Coach's Corner
by Fred Albrecht
As you know we are working on a new format for the "Sales Achievement" edition of the Albrecht Advantage. I put a request out to all of our reps for a photo so we can make that edition as "personal as possible". While I am getting replies, I still need many more to help me get the basics together to create the format. We expect to have the final 2013 Sales Achievement Announcement completed by next week.
December sales were very brisk with over 2.2 Million in booked sales. It put us just under 22 Million in sales for 2013, short of our 25 Million dollar goal but up 8% over 2014. We also had another increase of 1% in gross profit for a solid 37% gross margin for 2014. We had more members join the Peak Performance club as they gave themselves a raise. (Our president is not giving our sales team a raise so I guess you will have to do it yourself).
I am as enthused as ever for 2014. We have had a great start to the year in sales activity as well as in our recruiting efforts. Thanks to Keith and Winnie Annision who recently referred our newest sales rep from Ft., Lauderdale, Florida, Bob Aronesty. We had a "Team" effort in Orlando as he was able to have dinner with the 35 Sales Reps, who came to the Orlando ASI show and attended our dinner sponsored by our friends at Alphabroder. Nothing is more exciting than to have another great person join the family, especially when they are referred by one of our reps.
We just returned from the Proforma Regionals. If you have not signed up to attend, there are still a few left for you to catch. Believe me, there is always something new to learn and new ways to get inspired. I for one am ready to roll in 2014. My one major take away is a reminder to myself that the "Tyranny of Urgency" often gets in our way of progress. Emails, rush orders, clients calling for samples, while all very important, we often put the "bigger" important but not urgent business building activities on the "back burner".
In the past two weeks I have had several calls asking for more information about some of our marketing programs we advertised last year. Check out the referral site, we have had dozens of reps using the site and rewarding their referrals. Many have used it multiple times. But that is a SMALL percentage of our sales force. Get on the bandwagon, check it out. Appointment setting, beginning three years ago, we really started to promote that service. Over that time, we have had over 250 new appointments set for our reps worth more than 2.5 Million in new business. On average we have 16 reps participating in any month, imagine what those numbers would be if we even had 30% of our reps participating at any given time? New to build your business? Ask Joe Alitieri how he went from ZERO to over $250,000.00 using this program. Ask Lynn Nativo why she consistently grows her business to almost $500,000.00 using the appointment setting program even though she relocated from Richmond Virginia, to Chicago to Florida in the last 3 years. (By the way Lynn SMART MOVE, the weather in Chicago is pretty cold right now)!
Let's go make more money in 2014 than ever before!
Fred Albrecht
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ASI SR. V.P. Heather DiPrato Talks Success
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Up Close & Personal
Does "Pay it Forward" really work in today's business climate? Heather DiPrato of ASI shares her success story today- how mentors and listening allow her to help clients get to where they want to go.
Heather gets satisfaction from helping others achieve their goals in true pay-it-forward style!
Watch the video below for today's 1:20 moment of zen.
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Let the Proforma Albrecht Appointment Setting Program Work for You!
Appointment Setting Special Offer: Check out this PDF flyer on Appointment Setting, this is the best program in the industry to provide lead generation for sales reps and Proforma owners. No other company does this for their team. NONE. It is wildly successful ONLY if you ENGAGE. I would suggest a MINIMUM commitment of 6 months, 12 months is preferable. A 2 month test will not cut it. In January of 2014, Proforma is continuing to set a record number of appointments for owners and our reps who are participating, well over 100 appointments have been set. Owners pay $85.00 per appointment. Our Special Proforma Albrecht Rate (based on our commitment to participate) is $70.00 per appointment. If you sign up for 6 months and participate for 6 months, we will absorb 50% of that cost for you. Your cost then is simply $35.00 per appointment scheduled. Sign up today, contact
Cory@albrechtco.com.
Click on the image for a two-page pdf explaining the whole program.
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A Reminder - Don't Forget the Referral Gift Program
Proforma Albrecht & Co. is reminding you about our Referral Gift Program and our website: http://www.thankyou.proformaalbrecht.com
Click on the image for a larger flyer with complete details.
One of our reps, Cathy Rossner, has been using this process for a few years now. See how it works for her!
"Below is the email I send out whenever someone gives me a referral. This email goes out immediately when I get the referral, irrespective of whether an order results from the referral. And, there's no limit to the number of gifts anyone can receive. I attribute much of my success in growing my business to this referral program.
My initial orders for these new referrals totaled over $350,000.00 in 3 years along with $586,000 in subsequent business for those same referrals for a total of over $936,000.00 in new business as a direct result of my referral program in 3 years. Most of these are buyers within one company."
Here is the email she sends out (replaced with OUR URL so you can copy and paste)
Hi,
Thanks very much for referring me to (name). I really appreciate it!!
Please go to this web site and select a free gift. Just my way of saying thank you!!
Cathy Thank you Cathy for sharing this powerful tool with all of your peers. BELOW IS A CUSTOMER-FRIENDLY PDF YOU CAN DOWNLOAD AND SEND TO YOUR CUSTOMERS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTACH A FLYER IN YOUR THANK YOU EMAIL! 
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Click on the image to visit the website.
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Bic Contract Pricing Catalog
Click on the image to download the complete 8 page pricing catalog for 2014.
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Cool New Wireless Headphones
PRODUCT DIMENSIONS - Case: 83/4" in diameter
* Bluetooth 4.0 and 112 dB
* 30 hours of playback
* Built-in microphone to answer in-coming calls
* Standard silk screened imprint or optional 4-color process imprint on case
* Optional pad printed imprint on headband or chrome accents on each side of headphone
Click image for a downloadable pdf to distribute to your customers.
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 Devon & Jones STRETCH TECH-SHELL 1/4 ZIP styles are in stock @ alphabroder!
We are so excited about this new fabrication in these new styles, men (DG440) & ladies' (DG440W) styles .
It is a 100% polyester doubleknit with smooth technical face and textured mesh back. It wicks moisture away from the skin's surface to keep you dry. This Stretch Tech-Shell also comes in a Full Zip style, DG420 & DG420W (flyer soon to come!).
Stock in all sizes & color is finally here in our Chicago warehouse.
Please use the attached end-user friendly flyer to send to your clients. The prices are coded on an "A". Click to download.
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50 Habits of Successful Entrepreneurs
by David Kiger, Business 2 Community
When people think of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison and Bill Gates, they most often associate them with wealth, success and innovation. Their ideas changed the world.
But they have something in common with each other - and with most other successful entrepreneurs: A set of small habits that, followed every day, add up to victory, no matter the arena. As Warren Buffett, perhaps the most admired entrepreneur of our time, says: "Wishing makes dreams come true only in Disney movies; it's poison in business."
With that in mind, here's a list of 50 habits that entrepreneurs have cited as the basic building blocks of their success:
At work
1. Know how to manage money (what you spend and what you make).
2. Don't be afraid to ask people to buy your product.
3. Don't be ashamed to self-promote.
4. Keep up with the latest technology. It's up to you: Evolve or die.
5. Use social media to keep in touch with your customers.
6. Find something that differentiates you from your competitors.
7. Don't be afraid to spend money. As they say, you've got to spend money to earn it.
8. Be accessible to your clients. They're less likely to fire you if they know and trust that you're always there for them.
9. Create a work environment conducive to success.
10. Learn to love organization. That doesn't come naturally to some, but it's necessary, and it can be learned.
11. Take regular (real) vacations. A break from the grind is necessary to regain perspective and broaden your horizons.
12. Build strong business and client relationships. (See No. 8 above.)
13. Have a mentor/sponsor. A mentor can help you continue to grow even after you're successful.
14. Never lose track of your original goal. Write it down and refer to it regularly.
15. Write down your 5-year, 10-year and 20-year goals.
16. Know how to price your products/services. Conduct research and consult other businesses like your own in different markets.
17. Perfect your elevator pitch.
18. Have an accountability partner.
19. Start your day with the most difficult projects.
20. Hire a marketing firm. That allows you to focus on running your business without neglecting a critical ingredient to growth.
21. Conduct extensive market research. (See No. 16 above.)
22. Track your progress. Analytics can be intimidating, but all successful businesses are doing it these days.
At home
23. Spend the weekends with your friends and family. Work can wait. And, you'll be better at work if you're happy at home.
24. Keep a journal. Journaling is a method of gaining personal and professional insight through deep reflection.
25. Keep in shape.
26. Get enough sleep.
27. Start your day early. This might seem to conflict with tip 26, but not really. You need to go to bed earlier is all. Check out this list of early birds.
28. Read at least 15 minutes each day. Feed your brain.
29. Create a morning and evening routine.
30. Reserve downtime each day. Like family time, it's important to leave yourself some time to relax and recharge.
In general
31. Know that first impressions really do count.
32. Establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.
33. Surround yourself with people who believe in your business.
34. Invest in yourself.
35. Learn to negotiate.
36. Become a public figure in your community. Volunteer for a leadership position. Get to know people in your community. It's good for your soul.
37. Don't try to do it all.
38. Never stop learning. Take up a musical instrument. Learn a new language. Be alive.
39. Be innovative.
40. Never get complacent.
41. View failure as a chance to try again.
42. Be able to motivate yourself.
43. Accept that not everyone will understand your vision.
44. Become resourceful.
45. Be optimistic.
46. Break the rules.
47. Network, network, network.
48. Don't build your life around your business, build your business around your life.
49. Learn to handle criticism.
50. Don't sacrifice happiness for money.
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If you would like to review any of our past issues, we now have them archived.
Click Here for the archive page. |
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Fred Albrecht 513-753-2580
Proforma Albrecht & Co. |
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