What’s the most important piece of advise you can give to other couples in your situation?

The first word that comes to mind, patience and more patience.  There are no right or wrong ways of doing things, it’s just how both of you react and what action or plans have been discussed.  First comes the falling or not being able to use your hands or walking without use of a walker.  It’s all different for everyone, but the most important part of this process would be communicating and understanding each others feelings and how this illness will change everything.  It’s hard, and very challenging for my wife, coming and going I can only imagine the feeling or heart aches she endures.  To have compassion and empathy really helps, you don’t need to guess what’s she feels only to agree that it’s difficult.

The hardest part for me, not being able to provide or help like before.  Trying your best doesn’t seem to work as before.  Things have changed and everything seems 100 times more stressful.  Wanting to be as independent as possible and seeking help may be the best idea.  It only creates more stress and ill feeling and anger when you try and fail causing yourself pain or injury.  Take everyday step by step, don’t feel helpless or sadness, your attitude and thoughts create a better environment for both of you and your family.  For me it’s called positive in and positive out, every words or action matters and your facial expression matter the most.  You must become a good porker player, not showing what’s in your hand.  Because when you show discomfort or anger your better half will feel like he or she is to blame.  Yes, it’s tough and not easy, but what can you do, go with it and create the best situation possible.

As for your health, changing your diet creates the best results.  Cutting out all dairy products, also going gluten-free and watching your carbohydrates, eating more protein and vegetables generates the energy needed.  There are many supplements and vitamins to choose from.  Your both in it together, so your efforts and research are critical don’t wait for someone to tell you how to fix you.  You and your partner or caregiver must ask questions no matter how silly they may sound, there are no wrong questions only the ones that are not asked.  And join PatientsLikeMe and share your informations and compare your data with others, together we win and everything matters.

Working in sales and looking for every opportunity to sell a used or new vehicle, has it’s challenges.  If you’ve never sold anything or negotiated a deal of any kind, here’…

Source: “Could’ve or Should’ve”

Working in sales and looking for every opportunity to sell a used or new vehicle, has it’s challenges.  If you’ve never sold anything or negotiated a deal of any kind, here’s my professional opinion.  Before anything is said there are a few things which come to mind.

• Know your product

Let’s discuss this, know your product; before anyone is greeted or welcomed, your knowledge of every model and style including the used cars should be understood.  You can’t build valve without product knowledge.  Every part of the vehicle is key, when you are listening to your prospect.  You should be building his or her vehicle inside your head, when all is taken in I have the perfect vehicle just for you.  Don’t be afraid to take notes as they are speaking.  Product knowledge is paramount, in closing every deal.

• Training

An outline and written process should be given and thoroughly understood by the salesperson, this process would outline their training schedule and objectives for completion, before allowing him or her to interact with clients or prospects.  There should be no reason why this couldn’t be completed.  100 percent of their training is on-line created for efficiency and to ask questions when needed.  The biggest part of losing sales in my opinion are, saying the wrong things and not building valve.  So training never stops, it’s on going through the life of that professional.

• Appearance

Our appearance is the very first expression your prospect will have of you in 3 seconds when you greet them.  Not only are they looking for the perfect vehicle, but also being assisted by a true professional would be a plus.  Your smile, your handshake, and most improtant how you are dressed.  I’ve always told my sales consultants, when you look good you feel terrific and every prospect loves a professional.

When all three are combined you become a selling machine.  Could’ve or should’ve, would never be considered, here’s why, after listening and asking all the right questions and looking your best, not only have you sold the vehicle, you’ve made a client for life.  Our follow-up process and your commitment to stay with them until there next purchase is called completing the full circle of a relationship.  This means you now have the ability to sell to their friends and family members, it’s called the referral process.  This is the biggest miss I’ve since in the sales department.  Not following up and stay engaged is a huge loss and if you don’t, believe me someone else will.  I could never understand why you would prefer to sit and wait for prospects rather then working your sold clients.  There are no excuses, follow-up, follow-up are the keys too success.

Service departments, what a concept here are 40 to 60 clients everyday coming in for service.  Why aren’t your sales consultants on the drive?  Huge, create a process, and have your consultants working your service drive for an hour at a time.  Create a process, to encourage road tests.  If a client agrees to road test a new or used vehicle offer a discount on their service or discount on the next service, you decide.  Wonderful process, for the lease returns and pre-owned vehicles.  They are there already, make use of there time.  Remember these are clients who have purchased for your store and already have a  relationship.  And for the sales consultants who road test any of the service clients and follow the process, create a bonus of some kind and make it fun.  A wonderful process for the used car departments as well, have your consultants asking your clients if they would be in the market for selling there vehicle.  Our Used Car Manager would love the opportunity to purchase your vehicle.  These are the different ideas which can lead to building your client base and not wondering how am I going to make my bills and support my family.  Stop the worrying and lets become the professional you were meant to be.

These wonderful process won’t work unless your Sales Managers are on broad.  If your sales consultants are having difficulties with appraising or having your clients wait, there will most definitely be missed opportunities.  Creating a process and adhering to it, everyone profits and best of all your clients, build the loyally and grow your business.

Source: “Partners, and Caregivers”

Source: “Our Steps”

It doesn’t matter where you started in life, what matters each and everyday are the steps we have taken.  There are many paths and choices, but which path or which choice?  That’s the decision you will need to make, not because we are forced or pushed, but because we understand the path we must follow.  Our steps may not take us to the desired destination or place we have set our compass too.  Just like when using your vehicles GPS, we must sometimes need to push the redirect button.  Never let your decisions in navigating give you a sense of being lost.  Sometimes feeling a sense of confusion redirect us towards are destination.  Confusion allows us to rethink the path before the first step is taken.  Don’t feel a sense of lost when you second guess yourself, the path we choose may not seem like the correct path, simply because it’s filled with holes and unevenness, but continue because your path is filled with many trails which will always lead you to your destination.  Never give in and always know that the trails you have walked many may follow as well.  

Never regret or feel self pity, sometimes we are placed or redirected by a force we have no control over, continue your journey and helping those along the way.  The places we will arrive at may give us a sense of purpose and hope, seeing things we may not have seen if not placed in our new direction.  Gives us hope and understanding as to why we walk these trails.