Whenever someone has come to clean my home, has done an excellent job, and then asks if I want to have the upholstery or tile cleaned too - I have never yelled at him that his carpet cleaning was an "infomercial" to sell me more cleaning services.
I paid to have him clean my home - and if he delivered great value and service, why in the world would I get upset if he tried to sell me more value?
I'm pointing this out because it is this type of anti-selling mindset, that all "selling" is evil, that is at the root of most of the lack of success in small businesses. When people feel "weird" about upselling, it's because they think what they are doing is wrong - when actually, when they do their best to BE the best, why in the world would they not want to offer more to an already happy customer?
This is no different.
Piranha has been around for 18 years. This is my 11th year in doing work with Joe. We've sold approaching 6,000 marketing systems to cleaners and restorers. We've coached thousands of companies. Our strategies are licensed through all cleaning niches, restoration, pest control, auto sales, health services, fitness trainers, non-profits, remodeling. Our Nightingale-Conant Piranha Marketing program has been their #1 seller for 5 years now on-line, outselling Tony Robbins and Brian Tracy. A top seller because it's tactical, immediately usable, strategies for any business.
Here's the reason why... because "carpet cleaning" is a service no one wants to buy. No one gets all jazzed that they 'get to' get their carpets cleaned. So when we've designed systems to sell carpet cleaning at a higher price, and create a great customer experience - if it works for carpet cleaners, it works even better for any service people think is cooler to buy.
Terry - you would never learn a thing from us (or at least would never admit it) - because you refuse to see value in anyone else's work. You are the 24/7 critic. That's your role. For whatever reason, you work very hard at belittling others and trying to make anyone feel worse about themselves than better. I can't quite remember the last time you've posted a "good for you" compliment to anyone here... unless you do it secretly. It's funny at times. Actually I have fun writing with you because you remind me of my grandmother, who we always have bets on how every single story shared with her ends up rolling into her recent "ailment" that she can complain about. Doesn't matter who the story starts with - it always ends up with her problem, or a friend who died, and how we need to feel bad for her.
It's always all about her.
Someone once told me that everyone on this planet serves a purpose - even if it's to be a bad example. My grandmother has always been able to find the bad in everything... which is probably why I've been the opposite - I see the opportunity in everything. Even when the bad things happen, my tendency is to know that shit happens in life that I cannot control, and I can either wallow in it, or I can use it as fertilizer to grow something different. I still feel the pain and cry the tears - but then I build something out of it.
Even that I work with Joe today, came from the death of my younger brother Bryan. It was and will always be the most painful experience in my life, but it pushed me in a different direction, to teach more, because that was what my brother and I often talked about. I realized that the "some day" when I'd do it more might not ever come - and I needed something to direct the power of my grief into - and that was the event that did it.
So this day of marketing is not meant for you Terry. You already believe that you know it all - so you can't learn anything from anyone, least of all anyone who is saying to this industry that life and work does not have to be as hard as some are making it. That there are some simple strategies that can increase cash flow. They may not be "easy" - but the formulas for success are simple.
Anyone coming to this event will have the opportunity to have their exact needs - whether challenges or opportunities - addressed. It will not be a one-way "presentation", it will be interactive. Many of the most successful cleaners and restorers in our Platinum group will be sharing their insights on how they have built what they have, and specifics on getting the right things done.
For some, that will be enough. They will leave with tremendous value and if they implement, they will create more cash.
Others will want more - and if they do, we will sell it to them. Not everyone enjoys working entirely on their own. Some want a community of people and resources to keep them gaining momentum. It's why I hire a personal trainer and do group classes - I hold myself accountable and push myself more when I am working with others who are HAPPY at my successes.
But here is the deal.... if the carpet cleaner who cleaned my home did a crappy job, I'd ask for my money back, and I'd certainly not buy more services ever.
Piranha has ALWAYS been structured with a 100% money-back guarantee. We were the first to guarantee EVENTS (how many Connections events would you have asked for your money back if you could??? That's why they don't offer one - LOL) - we guarantee every event. This means we have to deliver real value, or we dig a big hole for ourselves.
We are a business structured so that we succeed when our members succeed.
We are doing our quarterly Platinum Event in LA - that is why we are having a day event to help those who want it. It's not free because people who don't pay don't pay attention. People do not value what they get for free. Just like most business owners don't want price shoppers as customers - I'm not a fan of price-shopper cleaning companies. So we don't do free events. But, this is as close to free as you are going to get with Piranha.
If any of you are having struggles right now - or are doing well but looking for an added kick this year - then this is a chance to get some feedback from those who have actually built success, as opposed to many who "pretend" on boards to have their shit together.
This forum is really the only place I can think of where there are a few active members who belittle others who want to create a better business and life. I hope that changes in 2011.
Those of you who have signed up already - I really look forward to working with you.
And even those of you who hate success, and especially those who teach it - I hope you have your best year ever too. You don't need me to do that, I know... but don't attack me just because I want to help others get where they want to go. I've actually helped a lot of companies in this industry with Joe, and it may not be your cup of tea - but that doesn't mean it does not help others.
If you want to sign up ==>
http://www.joepolish.com/LA
Happy New Year,
Lisa
