November 11th, 2008 admin
Dress codes in the United States historically morph from decade to decade. The majority of thought suggests that business professionals must dress professionally, Male dress code denotes a suit, perhaps with tie and for ladies perhaps a dress, business suit, skirt or other business apparel. However, if one meanders down Broadway in Manhattan, Market Street in St. Louis or the Miracle Mile in Chicago, over the last 10 years business patterns changed.
In the last 10 to 15 years, an emergence of business casual attire has adopted from the East Coast to the West. It is common for professionals to wear jeans, T –Shirts and sneakers or boots to the office. While I enjoy fashion trends, one worth terminating is business casual.
Casual dress inspires casual conversations and behavior. In the 10 to 15 years, it has become noticeable for productivity to decrease at work. There exists a potpourri of information on productivity in the workplace and many point to dress code. Casual dress simply promotes apathetic behavior.
Second, numerous business professionals engage with client’s daily. Clients desire to conduct business with those they trust and exemplify expertise. If there were a need to visit a cardiologist or an investment banker, what might be your feelings if they greeted you in blue jeans and a polo shirt? Would you prefer someone that dresses the part?
A diminishing trend seems to exist. In the last two to three years, I am noticing more men and women wearing business suits. Airports that once greeted polo shirt and khaki passengers are filling with grey and blue pinstripes, leather soles, and pumps. If you want to look the part, you must be the part. Invest in your business, in your profession and in your closet. Resist the population and settle for professionalism. Seek out clothing that embodies your professional image; purchase a nice briefcase, pad folio, and pen. In addition, watch accessories that dampen your appearance such as watches, rings, and bracelets. Dress for success and watch your image flourish.
© 2008. Drew J. Stevens. All rights reserved.
Posted in Business Communication, Communication Training, Customer Relationship, Drew Stevens, Drew Stevens PhD, Employee Performance, Expertise, Sales Management Training, Sales Training, Sales marketing, business building, business development, business selling, customer service, customer service consulting, customer service ideas, effective leadership, effectiveness, efficiency, improve customer service, sales help, sales selling, sales skills, sales success, sales techniques, self development | No Comments »
October 1st, 2008 admin
Upon completing a recent article, I am perplexed. I advocate much like Peter Drucker that the reason to be in business is to create customers. The article I am referring, “How CEOs Should Work with Customers” appears to suggest that CEO’s do not have the time to spend with customers due to a myriad of other items on their agenda. I concur they are busy, we are all busy, however, if executives lose focus from the most vital asset of any organization then it questions strategy.
With recent economic volatility and exasperating increases in customer pay, it is imperative to note that perhaps the eye has gotten off the ball. Organizations today must practice and exemplify customer orientation. It is the customer that pays the utility bill and the customer that supplies salaries. That said why is the client not the focus of all activity within organizations.
Organizations today must conduct themselves thus:
1. Refrain from the mission statement foolishness. Stop paying lip service to customer experience and live it. Mission statements are as useful as the paper scribed if they are not abided. Decrease the chasm but developing a customer service culture.
2. Time. Executives and all staff must spend time with clients. There is no metric establishes percentages, however it is useful to spend time and as much as possible with clients. Customers require vendors they can trust and respect. The relationship grows when customers know you.
3. Talent. Executives must begin to hire talent and create customer services exemplars. Organizations such as Southwest Airlines and Apple exist for one thing- the customer. All talent work synergistically to provide a proper customer experience.
4. Focus groups. Many companies utilize these effective feedback loops and others not. One cannot build product without client involvement. Apple’s success in both the iPhone and iPod stems from insightful feedback.
5. CBWA. Customers by Walking Around. A tremendous concept exemplified in the early 1980’s and since forgotten. Executives gain insightful intelligence by meeting with differing clients, with a variety of needs to decide future products, development and marketing strategies.
6. Communicate. Avatars of successful customer service consistently strive to communicate messages. The proliferation of the Internet and other technologies facilitates communication customers welcome the competitive intelligence.
Customers are assets and require that treatment. Giving them time, understanding their needs and listening to concerns are methods all executives must use to remain competitive.
2008 Drew J. Stevens Ph.D. All rights reserved.
Posted in CEO challenges, Communication Training, Customer Relationship, Customer Relationship Management, Customer Service Training, Drew Stevens, Drew Stevens PhD, business selling, cusotmer service training, customer loyalty, customer retention, customer service, customer service consulting, customer service ideas, customer service seminars, customer service skills, effectiveness, good customer service, great customer service, improve customer service, marketing, marketing help, organizational success, organizational techniques, organizational tips, productivity techniques, sales and marketing, sales effectiveness | No Comments »
August 23rd, 2008 admin
I advocate training but not for training sake. As many readers know my emphasis is two fold, those that treat training as an event. Individuals cannot change behavior in a six-hour training session. Like biting fingernails or twirling hair, training requires habit changes. Training must be a process that requires several sessions, perhaps years rather than a one-time kudos.
Nothing is more irksome then hearing the CEO or HR professional from a multi-billion dollar organization state there is no money in the training budget. Human Capital is assets not liabilities. The current trend traced to economics is rote with excuses of cutbacks. Typically, training budgets are the first line item.
My doctoral work and a recent article written by Jorina Fontelera indicate the need to train employees. Training when conducted consistently, helps with both worker productivity and morale.
Posted in Drew Stevens, Drew Stevens PhD, Employee Performance, Expertise, Human Resource Management, Management, Performance Management, Uncategorized, effectiveness, efficiency, improve customer service, job training, productivity, productivity techniques, workplace performance | No Comments »
July 13th, 2008 admin
This week Drew Stevens will have featured his article “Love my Alliances, Hate Negotiation” on Salesopedia Home Page. Click here to read Drew on Salesopedia Now!! find this article on how to get what you want and negotiate anything.
Salesopedia is one of the strongest reference forums on the Internet, devoted, engaging and providing introspective information on the profession of selling.


Posted in Customer Relationship, Customer Relationship Management, Customer Service Training, Management, Management Training, Negotiation Training, Sales Management Training, Sales Training, Uncategorized, customer loyalty, customer retention, customer service seminars, customer service skills, improve customer service, inquiry managment, negotiation, sales and marketing, sales help, sales manager training, sales selling, sales skills, sales strategist, sales strategy, sales success, sales techniques, self development, self help, self mastery, selling, selling skills | No Comments »
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