Staying on Top: Ten Easy Ways Top Achievers Learn Faster Than the World is Changing

Just the mere word ‘learning’ conjures up images of universities, stressful exams and advanced degrees. But once we’ve graduated, it should all be behind us, right? Wrong.

Lifelong learning helps us master new job skills, enjoy new technologies, grow and express our innate talents. If we stop learning, we stop living, improving and thriving. Yet an alarming 42 percent of graduates stop reading books altogether after college. The first step to lifelong learning is rediscovering how truly fun and rewarding it can be.

Leaders and winners view learning as an integral part of life. No longer a formal student, we gain the freedom to explore topics that really interest us – and this can change from day-to-day or year-to-year.

When we become a parent, we learn how to communicate with a toddler, ‘tween and teen. We set boundaries and instill values. When we pick-up a new hobby, we become enthralled in finding out everything we can about that subject. We learn by doing, practicing, reading and sharing with friends, family and business associates. When we make mistakes, whether in our personal or professional lives, we gain the insight no textbook could effectively convey. When we travel, we experience new cultures and traditions, languages and topographies first-hand. And when we read blogs or news publications, we gain insight into current events, politics, personal finance, sports, arts and entertainment.

Lifelong learning is immensely rewarding, boosting our self-confidence and personal fulfillment. It makes us feel worthwhile and excited. It also improves our physical health and reduces the risk of illness. The most tangible benefit may be that lifelong learning can propel our income. The average person will only increase their salary by two to three percent annually. But top achievers, or those who continually learn and grow, double their income every three to five years.

Let’s look at ten simple ways to weave learning opportunities into our everyday life.

1. Find and accept work that promotes learning. Challenge yourself each day, requesting more responsibility at work and finding solutions that improve current processes.

2. Ask questions. Take the opportunity to learn from others including topic experts, managers, mentors, instructors, friends or coworkers.

3. Step out of your comfort zone. Try new things and meet new people open to sharing their knowledge. Attend networking events and local seminars, seeking opportunities that include associates you already know. Learning opportunities can appear for you when you least expect it.

4. Invest in relevant tools and resources. Read professional journals, trade publications and books, participating in convenient online or offline continuing education courses that interest you.

5. Accept constructive criticism. On occasion, we can learn from constructive criticism. Before debunking hurtful comments, see if you can find a morsel of truth or wisdom hidden within.

6. Teach others. The best way to learn is by teaching others what you know. Share your knowledge with your co-workers, business associates, children and friends.

7. Learn from your mistakes. To err is human. While never intentional, mistakes can catapult growth and self-realization. Ask yourself where you might have gone wrong and how you could avoid the same from happening again in the future.

8. Learn from the mistakes of others. Negative examples can provide a lesson on behaviors to avoid. Learning what not to do can be just as beneficial as learning what to do in a given situation.

9. Apply your knowledge. Take your book knowledge to a completely new level by applying your studies to real world situations. Some of the best lessons in life arrive through practical experience.

10. Stay open-minded. Don’t be afraid to change your mind. Change typically means growth.

Regardless of where you are in life or how much you’ve accomplished, there’s always something new and exciting to learn. So rediscover the joy in lifelong learning. Challenge yourself and follow your passion. When you do, you’ll enjoy the journey just as much as the destination.

Selling Through the Storm: Sales Growth Strategies for Turbulent Economic Times

Change is a fundamental aspect of business. It feeds innovation, drives efficiency and fuels strategies for expansion. But how can businesses effectively adapt to abrupt and monumental changes in the marketplace?

Today, many companies face their first major recession. Even legacy, Blue Chip operations that have weathered the storm through several economic downturns are finding it difficult to stay afloat. Asset values, available credit and consumer buying power have all plunged simultaneously. As a result, many business owners and executives have raised the white flag.

But studies spanning several recessions indicate that this behavior is exactly what savvy business leaders need to gain a competitive advantage. In fact, a study conducted by American Business Press and Meldrum & Fewsmith concluded that both “sales and profits can be maintained and increased in recession years and [during the years] immediately following by those who are willing to maintain an aggressive marketing posture, while others adopt the philosophy of cutting back on promotional efforts when sales appear to be harder to get.” This is because most businesses face fewer competitors due to the rise in bankruptcy and due to reduced marketing expenditure and efforts. Furthermore, those remaining competitors are far less motivated than they were in the past.

McGraw-Hill Research’s Laboratory of Advertising Performance also analyzed the 600 industrial companies during the 1981 to 1982 recession. They found that business-to-business companies that were able to achieve higher sales growth during this period had also maintained or increased their marketing expenditure.

As you ramp-up sales and marketing, it’s also wise to start thinking even further outside of the box. Consider creative financing to assist credit- and cash-strapped consumers. Leverage web-based marketing opportunities. Most importantly, use abundant free-time to boost customer relations.

Web-based marketing options are an extremely cost-effective strategy that can provide continual benefits. For example, online video delivers a high-end, personal connection with existing and prospective customers, generating leads, raising product awareness and building enthusiasm for new product or service introductions. Studies show that viewers are six times more likely to respond to a video offer for more information, and that video expedites buying decisions by 72 percent over print. Similarly, email marketing can effectively populate a company’s short- and long-term pipeline. Resist the temptation to ask your sales professionals to ’just make more calls.’ Invest in email marketing to better leverage their time and exponentially increase qualified prospect leads. On the other hand, traditional cold calling is not leveraged. It limits production and can be an inefficient use of their time. Businesses can also share their knowledge and ideas on professional blogs and networking sites.

Businesses can further recession-proof their bottom line by implementing creative pricing options. Make purchasing more attainable by offering one-time or limited-time discounts, financing plans or delayed payments. That said, resist the temptation to slash price in order to boost sales volume. During a down economy, buyers opt to pay premium prices in exchange for risk reduction. No longer can they afford to risk purchasing from an unknown yet lower-priced vendor. They instead choose the safe and predictable, yet often more expensive, alternative.

Finally, strengthen your existing customer relationships to enhance purchase loyalty, foster strong customer relationships and encourage word-of-mouth referrals. Regardless of the state of the economy, Parento’s rule dictates that 20 percent of your customer base will contribute to 80 percent of your revenue. So use this time to connect with customers and conduct face-to-face visits. Work even harder, listening to and understanding your customer’s needs while pitching real solutions that address the pressing challenges they face.

At the end of the day, make a concerted effort to stay upbeat, optimistic and positive. Celebrate wins. Pessimism never closed a deal. Commend yourself and your employees for successfully enduring – and thriving – through some of the most challenging times in history.