A smart office. (Geoplex building in Toronto, Canada)

The 1,500 sq.-ft. Geoplex building which opened in the summer of 1996 in Toronto, Canada is one of the first buildings that offer smart offices intended for telecommuting applications. These offices that were developed by IBM Canada Ltd. and Steelcase Canada Ltd. are equipped with sophisticated personal computers for net surfing and high speed data cabling for Internet or home system access.

Breaking the 'hand-to-mouth' sales cycle. (selling technique)

The 'hand-to-mouth' selling strategy's purpose of achieving short-term sales may no longer be effective as customers are getting to be more informed about the products and services they are to purchase. Moreover, this selling technique is costly, laborious, delivers inadequate returns and weakens the possibility of obtaining long-term objectives. This type of sales pattern, though, can be broken by understanding the customer's buying behavior, making follow-up calls without being assertive an...

Handling the dreaded price objection.

The primary problem that most salespeople encounter is price objection. Selling techniques for handling price objection are described. These include focusing on the price difference and results instead of the price, making the price seem smaller, presenting it as an investment rather than an expense, comparing with more expensive products, explaining the potential drawbacks, offering easy payment terms and providing extra benefits.

How to succeed in business by really trying. (importance of quality service)

Several studies have shown that quality service is more in some forms of business at increasing sales and profit than other marketing strategies such as promotion and advertising. This is particularly true in a market where there are several competitors. Quality service usually promotes customer loyalty. A customer-oriented company often get free advertising through customer's positive word-of-mouth.

Maximizing employee performance through progressive discipline.

A proper implementation of progressive discipline improves employee behavior thus ensuring a productive and satisfied workers. An effective progressive discipline system should be able to let employees be aware of what is expected of them and determine whether a breach has been done. It should also include the right level and appropriate application of discipline. Employers must also be able to monitor the employee's behavior after discipline has been imposed.

Russia's expanding consumer sector.

Russia's small and medium businesses specially in the retail sector are primarily and greatly benefited as the country transforms into a full market economy. Retail sales have been active despite closures of large industries and the presence of foreign competitors. This is mainly attributed to the growing consumer sector brought about by the strong Russian employment rate.

When talking makes things worse. (strategic communication)

Strategic communication is a more effective way to negotiate or resolve conflict than just expressing an honest opinion or underlying interest. This method of communication must include four strategic steps. The first step is determining the problem of whether there is a misunderstanding or a disagreement. The second is leading the other person to take realistic action after another. The third is using the other person's perceptions to convince him/herself. Last is anticipating the other pers...

Workers find ways to personalize their workspace.

The Steelcase Workplace Index survey showed that 85% of office workers decorate their work stations with personal objects such as photographs of friends and family, radios or CD players. Sixty-five percent claimed that this behavior improved their overall attitude towards work. The survey also revealed that the attitude of employers towards personalization of a workspace is equally halfly divided.