Fourth of July

Today is the 4th of July.  Give thanks that we live in a country where all possibilities of success are there for the discovery.

I have been reading a book:  “Amazing Women of the Civil War” by Webb Garrison.  This is a compilation of stories about women on both the North and South describing their involvement to the cause.

What strikes me as so amazing is that none of these women are portrayed as a Scarlet O’Hara.  Instead they were all very talented, some highly educated, others simply wanted to be involved and contribute to their beliefs.

Some were spies like Sarah Edmonds, aka Frank Thompson who dressed as a man in order to serve in the Michigan Infantry.  Elizabeth Van Lew developed a spy ring, a decipher system, and smuggled messages out of Richmond in hollow eggs.  Many women disguised themselves as men in order to be with and fight alongside their husbands and sons.  Anna Ella Carroll was a politician, pamphleteer, and lobbyist.  She was an adviser to Lincoln and his cabinet.  Even the wives of Lincoln and Davis as well as Grant and Lee played very important roles alongside their husbands.  In other words, they were not shrinking violets by any stretch of the imagination.

Growing up in Texas I do not recall discussions in any of my history classes, even in college, about the accomplishments of women during war time in this country.  We did hear about Harriet Tubman of the Civil War and Rosie the Riveter during WWII and of course, Betsy Ross sewing the American Flag.  However, when you read about some of these ladies of the Civil War it makes me think, where are all of the stories about our other women of war?

Each and every one of us can make a difference in this country.  We have to stand up for what we believe is the right.  We have been given this right by the fighting and sacrifice of our men and women before us.

So today let’s give thank for this fabulous, wonderful, and amazing country we live in.   We are strong!  We are powerful!  We are determined!  We are America!

Peggy’s Pointers on Business: What is Your Consistency Level?

Consistency –  “ The achievement of a level of performance that does not vary greatly in quality over time.”

Think about professional athletes – most of them are not superstars like Michael Jordan but they achieve their professional status by performing at a high level of consistently over and over.

How consistent are you at what you do best?  When you figure this out, it will be “your Edge over your competition.  Therefore, examine your successes; create an action plan to do more of this; then, go for it!

Peggy P. Edge © 2013

Peggy’s Pointers on Sales – Asking Clients for Advice

When was the last time you ask one of your clients for his wisdom or knowledge?

Having been in professional sales for 30+ years, I have seen my share of “hot-shot salesmen” who are constantly in sales mode.  They drive up and down the street with one thing in mind…sell something to someone at all costs.

However, a really good salesman knows that they have to look and act like they don’t really need a sale.  How can they do this?

* Ask your client for his wisdom or knowledge.

* Ask…what has been your experience with xyz?

* Ask…how has this helped you profit?

* Ask…how have you successfully used …….?

Remember these are not necessarily questions about your products and services but about life experiences, hobbies, etc.  Use probing questions to get to know your client and how they think.

A sale is not about exchanging goods and services for dollars but it is about building a relationship…creating partners.  When you do this you will have established yourself as a professional in the eyes of your client.

Peggy P. Edge (c) 2013