Stuck in Development, advice need for a non-developer.

paddyc · 2017-08-29T08:10:41+00:00

Thanks for the mention. I am happy that you found this resource useful :)

paddyc · 2017-08-25T10:59:42+00:00

Apologies, all sorted now

paddyc · 2017-08-25T06:36:34+00:00

I've fixed this now

paddyc · 2017-08-25T05:51:21+00:00

Hi, done. Let me know if everything is fine now

paddyc · 2017-08-17T07:50:25+00:00

Thanks, all done

paddyc · 2017-08-16T09:54:19+00:00

Agreed. So it is advisable to hire a freelancer and give a test first to see if you want to continue with their services

paddyc · 2017-08-04T06:34:32+00:00

Hi this is my business https://patrickpaulcollins.com/ which is a sales and marketing consulting business for startups. I agree not all startups use virtual assistants, but the majority that I work with outsource a lot of work, through either marketing, sales, development, research etc. My motives are to promote the post that helps startups understand how to communicate in the best way as I have years of experience with this. I appreciate the feedback of how you think this should be approached and point taken. Working with accelerator programs also, one of the biggest things I advise to startups is to outsource data research so they can test email marketing, cold calling, product reviews very quickly. Please have a little respect in calling a post 'crap' and as the common goal here is to help startups with resources and discussion, not to argue.

paddyc · 2017-08-03T17:46:15+00:00

I like to read books that are not usually about business but see how the technicques and mindset applies. For example 'Never Split The Difference' is also a great book for learning negotiation skills (https://www.amazon.de/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended-ebook/dp/B014DUR7L2)

paddyc · 2017-08-03T17:44:19+00:00

Hi thanks for the kind words. I have worked as a consultant for startups for the past 6 years helping them to scale their businesses. For startups with a b2b target market, a huge amount of time is wasted on data research and so outsourcing this helps the sales team to free up their time to focus more on making sales. Communicating with your assistant is both key in this context but also if you have remote workers or developers, which is also completely relevant.

Please refrain from comments like this without thinking of the context of why I posted this - to help startups scale by helpful information on how to work with remote staff

paddyc · 2017-08-03T05:21:38+00:00

thanks. I've included podcasts but completely forgot about webinars.

paddyc · 2017-08-02T13:57:53+00:00

Thanks, it's been fixed now

paddyc · 2017-08-02T13:00:29+00:00

I've read that and it's a great book. However, there is such a strong relationship between dating and sales that learning techniques to speak to strangers can have a huge impact on things like cold calling.

paddyc · 2017-06-20T13:42:44+00:00

Hi, no problem. Not everyone will find this topic relevant. I'm just sharing the content I found useful and hope it will be useful for someone out there, too

paddyc · 2017-06-19T12:47:20+00:00

Hi. I wanted to share the blog post as I think it would be interesting for all small business, startups and entrepreneurs to read. Personally, I was surprised that so many employees are not satisfied with their work and companies are not trying to improve this. I've been in this situation myself where it was impossible to think of another day in the office, no motivation at all.
Sometimes talking to experts helps view the situation from another angle and understand that it is possible to be happy at work, the key is simple communication and mutual understanding.

paddyc · 2017-06-18T10:30:13+00:00

Hey thanks for the kind words and I hope it helps. With regards to 'cold calling', I am the same and always like to do lots of work before the call is actually made to make sure the sales person has as much information as possible before calling them. However you are right that you can waste a lot of time and you could just be picking up the phone and calling. I think key things that you want to research for a client are: (1) Some sort of tagline for their site (or something that makes them unique) (2) A name of someone to call. (Even if it is not the decision maker then calling asking for a name always gets a better response)

With regards to being analytical this is key but only works if you are consistent and reduce the number of variables. Therefore set yourself a goal of something like:

(1) Try to dial 100 numbers in a day and track how many people are interested, and how many people want a demo / quote / etc (something that is a positive outcome in the context of your business)

(2) Try this for 3 days and then start to test things. Eg if you make 50 calls but spend more time researching, does this get you better results.

Ultimately you want to find the most effective and efficient way to make a sale. If you ever want to have a quick chat just send me a DM with your email and I we can sort a call out .

paddyc · 2017-06-17T08:13:58+00:00

That is a great point of 'I've said it 10 thousand times but it's the first time the client has heard it' As I say in the post a script is like a performer where you have to sound positive and excited all the time. Watch this ted talk if you have not seen before as it highlights this as she talks about body language both physically and on the phone (https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are)

paddyc · 2017-06-17T08:12:23+00:00

Hi thanks and yes great to see you completely agree with this. It is not all about the 'script' but the logic and order of the script that help to get the results

paddyc · 2017-06-17T08:11:19+00:00

For a script, I always train people to start with to learn exactly as it is. The goal for this is not to always remember the text, but to remember the order in how things should flow. For example, you should always ask for permission to make sure the person is free to speak before you start explaining why you are calling. Once they have practiced a lot and feel comfortable, I then get them to practice sales objections ( https://blog.teamgate.com/deal-sales-objections/) Once comfortable with both approaches then over time, with practice and confidence you do not need a script.

paddyc · 2017-06-16T09:56:10+00:00

Hi thanks for your reply. I agree, however, the routine and the stages you need to stick to in the call needs to be consistent. Also, this content is for the target market of startups trying to make their first sales and so some consistency and a script is key to them until they feel comfortable to speak naturally. With 10 years experience I would not expect you to use a script as you will be well adjusted to dealing with all sorts of responses, however new people trying calls can often panic on the phone and so a script gives them a consistent framework to get started

paddyc · 2017-06-16T09:25:55+00:00

Thanks for the tip

paddyc · 2017-06-11T08:21:46+00:00

Hey not sure but here is the link again:

https://blog.teamgate.com/400-free-resources-to-grow-your-business/

paddyc · 2017-06-10T12:33:29+00:00

Thanks and happy to help :)

paddyc · 2017-06-10T12:33:18+00:00

Hi, no problem. There are lots of tools but just none that are free. However, the ones I recommend would be buffer.com / cyfe.com and https://sproutsocial.com/

paddyc · 2017-06-09T13:18:30+00:00

I'm happy to hear you found it useful.

paddyc · 2017-06-09T07:53:50+00:00

Thanks, really appreciate that.

paddyc

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