or other association between Cydcor and the participant.

This promotion does not have a connection with Instagram, Inc. in any way and is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram. By entering the contest, participants agree to fully release Instagram from any and all liability, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.

5 Top Tips to De-clutter Your Workspace and Get Back to Business

Jan 15, 2016

0 min read

5 Top Tips To De-clutter Your Workspace And Get Back To Business Cydcor WordPress
Flickr CC via Cat Sidh

Clutter is anything that prevents you from achieving your goals, learning new skills, and getting your job done. Follow these five tips and get your clutter under control.If you’re drowning in clutter, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Don’t go there. Clutter makes you less productive, but it’s not a reflection of your character. With a little concentration and some hard work, you can fix your clutter problem. We’ve put together five tips to finally get your mess under control.

  1. Monthly Review

Schedule a monthly review of your paper and digital files. And don’t just think about doing it—actually do it! Pick a date and mark it on your calendar to make this procedure a regular part of your workweek. Review everything in your inbox, on top of your desk, and in your smartphone. Get rid of any files and documents you no longer need. File or scan and save documents that matter.

  1. Daily Clean Up

Pick a time at the beginning or end of your day for a 5-minute review of your workspace. Go through your inbox, review paperwork on your desk, and identify any items you can resolve with immediate action. If there are items that you can recycle or file, then take care of them right away.

  1. A Place for Everything

Get familiar with the items in your workspace and how often you need them.  Make sure that your tools have a place to call home and that they don’t migrate around during the week. To work efficiently, you need to be able to reach your supplies easily; make sure that all your most frequently used supplies are close at hand.

  1. Know Your Problem Areas

It’s great to keep personal knick-knacks on your desk—family photos, Star Wars action figures, or snow globes from all of your vacation—but if your collectibles get in the way of getting things done, then it’s time to reduce your collection. Also, be aware that this kind of clutter may send the wrong message to supervisors--it could tell them that you’re not the serious person they’re looking for to advance in their company. Have a friend or colleague take a look at your workspace and ask them what they think it says about you.

  1. Independence Day

Schedule one day per quarter to go through all of the drawers, file cabinets, and storage areas in your workspace and clean them out, one at a time. Have a roll of paper towels and some spray cleaning fluid on hand. You’re going to empty every drawer and wash it out. This task will force you to decide whether to keep, recycle, or discard the items you find. Clean and wash your work surfaces. When you are finished, you will finally have a clean place to work, and that will motivate you to keep your workspace free of clutter.

How do you keep your workspace free of clutter? We want to know your secrets to staying organized and maintaining order with your print and digital files. Please comment here, share your tips on Twitter, and follow us @Cydcor. Invite your friends and colleagues to participate in this discussion so we can learn to do better together.

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 12 Best Quotes To Inspire Personal Excellence In 2016

Jan 6, 2016

0 min read

The 12 Best Quotes To Inspire Personal Excellence In 2016 - Cydcor Sales
Flickr CC via s76fitz

As you celebrate the New Year, reflect back on the one we’re just finishing up. What were your biggest successes? Your most frustrating failures? Consider the coming months and use this year’s experiences to identify possible challenges and desired goals.

After a month or two, the New Year loses some of its initial excitement and may move back into that place of hard work and routine. It’s during these times that we need support and encouragement to continue moving onward and upward the most.

We’ve selected 12 inspirational quotes from some seriously smart men and women in a variety of professions. Their wit and wisdom are just the spark you’ll need to pump up your optimism!

1. "If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door." – Milton Berle, American humorist, and actor

2. "Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve." – Mary Kay Ash, Founder Mary Kay Cosmetics

3. "It’s easier to explain price once than to apologize for quality forever." – Zig Ziglar, Salesman and motivational speaker

4. "Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them." – Ann Landers, Advice columnist

5. "Goals aren't enough. You need goals plus deadlines: goals big enough to get excited about and a deadline to make you run." – Ben Feldman, Salesman, and author

6. "I’ve never worked a day in my life without selling. If I believe in something, I sell it, and I sell it hard." – Estée Lauder, Co-founder Estée Lauder Companies

7. "Fear is the destroyer of dreams and the killer of ambitions." – Jeffrey Benjamin, Senior adviser to Cyrus Capital Partners, LP

8. "If you are hardworking and determined, you will make it, and that’s the bottom line. I don’t believe in an easy way through." – Isabel Dos Santos, Africa’s richest businesswoman as reported by Forbes

9. "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed." –  Booker T. Washington, African-American educator, author, and businessman

10. "You really can change the world if you care enough." – Marian Wright Edelman, President and founder, The Children’s Defense Fund

11. "A lot of people complain about yesterday. We have no power to change yesterday. But this very day, 30 years later, is what we can control and decide. Change yourself, take baby steps, and stay determined for ten years." – Jack Ma, executive chairman of Alibaba Group

12, "My best successes came on the heels of failures." – Barbara Corcoran, businesswoman and investor, host of ABC’s Shark Tank

Save these quotes. Display them near your work area where is easy for you to see. Get familiar with them and turn to them when times get tough. Use these quotes as the foundation of a personal book of quotations, one that you’ll build and study over the coming months and years.

And always remember that you’re never alone when you surround yourself with wise and thoughtful friends.

Has an inspirational quote ever had a positive impact affect on your work habits? Please share it here, and be sure to follow Cydcor on Instagram for the latest photos of what’s going on at our office in Agoura Hills, CA: https://www.instagram.com/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.

The Three D’s of Leadership

Dec 18, 2015

0 min read

Cydcor The Three D’s of Leadership: Discipline, Determination, and Dedication

Who is the best leader you’ve ever known? What qualities do you think made them successful?

At Cydcor, our idea of a leader is someone who can create a vision of the future, express that vision well, and use it to motivate people. Building a team, providing coaching, and setting clear expectations are some of the things leaders need to be really good at in order for the team to work effectively.

Leaders also need to master three key qualities to have a true impact: discipline, determination, and dedication. Examine these skills and discover how you can integrate them into your professional life.

Discipline

Discipline by its very nature is not an easy quality to master. It’s not glamorous—it’s simply unrelenting hard work. Excelling at discipline means that you approach each project with a clear understanding of what needs to be done and how you will get it done.

Don’t misunderstand the nature of discipline. It does not require you to be rigid or unrelenting. At its best, discipline is flexible and responds to changes in circumstance; it doesn’t mean that you’re unable to adapt as circumstances change during a project or when a new opportunity presents itself.

A disciplined leader is willing to address problems that arise and provide solutions. He or she looks for the best compromises and puts in the extra effort to make sure the job gets done well. They communicate clearly with the team and exemplify how to get the work done right.

Determination

A leader’s beliefs, principles, and values are founded in their determination. Determination can be a source of motivation, helping you through any and all challenges that might arise.

Did a family member, friend, or public figure inspire you when you were young? Often, a leader’s determination is learned through observation, stemming from a profound personal experience. Those who are determined to succeed recognize potential opportunities in a situation someone else might see as a dead end.

Dedication

A leader must develop and examine their dedication to projects so that they don’t lose sight of the goals. You must be a relentless worker: regularly check your progress against objectives throughout any project. Dedication requires focus. Make sure that the goals you establish are clearly stated and understood by your team as well. Schedule regular check-ins with team members to make sure everyone remains on the same page throughout a project’s duration.

A dedicated leader engages colleagues and keeps a conversation going throughout the life of the project. Dedication is fueled by communication and mutual respect. Let your colleagues know that you appreciate their efforts.

Leadership is a lot more than the three D's, but discipline, determination, and dedication are all necessary to being an ideal leader. Integrating these key attributes of a great leader into your work and personal life will have its own rewards.

Utilize Body Language to Improve Your Professional Performance

Dec 4, 2015

0 min read

Utilize Body Language to Improve Your Professional Performance Cydcor

Becoming fluent in body language empowers you to make a lasting impression on colleagues and supervisors

Your conversation begins when you enter the room—before you begin to speak. Your body expresses your moods and, depending on your awareness of how your body talks, you will communicate confidence or fear. Fortunately for you, it’s possible to learn to communicate confidence nonverbally.

Practice makes perfect. Strategies for controlling nonverbal communication are easy to learn and fun to practice. Don’t be afraid to feel silly when you try them. Have you heard the expression, “fake it ‘til you make it”? It means that when you’re trying something new you should pretend to be an expert. Expertise will come in time.

Harvard professor Amy Cuddy suggests that posing for two minutes will have a significant positive impact on your confidence. We have a few poses you can start practicing today:

Strong Man Pose

Flex your muscles if you’re hearing negative information. It will help you remain focused. Curl up both arms as if you’re showing of your biceps. Flex your legs and bend your knees slightly. This is a bit of a cartoon pose, and you should have fun with it. Try it out before a meeting or presentation.

Superman Pose

Stand straight and tall. Place your hands on your waist and put your chin in the air. Hold your head high. This pose is a powerful tool for situations where you might feel anxious or afraid. Try using it a few minutes before giving a speech or presentation.

Embody Your Success

Sit comfortably in your desk chair. Call up a memory of a past success and let that positive energy fill your chest with each breath. Send that warm glow up and down your spine, out across your shoulders, into your arms and hands and down into your legs and feet.  Feel the emotional power of your past successes come to life and ignite the positive power you carry inside.

Face Facts

Your face communicates your emotions, moods, and attitudes without you having to say a word. If your audience interprets your expression as sad, confused, or angry, you may lose them even before you start to speak.

You can improve your facial expressions with a little effort, awareness, and practice. It’s probably easier to schedule these efforts for important social, professional, or networking events. Tilt your head slightly to the side. Practice smiling and making eye contact with your audience  to show that you are actively interested.

So, go ahead, pick a power pose and give it a try. What does it feel like? Do you have any other cool tips to help improve body language? Share with us! Comment here, share your story on Twitter, and follow us @Cydcor. Share this article with your friends and 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.

10 Terrific TED Talks to Improve Your Sales and Business Skills

Nov 20, 2015

0 min read

10 Terrific TED Talks to Improve Your Sales and Business Skills
Flickr CC via whsaito

TED Talks will improve your understanding of a complex concept or help you to master new skills. Humor, imagination, and authentic emotion energize these talks and guarantee your engagement.

TED wants to change your life. It’s that simple. This popular nonprofit was launched in 1984 as a conference exploring the convergence of Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED). TED Talks offer viewers a glimpse into the workings of some of the leading minds in the world today.

The problem with such a vast array of rich resources is that it makes tracking down the topics that will provide an immediate career benefit a bit more difficult. When you have the time, plan to take a tour of the TED Talks available online. You never know what insights you might find from a subject that has no direct connection to your industry.

When your time is limited and you’re looking for insights to improve your performance in business and sales, start with these 10 talks. Each speaker we’ve selected provides a powerful personal story and insights that will have a direct impact on your professional life.

Make yourself comfortable and prepare to open your mind. Your journey to excellence is about to begin.

1. The Puzzle of Motivation | Dan Pink

2. Five Ways To Kill Your Dreams | Bel Pesce

3. Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are | Amy Cuddy

4. Want to Help Someone? Shut Up and Listen! | Ernesto Sirolli

5. The Power Of Believing You Can Improve | Carol Dweck

6. Try Something New For 30 Days | Matt Cutts

7. How To Make Work-Life Balance Work | Nigel Marsh

8. Smart Failure for a Fast-Changing World | Eddie Obeng

9. The Key To Success? Grit. | Angela Lee Duckworth

10. What It Takes To Be A Great Leader | Roselinde Torres

Have you listened to a TED Talk or attended an event in person? Do you have a favorite speaker or subject? If you were going to give a TED Talk, what would you talk about? Please comment here, share your story on Twitter, and follow us @Cydcor. Invite your friends and colleagues to participate in this discussion; you might spark a TED Talk of your very own.

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.

How to Recognize a Good Opportunity

Nov 13, 2015

0 min read

Flickr CC via European Parliament

You might not recognize opportunity when you find it: there are no sirens or flashing lights. No one is going to take you by the hand and lead you to it. As an adult engaged in your career, you’re responsible for finding and accepting any and all of the opportunities that you encounter.

Recognizing opportunity isn’t a magical talent that requires an expensive education—you can build the necessary skills, though it will take effort and education. You must commit to learning about your company, your industry, and how business and the world at large interact and create situations filled with possibility.

Prepare for Opportunity

Get the best information available to you about where you want your career to go. This will be your roadmap. Equip yourself with the skills, supplies, and crew required to reach your destination. Opportunities are uncharted but, with careful preparation and an eye on the horizon, you’ll be ready when they come into view.

Never Give Up

Opportunity has an expiration date. It’s like a sale at the store—available for a limited time only. When you find an opportunity, be ready to act on it. If you’re not successful in your first attempts, learn from your experience and then try again. Failure is an important teacher.

Identify Your Goals

Opportunity is an undiscovered country, but it borders known lands. Your ability to recognize opportunity when it appears is connected to the destination you’ve identified. Establish your goals and use them as a map towards advancement. Identify issues in your job, company, or industry that need improvement or expansion. Keep learning about your job, industry, and current events The more you know the easier it will be to recognize how opportunity connects to your experience.

Looking to help on developing an entrepreneurial spirit? Cydcor has you covered! Check out this blog from October 2015: Developing an Entrepreneurial Spirit

Opportunity Is Hidden Under Hard Work

As in any career, hard work and persistence are often your key to career advancement and recognition. The hard work you put into your job every day has a special result. It delivers the experience required to find opportunity that can lead to even greater opportunity. Imagine you’re a prospector looking for gold. Over time, you’ve studied rock formations and learned how to spot potential gold bearing sites. Diligence delivers opportunity.

Develop an Opportunity Network

Great discoveries are often attributed to one person but they’re never only made by one person. In order to identify an opportunity you’ll have to talk to people in your office and in your profession to learn what opportunities look like to them. You’ll discover opportunity through interaction with others. As you develop relationships with your team, colleagues, and network connections, you’ll enter into conversations that lead to professional relationships. Offer assistance, expertise, and information to others and they will reward with the access to unlimited opportunity.

You have the map. You’ve assembled all of the tools and supplies required. You’ve alerted your crew about your voyage and the goals you’re focused upon. Don’t wait any longer. Follow theses strategies and you’ll soon land your first opportunity.

How do you recognize an opportunity when you find one? Do you work with others to find opportunity? Please share a story about opportunity’s impact on your life so others can benefit from your experience. Comment below and tell your story on Twitter. Follow us @Cydcor and please share this article with your friends and ask for their thoughts.

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.

Use Design Thinking to Increase Collaboration and Craft Creative Solutions

Nov 6, 2015

0 min read

Cydcor Sales Use Design Thinking to Increase Collaboration and Craft Creative Solutions
Flickr CC via rustman[

Design thinking builds a creative mindset that improves problem-solving skills and deepens communication and understanding between team members

As creatures of habit, we develop routine ways of completing tasks. After time has passed, a once efficient routine can sometimes become a relentless rut. Transition from routine to rut is gradual and sometimes we fail to notice when it happens until we’re stuck in an unproductive loop without recognizing our situation.

A rut leads nowhere. It’s cramped, uncomfortable, and even though it’s familiar, you start to feel bad about being there. Spending too much time stuck in a rut can lead to a negative outlook on life and poor performance at work.

In order to prevent yourself from falling into a rut you need a new toolbox: one that contains innovative and inspiring processes for solving problems. Design thinking is that toolbox. It’s a problem solving process initially created by designers who were tasked with creating solutions to complicated problems.

Design thinking requires that you access your imagination, intuition, logic, and reasoning. Your goal is to establish a new mindset for creating solutions to your problems. Use the following steps to craft a design thinking process that works for you.

Identify the Problem

You need to get your problem out of your head and into the world so you can look at it and begin your problem-solving process. Schedule a specific time to identify the problem. Give yourself 30 minutes to simply analyze the situation and identify the problem and how it impacts your process at work.

Think About the Problem

Don’t just do something—sit there. It’s time to stop using routine and unproductive approaches to problem solving. Engaging a design thinking mindset requires that you actually think about the problem. Do your research. Brainstorm with the team. Investigate possible causes and pain points.

Create a Problem Profile

Assemble your materials into a clear profile of the problem. The shape of the problem becomes clear when you list the negative impacts it has on your team, your department, and your company. We often fail when we try solving problems because we haven’t identified the actual problem, just its impact or symptoms.

Imagine Your Solutions

Review the material you have gathered and begin creating solutions to the problems. Consider the positive and negative impacts of each proposed solution. Identify the solutions that offer the best outcomes for your problem and company and make sure that they’re in alignment.

Make a Decision and Act On It

At some point you have to put your solution into action. Work with your team members and monitor the results of your solution. The powerful quality of design thinking is that it allows you to test and retest solutions. Observe how the new process works and make changes as required using your new design thinking mindset.

Build a Parking Lot

Using a parking lot of ideas allows you to save important ideas that may not be related to the problem you’re trying to solve but might have potential for solving other problems. Use a notebook, sticky notes, an idea board, or a spreadsheet. Consider keeping your parking lot in view. A glance at it while you’re pondering a problem might provide inspiration you need at that moment.

What approach do you use for problem solving? How does it impact your productivity at work? Your experience is important to us. Please comment or this page or tell your story on Twitter and follow us @Cydcor, and please share this article with your friends.

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.

10 Qualities of a Great Salesperson

Oct 29, 2015

0 min read

Cydcor 10 Qualities of a Great Salesperson
Flickr CC via Mays Business School

Don't forget to follow Cydcor's channel on YouTube for our latest company videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/Cydcor

Some people believe that a great salesperson is born, not made: that the ability to close a sale is a gift that one must be blessed with at birth. Well, those people are wrong.

Certain people might have an outgoing personality that gives them a bit of an advantage when it comes to networking or closing a deal but the true qualities of a great salesperson aren’t genetic—they’re learned and improved upon with practice.

What qualities does a great salesperson possess? A great salesperson looks just like you. But in order to release the successful salesperson within, you need to identify the qualities a good salesperson must possess in order to achieve success.

As you review this list of qualities a great salesperson must possess begin to make a list of the qualities that you believe you lack or need to develop. Be honest in your self-assessment. If possible, get input from your team, supervisor or sales manager.

Doing this exercise on your own is a powerful technique for improving your sales skills. Including your team members or manager in this process lets them know that you’re motivated and committed to continuous improvement.

  1. A Great Salesperson is Focused

You need a plan if you are going to succeed in sales. A great salesperson identifies their goals and keep them in the center of their vision: obstacles never sidetrack them.

  1. A Great Salesperson Cares About People

You’re not just interested in making a sale. You’re building a long-term relationship with your colleagues and clients. A great salesperson cares about the person as well as the sale.

  1. A Great Salesperson is Social

You always make a great first impression and you enjoy meeting people and hearing about their job, the obstacles they face, and the values that are important to them. A great salesperson listens and remembers.

  1. A Great Salesperson is Confident

You know that you have the skills required to get the job done. If you encounter rejection you keep moving forward, understanding that it’s part of the process. A great salesperson never gives up.

  1. A Great Salesperson is Organized

You have all of your materials ready whenever you need them. You have internalized your company’s message and methodology. A great salesperson provides solutions for all of their clients’ pain points.

  1. A Great Salesperson Asks the Right Questions

You build your interactions with your customers by developing positive interrogative engagement. Questions are specialized tools you use to identify your customers’ obstacles and objectives. A great salesperson is curious and insightful.

  1. A Great Salesperson Has a Sense of Humor

You have a friendly personality and you bring positive energy to all of your encounters. Your customers look forward to working with you because you leave a positive impression upon them. A great salesperson leaves people smiling.

  1. A Great Salesperson Understands Urgency

You must get the job done. You understand that making a sale is an urgent problem and that it needs to be solved in a timely manner. Nothing will get in your way because you’re determined to solve the problem in front of you. A great salesperson gets results.

  1. A Great Salesperson Is In Control

You might hear a no but you don’t accept no as an answer. You’re equipped with the ability to control conversations and will not give up on your pitch. A great salesperson is a gifted storyteller who engages his or her audience.

  1. A Great Salesperson Works Hard

You understand that success in sales is not won; it’s earned through hard work. You recognize the importance of competition and know that you have to seek opportunities—they won’t come to you. A great salesperson shows up and does their job every day, despite disruptions and without delays.

As you review this list of qualities that make a good salesperson you may identify areas for improvement. Recognizing the need to improve is not a sign of failure. It’s an indicator that you have what it takes to succeed as a salesperson. Are you ready to become the best salesperson you can be?

What qualities make you a great at your job? Did we leave anything out of this list? We want to learn from your experience. Please share your thoughts on our Facebook page and post this article on your social media. Let’s start a great conversation.

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.

Developing an Entrepreneurial Spirit

Oct 23, 2015

0 min read

Flickr CC via Kris Krug
“Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try.”

Mary Kay Ash, Sales Leader and Founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics

Initially, an entrepreneur was a confident man or woman with a deep vision of business. They were convinced that their idea was going to be the solution thousands of customers needed. That’s still a valid definition of the word today or, at least, up to a point.

You know this type of entrepreneur if you’ve ever watched the television program Shark Tank. On each episode intrepid innovators make the pitch of their lifetime to a group of business experts—the sharks. Sometimes an idea that sounds a bit whacky when you first hear about it actually makes sense during the pitch. At other times a sensible idea falls apart fast when the people making the presentation haven’t done their homework.

But these entrepreneurs have an impulse: they want to do or make something better. They have professional insight that makes them believe in their ideas.

Learn more about Cydcor on our business profile on D&B's Hoovers.

Entrepreneurial spirit isn’t limited to billion dollar startups or someone working in their garage on the next-big-digital-thing. It’s possible to embrace an entrepreneurial spirit while you’re working just about anywhere. The key to developing one is to be open-minded, curious, and committed.

Developing your entrepreneurial spirit requires the correct mental motivation. You have to bring the right attitude to your work in order to develop the ability to see opportunity instead of obstacles.

Entrepreneurs work in a competitive space that requires courage. Many people are afraid of competing in business, but don’t back away from a struggle. Use the fear as a catalyst to awaken and engage your inner entrepreneur.

Here are some tips to help you find your entrepreneurial spirit:

You Get Things Done

An entrepreneur tests ideas and learns from the feedback. Act on your inspiration. Make a presentation that explains a new process. Share it with your team or your supervisor. If there is an extra assignment available take it on: an entrepreneur has the drive required to get it done, no matter what the obstacles may be.

You Take Thoughtful Risks

You’ve nurtured the ability to be agile and adaptable. You’re able to produce as part of a team but can also work on a project by yourself and frequently make strategic decisions. Understand that taking risks delivers rewards if you’re successful, but there could be problems if you fail. You’ve developed ease with risk because you’ve done the research. You don’t guess. You make thoughtful decisions that are integrated into your plan.

You Always Ask Questions

You’re uncomfortable with the status quo. There is always a way to improve processes and methods for doing routine things more effectively. You question accepted wisdom and aren’t afraid to speak out against the traditional way of doing things because your ideas will improve the process.

You Emphasize the Positive

You get excited when you face a challenge and enjoy pushing boundaries when you’re in pursuit of a goal. You never think about what you can’t do. You focus on the positive and get other people who work with you excited, too. If one approach doesn’t work, you have another option to try. You don’t find blame—you find solutions.

You Give Voice to Your Passion

Your enthusiasm for your work is captivating. It reveals your passion and the depth of your commitment to reaching your goals. You have a deep understanding of your industry and bring your energy and expertise to all phases of problem solving. When in doubt, remember these powerful words from Warren Buffet: “Without passion you don’t have energy. Without energy, you have nothing.”

Go ahead. Embrace the entrepreneur within. It’s time you did.

How have you developed your inner entrepreneur? What strategies do you use when you decide to turn obstacles into opportunities? We would love to hear your thoughts about this topic. Please comment on our Facebook page and share this article on your social media.

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.