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Sick of Slimy Sales Tactics? It’s Time to Join the Movement [Petition]
What’s the worst slimy sales tactic you’ve run into? Was it an overly aggressive “Buy Now!” pop-up, or maybe a late night cold call that sent shivers down your spine? Sadly, I’m sure there’s been far more than any of us want to remember.
I’ve been outspoken about the ineffectiveness of slimy sales in the past. Look, I get it. I know 42% of sales reps admit to struggling with prospecting. And when 73% of executives say their top priority is to close deals, desperate times can call for desperate measures.
But while spamming your entire contacts list starts to look mighty tempting when the pressure’s on to hit your quota, it’s time we move forward. The sales process should feel like a service to the customer — one where going off-script and acting human is not only a good thing, it’s the right thing. Where context is king and a personalized approach is the new norm.
I was holding a team meeting recently to discuss this very topic. One of our team members was working remotely that day and would be calling in to join us. When the phone rang, I hit the pause button on the meeting, thinking our final team member was ready to enter the conversation. I answered the call, put him on speakerphone, and immediately regretted the decision. Out from the speakers poured the all too familiar, loud boat horn followed by “Congratulations, you’ve been selected for …”
Impossible! Slimy sales — in my own meeting about slimy sales, no less. I couldn’t believe my ears. Not only had the call somehow wormed its way into our meeting, but of all the meeting rooms at HubSpot, it found mine. Now it’s personal.
Enough is enough. It’s time we draw a line in the sand. Salespeople, marketers, customers, and readers: I’m calling upon you to join the People Against Slimy Sales Tactics (PASST). It’s time we put an end to legacy sales tactics that don’t work once and for all.
Sign our petition and together we’ll move PASST the slimy sales tactics of old and into a slime-free sales future. Be sure to bring your sunglasses, because the future is bright.
5 Ways to Partner With Influencers on Snapchat
Do you want to increase your company’s visibility on Snapchat? Have you considered partnering with influencers? Snapchat influencers can help you connect with your target audience in a creative and entertaining way that improves awareness and messaging. In this article you’ll discover five ways to partner with influencers on Snapchat. Why Partner With Snapchat Influencers? […]
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– Your Guide to the Social Media Jungle
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7 Speaking Habits That Will Make You Sound Smarter [Infographic]
For many people, even the thought of public speaking can lead to panic. The crowd. The lights. The dreaded Q&A session. It’s a lot to deal with.
But allowing these apprehensions to silence our voice can be crippling to our careers. If we want to be seen as smart and articulate professionals, we need to walk the walk and talk the talk. After all, our intelligence is often best conveyed not in what we say but in how we say it, according to a recent study from the University of Chicago.
Rather than keeping quiet to avoid saying something foolish, it’s important that we’re actively identifying ways to overcome self-doubt.
To help get you started, check out this infographic from the folks at WriteMyEssays. They’ve compiled some awesome speaking habits designed to make you sound smarter. (Check out this post for even more tips on how to rock your next speaking engagement.)
How to Successfully Target a Niche Facebook Audience
Do you want to reach new audiences on Facebook? Have you considered targeting niche audiences? Targeting niche groups of people on Facebook, in addition to your primary audience, will help you create new channels of traffic and revenue. In this article, you’ll discover how to find and reach niche audiences on Facebook. Uncover Your Niche […]
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– Your Guide to the Social Media Jungle
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via socialmediaexaminer
$20 Mac Bundle: BusyCal, DevonThink, Crossover, YummyFTP, NTFS, Screenie, LightPaper, more
From 9to5Toys.com:
There is never a bad time to improve your workflow, and the 2016 All-Star Mac Bundle at 9to5Toys Specials offers a major upgrade. It brings together 11 high-quality apps, including BusyCal and DevonThink; with coupon code ALLSTAR5, save $5 and get this bundle for just $20.
Calendar app, BusyCal, has a 4.5-star rating in the App Store, thanks to features such as smart event filters, custom display settings and integrated weather updates. DevonThink also has many fans, allowing users to create a database of thoughts, notes and documents. The bundle also includes CrossOver 15, which lets you run Windows apps within OS X, and Timing Mac App helps you track your productivity. Yummy FTP Pro provides fast access to hosted files, and NTFS for Mac 14 lets you manipulate Windows partitions. LightPaper is an elegant text editor with 4.5 stars in the App Store, while Screenie Mac App is a 5-star screen-grabbing app, and QuickRes lets you switch quickly between screen resolutions. Finally, Find Any File is a powerful search tool for your Mac, and Downie 2 lets you save videos for offline viewing.
Put together, these apps are usually worth $263 — grab the 2016 All-Star Mac Bundle now to save 90% on the regular price.
Filed under: iOS Devices
Zane Lowe discusses Apple Music, Beats 1, Steve Jobs, & more in interview
In a new interview with Noisey, Beats 1 head honcho Zane Lowe has sat down to discuss a variety of topics. Lowe touches on he and Apple’s goal with Beats 1 and Apple Music, his musical inspiration, Steve Jobs, and much more.
Filed under: Apple Music Tagged: Apple Music, Beats, Beats 1, interview, zane lowe
Apple News gains support for sponsored posts that resemble normal articles
Apple originally launched its own News app for iOS last June and now the company looks to be expanding the ad offerings of which publishers can take advantage. According to a support document updated recently, Apple will soon start allowing ads that resemble normal articles in the Apple News app (via BI).
Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple, apple news, iOS, sponsored content in Apple News
Apple releases iOS 9.3 beta 7 with Night Shift, Touch ID Notes, Verizon Wi-Fi Calling, more
Apple has released seventh iOS 9.3 pre-release beta for developers and public beta testers to use ahead of its release. The software update is expected to be released later this month. Features include a new Night Shift mode which changes the color temperature of displays, Touch ID- and password-protected items in the Notes app, new CarPlay features, expanded 3D Touch options, and much more.
Filed under: iOS Devices
Jony Ive talks relationship with Steve Jobs, design culture, more in Charlie Rose interview
Following the extensive 60 Minutes piece last December, Charlie Rose has shared yet another interview with Apple design head Jony Ive. In the 35 minute interview, Rose and Ive discuss the qualities that “make Apple Apple” and the role of design in the company’s identity.
Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple, Charlie Rose, interview, Jony Ive
How-To: Prepare for the Apple TV 4 jailbreak
Last week, it was revealed that an Apple TV 4 jailbreak is scheduled to be released in the very near future. That’s great, but the news comes with an asterisk: the jailbreak will only work with devices running tvOS 9.0 or 9.0.1. If you’ve updated to tvOS 9.1, 9.1.1 or any of the new betas releases, there’s no way to downgrade back to 9.0 or 9.0.1.
Thankfully, there are still plenty of fourth generation Apple TVs available in the wild that come installed with one of the first two versions of tvOS. In fact, in preparation for the upcoming jailbreak, I was able to easily purchase a new Apple TV running tvOS 9.0. more…
Filed under:
How-To, Apple TV Tagged: Apple TV, Apple TV 4, Apple TV 4th gen, how to, jailbreak, Serial number
TomTom for iPhone goes free for first 50 miles per month w/ new “GO Mobile” app
TomTom used to have a handful of paid apps, each specific to a region. The app covering just the U.S., for example, was $45. But today it’s making its premium navigation services free for iPhone user everywhere for the first 50 miles or 75km of use. The new freemium model comes as the company consolidates its TomTom apps for each region under a new, redesigned app simply called TomTom Go Mobile.
Filed under: Apps Tagged: 50 miles, 75km, app, App Store, free, iPhone, real-time traffic, TomTom Go Mobile, update, Upgrade
9to5Toys Lunch Break: SanDisk 200GB Micro SD $60, 256GB Retina MacBook Pro $1,200, Apple Watch Band + Dock $26, more
Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.
TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS
Gold Box Monster SanDisk storage sale: 200GB MicroSD $60, UltraFit 128GB USB $25, much more
Apple 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro (newest) 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB $1,200 shipped (Reg. $1,499)
Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro 2.7GHz/8GB/128GB: $1,049 shipped (Reg. $1,299)
Apple Watch 42mm Space Gray Milanese Loop Band + Aluminum Dock: $26 Prime shipped (Reg. $34)
Apple Deals:
Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro 32GB Wi-Fi in Gold, Silver & Space Gray: $650 shipped (Reg. $799)
Apple iPhone 6s/Plus Factory Unlocked up to $100 off, 16GB just $579 shipped (Reg. $649)
Apple TV Deals: 4th Gen 64GB $175 (Reg. $200), 3rd Gen $49 (Reg. $69), more
How-to: Use your car and an inexpensive inverter to replace the need for a home generator
App Store Free App of the Week: oneSafe Premium Password Manager on iOS goes free for the first time (Reg. $5)
App Store Indie Game Sale 50% off: The Room Three, BADLAND 2, Mutant Mudds, more
Grab the Hitman GO & Hitman Sniper iOS bundle for just $1 (up to $10 value)
The Room Three mystery-puzzler for iOS gets its very first price drop: $2 (Reg. $5)
BADLAND 2 for iOS gets its very first price drop: $2 (Reg. $5)
MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:
Daily Deals: 8TB Seagate USB 3.0 External Hard Drive $200, Asus Touchscreen Laptop/Tablet $155, more
- DJI Phantom 3 Standard Drone w/ 2.7K HD Camera: $439 shipped (Reg. $500+)
- Logitech’s K480 iPhone/iPad/Apple TV Bluetooth Keyboard (refurb) $15 (Orig. $50)
- Amazon Gold Box – Easter Toys up to 40% off: Playskool, Board Games, Play-Doh sets, more
- Pioneer’s Andrew Jones Speakers: Center Channel $70, Floor $91, Subwoofer $110, more
- Certified refurb Mohu Leaf HDTV antenna deals from $10 Prime shipped
- Green Deals: X-Dragon Solar USB-Chargers from $28, Tires $100 off $400, more
- Smartphone Accessories: Kmashi 15,000mAh Power Bank $13, more
- Games/Apps: New Nintendo 3DS XL $175, freebies, more
- Lenovo 11-inch Chromebook 2.16GHz/2GB/16GB SSD: $129 shipped (Reg. $149)
Save 15% on Sears Gift Cards w/ email delivery via PayPal: $100 for $85, $200 for $170 wp.me/p1xTlR-OOB https://t.co/EDgIabhyFF
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9to5Toys (@9to5toys) March 14, 2016
MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:
Holmes Smart WeMo appliances: Air Purifier $150 (Reg. $200), X-Large Heater $100 (Reg. $200)
Solartab: Powerful Solar Panel/13,000mAh dual USB battery in iPad form factor: $94 shipped ($35 off)
- Surround Sound 5.1-Ch. Systems: Logitech Z506 $54 (Orig. $100), more
- StrimLIGHT bulb offers clear LED lighting and crisp Bluetooth audio: $30 (Orig. $80)
- Green Deals: Best-Selling Peel N’ Stick Solar Lights $9 Prime shipped
- Get Two Free Large Pizzas when you buy a $25 eGift Card at Papa John’s ($55 Value)
- Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories for iOS drops to $4 (Reg. $7)
- Sennheiser HD 600 Headphones + $150 Amazon gift card: $400 shipped ($550 value)
- Get a pair of Fandango movie tickets for just $16 (up to $26 value)
- Green Deals: GRDE 10000mAh Solar Dual-USB Power Bank $13, more
- Download 5 rare Paul McCartney songs in MP3 format for free
- Get racing with Anki’s OVERDRIVE starter kit for $120 shipped (Reg. $150)
- Lenovo 11-inch Chromebook $179, Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11.6-inch Ultrabook $275, more
- LEGO project on your iPhone w/ these Belkin cases, deals from $27
- Console Wars Kindle e-Book details the battle between Sega and Nintendo for $2 (Reg. $15)
- The Blue Fairy Book Children’s Novel as a free Kindle eBook (Reg. $9)
- Storage: Samsung 850 Pro 512GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD $199, Seagate 5TB Desktop HDD $120
- New Nintendo Select title pre-orders now 20% off from $16 shipped
- Mackie 5-inch studio monitor speakers w/ Bluetooth streaming (pair) $200 (Reg. $250)
- Mpow’s iPhone 6/s magnetic car mount is down to just $5 shipped today
- Pebble Time Round Smartwatch $180 (Reg. $200+), Gear S2 $249 (Reg. $300), more
12-inch MacBook now $300 off: 256GB $1,000, 512GB $1,300 + extra $50 savings w/ .edu email
NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:
LG releases a new line of 4K Super UHDTVs with HDR capabilities and big price tags
Rule this summer’s BBQ with Mark Dredge’s new Cooking with Beer guide
- Canon’s best-selling DSLR steps aside for the new Wi-Fi-enabled Rebel T6
- popSLATE’s second generation iPhone 6/s/Plus e-ink case drops the bulk for a slender design
- LittleBits’ latest creation focuses on robotic kits and STEAM education
- The new DODOcase Virtual Reality kit for iPhone and Android hits Indiegogo
- Amazon launches more affordable Echo Dot and Amazon Tap Bluetooth speaker
- New Normal blends style and PowerBeats-like design for a new take on wireless earbuds
Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: 13-inch, 42mm Space Gray Milanese, Apple, Apple watch, Apple Watch dock, Games, Gold Box, iOS app sale, Loop Band, MacBook Pro, MicroSD, Nintendo, PS4, SanDisk storage, Wii U, xbox one
Microsoft Outlook for iOS can now secure your email, contacts, & calendar with Touch ID
Microsoft has enabled Touch ID support to its email and calendar app Outlook today. This introduces a level of security not yet seen in any other major emailing application. Since its acquisition of Acompli a year back, Microsoft has slowly been revamping and adding new features to their purchase. Supporting multiple email account and cloud storage services, swipe options, Skype integration, and now Touch ID, Outlook is becoming quite a formidable email application.
Adobe releases first Experience Design preview for Mac, its ‘Project Comet’ UX design tool
Adobe has released the first preview version of its new Experience Design CC app for creating and testing interactive design prototypes. The latest Creative Cloud tool was first announced last October at Adobe’s Max Creative Conference under the name Project Comet. As Experience Design is currently in preview, Adobe is letting anyone with a free Adobe ID try the new tool and provide feedback ahead of its commercial release.
Filed under: Apps Tagged: Adobe, Creative Cloud, Experience Design, Project Comet, UX
Skype for Web adds calling to mobile phones & landlines, guest mode, notifications, more
After launching Skype for Web worldwide back in June, today the previously chat-only web app is adding support for making phone calls and other new features.
Filed under: Apps Tagged: chat, desktop, guest mode, landlines, Mac, mobile, notifications, Phone calls, skype for web
AirParrot Remote lets you remotely control AirParrot 2 from your iPad or iPhone
AirParrot 2, the popular Mac utility that lets you wirelessly broadcast content from your desktop, now has an iOS companion. The app, appropriately entitled AirParrot Remote, lets users control nearly every facet of AirParrot 2 from any iOS device sharing the same Wi-Fi network.
If you’re familiar with the look of AirParrot 2 on Mac, then you’ll feel right at home with AirParrot Remote, as they look strikingly similar. Watch our video demonstration for a look at some of the things that AirParrot Remote can do.
more…
Filed under: Apps Tagged: AirParrot 2, AirPlay, iOS app, Mac App, Media, remote, Squirrels
Poll: If the rumors are true, will the redesigned antenna lines transform the iPhone 7’s looks?
Let’s face it, whatever anyone thinks about the rest of the iPhone 6/6s design, those antenna lines running across the back of the phone have never been popular.
The need for them resulted from Apple’s decision to switch to an all-aluminum casing. Radio signals can’t pass through the metal, so Apple broke up the casing with two plastic strips which are transparent to radio signals.
If the latest claimed chassis images are genuine, this is a design issue Apple aims to fix for the iPhone 7 …
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: antenna, Antenna lines, iPhone 6, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 mockup
‘World’s biggest Apple Store’ opens in award-winning shopping mall on Saturday [Photo gallery]
The title of the world’s largest Apple Store has moved around the world a few times, but the location Apple announced four years ago as its biggest flagship store opens on Saturday in Dalian, China. The store is in the spectacular-looking Olympia 66 shopping mall at 66 Wusi Lu in the Xigang District of the popular tourist city.
You can see more photos of the mall below …
Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple Inc, Apple Store, Dalian, Flagship, Shopping mall