Almost thru the first Quarter

Well here we are in a new year and with a whole new outlook.........New Economy and New way of doing business.....Watch the news lately? Hard to avoid watching the train wreck on Wall Street, isn't it? As you listen to people across America, from newscasters to people on the bus, one word seems to be on the tip of everyone's tongue: FEAR.There is a lot of talk about things "seizing up" and things "freezing" in an economic crisis. The government is giving dire warnings. Doesn't sound like a very vibrant economy, does it?Do you believe everything that you hear? Maybe the crisis is worse than the news says. Maybe it isn't nearly as bad as they say. Maybe they have it right. Whether the news is right or not, the real question is, "What are you going to do about it?" The emphasis is on YOU.Depending on what is between your ears, this is either a horrible time to be out selling, or a great time to be selling. Whether it is horrible or great is truly up to you, not the news.In each crisis, there is opportunity. Despite the message on the news shows, the world isn't going to stop spinning. The sun is going to come up in the east, and another day will unfold. That day is a blank slate. That day is the opportunity in the crisis.Each morning, you've got a choice. Are you going to be controlled by circumstance that you don't like, or are you going to make your own circumstance? It can be easy to be paralyzed by fear. After all, FEAR is False Emotion Appearing Real.Think about that for a second. Think about all the times you've been afraid of something and what you were afraid of never happened. Or, if it did happen, it wasn't nearly as bad as you imagined it would be. Fear is only in your head. It isn't in the ground and it isn't in the water; it is in your head. So, you control fear unless you choose to let it control you.No matter how bad the economy may or may not be, people and companies still have problems that need to be solved. And, they will still need help solving them. Sales aren't going to stop. The true sales professional with great skills will prosper, and those without the skills will struggle.What are some things that you can do to keep your performance up and prosper in the short and long term?-- Put metrics under a microscope. Increase call volume; don't let it drop. Be more aware of all your activities on a daily basis.-- Time management is key. Are you spending your time worrying about what you can't control, or are you working to develop business?-- Find a motive! Prospects have a reason for talking with you. Find out what it is. Knowing motive is a key element in any sale, even in a good economy. When people are afraid, motive is even more important.-- When you are following up with people, add value by giving them something they can use. If you do, they'll come to you when they are ready to buy. If you just pester with needless follow-up, you chase them to your competitors.-- Work on your selling skills, especially on asking the right questions. Dig deeper. Ask more follow-up questions. "Why do you think that is?" is a great follow- up question. There are seven ways to ask that question. Use them all.-- Work on your listening skills. Don't let vague words pass you by. Soon is a vague word. Ask the question, "What is soon in your world?" Hear a vague word, ask a question!-- Watch your language. Are you using positive or negative words? If negative words or phrases that suggest complaints are creeping into your vocabulary, get rid of them. They will impact you in a negative way. We are what we feed our brain.-- Keep your attitude positive. Attitude is contagious to other parts of your life.-- Exercise. By exercise I don't mean jumping to conclusions. Get out and walk, run, jog, stretch, swim, bike, or anything else that gets your body moving. Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel good.-- Focus on the solution, not on the problem. If you aren't getting the results you need, focus on what must be done differently in order to succeed. If you focus on the problem, you'll only get more of that. Focus on the solution and you'll find the answer.How the current economic situation plays out for you is up to you. The government is not going to solve your problem. Remember, in every crisis, some people fall by the wayside and some people prosper.Which one will you be?

Source: Sales trainer/author Ryan Sarti (www.swiftkickgrowth.com, 2008)

Busy Week!

This was a busy week with lots of events....

Thursday was the Children's Trust Fund Signature Event at the Kellogg Center where I lost out on an auction item which I really wanted. The event had over 300 people at it and raised close to half a million dollars for the Children's Trust Fund.

Friday was a High School Football game with the Army giving away an Ipod and had a football toss for the kids which was fun.

Saturday was the Zoo Party at The Potter Park Zoo. The place was jamed with people and food vendors which truned out to be a blast....the food was great and the drinks were even better.

Healing from my injury!!

This is a long weekend and you are supposed to have fun on long weekend's....Well not me I had surgery on Friday and had 5 screws and a plate taken out of my right leg. Now all weekend long all I can do is heal.

Hope you all are having fun out there this weekend!

OK I am Getting Better at This....

Just wanted to show off a bit with a pic of myself and the ledgandary Ernie Harwell....What a great guy and to listen to his story's.....what a blast.

Anyways...Today I went out and visited other Blogs just to see what people are up to and to learn how to better myself at Blogging.....

The first place I started was at my Realators page: Rob Dowding......

http://activerain.com/blogs/rdowding

He has everthing real estate specific and few things about investing.....

A friend of mine Linda Lynch has a blog and she has it directed right from her desk and talks about industry specific items as well. Which is not a bad idea but the radio world is so fast paced and so all over the map I think this blog should be more a little about everything since that is what I do. Because today I can go from a fight promoter to a fair to a zoo to a popcorn store and then to Cartridge World....All talking about different idea's. However, the underlying theam would be Marketing and Sales, and how to reach that target audiance....whom ever it may be.

Check out Linda Lynch's Blogg at:

http://www.kitechnologygroup.com/blog/index.php

I'm back

WOW!!!

It has been along time since I have posted anything on here and I must say alot has happened since January.

First things First I have a 6 month old son named Tyler Austin Hatcher and not just one week before that I broke my leg and had surgey on my birthday....

Now its summer and we are traveling around and I get to go Golfing every now and then.

Well that's all for now please visit my webpage at www.brianhatcher.com

Changing the Name of the Lansing Community Micro-Enterprise Fund

The Lansing Community Micro-Enterprise Fund (LCMF) needs YOUR HELP!!! The board is currently looking to change the name of the organization to reflect the goals of the organization and we are looking for your help in picking the name. A little history is below for you to review and we have also picked three names. Which you can see to the right and now we are looking for a little feedback from YOU!!! With your help and feedback the Lansing Community Micro-Enterprise Fund will have a new look for 2008. Please take the quick survey to the right and help us pick a new name for the LCMF.

We would like to Thank you in advance for you help and our new name will be unveiled at the Silent Auction on Feb. 7th.


MISSION STATEMENT: to create opportunities for Mid-Michigan’s
entrepreneurs by offering business plan development and financial
literacy trainings, access to capital and networking opportunities.

THE LCMF BIO:
The Lansing Community Micro-Enterprise Fund (LCMF) is a micro-enterprise assistance and loan fund program in Lansing, Michigan. It exists to facilitate the development of new and /or growing micro-enterprises, which are rooted in the low and moderate-income areas of the city of Lansing. A micro-enterprise is a small business with five employees
or less that requires $35,000 or less in initial capital. The overall goal of the LCMF is that its clients will become self-sufficient and capable of participating in the economic mainstream contributing to a stronger Lansing.
The LCMF was founded as a collaborative effort by the City of Lansing, Michigan State University’s Center for Urban Affairs, Lansing Neighborhood Associations, Lansing Community College’s Small Business Development Center, Catholic Charities, First of America (now National City), and Michigan National Bank (now Standard Federal). The Mayor of Lansing established a Community Investment Committee with representatives of the above organizations soon after taking office in January of 1994.

Lunch at the AI Fusion

Today I had Lunch at the New AI Fusion in East Lansing this is a fantastic place and I would highly recomend this resturant to anyone who is looking for a new and intresting place to dine.

Ai Fusion, is a pleasant surprise... where European meets Asian style cooking that boasts a variety of flavors and ingredients that are sure to satisfy but still keep you healthy! Perfect for your large get together or private event.
With an open kitchen to show off the talented chefs...a memorable experience. You can enjoy five traditional dadami rooms that offer a comfortable, social atmosphere, seated low to the ground.
Visit the brand new Ai Fusion...Next to Hobby Lobby on Grand River in East Lansing or call 517-853-3700 for a unique dining experience! Gift certificates are available and for more information visit http://www.iloveukai.com/.