Seems like LinkedIn is benefiting from the recent financial industries crisis. According to a post at Cheezhead they have had significant increases in registrations and in recommendations: The site has reported a 17 percent increase in registrations in the last two weeks. They are now claiming to reach 28 million users, up one million from last quarter. Reports show that memberships from people representing the financial sector have also doubled after thousands of people have been laid off or threatened with termination as closures and mergers usurp industry leaders and rattle the core of the sector. The site also claims to have seen a 14 percent increase in recommendations, most… Read More
Continue ReadingMistake-Prone Inspiration
We often tell sales managers to allow salespeople to make mistakes, to stumble through a low value opportunity. These “bloody nose” lessons (as my father calls them) are just as valuable as huge successes. I often learn more from mistakes than successes. In that spirit, I stumbled across this article thanks to the JustSell.com guys. The article details different products that literally came about via mistakes. Some examples – Coca-Cola, Scotchgard, Silly Putty, car tires and many more. This one caught my attention: Yellow sticky notes, officially known as Post-it Notes, got their start in 1968 when a 3M researcher tried to improve adhesive tape. What he got was a… Read More
Continue ReadingLame Buzzwords
JustSell.com has a fantastic list of lame buzzwords to avoid when selling (or speaking in general as far as I am concerned). Here is the setup straight from the article: A buzzword is “an important-sounding usually technical word or phrase often of little meaning used chiefly to impress laymen.” –Merriam-Webster Think about it… do statements full of buzzwords communicate anything specific to your prospects and customers? Do you like hearing buzzwords? Amen. And now for just a partial list of the buzzwords: benchmark best in class best practices change agent core competency cross-functional dynamic empower growth initiative interface metrics optimize paradigm shift partner proactive streamline synergy user-friendly Metrics? Now… Read More
Continue ReadingQ4 Hiring Stats
I think it is safe to say that predictions in this economy are difficult AT BEST to make accurately. However, CareerBuilder has come out with their Q4 hiring forecast that contains some interesting information: HIRING IN Q4 2008 Going forward, 23 percent of employers plan to add full-time, permanent employees in the next three months, a slight decline from the previous quarter. Ten percent plan to decrease headcount while 63 percent anticipate no change and 4 percent are undecided. I always find the “no change” group as being rather esoteric – I assume that means no expansion or contraction. But what of replacement? If their company has normal attrition, will… Read More
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