Build a Sales Negotiation Team that Makes Your Business Proud

by docgate

A good sales team is necessary for your company to grow and make the difference between success and failure. Here are some strategies to ensure that your sales team is selling and negotiating at its best.

Evaluate your sales force

If you already have a sales team in place, you need to evaluate their performance. Are your salespeople upholding your company’s image. Are they developing excellent relationships with your customers. Are your salespeople interfacing with repair and delivery departments, and above all bringing in the sales?

Even if your salespeople are not doing too poorly, additional training can take their sales skills to the next level. Attending sales programs can arm them with tool-sets, processes, persuasion skills and more to help them succeed. Salespeople can learn through various realistic role-play exercises how to tailor negotiation styles to suit a client’s personality, product and service opportunities.

Hold them accountable

One of the critical measures when evaluating your sales force is their productivity. Use monthly sales stats and divide sales volume by the number of sales personnel to get a good idea of what the average salesperson in the team is bringing in.

Knowing the performance of each salesperson is also valuable. You are likely to have some excellent salespeople carrying the load for some who are not performing as well.

Remember that productivity is about more than just generating sales. Some salespeople may be very good at selling but neglect great customer service. Others may over-promise to get a sale – knowing that this will put too much pressure on other departments.

Some may manage to sell a large number of items with low margins and not focus on more profitable products and services. Check whether some salespeople have a high number of returns or clients who fail to pay – they could be costing you money.

Go all out with training

You may choose to keep your team the same size but find different people to fill the positions of those who are not performing well. First, try to establish why specific team numbers are underperforming. If this is due to their lack of negotiation skills, sales negotiation training could make a big difference.

Screencasts, quizzes, reading books and attending sales negotiation courses are just some of the ways to help keep your sales force motivated and up to date. Your salesforce could learn how to neutralize the tactics of buyers in a non-confrontational manner, and understand how to develop more rapport with buyers.

It is even possible to use negotiation sims in workshop environments. Simulators gamify role-playing and give sales staff unique negotiation challenges to learn from. Salespeople can take risks and grow in their ability to make deals in situations that don’t bleed company profits.

Add the right people to the team

You may conclude that you need to employ more people for your sales team. If you hire the wrong people, they can damage customer relationships, destroy your brand image and hurt sales. Hiring the right people will free you up to spend your energy on other tasks because you can rely on them.

Your sales team is not just there to make sales, but probably has the most daily contact with customers. When thinking about hiring new salespeople, you need to consider personality, experience, reputation and skills.

Has the candidate any sales negotiation experience? Would the candidate be able to develop a deep level of trust and rapport with customers? Would the candidate be able to persuade customers without making too many negotiation concessions? Is the candidate teachable or better yet: a lifelong learner?

Some people with vast sales experience think they have it all figured out. These people might be too set in their ways to listen to new approaches. If you suggest attending a negotiation seminar to them, they may be offended. Learning should never end for your sales team.

Give your team the tools to succeed

It’s not enough to have all the right people if they do not have the tools to deliver the results you expect. Think about how they will go about interacting with customers and closing sales.

Do they have the most efficient ways to write and submit orders? Could some paper processes be replaced with more efficient methods? Do they have the means to communicate efficiently and effectively at all times?

  • Applications such as Dropbox allows the storing of files in the cloud for easy collaboration.
  • LinkedIn Sales Navigator helps with targeting the right prospects.
  • Trello is a free project management tool.
  • ToutApp is a paid sales tool that provides template sharing, team analytics and engagement tracking.

Have the right compensation plan

Obviously, when compensation is tied to performance through a bonus system or commission, it gives salespeople more incentive to perform at a high level. However, having sales staff worrying they won’t be able to pay their bills is counter-productive.

Considering your compensation plan, you need to think about keeping your costs and risks manageable without exposing yourself to the higher risk of not being able to attract the right talent.

Conclusion

You need to do whatever you can to make sure your sales team is able to operate to the best of its ability. This may involve establishing more accountability, offering them more sales negotiation training, giving them all the tools they need to succeed, and compensating them well.

Posted in Uncategorized

How Blockchain Will Play A More Significant Role In Healthcare

by docgate

Healthcare is one of the most critical aspects of our lives, and it’s something that we all require. However, the healthcare industry faces some significant challenges, which we could solve with blockchain technology. We will discuss how blockchain will play a more critical role in healthcare in the future.

1. The Problem with the Healthcare Industry

The first thing to understand is that the healthcare industry is incredibly complex. It consists of many different stakeholders, including patients, providers, insurers, and pharmaceutical companies. All of these stakeholders have their interests and they often conflict, which can make it very difficult to make changes or improvements in the healthcare system.

2. How Blockchain Can Help

Blockchain can help solve some of the problems in the healthcare industry by:

Creating a Shared, Decentralized Platform for All Stakeholders to Use

This platform would allow all stakeholders to access the same information and make it easier to coordinate care. It would also make it easier to coordinate care and treatment.

Providing a Secure Way to Store and Share Data

Blockchain technology is very secure, and we could use it to store sensitive healthcare data. It would help protect patient privacy and reduce the risk of data breaches.

Increasing Transparency and Accountability

It would be easier to track data and ensure that everyone follows the rules with a shared platform, thereby helping reduce fraud and waste in the healthcare system.

Empowering Patients

By giving patients more control over their data, they would be able to make better-informed decisions about their care.

Improving Clinical Trials

Blockchain could also create a decentralized platform for clinical trial data. It would allow researchers to access data more efficiently and help speed up new treatments.

3. Challenges That Need To Be Addressed

Before blockchain can genuinely transform the healthcare industry, some challenges need to be solved.

Scalability

The first challenge is scalability. The healthcare industry produces a considerable amount of data, and it would not be easy to store all of this data on a blockchain. Any blockchain solution will need to be able to handle a large amount of data.

Regulation

The healthcare industry is highly regulated, and any blockchain solution will need to comply with these regulations. Healthcare is a heavily regulated industry, and any blockchain solution will need to comply with all regulations.

Interoperability

The healthcare industry is also very complex, and any blockchain solution will need to be able to work with existing systems.

Privacy

Healthcare data is sensitive, and patients need to be confident that their data will be safe and secure. Patients have a right to privacy, and any blockchain solution will need to respect this.

Despite these challenges, we believe that blockchain can still play a significant role in transforming the healthcare industry.

4. The Future of Blockchain in Healthcare

The potential for blockchain in healthcare is excellent. However, it will take some time for the technology to be fully developed and adopted by all stakeholders. In the meantime, we can expect to launch more pilots and proof-of-concept projects in the healthcare sector. With any luck, these projects will help show how blockchain can solve real-world problems in healthcare.

Conclusion

Blockchain can play a significant role in transforming the healthcare industry. However, some challenges still need to be addressed before being widely adopted. Despite these challenges, we believe that blockchain can still play a significant role in transforming the healthcare industry.

A Brief Guide to the Different Cylinder Head Designs

by docgate

Projections show that the global automotive cylinder head market will reach a size of $20.23 billion by 2025.

Advancements in technologies have led to various types of cylinder heads being developed. When buying a new cylinder head, there are plenty of options, so it’s best to know what the advantages of each are before you make your purchase.

For more on the different types of cylinder heads available, keep reading.

What Are Cylinder Heads?

A cylinder head sits on top of your engine block and contains various components. It covers many of the moving parts of the engine, and its design will affect how your engine performs.

Iron and aluminum are both often used to make cylinder heads. The choice of material depends on the application. As a crucial part of the engine, a cylinder head has some properties that must always be present:

  • High ductility
  • High strength
  • High thermal conductivity
  • High creep resistance (under extreme temperatures)
  • Good casting properties
  • Low porosity

Cylinder heads come in a range of sizes and designs, so you should check a cylinder head chart to ensure you get one that is suitable for your car.

Flathead Cylinder Head

These have a simple design and are the oldest type of cylinder head. Made from a single piece of metal, they have no mechanical parts, which makes them the easiest and cheapest type to manufacture. They’re also more lightweight and compact than other types.

The valves cause the intake gas to flow awkwardly at a 90° angle as they’re located on the sides. This results in inefficient combustion and a low compression ratio. On top of this, they can exhibit cooling problems.

Nowadays, these are rarely seen in cars and are generally only found in small engines such as tractors, lawnmowers, and other farm equipment.

Overhead Valve (OHV) Cylinder Head

One of the main differences between this and the flathead type is that the valve train components are contained within the cylinder head, as well as the spark plugs and the intake/exhaust gas passageways.

This setup provides improved performance and efficiency from the exhaust ports. Flathead cylinder heads also heat up much quicker than OHV types. The arrangement of these helps to simplify the drive system, which in turn enhances the timing system.

All of these benefits have led to OHV cylinder heads becoming far more popular than flathead cylinder heads in recent years.

Overhead Camshaft (OHC) Cylinder Head

Like OHV cylinder heads these have the spark plugs, valve train components, and intake/exhaust ports built into their design, and they even contain the camshaft. The camshaft is often located in the center of the cylinder head, but this varies between different models.

Single configuration OHC cylinder heads have a single camshaft that controls the intake and exhaust valves. Dual configurations are also available which have two camshafts – each one operating the valves separately.

Dual configuration models are more expensive to manufacture, but they also perform better.

If you have the budget and want to get the most out of your car, you should look into performance heads.

The Right Cylinder Head for You

It is safe to say that if you’re looking for a new cylinder head, you should avoid flathead models. The decision between OHV and OHC comes down to your needs. An OHV cylinder head will do the job, but if you really want your car to perform, then UHC cylinder heads may be a better option.

If you’re interested in more automotive articles, check out some of our other blog posts.

What Can You Do to Earn After a Music Education Degree?

by docgate

Music is a universal language. And just like any other language, music can be learned by anyone who wants to do so – regardless of their background or natural ability. Music is the best way of entertainment to relax, and it can even be used to help people heal. But the question remains: what does one do after they’ve earned their degree in music?

The options are endless, really. Music education graduates can go on to teach in schools, work as music therapists, or pursue a career in composing or performing. The sky’s the limit when it comes to what you can do with a music education degree. Let’s have a deeper look into all the options.

1.  Teach in Schools

One of the most obvious choices for music education graduates is to teach in schools. This could be at the elementary, middle, or high school level. You could also choose to teach in a special needs classroom, or even start your own music program from scratch.

The beauty of teaching is that there are always options available – even when the job market is tough. If you want to teach in a public school, then you will need to become certified by the state in which you live. This certification process usually involves completing a standardized test and meeting all of the requirements set by the state department of education.

Private schools typically don’t require certification, but they may prefer or even require that their teachers have a degree in music education. If you want to teach in a private school, then it’s a good idea to contact the school directly and ask about their requirements.

2.  Music Therapists

Another great career option for music education graduates is to become a music therapist. Music therapists use music as a form of therapy to help people with physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. They may work with people who have autism, Alzheimer’s disease, or Down syndrome, just to name a few examples.

To become a music therapist, you will need to complete an accredited graduate program in music therapy. These programs are typically two to three years in length and will give you the training you need to work with clients.

3.  Composers and Performers

If you’re more interested in the creative side of music, then you may want to pursue a career as a composer or performer. As a composer, you would create original pieces of music for commercials, movies, television shows, or video games. You could also work as a freelance composer, which would allow you to work on a variety of projects.

You can also start sharing your music on platforms like SoundCloud or Spotify, which can help you build a following on SoundCloud or Spotify and eventually land gigs performing live.

The great thing about being a composer or performer is that you can often work from home, which gives you a lot of freedom and flexibility.

4.  Become Session Musician

If you want to perform but don’t want to be responsible for leading the band, then you could become a session musician. Session musicians are musicians who are hired to play on recordings. They may work in a studio or they may travel to different locations to record music.

The nice thing about being a session musician is that you can often work on a freelance basis, which means you can set your own hours and work as much or as little as you want.

5.  Become Recording Engineer

If you’re interested in the technical side of music, then you may want to pursue a career as a recording engineer. Recording engineers are responsible for setting up and operating the equipment used to record music. They may work in a studio or they may travel to different locations to record music.

To become a recording engineer, you will need to complete a training program at a technical school or college. These programs typically last two to four years and will give you the skills you need to work in the industry.

After you complete a training program, you can start working as an intern or assistant engineer. Once you have some experience, you can then apply for jobs as a recording engineer.

These are just a few of the many career options available to music education graduates. With a little bit of research, you’re sure to find a career that’s perfect for you. So what are you waiting for? Start exploring today!

Why Typing Speed Matters For Students

by docgate

When you have completed your education, what can be a greater thing than looking back at the days spent in school and college. Looking back, you will only remember the good memories shared with friends and teachers. But one thing which will make you frown is low grades. In order to maximize your potential, it is necessary to work towards improving your grades. Sometimes, no amount of hard work can do the trick and you need a helping hand to achieve this goal.

One such thing is taking the help of technology to improve your grades is a high speed typing tutor. Are you wondering if there’s any relation between typing speeds and grades? Yes, you are in for an interesting read.

What is Typing? A Brief History

Before we move ahead, let’s get the basics right. Those who want to brush up their knowledge can go through it in a jiffy. Otherwise, skip this part and jump straight on to the next one.

The first computer was invented by Charles Babbage in 1823. It was called the ‘ Difference Engine.’ By the end of the 19th century, typewriters were invented and soon it became a popular device to save time and effort. People started using it for typing documents and letters on papers.

History of Typewriters and Word Processors

In the earlier days, typewriters used to print on paper that had carbon copies. Carbon copies were black sheets or white papers with a layer of carbon below them. This enabled multiple people to make handwritten notes and the last copy would be typed as it was by using carbon paper.

Later, word processors came into existence and changed this entire process. As the name suggests, these devices were capable of manipulating and processing words. However, typewriters continued to exist and still continue to be used as one cannot deny their handiness.

The first word processors were bulky in size and slow in speed. Gradually they started becoming faster and more efficient than typewriters. As a result, these devices slowly replaced typewriters and currently, most people have word processors in their homes.

Is Typing Speed an Essential Educational Skill?

Is typing speed a skill that matters? The answer is a big yes! Believe it or not, but there’s a direct association between typing speed and grades. If you are thinking that this statement has been derived from just an opinion then think again.

According to studies, students with typing speed below 30 wpm get poor grades. Similarly, those who have typing speed ranging from 50-70 wpm get average grades and students whose typing speeds lie in the range of 70-90 wpm get good grades.

How Typing Tests Online Help School Education?

These days, schools are focusing more on technology. With the help of technology, it is possible to get information instantly. This effortless access to information has helped teachers in providing an adequate amount of feedback to students so that they can improve their grades without much hassle.

Nowadays, most of the schools have started using online typing tests for assessing their students. This also helps them in improving the overall efficiency of their work by eliminating any paperwork that they need to do for grading students.

How to Increase Typing Speed?

If you are looking for some shortcuts to increase your typing speed, then you should try a free online high speed typing tutor.

High speed typing trainer is one of the best tools that enables students to enhance their typing skills in minimum time. It offers different lessons which introduce beginners to the basic concepts of typing like how to place fingers on the keyboard and some common rules that need to be followed.

Types of Typing Practice Tests

After you have learnt the basics, it’s time for you to move towards more challenging typing tests. Understanding the different types of typing tests is necessary if you want to get a grip on your skills and achieve your goal fast.

Type 1: Quiz Based Tests

In quiz based typing tests, you will be asked a question on the screen and as soon as you open it, four or five answer options will appear. You have to select the correct answer within 3 seconds. Your answer selection time is monitored by the software program so that your respective scores can be recorded.

Type 2: Personalized Typing Tests

This technique is helpful for improving your typing skills as it records your keystrokes and offers detailed analysis. This provides you with real time feedback so that you can know immediately whether you are making mistakes or not.

How Many Words Per Minute is a Good Typing Speed for Students?

Ideally, a student should have a typing speed of at least 50 wpm. However, it can be difficult to achieve this mark initially as you will need some time to master the skills. With proper practice and perseverance, one can easily increase their typing speeds within a matter of a few days. There are many online free tools for students that increase words per minute typing speed through which they can become an expert typist.

Can a Student Get a Part Time Job by Increasing Typing Speed?

Yes of course! Nowadays, employers and companies prefer applicants with good typing skills. This is because they get irritated when you submit your work at a snail’s pace. You should know that time is money for them so they cannot afford to wait until you type everything.

However, if you want to get employed quickly then you need to increase your typing speed to a level where you can comfortably type up to 60 wpm. This will increase your chances of getting hired by 10%.

How Do Schools, Colleges and Universities Test the Speed of Their Students’ Typing Skills?

It is common for schools and colleges to perform online typing tests or assessments because it saves them a lot of time that they would otherwise need to spend on grading each student manually. Moreover, schools that are hooked up to the internet can do this at any point of time without requiring students’ presence in their institutions.