Good Afternoon, Happy Monday!
Happy New Year! The picture above is from a show I played a few years ago at a local venue, the Subterranean (in Bucktown). Though you can't see all of it, that is my dad's beautiful, marine-pearl Slingerland drumkit, circa 1963 made locally here in Niles, IL. This blog, Sales Drummer, is not only a nod to my old man, but also defines me and the two things I'm most passionate about (besides my family) - Sales and Music. My goal is to share something that will help help you close an extra deal soon, as well as add some new music to your personal soundtrack.
I am extremely fortunate to be out every day with an eclectic group of people and business cultures. I’m always interested to hear about what others are reading about, listening to, experiencing, and just flat-out DOING. And personally I’m always up for a good tangent if it piques my curiosity.
With that in mind, this monthly digest reflects my latest findings – new music obsessions, interesting ideas I've been exposed to, helpful sales tips, Chicagoland points of interest, and a brief update about the work I've been up to. I hope these snippets are of interest to you or someone you know, and offer a quick reprise from the driving force of everyday life. I appreciate your recommendations, thoughts, and replies - as well as taking time out to enjoy it.
Featured Charity
Team in Training: so many ways to get involved in the fight against cancer. Back in 2001, along with her Team in Training crew, my mom biked 100 miles (in one day!) around Lake Tahoe, celebrating her remission from Hodgkin's Lymphoma just two years prior. For those that have driven around that lake, you may recall how crazy steep some of the hills can be. If you've been personally affected by the disease, this organization is a great way to get involved.
Team in Training: so many ways to get involved in the fight against cancer. Back in 2001, along with her Team in Training crew, my mom biked 100 miles (in one day!) around Lake Tahoe, celebrating her remission from Hodgkin's Lymphoma just two years prior. For those that have driven around that lake, you may recall how crazy steep some of the hills can be. If you've been personally affected by the disease, this organization is a great way to get involved.
Sales Ideas & Practices
A question every sales rep has asked themselves - do you try to get in with the CEO or start lower with an influencer and work your way up? Great question and each method has its merits. I enjoyed this article looking at both arguments.
Lots of buzz out there about Content Marketing. This article is on-point as it breaks down key components to help you do it right - headlines, list order, using scarcity, testimonials, and word choice. A Must Read!
A question every sales rep has asked themselves - do you try to get in with the CEO or start lower with an influencer and work your way up? Great question and each method has its merits. I enjoyed this article looking at both arguments.
Lots of buzz out there about Content Marketing. This article is on-point as it breaks down key components to help you do it right - headlines, list order, using scarcity, testimonials, and word choice. A Must Read!
What I'm Up To
Sales Empowerment Group – we are out speaking regularly on a myriad of sales-related topics - first call effectiveness, cold-call techniques, Sales Process, LinkedIn, etc. Please reach out to me if you'd be interested in a breakfast/lunch-n-learn session for your company.
Precision Payroll – the month of January is the busiest time of year in the payroll world. It is the easiest and best time for companies to change their payroll system and we're happy to be bringing on a lot of great clients this month.
Sales Empowerment Group – we are out speaking regularly on a myriad of sales-related topics - first call effectiveness, cold-call techniques, Sales Process, LinkedIn, etc. Please reach out to me if you'd be interested in a breakfast/lunch-n-learn session for your company.
Precision Payroll – the month of January is the busiest time of year in the payroll world. It is the easiest and best time for companies to change their payroll system and we're happy to be bringing on a lot of great clients this month.
Random Joy
"Art" takes on infinite forms, large and small. This video shows an expandable one, and I have a feeling you'll be just as captivated as I was starting at the 24 second mark.
As far as daytime talk-shows go, Ellen seems to be doing it right. This 7-year-old guest prodigy was especially entertaining not only for the piano-playing chops, but for his over-the-top sweetness & positivity.
"Art" takes on infinite forms, large and small. This video shows an expandable one, and I have a feeling you'll be just as captivated as I was starting at the 24 second mark.
As far as daytime talk-shows go, Ellen seems to be doing it right. This 7-year-old guest prodigy was especially entertaining not only for the piano-playing chops, but for his over-the-top sweetness & positivity.
Chicagoland
Polar Vortex, Polar Shmortex. I guess we used to have them all the time back in the day. Round #2 is on its way - I say slap on the long-johns, no calling "dibs", and bring it on! The first pic in this series from the first Antarc-Ditka is amazing.
Polar Vortex, Polar Shmortex. I guess we used to have them all the time back in the day. Round #2 is on its way - I say slap on the long-johns, no calling "dibs", and bring it on! The first pic in this series from the first Antarc-Ditka is amazing.
Music
Jake Bugg - this 19 year-old garage rocker is the next big thing to come out of the UK. Well-known producer Rick Rubin worked on his most recent album that came out at the end of 2013. His song Two Fingers has been stuck in my head for over a month now.
Jake Bugg - this 19 year-old garage rocker is the next big thing to come out of the UK. Well-known producer Rick Rubin worked on his most recent album that came out at the end of 2013. His song Two Fingers has been stuck in my head for over a month now.
Quotes
One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others - Lewis Caroll
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. - Sir Frances Baron (1561-1626)
If men could only know each other, they would neither idolize nor hate. - Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)
Before I met my husband, I'd never fallen in love, though I'd stepped in it a few times - Rita Rudner
All human beings should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why. - James Thurber (1894-1961)
A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done. - Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)
I hope you enjoyed the newsletter and found something of value for yourself or someone you know. Again, I appreciate your recommendations, thoughts, and referrals that so many of you have shared with me. Bundle up, get your Vitamin C, and I'll see you next month!
One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others - Lewis Caroll
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. - Sir Frances Baron (1561-1626)
If men could only know each other, they would neither idolize nor hate. - Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)
Before I met my husband, I'd never fallen in love, though I'd stepped in it a few times - Rita Rudner
All human beings should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why. - James Thurber (1894-1961)
A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done. - Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)
I hope you enjoyed the newsletter and found something of value for yourself or someone you know. Again, I appreciate your recommendations, thoughts, and referrals that so many of you have shared with me. Bundle up, get your Vitamin C, and I'll see you next month!
