What If You Had A Secret?

// February 8th, 2013 // No Comments » // Adventure, Challenges

I would bet that at some point in your life, someone told you a secret and told you not to tell anyone. Would you tell? Even your best friend? Or your spouse? Or perhaps a total stranger just to say it out loud? Maybe your pet, or stuffed animal or even your pillow…. Really, would you?

So I know something that I’ve known for a few weeks and I can’t tell anyone….really no one and all I want to do is tell someone…anyone! It’s going to be great and it will happen in a few weeks but I promised to keep it confidential until it was time to tell. A study was done that showed women can keep a secret for 32 minutes.

In that same study, it stated that men talk more than women. And I should let you know that in a study done just a few years prior, that time was 47 hours…that’s quite a slide in a few years! Check out the study! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/14/women-keep-secrets-32-minutes_n_1092512.html Well I’m way beyond 32 minutes….So what would you do?

Will You Make It Out To…..

// October 12th, 2012 // 1 Comment » // Adventure, New Chapter

Lots of people write books with the intent of being a best selling author.  There are all kinds of systems that you can put in place to make that happen online and when any of my friends do this, I am more than willing to offer my support.

When I wrote my book, I wrote it for a different reason.  I wanted to get 30 years of experience out of my head and share whatever information I could to make the path for others easier, if I could.  My book was my calling card and believe it or not, I was perfectly content.

Well, recently I was introduced to someone who introduced me to someone else who asked me if I would like to have a book signing… at Barnes and Noble.

Ummmm let me think…

YES!

This was an unexpected happening and I have to tell you I am truly excited. I guess that’s what all the fuss is about.  This is what I was missing?? While I still wrote my book for the reasons I mentioned,  having a book signing scheduled is amazing.  I hope you come and see me on November 3rd at 2:00 at the Barnes and Noble University Village in Fort Worth. Come by and say hello and I would love to sign your book for you!

More details about the exact location can be found here: http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2687

Time To Rethink….

// July 31st, 2012 // No Comments » // Exit Strategy, Saying Goodbye, starting over, women in business

You’re on a mission and things are going according to plan….or are they?

Ever so often you need to reevaluate your goals. Have you reached them? Are they too easily attained? Are they so far off that they are impossible to reach? Or perhaps, you have veered off your path entirely…. I was pretty sure I knew my path and for some reason, I decided to add an entirely new piece of the puzzle to my program.

However, I do believe my puzzle did not offer a spot for this piece, but I wasn’t aware of that or maybe I was just too stubborn to pull the plug. I had a vision in my head about what this additional piece could be, what it could offer and how it should look. It was so clear to me that I was already beginning a relationship with it.

You see, I’m all about building relationships so this was easy for me. I put all my efforts into this new and exciting program and took my eye completely off everything else….translation future revenue. As I was getting more and more involved with this program, I couldn’t help but think I was on the right track. Again, my vision was crystal clear.

Then reality started to rear its ugly head…. The technology was not robust enough, the designer was in over his head and more and more content was needed to keep the program as valuable as I wanted. But I kept insisting we continue until I had the mother of all strategy sessions with a friend, business professional and someone that wasn’t afraid to call b.s. on me…. What was the outcome of that session? That’s part two, and you can read about it soon!

What’s Your Personality Type?

// July 22nd, 2012 // No Comments » // Across The Web, Bringing Value, building relationships

The other day I was asked if I was available to respond to an article that would air on the radio…..If you’ve read my previous blog posts, you know my philosophy is to be prepared and accept the challenge. So of course I said “Yes!” without hesitation. One radio interview turned into 11 and it was so much fun.

One of the things I observed were the different personalities within each interview. Of course, since the interviews were nationally broadcasted, you could say that the differences were geographical in nature, but I’m not sure about that.

Here is what I found. Being “connected” to the station for the interview- There would either be a few minutes to talk to the host and chat and build a little rapport OR I heard “You are live in 3-2-1″
Which is the most opportune style for you? I know what works for me.

The other major difference was the end of the interview….I would hear “Thank you so much for being on my show!” OR CLICK! and silence on the other end! Again, different strokes for different folks.

Whether your moving through things on “auto-pilot” at your job, interacting with the person ringing you up at the grocery store, or passing a stranger walking opposite directions those micro interactions can speak volumes and make (or break) someone’s day. To quote The Sayings of Chairman Malcolm - “You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them or to them.”

All in all, the experience was great and I just roll with the punches. My biggest take away is again is:

• Be prepared
• Take chances
• And finally, be grateful for every opportunity that comes your way!

I am humbled by the requests I get and love to share my message with you.
Happy Selling!

Hang On

// June 26th, 2012 // No Comments » // Adventure, Challenges

So you are considering starting a new business, or perhaps adding a new program or maybe bringing someone in to work with you. You have a “plan” and on paper it is perfect….then reality sets in.  Am I talking to you or has that just happened to me?

For the past 9 months I have been working on adding a new program to my list of those programs that are currently available.  This one will have a separate identity and will appeal to a wider group.  I have the vision so clear in my head and have brought in the ”experts” to speak the language that I find foreign to me….”I.T.”

If you notice the time frame, I could have birthed another baby….For those of you that have children you know the planning and the labor involved but you know the outcome will be your greatest gift to you, your family and the world.

Ahhh so that’s what I was basing my new project on!  Unfortunately, it is not happening that way.  I have been so up and so down.  The tears feel like a natural part of my day.  My stomach is constantly turning and yet, I continue. I’ve had people jump in and offer their expertise, time, and love, just because….and that is hard to find.  I have the rest of my business to build, and that is hard to do with this hanging over my head.  I have family and friends that would like to hear me talk about something else, and what they hear is like a new mom talking about her new baby…all the time.

When I read this quote, I knew I needed to write something about it rather than just post it because sometimes I truly feel like I am at the end of my rope….and then I tie a knot in it and hang on….why?  I still believe that this is the path I’m supposed to be on and that this program will be launched.   I know that it may not be exactly what my vision is….when it’s ready to launch but I also know that everyone that has been part of the restructuring and counseling will help me stay on track, talk me off the cliff and get me back to some form of sanity.

The greatest take away I can ever give you is one that I blogged about a few years ago….have your dream team surround you.  When someone isn’t right for the team, well… you get it!

Have any stories you want to share?  My next book is already being formulated and I love to include real stories.

Happy Selling!

The “Bait and Switch” Is Bad For Business

// June 12th, 2012 // No Comments » // building relationships

How many times have you listened to a speaker or attended a webinar and you are “hooked” and ready to continue on the path they have set for you?
Well as a speaker and a trainer, I am always on the quest to learn more with current information. If you are a coach, you need to have a coach. If you’re a speaker you need to learn from other speakers and the cycle continues.

I want to share a story with you that happened to me while I was in the cycle of learning.

I received an email from a speaker/coach that was exactly what I needed that day, inviting me to a webinar that week. We all know that it’s all about being open to information when you need it and trying to be open even if you don’t think you need it. This particular information was something I absolutely knew would be tremendously helpful today and tomorrow and the next day. When the webinar was coming to a close, there was an invitation for a 1:1 session with the facilitator. You needed to fill out the info and IF you were at the right level in your business you had a great possibility of being chosen.

Guess what?

I was selected and I was so excited.

The phone appointment was set for the following week and I couldn’t wait. Two days before the appointment I received an email from her office. They wanted to make sure I had the correct time, call in number and that we both were prepared for the call’s agenda. Two final questions were listed with the disclaimer that the responses to these final questions would have no impact on the call and I was not required to purchase anything at all. The only thing that was requested was that I respond as quickly as possible….which I did.

Now I will say once again- guess what?

I received another email which said it was decided that at this time, I was not a viable candidate to take up the speaker’s time. She was way too busy. So I was cancelled…it wasn’t just the appointment that was cancelled, so was I.
OMG

I was beyond annoyed. I couldn’t believe it! So I decided to send an email directly to the speaker and skip Miss Congeniality. What I wrote explained the entire situation from my perspective but I ended it with ” I wish you continued success and so sorry you don’t feel beginning a relationship with me or my Company is worth your while”. I was kind and professional

She definitely got the message as I received an email within minutes letting me know they didn’t really mean to cancel. They meant to reschedule.

Guess who didn’t respond!

There are plenty of other speakers and trainers that I can learn from and already have. Be careful what you promise. It’s always better to under promise and over deliver rather than the other way. Women are known to refer people, businesses and information out 92% of the time. Bet you can guess who isn’t getting any referrals from this woman.

If you have a similar story, I’d love to know how you handled it. leave a comment below, or shoot me an email to judy(at)sellinginaskirt(dot)com

LAMP 2012 Video

// May 29th, 2012 // No Comments » // Bringing Value, building relationships, busness, Sales Tips, Training, women in business

In case you missed it in our newsletter, on our website, on facebook, or even on twitter, here is the full video of a talk I gave on the main platform at LAMP 2012 in Orlando Florida. Enjoy!

About the video: Judy Hoberman of Selling In A Skirt rallies a crowd of over 1500 people at the 2012 LAMP conference in Orlando FL. In this 31 minute talk she shares what 30 years in the field has taught her about the insurance industry from a woman’s perspective. She provides key strategies and essential reasons for bringing women into your team, keeping them happy, and why having them there is essential to your success in business.

So Many Decisions (and 3 tips to ensure you have your act together!)

// April 19th, 2012 // 4 Comments » // Foundation, Hard Decisions, Sales Tips, Training, women in business

One of the activities I love the most is to be a mentor for young women.  I believe this goes back to being the only female in many industries and having no female role model to follow. I knew I was missing something.  Over the past few years I have had the pleasure and honor of mentoring some amazing young women.  Of course my first and most special is my daughter, and I hope I have lived up to her expectations.

The other afternoon I met with my mentee Shirley, and as we were going through her choices going forward I was thrust into the old cliche-”Do what I say, not as I do”  because I found myself giving her some solid advice….that I should be following myself.  She is going to graduate and the world is right in front of her.  She is an intelligent young woman with the most amazing work ethics and integrity and is proud of who she is.  She is passionate about some things and tolerant of others but how do you make one decision when there are so many options in front of you.

The first question I asked her, that my business coach asked me some years ago, “If you could do anything you wanted and money, time and age would not be a factor and you could NOT fail, what would it be?  Most people have trouble with this but she had some definite answers.  As she was speaking I knew a phone call I needed to make to someone that she should be connected to…and we did that at that moment.  She was now starting her road map to get to her goals.  We continued peeling back the onion and with each piece we came up some ideas and strategies with agreed upon completion dates.  We then wrote the items down on her calendar and the goal setting began.

Now, how does this relate to me. Aren’t I  the one who is supposed to be the savvy entrepreneur who has her act together….well I thought I did to some extent before our meeting.  So here is what I learned and I thank my beautiful mentee for pinning me down to my own devices:

1. Write down your goals- Understand that they might need some adjusting and rearranging.
2. Have someone to bounce things off of.  Your ideas might sound reasonable until you say them out loud.  An objective person can add valuable insight.
3. Never give up on your dreams. Sometimes they may seem out of reach but with some discussion and other resources they become crystal clear.

Remember- Every day is the beginning of a new dream.  Focus on what is important to you and make your dreams come true.

Happy Selling!

TWIST on IWYS

// March 28th, 2012 // No Comments » // Bringing Value, Challenges, Sales Tips, Training

Don’t let the Acronym filled title throw you off! Wanted to quickly share a video that the creative people at I Wear Your Shirt put together to help announce my latest project Sales Training With A TWIST. They also wrote a blog post about it!

Now, the project has not fully launched yet, but anyone interested in this web based sales training platform should check out the homepage and sign up for updates! I won’t spam you, promise!

There will be much more about the project here on the blog as we get closer to launch. For now, I will leave you with one question. If you have a moment, please leave a comment with your answer, I would love to hear your feedback. Ok, here’s the question: What part of your sales process could use the MOST improvement?

How To Get Your Groove Back!

// February 16th, 2012 // 1 Comment » // building relationships, busness, Challenges, Foundation, New Chapter

Have you even been faced with a situation that has just zapped all your energy?  Could be personal, could be professional.  What do you do?  You can’t stay under your blankies for too long.  After all, how do you explain that to your mortgage company or utilities?

I had been going along excited and happy and ready to take on the world.  It always makes me smile when someone is so excited to meet me or asks me to sign a copy of my book or thanks me for sharing my information.  So I know I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.  Even with the ups and downs of building a business, I’m still so much happier than I’ve been in a long time.  I have new products coming out, an incredible Dream Team around me and even taking some time for me.  Unfortunately I was hit with a situation that, in my mind, can derail what I’m trying to accomplish and I am trying to stay professional, not get my NYer attitude up and remain focused and productive.

Ha!  Easier said than done!  So I did what any normal, mature woman would do….I burst into tears and started second guessing everything I am doing.  It’s not good enough, it’s not valuable enough, I don’t understand the terminology….you name it I said it!  How productive!  If not for the next steps I took, I would be in my sweats, under my blankies, watching mindless TV.

1. Find someone to talk to-I have the most incredible people around me-friends, family, my mastermind group who first listened and then offered advice
2. Listen to the advice given-While some of the advice I received was not easy to swallow, I did listen and put together a plan.
3. Commit to letting others help-One of the most difficult things for most women to do is to ask for help.  This blubbering fool didn’t need to say too much.  It was clear I needed help
4. Do what you are good at-There is nothing more rewarding than feeling good about yourself by doing what you love.  Positive reinforcement can help change your mood
5. Take some time for yourself to rebound-Give yourself permission to veg out for the day.  Mindless TV and sweats goes a long way.

So have I bounced back totally? Not yet, but I’m on the right path and I know it will all work out the way it’s supposed to…

Have a similar story to share?  I would love to hear how you navigated out of the rough waters. Leave a comment below and lets start a discussion.