Good morning, Happy Friday!
My Grandpa Lenhart owned a 120-acre working farm in Northwest Ohio, which is where my Dad grew up. When my parents got married, they moved down the road onto another family farm, which is where my sisters were born. But when I came along, and we needed more room, my parents moved us off to suburbia (a fact my sisters still like to remind me of to this day). I grew up in a couple different small Midwest farming towns, and even though I never experienced "life on the farm", it's in my blood. So you can imagine my delight as I got an up-close experience this month with my brother-in-law, who happens to be a full-time farmer. I rode shotgun on this bad boy...a modern-day, GPS-guided, corn-eating beast! I watched in awe as it plowed down 12 rows at a time and churned out shucked corn kernels on the other end. Something I'm sure I've seen a thousand times driving along the highway, but incredibly fun and rewarding to have finally experienced it firsthand.
I'm fortunate to be out every day meeting an eclectic group of people and businesses. This monthly digest reflects my journey through sharing new sales & business ideas, Chicagoland happenings, new music for your soundtrack, and other things that caught my eye along the way. I always appreciate your replies, thoughts, and ideas - as well as taking time out to enjoy it.
Featured Client
Akouba Credit is helping small-to-mid-sized banks reduce the cost and time associated with underwriting business loans. Via Akouba's SaaS platform, banks can increase loan profitability by 2.5x, while cutting out 80% of the time normally taken to issue that loan. Now banks can work with happier borrowers - faster. Everyone wins. They recently completed the Chicago TechStarsprogram and have banks on-board. If you'd like more info or have connections into the banking space that may have interest, please drop me a line.
Akouba Credit is helping small-to-mid-sized banks reduce the cost and time associated with underwriting business loans. Via Akouba's SaaS platform, banks can increase loan profitability by 2.5x, while cutting out 80% of the time normally taken to issue that loan. Now banks can work with happier borrowers - faster. Everyone wins. They recently completed the Chicago TechStarsprogram and have banks on-board. If you'd like more info or have connections into the banking space that may have interest, please drop me a line.
Sales Beat
I've been getting a lot of questions lately about breaking through the email noise and motivating/enticing/begging your prospects to respond. Hubspot, one of the leaders in email automation, has a couple great blog posts in regards to this on-going challenge:
- 8 Clever Tricks to Grab Attention - using humor and leveraging LinkedIn knowledge are two methods I've always advocated. They have six other solid ideas too!
- 7 Psychological Facts to Sending Better Email - I liked this article because it shares tactical lessons after each idea that are easy to implement (but will force you to change some habits - do it!)
"Social Selling" has so many facets. It's not simply about posting a bunch of stuff on LinkedIn and Twitter and hoping people will like you. Social selling is a full strategy and multi-part technique that covers every touch-point of the buying journey. I enjoyed this article that discusses ideas on how Social Selling can help overcome some objections that many sales people hear every day.
I recently finished reading Conversations that Win the Complex Sale and really enjoyed it (thank you to my friends at Walker Sandsfor turning me on to the book). It helped me realize the power of messaging and how I work with my sales teams. In this article, the book's author shares some thought-provoking stats on what is really important to the modern buyer.
I recently finished reading Conversations that Win the Complex Sale and really enjoyed it (thank you to my friends at Walker Sandsfor turning me on to the book). It helped me realize the power of messaging and how I work with my sales teams. In this article, the book's author shares some thought-provoking stats on what is really important to the modern buyer.
What I'm Up To
I'm working several client engagements, dressing up Marleigh as Minnie Mouse for Halloween, and supporting my wife's efforts as she launches her amazing, much-needed business - Happy Balance RN. Like many of you, we keep a busy household and embrace the adventure!
I'm working several client engagements, dressing up Marleigh as Minnie Mouse for Halloween, and supporting my wife's efforts as she launches her amazing, much-needed business - Happy Balance RN. Like many of you, we keep a busy household and embrace the adventure!
Off Beat
My dad used to tell me stories of having to be on "KP" while in the Army; peeling potatoes for 1,000 men. A shame they didn't know about this easy trick to make this boring process a breeze.
I didn't find myself on the golf course as much as I would have liked this summer. I did, however, 3-putt a lot less this year, helped in part thanks to a new putter (and the simple fact that I played less...). Here is one of the best "three putts" I've ever seen.
Chicagoland
Chicago Toy and Game Week is coming up next month, Nov 18th-22nd. Lots of fun for the kiddos or your own inner child, but one event in particular on Friday sounds especially interesting and will be enticing for Chicago's tech community. Tech for Toys & Games will take place at Navy Pier and feature companies like Hasbro, Mattel, Nickelodeon, and others hunting for the latest in advancement - start-ups in the space should definitely go! Tickets are free, but space is limited - tickets can be reserved here.
Chicago Toy and Game Week is coming up next month, Nov 18th-22nd. Lots of fun for the kiddos or your own inner child, but one event in particular on Friday sounds especially interesting and will be enticing for Chicago's tech community. Tech for Toys & Games will take place at Navy Pier and feature companies like Hasbro, Mattel, Nickelodeon, and others hunting for the latest in advancement - start-ups in the space should definitely go! Tickets are free, but space is limited - tickets can be reserved here.
Music
Har Mar Superstar - I've been on a R&B/soul music kick lately - from artists new and old. A tune that recently caught my ear is from a balding, out-of-shape, middle-aged white guy - ends up he's one heck of a R&B Soul Crooner (contrary to his earlier electronic albums). Listen to his lead track off his last album, Lady You Shot Me.
Drumming Clip - Ringo Starr can be credited with banging out some of the earliest "Rock" beats still used today. Here is a cool reminder, as one drummer skillfully shuffles through the entire Beatles catalog, CHRONOLOGICALLY, in five minutes.
Har Mar Superstar - I've been on a R&B/soul music kick lately - from artists new and old. A tune that recently caught my ear is from a balding, out-of-shape, middle-aged white guy - ends up he's one heck of a R&B Soul Crooner (contrary to his earlier electronic albums). Listen to his lead track off his last album, Lady You Shot Me.
Drumming Clip - Ringo Starr can be credited with banging out some of the earliest "Rock" beats still used today. Here is a cool reminder, as one drummer skillfully shuffles through the entire Beatles catalog, CHRONOLOGICALLY, in five minutes.
Quotes
The nice thing about egotists is that they don't talk about other people. - Lucille S. Harper
When everyone is against you, it means that you are absolutely wrong or absolutely right. - Albert Guinon (1863-1923)
It's a rare person who wants to hear what he doesn't want to hear. - Dick Cavett (1936-)
Nothing inspires forgiveness quite like revenge. - Scott Adams (1957- )
Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life. - Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
I hope you enjoyed the newsletter and found something of interest. I always welcome and appreciate your replies, web recommendations, and referrals. Have a great Halloween weekend, see you next month!
The nice thing about egotists is that they don't talk about other people. - Lucille S. Harper
When everyone is against you, it means that you are absolutely wrong or absolutely right. - Albert Guinon (1863-1923)
It's a rare person who wants to hear what he doesn't want to hear. - Dick Cavett (1936-)
Nothing inspires forgiveness quite like revenge. - Scott Adams (1957- )
Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life. - Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
I hope you enjoyed the newsletter and found something of interest. I always welcome and appreciate your replies, web recommendations, and referrals. Have a great Halloween weekend, see you next month!
Tony Lenhart | tony@salesempowermentgroup.com | 773.991.4236
Action Generates Inspiration!
