I began working with the Actum Group last year. They are a wonderful group of people from which I have learned many things. Because my background is in teaching and not sales, it has been a struggle for me when it came to knowing what to do. I know how to do the embroidery, but the sales calls were a different story. How do I set them up. . .What do I do when I get there. . . What should we talk about. . .etc. When I first started attending networking events, I was very insecure and stood by the wall. Many of the these things may seem very simple and common sense, but for me it was not easy. After working with the Actum Group, I now have no problem going up to people to talk. I am comfortable speaking with them and learning about what they do.

While working with the Actum Group, I have learned that standing against the wall is not how to grow a business. The customers are not going to come to me, I need to go to them. Not only did they teach me this simple concept, but they also taught me how to find the customers.

It has not been easy and I would prefer to not have the role playing (or humiliation :) as I like to call it), but I have to admit that I have learned a lot!! To my surprise they offered to write an extremely nice article about me on their blog.  Please check it out ( Infocusselling.com/blog ) What do you think?

Please leave your thoughts. Even better yet, add their blog RSS feed to your RSS Reader.

Labels: Actum Group, blog, Embroidery, InFocusSelling, Jeff Bowe, Kristie's Kreations

This morning I got up early to make it to my bimonthly networking meeting for NAG.  Today was special because I was the featured speaker.  Jeff Bowe and I take turns facilitating the meetings but today he was running a little late.  This meant that not only was I speaking at the end of the meeting but I was also facilitating to get things started.  Unfortunately after everyone had their chance to go around the room and give there minute or more spiel about themselves, I only had about 7 minutes to speak.  Because it was running late, some of the members started to get up to head to their other appointments.

During my brief speak, I was able to mention a few things that were on my list.  Again, because of time I only was able to quickly mention these items.  One of which is the start of this new blog!  I explained how it is very important to me that I become the expert when it comes to embroidery and promotional products for my customers.  If I do not know the answer then I will do my best to find the answer.

Most of the blog discussion occurred after the meeting was over between a few of the remaining members including Amy Stark, Jeff Bowe, Mary Pat McKee, Jim Hugenard and of course myself.  We discussed how to get others to know about your blog.  It was mentioned that we need to start checking out each others blogs and leave messages on their blogs.  The helps to move blogs higher in the search enginges.  When I returned to the office I did just that and started by checking out a few of their blogs.  I started with Jeff's.  Read my comments.

I was able to show a few samples of the picture weave gifts, quality of embroidery, green products, antibacterial promotional product and embroidered toilet paper.

[caption id="attachment_63" align="alignnone" width="330" caption="Embroidered Toilet Paper"][/caption]

Of course the question that I always get was asked, "Why embroider toilet paper?" and of course the answer is "Why not?".  I then continued to give other reasons such as it is a very memorable item!  Anyone that I show it to will always remember that I embroider toilet paper.  I am OK with this because at least they remember me.  Another reason is that is shows that we can embroider on things as delicate as toilet paper.  It is a unique way to show your company logo along with the embroidered towels.  Always have your logo in front of your customers even when they use your restroom.  And last but not least, it is a gift for the person that has anything.

So, what do you think?  Do you like the embroidered toilet paper?  Do you have other uses for the embroidered toilet paper?  I wouldlove to hear them!

Labels: Amy Stark, blog, Blogs, Embrodery, embroidered toilet paper, Embroidery, gifts, InFocusSelling, Kristie's Kreations, logos, MPM Marketing, NAG, NAG - Non Affiliated Group, Stark Reality