Pat Ruta’s Post

The 2 biggest keys I've learned so far aiding a small brand into a rapid growth phase. 1) Consistency 2) Patience Consistency: This is a major key in all facets of the brand. Not only must you be consistent with your message to the consumer but you also must be consistent internally as well. All your departments need to have consistent practices they go through every single day without fail. Consistency creates reliability. Reliability leads to trust and trust leads to greater efficiency. Consistent communication is arguably even more important. The teams should be in constant communication with each other. You most likely have a small team (which can be a huge positive) so communication should be easier. Your sales, marketing and production teams should be thought of as one big team. Communicating things like messaging, feedback from retailers and consumers, possible big orders on the horizon, increases in traffic...ect. Everyone will be more prepared when you inevitably have to adjust on the fly to the many challenges growing takes. Patience: This one is easier said than done. Everyone wants to grow and everyone wants to grow fast. The reality is most of the time when you finally see rapid growth it is because you are seeing the fruits of your labor and ideas from 6+ months prior. The strategies and practices you consistently executed day in and day out are finally paying off. If you don't have patience, it often leads people to stray from their good ideas because they don't see immediate results. There are obviously many other keys, like having a good team (shoutout Team TeaZa) but those two are some of the only keys you have control over and that's what you need to dominate. This is what has been working for us over at TeaZa Tobacco Free the past year and we look forward to continuing our growth as our market grows with us! #smallbusiness #growth #keys

Catch Me If You Can: Witness the epitome of salesmanship in action. Meet Frank, who blazes a trail with his unwavering confidence and quick wit, effortlessly assuming roles far beyond his years. In this riveting tale, resourcefulness triumphs over experience as Frank navigates through the most elite professions, showcasing the power of adaptability. Steve Jobs: Delve into the visionary world of Steve Jobs, where innovation meets persuasion. Discover the art of convincing others that they can't live without your product. As a marketer or salesperson, unlock the secrets of understanding and fulfilling consumer desires by adopting Jobs' visionary mindset. The Wolf Of Wall Street: Embark on a rollercoaster ride with Jordan Belfort, as his unbridled ambition leads to both triumphs and tribulations. Amidst the chaos, learn the invaluable lesson of relishing the journey. From wild decisions to entrepreneurial zeal, witness the electrifying energy that fuels success. Moneyball: Experience the transformative power of data-driven decisions in this captivating true story. Follow a baseball team's unconventional journey to success, where analytics redefine the game. Just as in marketing, it's not about the biggest budget but the strategic analysis that propels you ahead of the competition. Thank You for Smoking: Step into the world of Nick Naylor, the suave tobacco lobbyist, whose gift of persuasion knows no bounds. As he defends the tobacco industry with finesse in classrooms, on TV screens, and even before a Senate hearing, you're compelled to rethink the art of persuasion. Discover how effective storytelling can shape perceptions, even in the face of controversy. . . . #MarketingMovies #BingeWatch #WeekendWatchlist #MarketingInspiration #EntrepreneurshipMotivation #MarketingStrategy #SalesInspiration #BrandingGoals #GrowthMarketing 

I’m not great when it comes to making changes. Of course, change is inevitable. Now that Change Management is being taught in universities as an academic discipline, it’s safe to say it isn’t just me who has issues around adapting. The irony from my point of view is that my entire business is built around getting others to change their thinking in regard to selling, which is why I describe ‘The Power of Authenticity’ as a process-driven, attitudinal change programme. When the need arises I’m happy to adopt a change for the better; but getting some people to embrace changing the way they sell hasn’t always been easy. When I came up with an alternative sales approach I began to understand why change is resisted. In my programmes and presentations, I often quote Steve Jobs, who summed this up perfectly when he counselled us not to be “trapped by the dogma of other people’s thinking.” What I take from this is that in many areas we don’t believe something just because we think it’s true, we believe it because everybody else thinks it’s true as well; reinforcement makes change difficult. Taking on anything new always requires us to give up something familiar, and that’s not easy. I’ve seen people get a little upset when I suggested something they have always been doing had little or no real benefit: we get very attached to the rightness of what we do. That’s bad enough, but it’s so much worse to avoid engaging with something as important as sales because the dogma of other people’s thinking says that it’s difficult. Selling isn’t difficult. In fact, a few changes in attitude and approach can make selling simple. Sign up for our alternative Sales Bulletin at https://lnkd.in/eSbPwgiU for more information on alternative sales strategies. #sales #salescoaching #salesenablement #salesexcellence

I’m not great when it comes to making changes. Of course, change is inevitable. Now that Change Management is being taught in universities as an academic discipline, it’s safe to say it isn’t just me who has issues around adapting. The irony from my point of view is that my entire business is built around getting others to change their thinking in regard to selling, which is why I describe ‘The Power of Authenticity’ as a process-driven, attitudinal change programme. When the need arises I’m happy to adopt a change for the better; but getting some people to embrace changing the way they sell hasn’t always been easy. When I came up with an alternative sales approach I began to understand why change is resisted. In my programmes and presentations, I often quote Steve Jobs, who summed this up perfectly when he counselled us not to be “trapped by the dogma of other people’s thinking.” What I take from this is that in many areas we don’t believe something just because we think it’s true, we believe it because everybody else thinks it’s true as well; reinforcement makes change difficult. Taking on anything new always requires us to give up something familiar, and that’s not easy. I’ve seen people get a little upset when I suggested something they have always been doing had little or no real benefit: we get very attached to the rightness of what we do. That’s bad enough, but it’s so much worse to avoid engaging with something as important as sales because the dogma of other people’s thinking says that it’s difficult. Selling isn’t difficult. In fact, a few changes in attitude and approach can make selling simple. Sign up for our alternative Sales Bulletin at https://lnkd.in/ez6Rmqd7 for more information on alternative sales strategies. #sales #salescoaching #salesenablement #salesexcellence

Taking a different approach to posts for 2024…. Too many “say what you THINK people want to hear” posts about. SHEEP! Speaking as I do in person. We brand ourselves on us… the type of people we are, the skills we have and what we can do for other peoples businesses. Everyone wants to connect for the pretentious aim of looking good and having “connections” but then when you ask someone to follow your brand, they ignore….. PRETENTIOUS So from now, if you don’t want to follow us, don’t connect. My company, our team, and I, totally give a shit about your businesses growth, your development and building long term relationships, and will break our backs trying to do just that for your business. If you can’t even be assed to accept a follow request, or ignore a follow requesting messaging from us (reading and blanking is the most ignorant) quite politely you can f*ck off. We have no time, place or patience from pretentious people for being unable to use a better word without a ban. We only respect people that respect others and I personally couldn’t care less if your a CEO, business owner, supervisor, bar back, or eating from a bin. You show me respect I show you respect. SIMPLE! And any of you that think your role makes you “better” than others or those approaching you! WAKE UP! You both came out of your mum, you both grew up and took paths in life. Success makes you successful, not better! So from now I’ll post as I speak to you in the street. Show me respect, you get it back. Ignore me, you can swivel and your business can shrivel 👌 Let’s bring real people back to real business! #leadership #leadgeneration #marketing #strategicpartnership #leadgen #b2bmarketing #b2b #growth #strategy #salesdevelopment #business #b2bagency

We take the same approach, we will break our backs for your business… but if you cba to connect after connecting…. What is the point people 😀 fakes get baked! Real people and real businesses grow! Engagement is key, being open to suggestion, acknowledging something that doesn’t work and working with aXseeko to fix it 😀 working with us doesn’t put all your growth in us, we work with you, as an EXTENSION of your team and together we make it happen. #grow #sales #businessdevelopment #salesdevelopment #leadgeneration #business #b2bmarketing

No one person or one place can define your value… This has been a very hard lesson for me to learn, but the last season of my life has made me a student of just that!! Rewind back to approximately seven years ago… I had just been put in a sales/AM leader role and was visiting a new client. It was very late and what has become a very dear friend and and a highly respected seller/leader said “Erika, do you realize that if you never sold another thing EVER you would still be valuable?” Now, this was a season in life where I was learning what it took to sell and lead a sales team. I was following a great sales leader and had big shoes to fill. There were MANY opinions on what I was and was not doing well!! My jaw hit the ground and my initial reaction was to tell him just how well I was going to do. After several rounds of him continually reinforcing what my value truly was…I gave in! This is a story that I remember often because it has been extremely relevant in the last few years for me and I’ve finally learned!! A quote I recently saw that made me laugh but is very true is “opinions are like armpits, everyone has two and they usually stink!” 😂 For every seller or anyone that is actively trying to level up, be careful about listening to opinions, they can do a lot of things including killing your confidence! Instead, listen to constructive feedback and find the themes to improve!! Or find someone that has effectively done what you are trying to do and ask for feedback from them!! For those who like to offer opinions, remember to be kind and give constructive feedback vs. giving harsh feedback that is not actionable!! “This seller sucks or this person doesn’t like x’s approach isn’t constructive!” When that seller gets beaten down enough they probably won’t do well!! Lastly, remember nobody can ever take your results!! Numbers speak volumes and in many times, that’s all you need!! How do you determine your value?! How do you know when to listen to “opinions” and when to ignore them?#growthmindset #yougotthis

Here's 1 guaranteed way to win me as a prospect and 1 guaranteed way to lose me as a prospect with cold outreach: ❌ LOSE ME by inviting me to explore your product. 💚 WIN ME by inviting me to a dinner. Here's why: ❌ I 100% don't care about your product. If I do, I will initiate contact and ask to see it. ❌ I 100% don't care about your need to sell your product. Your need does not grant you access to my time. 💚 I 100% can't resist intriguing conversation with brilliant people. 💚 I 100% can't resist the chance to see any space that I've not been to. Restaurants, meeting rooms, homes, event spaces...literally anywhere. I want to see ALL of it while I am alive to see it. 💚 Also, and this is a big one that gets overlooked sometimes: you're giving me something that I think is truly kind and meaningful (a meal and people to enjoy) so I'm more inclined to give you something in return (a 30 min call to see your product) as a response of gratitude. It's kind to feed someone. It's kind to facilitate the beginning of new relationships for people. Kindness given inspires kindness in return. I'm just speaking for myself here. Events aren't the key to unlocking every buyer. But they're the key that unlocks me. What are the keys that unlock you? Share them in the comments. #management #sales #leadership #motivation #humanresources #bestadvice #futureofwork

It always starts with a story...

I’m able to retain 95% of my clients every month Here’s why my retention game is so strong: 1. My communication is unbeatable. Whether I’m sick, I have a wedding or some personal issue, I always make it a point to communicate with clients. This always keeps them feeling reassured and thus assures them that a long term collaboration with me would be beneficial to them. 2. I regularly upskill and share my insights with my clients. I ensure that my clients grow with me. No matter where I learn something new from, if I feel like it could be useful in their industry, I share my insights and see how we can implement it in their business together. 3. I have regular check in calls with them atleast once a week To ensure that my clients are aware of the progress and can address any concerns they have, I ensure to schedule accountability/ checkin calls with them every week. This way we fight the saying “out of sight, out of mind”. 4. I keep talking about long term vision with them Not just when we meet but even on chat, I share ideas we can implement in the future and show them the trajectory we can take their business to in the next couple of months. This keeps them hopeful of the future and of achieving these milestones together. What else do you think can be done to retain clients better? Let me know in the comments! #ClientRetention #Strategy #Growth