KaTasidy January eZine

According to an article published by Jay Conrad Levinson, The Father of Guerrilla Marketing, the Internet is the best way for advertisers to market to business decision-makers, according to a poll. A survey of nearly 1,000 people by Minnesota Opinion Research found 60% agreeing the Web was persuasive. Fifty percent said it influenced them to make a purchase.

"Business decision-makers have told us that the Web is the best place to reach them," said Chris Schroeder, CEO of Washington Post/Newsweek Interactive. "Most importantly, they've made it clear that what they're seeing on the Web is leading directly to purchases."

Fifty percent said the Internet influenced them to make a purchase. "Business decision-makers have told us that the Web is the best place to reach them," said Schroeder.

Are you ready to take the plunge and create an awesome website? The statistics speak for themselves - so contact KaTasidy today so we can start designing your site to start 2008 off right! We have web design packages starting as low as $499!

At KaTasidy we specialize in helping give your special event or company logo a voice, and be anything but boring. Here is an example of some recent logo work we have done for Ptera Capital Management, LLC. We were asked to give their business entity, which specializes in offering investment funds to start-up companies, a logo that portrays professionalism in a subtle way; a sense of 'flight', as Ptera is latin for 'wing' and was also creative, but not too over-the-top.

Are you in need of a logo to give brand identity to your business or a new product you are offering? Or, does your current logo need a 'face lift' to attract more customers? We'd love to assist by providing your company with a custom designed logo to give a fresh look to your marketing. Contact us today and let's get started designing your solution!

People who win at anything have written goals. Goals are simply what you are aiming at. Zig Ziglar said, "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time."

In terms of success, goal setting has a big payoff. A study of Harvard graduates found that after 2 years, the 3% who had written goals achieved more financially than the other 97% combined! It doesn't always take an expensive education or the right connections to succeed on a big scale. For most of us, all we need are clear, written goals.

Most people have the best intentions, yet often fail to actually write down the specific money goals they desire to reach. Take the time to determine, in simple terms, your short-term and long-term goals, no matter which Baby Step you are currently on.
Short-term goals
Short-term financial goals are things you want to save for or purchase within the next month or next couple of years. For short-term goals, you should make a "Needs and Wants" list. Brainstorm what you need versus what you want. List the items. Then ask yourself 3 simple questions about each listed item:

If I didn't purchase the item this year, would it make a big difference? If it doesn't, it slides over to the "Wants" list.
If I could only purchase one of these items by saving for it this year, which would I prioritize first? Second? And so on.
How much will each item cost? Total the dollar amount and divide by 12 months.

Long-term goals
Take a similar approach with your long-term goals, those which you plan on completing at least 3 years from now. These types of goals can include debt elimination, retirement, college funding, etc. Many of these goals will most likely be necessities and will need to be factored into your budget no matter what. Keep that in mind when you combine your lists of short- and long-term goals.

Now, decide how many goals you can realistically meet in a certain amount of time. How far down the list can you go without breaking your budget?

Other goals
While you're at it, why not set goals for other areas of your life as well - family, physical, spiritual, social, etc.? You will not be disappointed that you did because all areas of your life have a tie to your money. Focus your intensity on these goals, and you'll definitely be on your way to success this year and one step closer to being debt free and building wealth!-- Content provided by Dave Ramsey from DaveRamsey.com

Here is a statistic you’ll find interesting. I know, I know: 23% of all statistics are made up on the spot. But follow me on this one.

According to statistical research conducted on the National Football League (NFL), what percentage of teams who score first, win the game?

My guess was 50%. We’ve all read about quarterbacks who have led their teams from behind to win the game. We’ve heard sportscasters discuss how many points are scored in the last two minutes of the half or at the end of the game. So, I thought about 50% was accurate.

Wrong! The statistics claim that 75% of the time a team scores first, they win the game! (No, of course not. I can’t verify this. I heard it while driving to Zig’s office one morning. But, the guys at ESPN Radio wouldn’t lie to me…) I’m thinking, if teams score early in the game, like say in the first quarter, then they are more likely to achieve their objectives.

So, if that stat is true, how can we as salespeople apply it to our profession? How can we apply it to the New Year? How can we use it to get off to a fast start in the first quarter? How can we get off to a fast start so that we, too, can achieve our objectives?

Here are a few ways.

Resolve NOT to set resolutions, but set GOALS! Goals. You know, goals…those things salespeople don’t want to set because it means we have to be accountable. Most of us are given our quota during January. You may call it budget, objectives, key result areas. But whatever you call it, it is your target for the coming sales year. Oftentimes, salespeople look at it as a distant target, something we have 12 months to achieve, so we can take our time attacking it. START NOW! If you get off to a fast start in the first quarter, perhaps the rest of the year becomes easier! Perhaps you increase your chances of winning the game! Zig has a great way to set goals. His 7-step Goals Formula is a winner and it will help you become a winner, also.
Check your BEHAVIOR against your GOALS. What a great way to give yourself a “check-up from the neck up!” Each and every day, check your behavior against the goals you have set. If your behavior is not contributing to your succeeding in reaching your goals, then you need to adjust your behavior. You don’t adjust the goal, you adjust your behavior. If you are spending too long at lunch, then adjust that behavior. If you are caught up in office talk (like, say, discussing that 75% of teams that score first in the NFL win the game), then remove yourself from that time waster by changing your behavior.
ACTIVITY drives accomplishment. Become a sales-activity driven professional. Of course, you must choose the right activities. You can’t confuse activity with productivity. The activities you choose must be contributing to the accomplishment of your goals. However, salespeople have a tendency to become less active after a sale is made. They tend to put their career on “cruise control.” Cruise control can make you comfortable, but it will never make you successful! Choose the right activities.

Well, there you have it: three ideas on contributing to a fast start in the first quarter. The challenge is to become a goal-directed, best behavior, and right-activity type sales professional.

May the best of your 2007 be the worst of your 2008!!!

Bryan Flanagan believes in the sales profession and he respects salespeople. He conducts sales education for a variety of sales organizations. Contact Bryan at bflanagan@ziglar.com.--Bryan Flanagan is a featured speaker for Ziglar, Inc. Bryan has 37 years of experience in sales and sales management. He shares his experience and humor in his book Now Go Sell Somebody Something! Contact Bryan at bflanagan@ziglar.com.