Unfortunately, most companies sooner or later will experience poor paying customers.  Sometimes we turn the other cheek because we hope the situation will turn around.  Often we make the mistake of extending further credit.  If you have exhausted all friendly means to get your money and you want to take it to the next level - WSPA has a new service for you.

1. Cell phone/texting.  One in four workers admitted that during the typical workday they will spend one hour on personal calls, e-mails, and/or sending text messages.

2. Gossip. That chatter in the office may not always be about work.

3. The Internet. 20 percent of workers said they spend an hour or more at work searching the Net for non-work-related information.

4. Social media. Studies have found that Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram are a significant drain on employee time.

5. Breaks. Snack breaks or smoking breaks eat of considerable time both during and after.

6. Noisy co-workers. These are people who have conversations that are too loud while on the phone, or who make outbursts when they get annoyed or upset.

7. Meetings. Some companies just have too many meetings, and a lot of time is wasted if they are not succinct and to the point.

8.  E-mail. Employees are sometimes busy sending personal e-mails to friends.

9. Co-workers dropping by. These are those little chat sessions when a colleague stops by another's desk for some chitchat.

10. Putting calls on speaker phone.

Watch for these killers are your workplace and encourage alternative behavior.

Sales guru Leslie Groene offers the following sales tips.

1. Celebrate Customer Anniversaries.  For salespeople who have retained customers for a period of years, it's special to recognize them and their relationship with you.  It's also a great way for your customers to realize how much you think of them and a great way for you to take the relationship to an even higher level through this personalized type of communication.

2. Hand-written business cards.  Next time you're about to give someone your business card, take a moment to personalize it.  If you take a moment to jot on the card your cell number, a home phone number, or some other piece of information that is not already on the card, you will suddenly make the person for whom you're talking feel very special.  Chances are the person will never call you on the hand-written phone numbers, but simply writing them on the card gives them the feeling that you are placing them in high regard compared to others.

3. Speak with your face.  I'm constantly amazed at the number of times I run across salespeople who clearly don't believe what they're saying.  It is easy to spot in the person's face and body language.  They take on a whole host of non-verbal cues, ranging from non-expressive smiles with tight lips to eyes that lack any sense of direction.  When we're selling to a customer in person or on the phone, we have to make sure our entire face reflects the enthusiasm and excitement of our words.  Why would we expect a person to buy from us if we're not connected to and excited about what we're selling?

    
As we all know, the email inbox is a crowded place.  Reminders, invites,  promotions and articles are all things that take up space in someone's virtual mail center.  So, how do you make your business's email newsletter stand out from the clutter?

Of course, the first goal of an email newsletter is to get your recipients to open the message.  Because of this, it's important to get creative with your subject lines.  All your subject lines should be succinct, different and engaging.  Aside from this, each blurb should answer the questions - "What's in it for me, " or "Why should I take the time to read this?"

Now that the reader opened your newsletter, what are they going to see?  The most successful newsletters include a ratio of about 90 percent educational content and 10 percent promotional content.  Writing plenty of informative articles about the industry and your business without trying to sell your product stops the reader from feeling pressured to buy and allows them to see you as an industry expert.

When it's all said and done, you want your reader to perform an action after finishing your newsletter.  Although you may have many different articles asking many things of your readers, successful newsletters focus on one call to action (CTA) in particular.  Maybe you want them to stop into your business, or maybe you would rather them sign up for a loyalty program.  Whatever you choose, pick on CTA and stick with it.  Doing so will reduce the rate of confusion and indecisiveness in your readers.

Although sending email newsletters into a cluttered inbox may sound intimidating, as long as you go about it with an effective strategy, email newsletters could be an irreplaceable part of your marketing efforts.

The Presidents Conference of Printing Industries of America is the premier event for business leaders, top managers, and owners of companies that offer printing services.  Join us as we help enforce leadership skills and provide essential information on the latest industry trends and technologies through high profile speakers and three enticing tracks.

Enjoy unparalleled networking opportunities with industry peers at one of America's finest resorts.

CLICK HERE to visit the conference website for more details.

We all know that our people are our greatest assets yet how often do we let them know just how valuable they are - particularly in front of their peers?

 

Each week, E-Connects shares incredible photos on just how lax individuals can be when it comes to safety. 

The goal - to keep a safe work environment front and center on the minds of all of your employees.

Pictured: Why women live longer than men.

If you come across a funny safety pic you think should be featured, email Michael Makin at mmakin@wsprint.org.

WSPA is only as strong as its membership base and wants to continually grow to service its members.  You can help by being an ambassador and referring potential members our way!

"The secret of being boring is saying everything."

Voltaire