I signed up to Gold’s Gym after being with Energie Cardio for a couple of years.

Why? All I can tell you is that it reminds me of why I switched from mySpace to Facebook.

I wanted more options, my friends were no longer there, the place is a mess & just overall a boring environment. I felt like a loser going there.  

At Gold’s, they have a lot more to offer:

Hot Yoga
Swimming Pool
Jacuzzi
Day Care
Movie Workout Room
Snack Bar
A lot more machines
Very Inviting
Energetic and Smiling staff
Very good lighting
Large locker room
Women’s Section
Beautiful People!
High Tech Machines
Beautiful floors and paint
Lots of parking
Open 24 hours
Clean & organized
Great Music 
and much much more……………

Here’s what you need to remember:

Being #1 is great, but never stop innovating and meeting customer expectations.  A competitor is always ready to take away your clients when you least expect it.  The best part, clients are sometimes willing to pay extra.

A gym with no one there is called a Home Gym. Just like how mySpace is just a space now.

But wait…..mySpace is coming back by targeting specific users! Here’s an idea for Energie Cardio: maybe you should target seniors.

Happy workout!

- A

Note: This experience applies to the gyms in my area. You may have a better experience elsewhere.

People make snap judgements. It takes only 1/10th of a second to form a first impression about a person, and websites are no different.

Like everyone else, I hate moving but love moving into a new place.  This year I decided to make the move a little easier by using products offered at U-Haul.

I decided to rent from them some furniture covers to make sure nothing gets scratched.  What a great decision that was.  Not only they made packing much easier but also well priced ($5 for 6 covers / day).  

But what I loved most was my overall experience….here are the highlights

• Greeted with a smile
• easy transaction and product availability
• Great pricing
• Greeted again with a smile upon returning the items
• No late fees for bringing them an hour after deadline
• Sent me invoice by email
• They Emailed me about reviewing my experience with them

It was my first experience and not the last one.  I am sure I will be thinking of them when I need any moving services/products.  

EVERY TRANSACTION MATTERS…..SMALL OR BIG.
Customer lifetime value is important!

-A

I was listening to a lecture made by Docstoc’s CEO Jason Lawrence Nazar about sales and finally understood why I can sell anything to anyone.  

Here’s how you can do it too:

1) Gain interest

I always try to talk to people about the things they like and not what I like. Why? Because they don’t care about what I like…..it’s all about them.

2) Establish credibility

I sell my credibility through the things I’ve done [ things I post on Facebook ;) ] but also tell people who I am by my own actions.

3) Establish need

I ask people what they want or need and then say it back to them the way they said it to me.  I might not understand what you need, but I will make you feel that I understand what YOU need.  

Then you say:
“I can’t believe someone actually knows how I feel.  What should I do? What do you recommend?”

4) Offer solution

I will then persuade you with a solution that offers you the value that you are actually looking for.

5) Close the deal

You told me what you need, I showed you what I can offer you, and will make it easy to get started right away.  

Remember “ABC”

Always be Closing!
 

Happy selling

- A

For many years, I’ve been flying to all my eCommerce Conferences using Air Canada. Why?

Reasons:

• The Entertainment Touch Screens
• The Food

On my last trip coming back from USA, one of the stewardess really had attitude problems.  You can feel it that she didn’t want to be there. 

I usually ask for a full can of Ginger ale instead of a cup since it makes feel better during flight.  Her response:

“We can’t give you a full one since we won’t have enough……..”

Seriously???????

I am not going to complain about the fact that they charge me an extra $25 for a bag at check-in, the fact that you have to pay extra to choose your seat, the fact that they charge for headsets, the fact that they keep going on strike etc etc….

Here’s one way she could have responded to me:

“Sir, I would love to give you a full can, but I want to make sure everyone on the plane will get a cup of Ginger Ale if they ask for it.  If I am left with a can in the end, it will be my pleasure to bring one to you.”

Was that difficult?

-A

I was in my car and decided to take a picture of this.  Audi ensures that their cars are covered during transport.  Not many car brands do that.  

What does that show tell me:

• They value their product (they want to protect it)
• They care about the client (cars look good upon delivery to clients)
• Their brand is prestigious

Small details might sometimes cost a little more but it sets you apart from the rest.  

A