The Bull's-Eye View

Welcome to another issue of Target Consulting Group's online newsletter!

I'm feeling especially grateful this year -- and you're the reason. One of the real joys of the Holiday Season is the opportunity to say Thank You and to wish you the very best for the New Year.

Have a wonderful holiday!

Qualities Of A Sales Professional

Studies have shown that outstanding salespeople share certain traits, whether they run their own businesses or work for someone else.

According to Jim Cathcart, well-known speaker and author of "Relationship Selling: The Key to Getting and Keeping Customers", whether or not people are professionals isn't determined by the business they are in, but by the way they are in business.

• Are committed to the success of their clients' businesses, as well as their own.
• Have clearly stated business and life goals.
• Take time to educate themselves, and are always open to learning how to improve their sales skills.
• Spend spare time in sales-related activities, whether within their industry or contributing to other entrepreneurs.
• Take personal responsibility for both their successes and failures, rather than blaming others for any setbacks.
• Keep track of their progress, including accurate records of conversations with clients and appropriate follow-up times, as well as their level of activity during each step of the sales process.
• Are determined and persistent, and don't let anything discourage or slow them down.

Customer Service

Use positive language - not negative - to ask customers how satisfied they are. Say "Can you suggest ways for us to improve our service?" instead of "Do you have any complaints?"

Add More Power to Windows XP

Supercharge your desktop by installing the Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP. Get an enhanced calculator, an image re-sizer, virtual desktops, and more with this collection of free utilities.

Check it out at: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp

Charting the U.S. Labor Market in 2005

This report, charting the U.S. Labor Market in 2005, includes graphs and text describing the U.S. labor market in 2005. Highlights include information about educational attainment, race and Hispanic ethnicity, women, and families.

These data are presented together to give an overview of the employment and unemployment situation for the nation by presenting both recent data and historical trends over time.

The chart book is divided into sections by topic: Major Indicators, Education, Employment Relationships, Race and Hispanic Ethnicity, Women, and Families. Each chart can be downloaded individually.

Check it out at: www.bls.gov/cps/labor2005/home.htm

Are you ready to run your own business, but don't know where to start?

Lighthouse Franchise Group is a member of the world's largest network of franchise coaches, with over 25 years of experience helping our clients find the right business. We help entrepreneurs identify business opportunities that match their interests, skills, backgrounds and financial means. We represent hundreds of fast-growing, successful business opportunities. We serve clients nationwide and coast to coast throughout the US and Canada.

Our consulting services are FREE. There is no cost or obligation for our consulting, research and recommendations. We also offer technical and financial services supporting the full business lifecycle, from initial funding (SBA Loans) to merchant services, insurance, digital bookkeeping, tax services and more!

• Part-time, full-time or part-time growing into full-time
• Home-based or brick-and-mortar
• Retail. Service, business-to-business, sales, consulting and more
• Owner-operator or investor

For more information please call (888) 511-JOBS

Increase Business with Referrals Increase business by asking for a referral from an existing customer. Referrals are one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to market. Referrals have more impact than any other marketing strategy or advertising because prospective customers rely on the confidence and trust that your existing customers have for you. A satisfied customer is usually glad to help you and can provide a strong testimonial for your company. This can open doors quickly for new customers. Candidate Referral Program Help a Friend and Earn $100 Target Consulting will pay you $100 for each friend that you refer who gets a job through our services. Client Referral Program Refer Target Consulting Group a client and we will donate $500 to a charity of your choice. Are you an HR or sales consultant looking to add value to your client with our service? Call us about our agent program at 888-511-JOBS for details. Call us at 888-511-JOBS for details. http://www.targetconsulting.com

*Your referrals are the greatest compliment you can offer our firm. If you know anyone that would benefit from Target Consulting Group, have them call us directly for a complimentary Strategy Session. Thank you for your generosity.

"The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes." - Benjamin Disraeli

Are you, and your business, ready for each opportunity as it arises? Do you know where you are going in 2007 and how you will get there? Here is a list of questions to help you prepare for future opportunities and today's success.

Answer these questions to the best of your ability and keep this as a working document for your business...and life.

1. What will your company look like in 3, 5, 10, and 20 years from today?
2. Who is your competition?
3. Are they better in any areas than your business? (If so, what areas and how?)
4. Who will be your competition? Do you see any new competitors coming in to your industry?
5. Can someone put you out of business today? (How and why?)
6. What do you do better than anyone else? (How do you know?)
7. What are the weakest areas of your business? (Staffing, billing, marketing, etc...)
8. What are the biggest challenges you are facing in your business? (And that your industry is facing)
9. Do you have specific goals, outcomes, and results outlined for your business?
10. What is keeping you from achieving these goals?

Tips To Make You A Better Listener

If your goal is to become a better listener, these tips can help by uncovering and stopping some of the major factors that impede listening, before they begin. Changing your environment and approach to listening will result in better listening and better communications.

Control Distractions. One of the biggest distractions is the telephone. You are giving the speaker your full attention and then the phone rings. When you answer the call you are sending the message that you are not listening and it interrupts the discussion and train of thoughts. You can avoid this by directing all calls to voice mail or having an assistant answer the incoming calls.

Be Organized. If your desk is cluttered with paper, notes, books, etc, your eyes will probably skim the material and you will find that you end up reading instead of listening. File or put the stuff in a drawer so that you won't be distracted. If you go to a meeting room, take only material related to the topic of discussion.

Be An Active Listener. Participate in the discussion by asking questions and clarifying what is being said. This will show the other person that you understand and interested in what they are saying.

Take Notes. It is virtually impossible to remember everything that is being said in a lengthy conversation. Jot down notes and key phrases to jog your memory for future reference. Immediately after the meeting write the details and a summary of the discussion.

Identifying Potential Team Leaders

As a team leader, you are the most important source for identifying potential team leaders in your company. This list shows some of the things you should remember as you evaluate your team members:

• Have clear goals and objectives outlined for each member. (Or review what they have outlined)
• Observe each member's behaviors, skills, attitudes, values, and personalities.
• Make sure each team member has an opportunity to be the leader of a project or task.
• Encourage them to enhance their skills by attending seminars, getting leadership training and development, and/or taking educational courses.
• Keep everyone aware of your team's goals, objectives, and accomplishments.

- Gary Sorrell, Sorrell Associates © 2006

Target's hot jobs of the month!

Send Out Holiday Cards With Ease

The holidays are here and time spent writing and stuffing mailing cards can take many countless hours out of your day. Well, we found a way to save you time and money. Sendout Cards is a company that writes, stuffs and mails cards out for you at the touch of a button. You chose the card from their database and click "you're done". Call (888) 511-5627 for more information.

Happy Holidays From Target Consulting

Happy Holidays from Donnie Wahlberg

Rodaman Ride for Kid's 2006