My Favorite Movie Scene
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ABC - Always Be Closing
Showing posts with label mcmillan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mcmillan. Show all posts
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Very Cool New Web Tool
Have you heard the about one of the newest domain extensions, ".TEL"?
If not then you are truelly missing out on something simply amazing. .tel is what the telephone book was to the 19th century. It is a 1 stop shop to find out anything on a person through one link easily accessed through your cell phone or internet browser. Check out http://painternetmarketing.com/blog/why-you-should-get-a-dot-tel-domain to learn more about it.
If you want to see a sample visit my new .TEL site at http://salesking.tel on your cell or on your browser.
xoxo
Michael "Sales King!" McMillan
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| From Sales Life Style |
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patty's Day!!!
May a tanker truck full of green beer careen off the road, roll over in your yard, and spill all of its contents into your swimming pool...
xoxo
Michael "Sales King!" McMillan
Happy St. Patty's Day Everyone!!!
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| From Sales Life Style |
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Daisy's First Day Home
Here are a few photos on our new addition to our family. I will make sure to get more video's and photos up as we take them.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Call Center Metrics Can Boost Quality and Save Money
Summary: There are productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction metrics which can be measured to enhance quality and increase a company bottom line. GoACAnow.com offers call center solutions that can manage inbound or outbound business calls professionally.
________________________________________________________________________
Call center metrics are key performance indicators, and they should focus on business goals and call center solutions. If metrics are analyzed and lined up with strategies, they can boost quality and save an organization money. Metrics monitor a call center’s performance by gathering and analyzing information; there are productivity metrics, quality metrics, and customer satisfaction metrics.
Inbound productivity metrics include the number of calls handled, and their timing. Also included are the number of emails handled, and the average time to respond to emails. Inbound productivity metrics comprise the percentage of calls and transactions resolved in the first contact. Outbound productivity metrics include the number of outbound calls and their timing. Productivity metrics for orders and quotes include the number of quotes and proposals, prices of quotes, and dollar amount of items sold. They also identify the number of leads and cross-sell/up-sell opportunities.
Quality metrics involve the accuracy of orders and quotes. They quantify product knowledge, technical knowledge, and communication and problem solving skills. Satisfaction metrics are figured from real time surveys of customers, field sales staff, and partners/distributors.
Analyzing these metrics can show if goals are being met, and if call center solutions are needed. The results will show specific areas that need improvement, and the quality of the call center will improve if new plans are put into practice. Cost analysis including measuring cost per call can save money and increase revenues by implementing improvements where needed.
Answer Center America, Inc. offers high quality call center solutions with their state of the art technology, and professional staffing. GoACAnow.com operates efficiently by analyzing metrics, and can increase a business’ bottom line.
Bio: Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. “Call Center Metrics Can Boost Quality and Save Money” outlines what metrics measure, and how they can increase quality and save money for call center solutions.
________________________________________________________________________
Call center metrics are key performance indicators, and they should focus on business goals and call center solutions. If metrics are analyzed and lined up with strategies, they can boost quality and save an organization money. Metrics monitor a call center’s performance by gathering and analyzing information; there are productivity metrics, quality metrics, and customer satisfaction metrics.
Inbound productivity metrics include the number of calls handled, and their timing. Also included are the number of emails handled, and the average time to respond to emails. Inbound productivity metrics comprise the percentage of calls and transactions resolved in the first contact. Outbound productivity metrics include the number of outbound calls and their timing. Productivity metrics for orders and quotes include the number of quotes and proposals, prices of quotes, and dollar amount of items sold. They also identify the number of leads and cross-sell/up-sell opportunities.
Quality metrics involve the accuracy of orders and quotes. They quantify product knowledge, technical knowledge, and communication and problem solving skills. Satisfaction metrics are figured from real time surveys of customers, field sales staff, and partners/distributors.
Analyzing these metrics can show if goals are being met, and if call center solutions are needed. The results will show specific areas that need improvement, and the quality of the call center will improve if new plans are put into practice. Cost analysis including measuring cost per call can save money and increase revenues by implementing improvements where needed.
Answer Center America, Inc. offers high quality call center solutions with their state of the art technology, and professional staffing. GoACAnow.com operates efficiently by analyzing metrics, and can increase a business’ bottom line.
Bio: Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. “Call Center Metrics Can Boost Quality and Save Money” outlines what metrics measure, and how they can increase quality and save money for call center solutions.
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| From Sales Life Style |
Monday, February 23, 2009
Biggest Loser Tryouts
The weather is snowy and freezing cold. This is what I walked into at 4am to head to NBC tower to stand outside for 5 hours for my 2 minutes to beg for attention to get a spot of Biggest Loser. Now I must admit it was a very interesting day. I got the opportunity to meet Jerry, Stella, &Bernie all previous contenders on the Biggest Loser. Of course this was a big highlight of my day, but Jerry really motivated me to stay in that line. He explained how just 22 weeks prior it was him in the same line doing the same thing. So I think to myself, if a 60 year old man can do this I better be able to at 26. LOL!!!
The entire time waiting concluded with 12 of us sitting at a table and told get our attention in the next 2 minutes by responding to the topic we provide. All I can say is thank you Mom for raising a sales person!!! My background made this a walk in the park for me and my wife. But, I must admit I really felt bad for a few of the other people at my table as they really had no chance, and really need that show.
My wife Steph and I are still praying for a call back in the next 2 days, if not we will not give up and get our video out ASAP! Please prey for us as both of us really need this opportunity as we both really want kids.
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “Biggest Loser Tryouts” is a review of my trip to NBC tower for the Biggest Loser open casting call. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
The entire time waiting concluded with 12 of us sitting at a table and told get our attention in the next 2 minutes by responding to the topic we provide. All I can say is thank you Mom for raising a sales person!!! My background made this a walk in the park for me and my wife. But, I must admit I really felt bad for a few of the other people at my table as they really had no chance, and really need that show.
My wife Steph and I are still praying for a call back in the next 2 days, if not we will not give up and get our video out ASAP! Please prey for us as both of us really need this opportunity as we both really want kids.
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| From Sales Life Style |
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “Biggest Loser Tryouts” is a review of my trip to NBC tower for the Biggest Loser open casting call. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Qtr. 1, Day 1 of 3 ACA Sales Summit
Good Evening Everyone!!!
Well this evening marks the beginning of one of my favorite events in sales, our summit. Now just to catch all of you up the ACA Sales Summit simply put is a training & creative planning retreat. This is when I get to sit down with my entire sales force outside of the stress full environment of our office and get them ready for an amazing 1st Quarter. The entire event last 2 full days with Friday being the first as we leave at noonish from the office and then go out to dinner and talk sales all night. Saturday is our training focused day where we start at 8am and go till 7pm and do nothing but review the basics of what we do. Finally Sunday we talk strategy and pull out our creative homework we assigned before the summit to share with the team.
This summit program started 2 years ago and has been such a success that for 2009 we are now moving it from an annual event to a quarterly event. This is when sales gets focused in on just what we need to do and how we are going to get there. We create strategy to kill our competition in focused markets or industries and improve on current working strategies already in place. Basically is similar to sharpening your knife before you butcher an animal. It makes the whole process that much more enjoyable and smooth.
I know there is not much to talk about as far as content today but I promised this 3 day blog will be well worth the read. So check it out each day as I will make entries each day of the summit and a finial entry Sunday night to wrap up the entire event. And, since we are taping the whole thing I may even share a small video and pictures with all of you.
ENJOY!!!
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| From Sales Life Style |
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “Qtr. 1, Day 1, Sales Summit 2009” IS part 1 of 4 reviewing the ACA Qtr. 1 Sales Summit. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Learning Never Stops
Tonight I had the great honor and privilege of attending my first ever Toastmasters Meeting.
For those of you not familiar with the organization may I strongly suggest visiting http://www.toastmasters.org to learn more about them and find a local meeting to attend.
I have heard of the Toastmasters for many years but never really took the time to really look into what this organization had to offer me as a sales person, and more so as a leader of my sales team. Toastmasters quite possibly may be one of the single most important goals I am so happy I am accomplishing in 2009 for myself, and almost more importantly for my team and all of my readers. The knowledge I have gained in my first ever meeting alone has made me completely rethink the way in which I perform presentations. I now understand to present correctly it takes a ton of preparation, research, and most importantly PRACTICE!
Now I know many of you are going to say, "Mike I give presentations and run meetings all the time why do I need this silly club?" My answer to you is simple, you may be running these meetings, or giving presentations but, are you performing at the absolute performance? That answer would be no buckaroo!
We have all heard the sayings a million times, guess what here is 1,000,001:
These sayings are things we say but very rarely act on. My primary goal for my self this year was simple, "Become a Better Follower, So I Can Become a Better Leader!" Yeah sounds weird right, that is what I thought when I first wrote it. But, then after reviewing my goals over and over again in December I realized it made perfect sense. I have to first learn how to follow (TRAIN) before I can lead. So this year I am getting myself in front of the experts and begging for teaching and guidance so that I can then become the best leader for my sales force.
In closing always remember if you are a person you thinks you know everything about everything, you are never going to succeed in life. The faster you can come to understand that with continual education comes the success you seek, the faster you will find the happiness you seek.
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “Learning Never Stops” talks about how the learning process must never end if a person is to be successful. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
For those of you not familiar with the organization may I strongly suggest visiting http://www.toastmasters.org to learn more about them and find a local meeting to attend.
I have heard of the Toastmasters for many years but never really took the time to really look into what this organization had to offer me as a sales person, and more so as a leader of my sales team. Toastmasters quite possibly may be one of the single most important goals I am so happy I am accomplishing in 2009 for myself, and almost more importantly for my team and all of my readers. The knowledge I have gained in my first ever meeting alone has made me completely rethink the way in which I perform presentations. I now understand to present correctly it takes a ton of preparation, research, and most importantly PRACTICE!
Now I know many of you are going to say, "Mike I give presentations and run meetings all the time why do I need this silly club?" My answer to you is simple, you may be running these meetings, or giving presentations but, are you performing at the absolute performance? That answer would be no buckaroo!
We have all heard the sayings a million times, guess what here is 1,000,001:
Tiger Woods did not just wake up one day and become the best golfer in the world, he practices, got constructive criticism, and had coaches teach him how to be the best.
Olympic Athletes do not just send in a resume saying they would like to compete in the Olympics. They have to train for years to hone their skills to perfection for the very slim possibility they MAY get picked to compete.
These sayings are things we say but very rarely act on. My primary goal for my self this year was simple, "Become a Better Follower, So I Can Become a Better Leader!" Yeah sounds weird right, that is what I thought when I first wrote it. But, then after reviewing my goals over and over again in December I realized it made perfect sense. I have to first learn how to follow (TRAIN) before I can lead. So this year I am getting myself in front of the experts and begging for teaching and guidance so that I can then become the best leader for my sales force.
In closing always remember if you are a person you thinks you know everything about everything, you are never going to succeed in life. The faster you can come to understand that with continual education comes the success you seek, the faster you will find the happiness you seek.
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| From Sales Life Style |
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “Learning Never Stops” talks about how the learning process must never end if a person is to be successful. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Amazing People
I just completed possibly the best and most amazing training in my life. Meeting both Jack Daly & Cameron Herold. I will write much more about all I learned once I can process all of it and get my notes better organized but I had to share right away with all of you just how amazing this training was as it has really helped me refocus and change the way I perform. Thank you Jack & Cameron!!
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| From Amazing People I Have Met |
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| From Amazing People I Have Met |
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
To Succeed or Not Succeed
I started this entry out with this quick review of this interview because I wanted to comment to the world want it is going to take to get through this depression and come out on top.
To succeed in this bad economy takes a level of work that is so foreign to people in my age group they see it as fiction. The problem with this is that this is the time we need to get back to basics and understand an 8 hour work day is not possible any more. To not only survive but be a winner we need to do everything that is possible to do what is necessary for our businesses success.
If you want to really see the level of dedication it will take, go see you Grandparents, or even better your Great Grandparents if they are still around and ask them what their work ethic was. What you will hear is the same like when you were a child. It will more than likely sound something like my Grandfather told me:
"Boy, my work ethic was simple, I went to work, I never called off 1 day, I worked till the work was done, and I will never stop working till my heart gives out or my boss kicks me out."
That is Dedication!
That is a Statement of a Winner!
Are you willing to have that same dedication to your business? If not I can guarantee you with almost no uncertainty you will more than likely fail in this economy and be one of the many losers out there. So starting now stops playing around on the internet and gets your nose into your work and do whatever is necessary to not only fit the status quo, but to be a winner!
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “To Succeed or Not Succeed” gives a peak into what an employee will need to do in 2009 to not only survive but be a winner. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com
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| From Sales Life Style |
Saturday, January 3, 2009
New Video Hobby
So today I finally figured out how to use iMovie on my Mac and decided to make a little video. Take a look at this and let me know what you all think.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008 Answer Center America, Inc. Posts Aggressive 29 Percent Growth and Seeks Hiring 25 New Employees in January 2009
Chicago, IL – December 29, 2008 – Companies have discovered cost effective call center outsourcing services driving growth of Answer Center America, Inc, one of the nation’s leading call centers, up 29% this year.
Answer Center America, Inc. (ACA) today announced unprecedented growth this year, which has lead to a steady hiring stream of 5-10 employees per month, with current open positions for January 2009 at 25.
With more than 120 specialists on staff, ACA handles nearly six million calls per year. Given the high call volumes, optimal agent performance is critical in providing quality service experiences to ACA’s corporate clients. ACA hires experienced call service agents and trains them internally. ACA services include general call services, inbound call services, and outbound call services, with a broad range of technologies utilized; making it important that both new and current staff is continually trained. The fact that many ACA agents are bilingual – in English, Spanish and French – adds another layer of complexity to hiring and managing the unique skills and proficiency levels of each specialist.
“Last year Answer Center America identified a need for turnkey outsourcing solutions which provide corporations the ability to scale as needed from general workforce management functions to advanced help desk and sales capabilities,” says Mike McMillan, Director of Sales and Marketing, for ACA. “ACA has been working to add services which will help our customers thrive in a tight economy. Take, for instance, the cost savings of outsourcing help desk support. Our Tech Connect service allows for network, server, and PC monitoring and support remotely, and our Instant Connect service enables web chat. These coupled with our Ticketing System for inbound call recording allow customers to cost effectively outsource their entire customer service operation using a customized methodology. Our specialty service, Your Connect enables ACA to customize and virtually mirror the operation of a corporate call center, creating a total savings of 75% - 95% depending on call traffic!”
ACA provides a customized call center solution with full scalability, allowing room for anticipated client growth. It also allows call center agents to integrate with client systems and personnel. ACA utilizes technology, which allows for seamless integration with various telephony switches. ACA systems capture and analyze customer/caller interactions, improve workforce performance and optimize service processes. The system allows clients to improve service by scheduling the right agents with the right skills at the right time. ACA helps companies discover business trends, employee and customer behavior patterns, and ensure excellent customer service. ACA plans to continue to improve service offerings to meet the changing economic and technology needs of its clients.
About Answer Center America, Inc.
Answer Center America, headquartered in Chicago Illinois, is a leading provider of 24/7 call center solutions for optimizing employee time and skill sets. Answer Center America delivers high quality and superior customer support necessary for a remote messaging and business solutions. ACA is best known for its multi-layered security support system using state of the art equipment, highly trained professionals and dedicated customer service agents which allows them to provide customized, affordable outsourcing services.
Today, more than 2,500 organizations on 4 continents rely on custom solutions provided by ACA solutions to perform more effectively and competitive in their market. ACA provides a seamless extension of your business custom made for you. Visit us at our website www.goacanow.com.
Media Contact:
Michael C. McMillan
Director of Sales and Marketing
Answer Center America, Inc.
Phone#: (800) 270-7030
Fax#: (800) 971-2110
Email: mikemcmillan@goacanow.com
URL: http://www.goacanow.com
Blog: http://blog.goacanow.com
Answer Center America, Inc. (ACA) today announced unprecedented growth this year, which has lead to a steady hiring stream of 5-10 employees per month, with current open positions for January 2009 at 25.
With more than 120 specialists on staff, ACA handles nearly six million calls per year. Given the high call volumes, optimal agent performance is critical in providing quality service experiences to ACA’s corporate clients. ACA hires experienced call service agents and trains them internally. ACA services include general call services, inbound call services, and outbound call services, with a broad range of technologies utilized; making it important that both new and current staff is continually trained. The fact that many ACA agents are bilingual – in English, Spanish and French – adds another layer of complexity to hiring and managing the unique skills and proficiency levels of each specialist.
“Last year Answer Center America identified a need for turnkey outsourcing solutions which provide corporations the ability to scale as needed from general workforce management functions to advanced help desk and sales capabilities,” says Mike McMillan, Director of Sales and Marketing, for ACA. “ACA has been working to add services which will help our customers thrive in a tight economy. Take, for instance, the cost savings of outsourcing help desk support. Our Tech Connect service allows for network, server, and PC monitoring and support remotely, and our Instant Connect service enables web chat. These coupled with our Ticketing System for inbound call recording allow customers to cost effectively outsource their entire customer service operation using a customized methodology. Our specialty service, Your Connect enables ACA to customize and virtually mirror the operation of a corporate call center, creating a total savings of 75% - 95% depending on call traffic!”
ACA provides a customized call center solution with full scalability, allowing room for anticipated client growth. It also allows call center agents to integrate with client systems and personnel. ACA utilizes technology, which allows for seamless integration with various telephony switches. ACA systems capture and analyze customer/caller interactions, improve workforce performance and optimize service processes. The system allows clients to improve service by scheduling the right agents with the right skills at the right time. ACA helps companies discover business trends, employee and customer behavior patterns, and ensure excellent customer service. ACA plans to continue to improve service offerings to meet the changing economic and technology needs of its clients.
About Answer Center America, Inc.
Answer Center America, headquartered in Chicago Illinois, is a leading provider of 24/7 call center solutions for optimizing employee time and skill sets. Answer Center America delivers high quality and superior customer support necessary for a remote messaging and business solutions. ACA is best known for its multi-layered security support system using state of the art equipment, highly trained professionals and dedicated customer service agents which allows them to provide customized, affordable outsourcing services.
Today, more than 2,500 organizations on 4 continents rely on custom solutions provided by ACA solutions to perform more effectively and competitive in their market. ACA provides a seamless extension of your business custom made for you. Visit us at our website www.goacanow.com.
Media Contact:
Michael C. McMillan
Director of Sales and Marketing
Answer Center America, Inc.
Phone#: (800) 270-7030
Fax#: (800) 971-2110
Email: mikemcmillan@goacanow.com
URL: http://www.goacanow.com
Blog: http://blog.goacanow.com
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Baton Down The Hatches Because Here We Go!
T Minus 3 Days, 14 Hours..... and Counting Till 2009
It's the final stretch to get everything you can done and ready for 2009. Many people have been emailing me asking me for my end of year checklist that I use to get me and my team ready for the next year. So I figured why not share my response with all of you.
Instead of sharing my actual check list I thought it would be much more beneficial to share with all of you what questions I ask myself to come up with my check list. We don't have much time so lets jump right in.
1. What are my top 4 quarterly goals, and what is their priority?
(What Order Do I Want Them Done In)
2. What are the company's sales goals and forecast models?
a. What process or system do I have in place to track my numbers?
-Have I tested to make sure this systems is working properly?
3. What training do I need to complete with my team before the new year?
(New Service/Products, New Commission or Bonus Structure, etc...)
4. What are my professional goals for my self and how do I plan to complete them?
a. What new group, organization, or club will I join in "09?
- What is my plan to become recognized? (i.e. - Board Member, Award, etc...)
b. What classes or training seminars will I be attending in "09?
- How will they benefit me and my team?
- Are any of them able to be expense or do I need to budget for them personally?
c. What new business outfits am I planning on purchasing for "09?
- Have I budgeted for them?
d. What were my "08 accomplishments?
- Where have I posted these so I see them every day in "09?
e. Have I planned a personal vacation with my wife?
(Make sure to add personal pieces as your personal life can set the tone for your professional)
5. Do I have any money left in my budget for "08 that I should allocate to a marketing blitz for Jan. "09?
6. What are all the marketing and advertising companies I will be using in "09?
a. What is my contract length with them?
b. How much is the contract?
c. What matrix am I using to track it's success or failure?
You Are Done!!!!
This is a great starting point but by no means everything for everyone. With different industries come more or less questions. The most important thing is to make sure you are asking your self at least the personal goal questions as with out the answers to them you have no direction for the new year.
**One Last Important Note**
Once you have completed answering all of your "09 questions make sure to post them at your desk and on your mirror in your home bathroom. This way you are reminded of them ever day and can stay focused through out the year. Also, once you have completed any of the tasks, goals, etc... make sure to check them off so you can see your accomplishments. This is one of the most important pieces as these types of tasks can be easily forgotten or motivation lost if you do not keep them in front of your face at all times.
Have a successful & prosperous New Year!!
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer center America, Inc. “Baton Down The Hatches Because Here We Go!” helps managers and sales people get ready for the new year by getting organized. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
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| From Sales Life Style |
Monday, December 15, 2008
To What’s Next!
A Look Back at 2008 and a Glance at 2009
From the beginning of 2008 everyone knew that this year was about to be something really special. From the addition of the morning huddles to the new processes between customer service and sales, we were all amped for success. At New Years Eve Janet, Jeff, Stephanie, & I all toasted our standard toast, “To what’s Next!” Little did we know in just one day something important was about to happen.
The morning of January 2nd started like everyday here at ACA. All of management and support staff of ACA met in our morning huddle, we reviewed all the new changes for 2008 and wished everyone a good day. Nick Farrell and Mike McMillan first thing in the morning both got faxes with client’s paperwork; little did any of us know or imagine this was simply the tip of the iceberg for new accounts in January. In the weeks to follow ACA saw 58 additional accounts come in for new service. This amount of sales just left everyone with one exclamation, WOW!!
After over 20 straight days of 14+ hour work days in all departments February could not have come any faster. But even in a 28 day month sales was able to pull out 27 sales in that month as well, continuing the long hours of work.
But, even after all the long work days, and hard work of turning up comparatively, a small answering service, inside of 2 months we were able to get through it as a team. Over the next few months we continued having great growth in sales, and began to focus on improving our business processes for new accounts.
The rest of the year stayed consistent with a monthly average of new revenue of $10.000 for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd quarter. This amazing growth has led ACA now into December, and the close of 4th quarter. Wrapping up the 4th quarter, all of us in senior management began focusing in on the end of year number and all the accomplishments we have made. Right now, as it stands ACA has broken the record set last year of 22% growth in one year and hit 24%, we have added over 20 new seats in our 5532 location, and best of all we now employee and support over 120 employees. These remarkable achievements are a direct reflection of the hard work of everyone her at ACA, especially the agents as they truly are the life blood that keeps us all moving forward.
With 2009 only now literally days away, the attention of management now looks to what is to come. We once again are getting new processes put in place, building forecast models, cleaning off desks, and getting ready for what many of us believe will be yet again another record breaking year. So this New Years Eve when that clock strikes mid-night, please join the rest of your ACA team in toasting, “TO WHAT’S NEXT!”
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for ACA. “To What's Next!” tells the story of the struggles & accomplishments of Answer Center America, Inc. in 2008. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
From the beginning of 2008 everyone knew that this year was about to be something really special. From the addition of the morning huddles to the new processes between customer service and sales, we were all amped for success. At New Years Eve Janet, Jeff, Stephanie, & I all toasted our standard toast, “To what’s Next!” Little did we know in just one day something important was about to happen.
The morning of January 2nd started like everyday here at ACA. All of management and support staff of ACA met in our morning huddle, we reviewed all the new changes for 2008 and wished everyone a good day. Nick Farrell and Mike McMillan first thing in the morning both got faxes with client’s paperwork; little did any of us know or imagine this was simply the tip of the iceberg for new accounts in January. In the weeks to follow ACA saw 58 additional accounts come in for new service. This amount of sales just left everyone with one exclamation, WOW!!
After over 20 straight days of 14+ hour work days in all departments February could not have come any faster. But even in a 28 day month sales was able to pull out 27 sales in that month as well, continuing the long hours of work.
But, even after all the long work days, and hard work of turning up comparatively, a small answering service, inside of 2 months we were able to get through it as a team. Over the next few months we continued having great growth in sales, and began to focus on improving our business processes for new accounts.
The rest of the year stayed consistent with a monthly average of new revenue of $10.000 for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd quarter. This amazing growth has led ACA now into December, and the close of 4th quarter. Wrapping up the 4th quarter, all of us in senior management began focusing in on the end of year number and all the accomplishments we have made. Right now, as it stands ACA has broken the record set last year of 22% growth in one year and hit 24%, we have added over 20 new seats in our 5532 location, and best of all we now employee and support over 120 employees. These remarkable achievements are a direct reflection of the hard work of everyone her at ACA, especially the agents as they truly are the life blood that keeps us all moving forward.
With 2009 only now literally days away, the attention of management now looks to what is to come. We once again are getting new processes put in place, building forecast models, cleaning off desks, and getting ready for what many of us believe will be yet again another record breaking year. So this New Years Eve when that clock strikes mid-night, please join the rest of your ACA team in toasting, “TO WHAT’S NEXT!”
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for ACA. “To What's Next!” tells the story of the struggles & accomplishments of Answer Center America, Inc. in 2008. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
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| From Sales Life Style |
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Happy Holidays!!! Are You Ready to Party?
Tis the season for client holiday parties, how many are on your calendar?
Holiday parties are personally one of my favorite times of year, and the only events I really truly look forward to. The one problem many young sales people have though when attending their first event sometimes take to much advantage of the open bar. Now I am not saying don’t grab a glass of wine, if I said that I would be a total hypocrite. LOL!! What I am saying is to make sure to have a limit set in your head before the first sip.
**Unless this is an event for a client, then my rule is simple, water or pop, no booze no matter what!**
The reason for this is that more than likely you will then be one of the only people there not intoxicated and now have the edge in every conversation you are having. As all of us know any opportunity a sales person has to get an edge on a conversation, the better!
So this season remember when you go to the party make sure to set limits or don't drink at all. This way you will make sure to enjoy the party till the very end, and more importantly have a clear head to do what you should be doing, SELLING!! This leads me to Rule 1 of my top 10 rules of a sales lifestyle.
Rule 1: Always Be Ready To Sell
At a party, at a bar, or just walking down the street everyone you meet may be the next big sale. You must always look, talk, and act the part to get the sale. If not you can bet your competition is.
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “Happy Holidays!!! Are You Ready to Party?” goes over holiday party etiquette for sales people. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
Holiday parties are personally one of my favorite times of year, and the only events I really truly look forward to. The one problem many young sales people have though when attending their first event sometimes take to much advantage of the open bar. Now I am not saying don’t grab a glass of wine, if I said that I would be a total hypocrite. LOL!! What I am saying is to make sure to have a limit set in your head before the first sip.
**Unless this is an event for a client, then my rule is simple, water or pop, no booze no matter what!**
The reason for this is that more than likely you will then be one of the only people there not intoxicated and now have the edge in every conversation you are having. As all of us know any opportunity a sales person has to get an edge on a conversation, the better!
So this season remember when you go to the party make sure to set limits or don't drink at all. This way you will make sure to enjoy the party till the very end, and more importantly have a clear head to do what you should be doing, SELLING!! This leads me to Rule 1 of my top 10 rules of a sales lifestyle.
Rule 1: Always Be Ready To Sell
At a party, at a bar, or just walking down the street everyone you meet may be the next big sale. You must always look, talk, and act the part to get the sale. If not you can bet your competition is.
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| From Sales Life Style |
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “Happy Holidays!!! Are You Ready to Party?” goes over holiday party etiquette for sales people. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Teamwork Is The Real Key To Success!!
Noun 1.teamwork - cooperative work done by a team (especially when it is effective); "it will take money, good planning and, above all, teamwork"
cooperation - joint operation or action; "their cooperation with us was essential for the success of our mission"
So many people have heard all the teamwork slogans like, there is no "I" in team, or my personal favorite a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. Though all meaningful most people thing is is a load of crap. The reason is that it is so played out in the corporate world. But, what many people have to know is that teamwork is possibly the single most important think a sales person needs to learn to master. Now I know many of you are saying, yeah what ever Mike we have all heard this before, but trust me keep reading, you will thank me.
When you are working on a large deal, or even a mid-cap deal you must learn to use all the tools in your tool shed. What to I mean by this, well in the words of one of my most trusted mentors Tim Searcy, "You must bring a boat to take down a whale." What I am saying is that with out a team of skilled teammates behind you, you have little to no chance to get the big deal. What do I do, simple, the moment I think I have a whale on the line, I get my entire team involved. I do this for one simple reason, because I learned long ago to surround my self with people who are much smarter than I am. This way when my client has a question that I may not know, some one on my team can answer it for me. Working in this way allows me to supply a level of service to my client's that stands alone in my industry.
So if you are looking to increase your personal bank account it is time to work with your team instead of trying to do it your self. Because doing it your self will just leave you alone with a small bank account. Doing it with a team will have you at a kick butt martini bar with a bunch of friends celebrating the HUGE deal you just closed.
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “Teamwork Is The Real Key To Success!!” talks about how it takes a team of people to do great things not just 1 person. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
cooperation - joint operation or action; "their cooperation with us was essential for the success of our mission"
So many people have heard all the teamwork slogans like, there is no "I" in team, or my personal favorite a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. Though all meaningful most people thing is is a load of crap. The reason is that it is so played out in the corporate world. But, what many people have to know is that teamwork is possibly the single most important think a sales person needs to learn to master. Now I know many of you are saying, yeah what ever Mike we have all heard this before, but trust me keep reading, you will thank me.
When you are working on a large deal, or even a mid-cap deal you must learn to use all the tools in your tool shed. What to I mean by this, well in the words of one of my most trusted mentors Tim Searcy, "You must bring a boat to take down a whale." What I am saying is that with out a team of skilled teammates behind you, you have little to no chance to get the big deal. What do I do, simple, the moment I think I have a whale on the line, I get my entire team involved. I do this for one simple reason, because I learned long ago to surround my self with people who are much smarter than I am. This way when my client has a question that I may not know, some one on my team can answer it for me. Working in this way allows me to supply a level of service to my client's that stands alone in my industry.
So if you are looking to increase your personal bank account it is time to work with your team instead of trying to do it your self. Because doing it your self will just leave you alone with a small bank account. Doing it with a team will have you at a kick butt martini bar with a bunch of friends celebrating the HUGE deal you just closed.
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| From Sales Life Style |
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “Teamwork Is The Real Key To Success!!” talks about how it takes a team of people to do great things not just 1 person. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Success Starts at Home
Through out much of my sales training and mentoring I have learned about how hard work makes sales easier. But, what they fail to to ever teach you is how your personal life can effect your professional.
I am married to one of the most amazing wife a sales guy like me could ever ask for. She is very supportive of my career and all the negative and positive that comes with living a sales life style. Her support of my life style is what drives me to my success. Now I know you may already be saying to your self, No Mike your success is driven through determination, hard work, and the passion you have for what you do. My answer to you would be NO! Those are things that have lead from the support I receive at home from my wife on a daily basis.
I would like to share with all of you possibly the most perfect example of what I am talking about. Today, December 5th, 2008 I just closed the largest sale in ACA history. This single account will redefine ACA as a company for many years to come. When I told my wife of my accomplishment today she gave me a huge hug and kiss and told me she knew I could do it. Of course that always feel great, but that was not all she had in store. Earlier that day she had actually known about what I was wrapping up. So she stopped by Nordstrom and purchased something I have always wanted, a Mont Blanc Pen! Now for all you sales people out there, you know Mont Blanc is like a 4 crt. diamond ring to a prospective bride. This is truly the pen of pens for sales people. She got me this as a reminder for what I accomplished. This token of appreciation has me so gratefully to have her in my life I felt it necessary to write about tonight.
So all you sales people out there when you are looking to increase your sales success. First make sure you have a loving & supportive home life first. As if your home life is not stable how can you ever expect to have a stable sales life.
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “Success Starts at Home” reviews how much your home life effects your sales life. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
I am married to one of the most amazing wife a sales guy like me could ever ask for. She is very supportive of my career and all the negative and positive that comes with living a sales life style. Her support of my life style is what drives me to my success. Now I know you may already be saying to your self, No Mike your success is driven through determination, hard work, and the passion you have for what you do. My answer to you would be NO! Those are things that have lead from the support I receive at home from my wife on a daily basis.
I would like to share with all of you possibly the most perfect example of what I am talking about. Today, December 5th, 2008 I just closed the largest sale in ACA history. This single account will redefine ACA as a company for many years to come. When I told my wife of my accomplishment today she gave me a huge hug and kiss and told me she knew I could do it. Of course that always feel great, but that was not all she had in store. Earlier that day she had actually known about what I was wrapping up. So she stopped by Nordstrom and purchased something I have always wanted, a Mont Blanc Pen! Now for all you sales people out there, you know Mont Blanc is like a 4 crt. diamond ring to a prospective bride. This is truly the pen of pens for sales people. She got me this as a reminder for what I accomplished. This token of appreciation has me so gratefully to have her in my life I felt it necessary to write about tonight.
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| From Misc. . . |
So all you sales people out there when you are looking to increase your sales success. First make sure you have a loving & supportive home life first. As if your home life is not stable how can you ever expect to have a stable sales life.
 |
| From Misc. . . |
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “Success Starts at Home” reviews how much your home life effects your sales life. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
What are Your Goals
I commonly tell my sales people that a promise is only as good as the paper it is written on. So to are the goals that you set for your self. Many people, especially sales people, set goals for them self all the time. The issue is that many times they forget to do the most important piece, write them down for everyone to see. To give everyone a real life example to help everyone get started I am going to post my real 2009 professional goals here to share with all of you. (I would share my personal goals, but they are not as fun) LOL!! I look forward to your comments on them.
1. Close 1 account that has a base package over $100,000.00 per month, a.k.a. $1,200,000.00 per year account!
2. Personally Close over 2 million dollars in total sales in 2009
3. Lead my team to 3.5 million dollars or more in total sales in 2009
4. Increase my monthly outbound revenue to over $50,000 per month
Now please understand in world these numbers are very realistic and reachable with a lot of hard work. Next to writing your goals down, the next most important part is making your goals realistic. You want to set them to a level you know you can achieve. If you set them to high you will not achieve them and then not want to do it again next year. So now sit down, write everything out, and get ready for an amazing sales year!!!
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “What are Your Goals” talks about how setting goals can make you much more successful personally and professionally. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
1. Close 1 account that has a base package over $100,000.00 per month, a.k.a. $1,200,000.00 per year account!
2. Personally Close over 2 million dollars in total sales in 2009
3. Lead my team to 3.5 million dollars or more in total sales in 2009
4. Increase my monthly outbound revenue to over $50,000 per month
Now please understand in world these numbers are very realistic and reachable with a lot of hard work. Next to writing your goals down, the next most important part is making your goals realistic. You want to set them to a level you know you can achieve. If you set them to high you will not achieve them and then not want to do it again next year. So now sit down, write everything out, and get ready for an amazing sales year!!!
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| From Sales Life Style |
Bio: Michael McMillan is the director of Sales & Marketing for Answer Center America, Inc. “What are Your Goals” talks about how setting goals can make you much more successful personally and professionally. For more information on ACA's services please visit http://www.goacanow.com.
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