Best sales techniques

"Do you want fries with that?"

It is still the best innovation in sales, actually asking existing customers if they want something else, something that goes with what they have. And then the follow up if they say no, "we also have some great salads" - provides the customer with a different offer and informs them of your other offerings.

Ok, that may sound obvious, but it can be carried over into B2B. Ask your customers who may have one service with you if they'd be interested in another that relates to it or can help them out with an issue they've made you aware of and don't be afraid to tell them about other services.

Beware hashtags

If you're using Twitter then you understand the importance of the Hashtag. It allows content to be associated with other content of the same topic so that people can follow a topic. You can read Webtrends definition of a hashtag. 

What people need to keep in mind is when you do use a hashtag you are now associating to the existing use of that hashtag, for instance DiGiorno pizza used #whyistayed which was set up for serious discussion on women in abusive situations which is not how they were using it to promote pizza.

Recently someone came to me and wanted to put a Hashtag in front of an adjective which was a brand effort to describe an educational event, however, without researching how that word was currently being used in Twitter they would have been associating with a sports related audience which was not the target market.

Research first before you use a Hashtag. Only use hashtags that facilitate a conversation or connection around the topic.

Women in IT

According to Tech Republic Google wants to hire more women in IT. That's nice. But first hire the right people for the right reason - and you will hire a lot of women. Why aren't women in IT? We are, we aren't given credit or status of our male counterparts. Maybe that is why less women are opting for Computer Science degrees - maybe they don't see their future. There are new career areas being developed at a frantic pace and women play a vital role - not because of gender, but because of intelligence and a unique perspective. I was speaking to a colleague and she said she considers herself a translator - between IT and business. She isn't a developer so she wouldn't be in any IT role data. And I realized I too play the role of interpreter between IT and marketing and business. It all comes down to communicating and respect and when we can relay that to the millenials you'll realize there are more women in IT then realized and more will join our network.