by Mike Brunel | Sep 25, 2023 | Leadership
A Simple Solution that Saved a Quarter of a Million Dollars.
“Cost-Saving Success:
A Lesson in Business Efficiency and Sales Optimization”A leading manufacturing company headquartered in Japan managed to trim a whopping quarter of a million dollars from its expenses, and the secret to their success was surprisingly straightforward – they turned off the lights.
In an effort to uncover innovative ways to save money without disrupting their day-to-day operations, the company organized a competition.
The question posed to its employees was deceptively simple: “How can we save money in our company without compromising our daily operations?”
The company’s workforce, ranging from senior management to factory workers, embarked on a week-long brainstorming journey. When all the ideas were gathered and assessed, a suggestion from one of the lowest-paid workers emerged as the winning solution.
Saving money is right in front of you.
The winning proposal was elegantly simple: switch off the lights in the computer room and the factory where automated robots tirelessly assembled vital components. The employee received 20 per cent of the initial savings as a reward for this brilliant cost-saving idea.
This story underscores a valuable lesson: sometimes, the most effective solutions to complex problems are right in front of us all along.
Not every solution needs to be intricate; often, simplicity reigns supreme.
Moreover, it highlights that the answers to your business challenges may not exclusively reside within the upper echelons of management.
Encouraging employee input across all departments can yield surprising and innovative solutions that may significantly benefit your company’s bottom line.
What does this story teaches me about sales?
As a salesperson, you can apply this lesson in several ways to boost your performance and contribute to your organization’s success:
- Seek Cost-Efficient Sales Approaches: Consider how you can optimise your sales process without increasing expenses. Sometimes, a streamlined approach can lead to significant savings, such as cutting unnecessary travel or marketing costs.
- Collaborate with Colleagues: Don’t hesitate to tap into the collective wisdom of your colleagues. Engage in brainstorming sessions with your sales team to discover innovative techniques and cost-effective strategies for achieving sales targets.
- Incentive Ideas: Encourage creative thinking among your sales team by rewarding innovative cost-saving or revenue-enhancing ideas. Recognize that valuable insights can come from anyone, regardless of their position or experience.
- Simplicity Sells: When presenting solutions to potential clients, remember that simplicity often resonates more effectively than complexity. Highlight how your product or service can streamline processes or reduce costs for the customer.
By embracing these principles and adapting the story’s essence to your role as a salesperson, you can contribute to your company’s profitability while delivering outstanding results to your clients.
Have a great week selling your stuff.
Mike
PLUS: WHENEVER YOU’RE READY…Here are 4 ways I can help you make more sales in your business – big or small.
1. Want to become a Sales Mindset Blueprint Member? You get access to an exclusive coaching session with me and full access to my sales programme every month. Get the deets here.
2. Try the new ‘7 Days to Sales Success’ framework. Make more sales in 7 days—the framework of everything you need to start making more sales in your business. The Sales Success Framework is based on a simple 7-day challenge. Click here to learn how to grow your business by making more sales.
3. Join our private Facebook group – The Sales Mindset Inner Circle. Get all the latest up-to-date sales ideas. Every week, we do Facebook Live updates on all things sales. Tips, ideas, free coaching, and much more. Join me by clicking here
4. Could you work with me one-on-one? If you’re a small or large business owner or in professional services, you might have a few strategies, tactics and tools away from doubling your lead flow, revenue and impact. Please jump on a FREE 30-minute brainstorming call with me by clicking here.
by Mike Brunel | Sep 18, 2023 | Sales
“At a recent conference, I posed a question to the group:
“How well do you truly understand your customers?
I asked this because many seemed uncertain about acquiring new business.
I presented this query alongside some additional words of advice.
“If you were to sit down with your most loyal customers and simply inquire, ‘Hey, you enjoy my service, why?'”
And “How well do you truly understand your customers and gather valuable customer insights?
In the media industry, you can obtain all this valuable information for FREE when selling direct advertising to businesses.
Media companies conduct surveys of their listeners, readers, and viewers (TV) three to four times a year. Even digital platforms like Facebook provide even more detailed insights.
Now, you might wonder why I ask my clients why they chose to buy from me?
The reason is simple: I might discover some common factors among them.
For instance, I aimed to uncover which radio stations they prefer, their favourite TV programs, and how they consume news.
These clues enable me to target their potential customers better.
Let me share another secret with you.
While knowing your product is crucial, understanding the people who buy from you is even more vital.
Having insight into your customers, or what I call ‘people knowledge,’ is the key to achieving success.”
Mike (Insights) Brunel.
PLUS: WHENEVER YOU’RE READY…Here are 4 ways I can help you make more sales in your business – whether big or small.
1. Want to become a Sales Mindset Blueprint Member? You get access to an exclusive coaching session with me and full access to my sales programme every month. Get the deets here.
2. Try the new ‘7 Days to Sales Success’ framework. Make more sales in 7 days—the framework of everything you need to start making more sales in your business. The Sales Success Framework is based on a simple 7-day challenge. Click here to learn how to grow your business by making more sales.
3. Join our private Facebook group – The Sales Mindset Inner Circle. Get all the latest up-to-date sales ideas. Every, week, we do Facebook Live updates on all things sales. Tips, ideas, free coaching, and much more. Join me by clicking here
4. Could you work with me one-on-one? If you’re a small or large business owner or in professional services, you might have a few strategies, tactics and tools away from doubling your lead flow, revenue and impact. Please jump on a FREE 30-minute brainstorming call with me by clicking here.
by Mike Brunel | Sep 12, 2023 | Leadership, Presentation
“Want to Nail Presentations?
What if I told you that you only needed to know four simple words to create an outstanding presentation?
What if these four words could effectively communicate your message to your audience every single time?
Well, not only can you learn these four words, but I’ll also provide you with a practical framework that you can apply whenever you’re planning a presentation, a promotion, or sharing an idea.
But before we dive into the framework and workbook, let’s focus on the first word:
“Why.”
Did you know that 35% of your audience needs to understand why they should take a particular action or why they should pay attention to the information you’re about to share?
This portion of your audience truly engages with your content when you provide them with a compelling reason for why they need this information and how it can benefit them.
If you’ve ever noticed your audience losing interest early in your presentation, the solution might be as simple as incorporating a clear “why” right at the beginning.
Why not explore the various learning styles further with the help of my free workbook?
Sincerely, Mike (Your Guide to Better Presentations) Brunel
PLUS: WHENEVER YOU’RE READY…Here are 4 ways I can help you make more sales in your business – whether your business is big or small.
1. Want to become a Sales Mindset Blueprint Member? You get access to an exclusive coaching session with me and full access to my sales programme every month. Get the deets here.
2. Try the new ‘7 Days to Sales Success’ framework. Make more sales in 7 days—the framework of everything you need to start making more sales in your business. The Sales Success Framework is based on a simple 7-day challenge. Click here to learn how to grow your business by making more sales.
3. Join our private Facebook group – The Sales Mindset Inner Circle. Get all the latest up-to-date sales ideas. Every week we do Facebook Live updates on all things sales. Tips, ideas, free coaching, and much more. Join me by clicking here
4. Could you work with me one-on-one? If you’re a small or large business owner or in professional services, you might have a few strategies, tactics and tools away from doubling your lead flow, revenue and impact. Please jump on a FREE 30-minute brainstorming call with me by clicking here.
by Mike Brunel | Sep 4, 2023 | Strategy
In the dynamic landscape of media advertising, addressing clients’ needs often involves creative thinking and strategic innovation.
At NRS Media, (since sold) we tackled a pressing concern for our clients by revolutionising their advertising contracts for radio, TV, and newspapers.
This blog delves into the issues we resolved, the methodology we employed, and the remarkable results we achieved.
Understanding the Problem
Media advertising transformation with 12-month contracts”
When I embarked on the journey with NRS Media, the prevailing practice was for media companies to sell their advertising space in short-term intervals: weekly, monthly, or at most, 3-month or 13-week blocks.
This approach limited the potential for both clients and media companies to establish meaningful, long-term partnerships.
Proposing a Bold Solution
I recognised the untapped potential of long-term advertising contracts and proposed a game-changing idea—a 12-month advertising contract. Branded Image Plus.
The key to success lies in devising the right sales process that would enable this transformation.
This marked the inception of a transformative journey that would reshape the industry.
Executing the Solution
With a talented and dedicated team by my side, we set out to prove the viability of the 12-month advertising contract concept.
Our strategy was rooted in a simple yet effective sales process that demanded unwavering discipline from the team.
Our approach revolved around mastering fundamental presentation skills, honing closing techniques, and meticulous preparation.
These were the pillars that upheld our one simple concept, propelling us to achieve extraordinary results.
The Revelation: More than Just Sales
Beneath the surface of the sales figures and success stories, lay the real challenge—transforming media advertising from a transactional exchange into a relationship-driven partnership.
The shift in perspective was transformative. We reframed the entire proposition by addressing three crucial questions:
- Do you encounter this problem?
- How does the unresolved issue impact your business?
- Are you open to exploring a collaborative solution?
The Impact and Results
Our approach had a resounding impact. By addressing the root problem and highlighting the potential consequences of not embracing change, we were able to foster genuine partnerships between media companies and clients.
The shift from selling media as a mere commodity to nurturing meaningful relationships redefined the advertising landscape.
Conclusion: The Power of Problem Solving
In essence, the story of NRS Media’s journey is that of a problem solver.
We demonstrated that by unravelling the complexities of an industry-wide challenge, addressing it creatively, and engaging clients in a meaningful dialogue, remarkable transformations are possible.
If you want your sales problems solved, my “SalesBlueprint Success Syndicate” is coming soon.
If you want to fast-track and get into my early bird offer “Reply” Yes to this email
Mike (Problem Solver) Brunel
