Problems?

Let’s Solve Them!

I Speak from Experience…• I have worked with over fifty sales

teams, and during my career I have SOLVED many, many problems

• Some were easy and others…well…they were very tough…

• Through the years, I have learned that there is a solution to EVERY problem

• You have a problem? That’s OK! Here are six simple steps that will help you to solve ANY problem

1. Breathe

“Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you.”

~John De Paola

Slowly Inhale and exhale five times.Repeat this exercise three times throughout the day.

Breathing helps us relax. When we are relaxed, it is easier to think.

2. Write

“What if the way we perceive a problem is already part of the problem?”~ Slavoj Zizek

Write down the problem in the form of a question, such as:• What can I do to improve morale? • Where will I find the resources to achieve my goals?

Put your questions into “problem categories”.

List the questions accordingto categories on your whiteboard.

Review your questions often.

3. Think“If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.”

~ Albert Einstein

Sit for a moment, throughout each day to think about your question.

Use your whiteboard to record any ideas and solutions that come to mind, no matter how

improbable they may seem.

Let your brain do what it does best: brainstorm.

Brainstorm without judgment.

4. Engage“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”

~ Ryunosuke Satoro

Create a task force to work out the problem:

Cross-departmental teams may provide fresh

perspectives.

Your own team is also a great resource:

Your team will feel appreciated when you ask

for help.

Pose the problem to your task force(s) to brainstorm,

identify possible options, and to build a plan.

5. Execute

“We can do anything we want as long as we stick to it

long enough.” ~ Helen Keller

Review and modify your plan:

The more you tweak it, the more likely your

plan will succeed.

Keep working towards your goal and you will

achieve it.

6. Have Fun“When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.”

~ Joe Namath

When you know that the solution is out there, you can peacefully enjoy the journey of

discovering the solution.

You can do ANYTHING

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About the Author• Alicia Assefa has over 25 years of Telebusiness and Sales Management

experience.

• Her experience at over 50 companies (including CA, Oracle Corporation, Informix Software, Granicus and Blaze Software, to name a few) has helped her to create a set of field tested best practices that massively ramp sales funnel and revenue.

• Alicia is the Chief Operating Officer at SOMAmetrics, a business consultancy practice that provides effective Inside Sales and Teleprospecting Services.

• If you would like to ask Alicia a question about Inside Sales or Teleprospecting email her at alicia@somametrics.com

www.somametrics.com510.206.9263