I Will Miss You Shaq- Stay In The Public Eye!

Shaquille O'Neal, my favorite Irish basketball player(LOL), has announced his intention to retire from the NBA. I will miss you for reasons beyond the thundering dunks and complete physical domination that has been the hallmark of your storied NBA career.

You approached the game with the joy of a child. Whether you knew it or not, your playful character and funny quotes tapped into the inner-child and youth of basketball fans. Let's face it. Getting to the NBA is a longshot for most people. So while you have destroyed the league for 20 years with your physical domination, millions of players have hung up their shoes and now live thru their heroes and I would venture to say that you are among the greatest NBA players ever. You are adored by many and have provided a lot of joy for NBA fans. Americans love basket ball and you have transcended the sport with your larger than life personality. Fans love players with a personality. Those sports stars that are brash, non-media friendly and unable to connect with fans don't get it. As big as your career and stats have been, your ability to reach average people and entertain has been amazing. I am sad to see you go but hope you will continue to use your gifts to touch people. This is who you are! "The Big Entertainer"!

You have so much to offer. Your voluntary public experiment documenting a study of your sleep and bringing attention to sleep apnea, may help a ton of people who become aware of this problem thru your celebrity and notoriety. This is a tremendous way to give back to the public who has rooted for and against you for 19 NBA seasons. I encourage you to remain in the public eye because people pay attention to you. They may not always agree with you, but your fun loving demeanor commands attention to a degee that you may use to the benefit of many people. Whatever your time and effort goes in retirement, people will watch. Continue to do the things you do "Super Man", "Diesel" and The "Big Aristotle". Thank you for helping the Lakers return to glory. Thank you for being you. I wish you nothing but the best and hope to see you in the media, doing your thing!

Dirk Better Call Kobe And Chuck Person

Despite being heart broken that the Lakers were swept by the Mavericks, I have resigned myself to being okay with the Dallas Mavericks winning the NBA Championship over Miami. Yes, I am also one of the biggest haters of Lebron James and that is not likely to change. I simply don't like anything about him other than I can point out what is painfully obvious to Non-Heat fans, and that is that he is probably the best player in the NBA currently.

So game 1 between the Heat and Mav's was close until the end. The Heat made big shots, Dallas had an off nite. Having watched the Mavs all year, you could confidently say they will bounce back, but Dirk has torn the tendons in his middle finger on his non-shooting hand. It remains to be seen if this will affect Dallas' star center and his scoring.

If this has potential to affect Dirk and his shooting, the first call I would make is to Kobe Bryant. Noone can guarantee a seething Kobe Bryant will take the call but he would be a start. Knowing that Phil Jackson's staff is gone with the hire of Mike Brown, I would offer Chuck Person some money to come out and advise Dirk on splints and how to overcome them. As I have learned, Chuck has been quite an asset to Kobe with regards to playing with what could be a season ending injury and surgery for other players. We don't know how bad it is and even if it is horrible Dirk and the Mavs will downplay it until they are forced to concede Dirk is struggling because of it.

My hope is that Dallas rebounds nicely and they get back in this series. The thought of a Lebron James led championship is simply nauseating! Let's go Dirk! This may be your last chance, mangled finger or not.

Thank God...Reyes Gets A "W"

As an athlete who endured the sting and shame of an 0-20 season, I may be qualified to talk about how awful losing feels. Jo-Jo Reyes of the Toronto Blue Jays found his way into a terrible losing streak with a 3 year winless streak that tied the record for most consecutive losses as a baseball pitcher at 28 games. With the drive to put more people in the stands it is a wonder he made it that far without being unceremoniously vanquished to a career of minor league anonymity.

He did get a Gatorade Shower It had to be the best shower ever because that kind of losing is torturous. A huge sigh of relief occured as Jo Jo took the wind out of the Cleveland Indians sail with an 11-1 win.

As an athlete that has experienced that degree of losing, I was relieved for Reyes and happy that he has been able to turn the corner and see some daylight because his days were dark. He probably had a very heavy heart and was emotionally drained. Although a gatorade shower to celebrate the end of a long losing streak seems ridiculous, I am ecstatic that he was able to see his way through this. Afterall, not many major league baseball pitchers survice an 0-28 run. Stuffing the American League leading Indians is only iceing on the cake. I hope he goes on a run of 28 wins at this point. You can do it Jo-Jo! I am rooting for you!

Deja Vu-Hockey Puck To The Leg Could Have Been Fatal

At the beginning of this week a friend came in to work after taking an ice hockey puck to the calf area at about 100 plus miles an hour. I bet you are saying to yourself, "That has got to hurt". You would be right!
The reason I bring this up is many years ago, the TKE Tau Rho Chapter at Cal State University San Marcos almost lost Brian Vitek. Taking a trip down memory lane, Brian suddenly fell ill with a blood clot traveling to his lung and almost taking his life. Brian would tell you that doctors indicated that it was entirely possible that an injury resulting in taking a puck to the leg was likely to be the culprit. It is scary because I saw Brian in the hospital and it was a close call.
The advice I gave Jesse, who came into the office was to get that checked out and that was largely because I had seen this all before. Jesse is a guys guy and of course his view of life and injuries all revolve around the hey" I will just tough it out mentality". As Jesse experienced more pain, he did heed the warning and go get an MRI which confirmed a big blood clot and the statement by a doctor that the consequences of not seeking medical attention could have been dire. Experience has helped me protect someone I care about. I would not wish a blood clot on anyone but Brian's experience and triumphant return to health has given us all an opportunity to help somene that has sustained a leg industry like this, go get medical intention immediately. This story may indeed help you save a life! Pass it on!

Jim Buss-The New Laker Dictator

So the word in the press is that Jim Buss, son of Laker's owner Jerry Buss, made the decision to hire Mike Brown. Let me preface my coming negative sentiments about this situation as an Outside Laker Fan Looking In by saying that I like Mike Brown and believe he could succeed as a Laker Coach.

What I am concerned by is the fact that the Laker reigns are being handed over to Jim. I believe Jeanie Buss has better business acumen and has better skills to be the Laker Family Leader and decision maker. News reports have indicated that Jim is the guy and that he was the one responsible for the coaching hire. Laker fans have also been told that Kobe Bryant was not consulted on the hire. This is not fair for either Coach Brown or Kobe who openly pined for Brian Shaw as Phil Jackson's replacement. If Jim was smart, he would have consulted Kobe and had Mike Brown and Kobe speak before the hire but noooooooo, Jim had to puff his chest out and exert his impending coronation as Laker Leader and hire Mike without doing either. This is a dis-service to Kobe and Mike Brown. We now have a capable young Coach who may have Kobe take his slight in the hiring process out on the him and that does not benefit Coach Brown, the Laker Team and the Organization.

There is a small window left with Kobe Bryant. It is hard to understand why Jim would do what he did. There is nothing wrong with the hire. Mike is an intelligent, motivating and demanding coach. He is a defensive minded coach and that is good for the Lakers. I just wish that this was handled in a way that did not put Kobe and team and Coach Mike Brown in such an avoidable, awkward situation.

I hope this works out, but if Jim continues to make decisions with the sole goal of proving who's the man, then the Laker Organization may find the turmoil it found after shipping Shaquille O'Neal to the Heat. As a Laker fan, I don't want any part of that!

What Happened To Casey Kotchman?

I remember watching Casey come up the ranks of the Angels Organization thinking man... this kid has a beautiful swing. I really thought he would be good. He combined a sweet left handed swing with a vacuum based defense at first that sucked up anything within a 5 mile radius of first base. I remember a 2 homerun game he had years back with one one going to left and the other two center and I was thinking that this was the hallmark of the next great Angel hitter. He could hit for power and he did not try and do too much with the pitches often driving the ball to the opposite field. His development seemed to put him in the makings of a special player.

Then he got mononucleosis and it seemed to all come undone. He never seemed to get back to the promise he once had. The Angels felt like they needed a power bat in the ill-fated trade that brought the team Mark Texiera. He struggled in Atlanta, Seattle, Boston and was just released by Tampa Bay. With all that promise, what happened? I really thought I would be watching him in an Angel's uniform for a long time and was saddened by his trade. I hope Casey is given a shot somewhere and believe he has the talent to excel at the major league level.

See Article: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AjWKkuG4lQI8DJu7COXuFP0RvLYF?slug=ap-rayscuts

Nuggets On Fire Post Carmelo-The Knicks With Carmelo-Not So Much!

Carmelo Anthony wrecked 2/3rds of the Nugget season with his drama and demand to be traded. Funny enough, he seems to be having a tough go in New York and the Knicks have not done so well. This may be an example of careful what you wish for.

As for the Nuggets, I am happy for Coach Karl and the team because their success and future was literally held hostage all season with Carmelo's spoiled and self-serving behavior. I am a little partial because I have always liked Coach Karl and still follow former UCLA Guard Aaron Afflalo. It is amazing when a team sheds a bad attitude, and young, hungry players immediately have success with increased roles and opportunities. Players naturally step up given the chance and that is exactly what we are seeing with Ty Lawson and many of the young players. At first glance, it sure looks like they are playing within the system, playing hard, working as a team and even enjoying the game. This enjoyment of the game is the part of sports that keeps us all connected. When teams play together and battle, while having each other's backs, you can certainly tell the difference. By the same token, when a selfish player betrays the team concept, and puts himself above the team, it certainly sucks the air right out of a team. The players don't enjoy the game and performance suffers.

Despite his talent, Carmelo has the propensity to play for the me, myself and I team. The Knicks have played poorly since his arrival and a recent picture of sulking Carmelo on the bench is worth a thousand words. He never played defense and combined with a player in Amare, who is also me first then team, and you have two superstars that play as individuals with no continuity, no flow and consequently stacking up losses. Neither Carmelo nor Amare have defense in their basketball dictionaries, and until they understand that defense wins championships, they will be photographed pouting on the bench while losing games. From a fan's view, when there are selfish superstars who can't work together and put the team first, the product of basketball is not as fun to watch or interesting. Right now, the Knicks are not fun to watch. Maybe that changes and maybe it doesn't. I for one and glad that in the end, Carmelo Anthony did more for the Nuggets by leaving than he did by staying and poisoning the team.

Congratulations Denver on a shrewd trade and giving an opportunity to some new blood to step up and peform. It appears your strategy is paying off.

Orange County Sewage Discharge To The Ocean: I Can't Get This Out of My Head

The Laguna Beach area has provided me with some of my life's fondest memories. It is a coastline where surfers, bodyboarders and other recreational ocean users have experienced the magic of an extraoridinary coastal region in Southern California. Aliso Beach as far back as I can remember has had a pollution problem. Why do we accept sewage being pumped to the ocean? Your kids are swimming in it!!! I have swam in it. Precious sea life lives in it and people consume that sea life as food. We need to wake up. We are actively killing ourselves. In December of 2010 and in a stretch where there had not been any rain for a full 72 hours, the lifeguard was telling parents to keep their kids out of the water due to sewage. There is always a contaminated ocean water sign up at the beach and we sit back and do nothing. Several months previously to that, I was told at Tenth Street Beach in Laguna by a lifeguard not to paddle out and that it was polluted. I asked how my friend had been in the water the day before and the lifeguard said the city, state and county was lacking funds to regularly test the water. Translation: We never know when the water is polluted and it may be that is is regularly polluted.

Here is where I get a little sickened. 2009 Census estimates the orange county population at just over 3 million people. Average bowel movements are 1-2 times per day for people. That is up to 6 million tirds a day that must be processed and we send it to the ocean at what we are led to believe cured levels. When the ocean smells and recreational ocean users are getting sick, something is wrong. It has gone on and on and on in Laguna. There must be a better way. I don't want to get sick doing something I love.

Leopard Sharks

I was surfing Salt Creek two weeks ago and was startled by a large gathering of sharks inside the surf line. There had to be 100's. They were easily identifiable with their gray color and black spots. Nonetheless, that swaying motion and being surprised by something I did not expect to see, really made my heart jump. Yes, it freaked me out.

I wanted to do some research on them just to see if this was normal. It turns out that Leopard Sharks are often found in bays with lots of sand. They are found from Mazatlan in tropical Mainland Mexico all the way up to frigid waters in Oregon. In the fall, I have learned they congregate in large numbers in San Francisco area bays as well as Monterrey Bay.

Food for leopard sharks consists of bait fish, squid and crab. When it finds itself on the wrong side of the food chain it is said to be good eating and similar in taste to salmon. Mother's have live births from 4 to 29 pups per litter and they grow to as big as 7feet and 70 pounds.

While this creature is widely believed to be docile and a bit skittish in the presence of divers and recreational water users, that sharky swaying motion is enough to scare anyone. While much of the coast has water color where visibility would not allow you to see our friends beneath the water, Salt Creek has clear water and provides an opportunity to view amazing creatures. My only hope is that where there are leopars sharks there aren't the toothy cousin called The Great White Shark!

With Great Sadness I Write Tonite

Seven years ago or so, I become a regular in the water at a very protected spot in Laguna Beach, California. A young freckled faced kid befriended me and I quickly realized that this was a kid to be on the good side of as he lived a stone's throw from my favorite surf break. It was definitely not hard to like the kid as his good nature and friendly disposition made him stand out. I am very aggressive in the water and in competitive situations I have been known to be without smiles. This kid at ten years old had the gall to give me the nickname "Smiles" or "Smiley" and to this day it has stuck as good as any I had ever been given growing up. I call him Sammer.


If you ride the surf at this beach regularly, it is impossible not to run into Sam. I used to joke with him that he was the mayor of the beach. No joke, he had a presence about him at the beach that kind of made you think he was the beach's protector. He is the kind of kid that stops you dead in your tracks and you think, "Wow, what a tremendous young man and what a great job his parents have done". He is friendly with neighbors and return visitors to this secluded beach and it would be safe to say that he has an extended family of adults and kids who frequent the beach and look out for him. I happened to roll thru town one day, and despite knowing there was no surf, I decided to check the waves anyways. A short, gray haired man was standing outside of the gate to the Sammer's house and he was busy attacking a pile of fallen leaves in the garden with a rake. He stopped to talk with neighbors as they walked their dogs passing the house,and I decided to introduce myself and give him some hand me down clothes to give to Sam. Now I had never met Big Earl as I will call him, but I knew from Sam that he was stern and very religiously convicted. He broke into a big smile when I told him that I was smiley. I guess when your kid comes home and tells you that he surfed with Smiley you would have to wonder who this Smiley character is. I struck up a conversation with him and before you know it, I had been talking to him for 20 minutes. I got to understand his parental philosophy and concluded that his son was largely a product of a loving home with good discipline. He told me that he wanted to keep his son out of Orange County's youthful fascination with drugs, and he expressed a little worry that some of these wreckless Laguna Beach kids with little or no adult supervision, would influence his son. All parents are concerned about these things, but maybe he did not understand how well he had done with his wife to keep Sam well-grounded and respectful of adults.

As I have watched him grow up over the last few years, not only have I become like a big brother to Sam, but also I also have become his friend. He has earned every ounce of respect that I have given him and it would feel like family was missing if I showed up to my favorite beach and he was not there. Recently, I had the opportunity to include Sam in a private event at Wave House. I promised him that I would not leave him behind when we went to San Diego to ride the Flow Rider. The funny thing is Sam is a minor and we had to get Big Earl to sign a death and dismemberment permission slip so his son could ride. Somehow I think Earl knew I would make sure that he was safe and protected. I wondered though how he would respond because to this day I can picture the look on my parent's faces when I asked permission to do something dangerous.

Several months back I was told that Sam's Grandfather's (Big Earl's Dad) health was failing and that he did not have long to live. During the final days, the shocker was that Big Earl was also on limited time with a diagnosis of inoperable pancreatic cancer. Tonite, I was informed of his passing this morning. I had just worked on a paper with his son to get turned in this morning. He was in great spirits with the work we did on his essay. Knowing that Earl was sick, I was happy to help his son. In talking with Sam, I was aware that Big Earl was deteriorating fast and he did not want to see anyone. I had planned on sending a note thru his son to tell him that as long as his son wanted help or advice of any kind, that he could count on me to be there. A 16 year old kid should not lose a grandparent and a parent in a 45 day period. We don't perfectly understand God's plan for us but this provide's another example of how life can seem grossly unfair. May you rest in peace Earl, never to be forgotten and leaving cherished memories with the family you left behind so early and unexpectedly. I suspect God's got an amazing plan for you. Just know that you did a tremendous job with your kids and that you can rest easy as a proud husband and father who did things right. Your legacy will be carried on by your kids and maybe even more importantly Sam, who will shine as a big brother to his sisters and a good son to the wife and mother who must move on. I suspect he will be tested but know he will provide the support and guidance your family needs during these tough times. Rest In Peace Earl!

Chargers-Reason To Be Excited? Perhaps Not Thanks To AJ Smith

Years back I received as a Christmas gift a Charger's jersey with none other than Dan Fouts name on the back. The air attack in the late Don Coryell's offensive scheming had me hooked. The problem was that their extremely potent offense was accompanied by a defense with more holes than Swiss Cheese. Nonetheless, I was hooked because the air show became the theme for our mock Charger games and player emulation that we did as kids in the streets, fields and play grounds.

Fast Forward 3 decades and I remain a Charger Fan. Even when they have the best record in the league, the Chargers find a way to punk out and let opportunities slide right by them. AJ Smith, has used talent evaluation to keep San Diego in an upper echelon of NFL Teams. But yet, they still can't win the big games.

Meanwhile AJ has alientated Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill both of whom are important to the team. My opinion, is that they cannot afford to let those guys go but once AJ makes up his mind, he seems to have the inability to question his decisions and arrive at the best answer for the Chargers. The Chargers are clearly not better off without these two outstanding talents. Pride gets in the way of a lot of things, and Aj should already expect that the Chargers will lose some games because Norv Turner is drum roll plese............Norv Turner. His poor game management will cost them atleast a couple of close games.

So Excited is probably not the word. I am happy to see a dreadful baseball season fade away into the fall and football to take over. As for the Chargers, best to expect the worst and avoid the disappointment that shrouds a team that is oh so close but yet so far.

AJ, get Jackson and McNeil signed and stop letting your pride to dictate poor personel decisions. It's a business. A business that needs key personel!

Who Was She? Why Did This Happen

Not this past weeked but the weekend before, I attended a Saturday event in Huntington Beach related . It was a very good meeting with opportunities to network and learn more about the affiliate marketing industry. It was put together nicely and featured knowledgeable speakers that allowed a packed room to pick the brains of industry leaders.

It was an enjoyable event but it would be the lady who decided to take her life in a jump from the top of a parking structure that made the biggest impact on me. I did not see it personally and must have missed the horrible event that unfolded by a couple of minutes. As I waited at the traffic light just outside the parking structure, sirens blared with police coming from all directions. It was only after I called back to fellow event attendees that I learned what happened.

Why am I so captivated by this awful tragedy? Maybe it happened too close to home. Maybe it was the fact that it received very little if any media coverage? Aren't we responsible for helping each other in times of need? I believe we are and was disheartened by the lack of attention given to an event that I pray does not repeat itself with others who are at the end of their rope.

Who was she? Why did this happen? Did she leave family behind? Unanswered questions abound. I emailed the local orange county newspaper about the lack of coverage and how the treatment of the woman's death made it feel like she did not matter. It does matter! She mattered! I pleaded to the paper to use tragic stories like this to offer non-profit counseling centers to those that feel like she does.

The ecomomy has tested us all. It's tested our families, our companies, our friends, our faith, our confidence and our view of the future. If things were too much for this woman, who else out there feels like she did? We should take a negative story, clearly a tragic end to life, and spin it with an offer of people willing to help others.

The tone of my email was strong and definitive in my view of the press's coverage of this story. Reporting does not have to be just reporting of the facts. The representative that I have corresponded believes to some extent that we need to do something. The question is, can decision makers for the newspaper take this opportunity to send life rafts to others in need after a terrible event begs us to think about the possibility that people all around us desperately need our help.

Coverage can be seen here:

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38935763/ns/local_news-orange_county_ca/

Debt Settlement Aged Internet Leads- The Ladies Will Show You How To Close Them

The inbound call environment enjoyed by the Debt Settlement Industry has created a herd of catered to, lazy and entitled salesman. They demand that owners feed them with leads from tv and radio which continue to see and escalation in price and a deterioration of quality. Sounds like a recipe for disaster does it not?

Anyways, I have a group on the east coast which is a middle-aged group of women selling debt settlement services. Why is this significant? It is noteworthy because these empty nest mothers, widows and wives take aged internet leads and just crush them for all the juice they have wasting not one lead. They do not require $50-$70 inbound calls and truthfully they do not feel like they are missing out. Their whole operation is not only purchasing just aged debt settlement internet leads but also they are growing evidenced by their recent expansion.

I salute these women. I have heard them talk to people and sell, and it is clear that they are "Get It" Sales Women! They have a deeper connection with people and they draw on their experiences as women, mothers, and wives that are relevant to the experiences of real people in horrible financial situations. There is a certain empathy here that is powerful. This is reinforced by in depth knowledge of the product and a plan on how to get familied out of debt and back on track! Any group that can make this work has guts. Where they succeed daily, many others have failed. They have the same opportunities that everyone else who purchases them has. I would put this group of shining start up against anyone in the country. They understand that tons of people need help and that companies over buy leads with reps that are too young, too inexperienced and to ill-equipped to do well with aged internet leads. The gals treat these leads like gold and the leads pay them back a king's ransom!!!

To join the ladies at the top, call Robert Brack Lead Research Group to get your batch of aged debt settlement internet leads. If you can't close them, my favorite gals will! 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430

Lead Research Group Rocks Data!

Lead Research Group has established itself as a leader in wholesale data. With roots in telemarketing campaigns, account representatives at this rapidly growing Huntington Beach marketing company have a tremdous background in phone sales and the fundamentals of data filtering. I get these emails every week with companies pitching lists with a listed cost, as if you could just pull it right off the shelf. It appears to be the old one size fits all approach with the goal of just dumping off some data on a customer. No thought goes into the data. No dialogue or discussion with a customer that provides relevant information that can be used to more effectively target data. None of this, just here are our lists, buy our lists!!! This falls way short of the effort I like to provide to customers data needs at Lead Research Group.

Telemarketers and Mailers need good data strategies. Companies employing these strategies need firms and reps that interact with their clients, ask questions, and formulate plans to filter data for higher contact ratios and enhanced sales. There is no perfect answer to data but the pursuit of perfection by a data provider will ultimately help end users with performance and sales.

If you have had campaigns in mail or telemarketing that have suffered or performed poorly, call me. Lead Research Group has blessed me with the opportunity to truly help you. I try and deliver on this every day and many companies continue to rely on my knowledge and advice for their data needs for mail and phone campaings.

Call Robert Brack Lead Research Group for data. Good Prices, Solid Strategies, Quality Data, Lead Research Group! 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430.

Debt Settlement Internet Leads

Lead Research Group is a premiere provider of semi and exclusive internet leads. Historical Metrics and Customer Feedback indicate strong contact ratios, high average debt loads and profitable conversion.

We see on average 25-28k in debt on our leads with a large percentage of reorders. On the semi's we have simultaneous delivery so that no company has a competitive edge in our delivery. It then leaves companies to their own follow up procedures to attack the leads to close them down. We filter everything thru Targus for verification and call center verify any lead that has a flag before sending back to the end user.

Feedback positive and negative on each and every campaign is encouraged so that we can continue to tighten up our strategies to offer debt settlement companies leads with high contact rations, good conversions, enrollable debt amounts and affordable solutions for their marketing.

When you profit we all win!!!

For an Exclusive or Semi Exclusive Internet Debt Settlement Campaign Call Robert Brack Lead Research Group 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430

Mail and Telemarketing Data

Lead Research Group is phenomenal with data. As a wholesale data provider this Huntington Beach Gorilla offers the best filtering options on the market at fabulous prices.

You have a target, we will help you stick it. Whether you are mailing or telemarketing there is a data solution for you.

We have bite size packages and whale size deals with HUGE VOLUME Discouns. There are no companies too BIG and no companies too SMALL. We have a solution for you!

Call Robert Brack Lead Research Group 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430

Two Things Debt Settlement Inbound Call Reps Must Do In Sales

In order for sales reps to give themselves a shot, I believe they must do two things.

1) Ask whomever is calling in "How are you doing today/tonite/this morning"?

Why: People like to feel connected. Who does not like to feel like other human beings care about them? Find me someone who says they don't and I will call B.S.!

2) Transfer Enthusiasm

Why: Sales prospects are attracted to people that have positive energy and charisma. Some would say it is the law of attraction. Perceptions about a company are formed in the first few minutes of a call. Enthusiasm says to a client that the rep believes in the product and loves the company that they work for.

Remember perception is reality. How do you want your company, reps and products to be perceived?

Lead Research Group offers a free inbound call approach webinar for debt settlement companies on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am PST. Please go to www.explodeyourphones.com and click on the shortcut to the direct response webinar, Hope to have you there!

The Data Difference!!!!

Telemarketing and Mailing should be done with intelligent design as it relates to the data and prospect targeting. If it were that easy to blanket people and get the right response, I would put the mail in the mailboxes myself.

It's not that easy. Data is intricate and should be carefully considered when mailing and telemarketing. Filters can be used to an advantage and disadvantage. Sometimes less filters is a prudent strategy and sometimes more filters is the sound approach.

When data is being purchased, you will need someone that can navigate you thru the treacherous waters of data. Do not allow myopic data sales people to help strand you on a dry reef in angry seas only to have your marketing campaign shattered against the jagged rocks.

Just as you would hire a veteran sea captain, you should work with reputable data people. I don't have all of the answers but can tell you two things: 1) the answers you seek in data are available thru dialogue with a knowledgeable data provider 2) when I don't have the answer I look to a circle of data experts that have accepted me and have given me insight as to absolute best practices in obtaining and filtering data effectively. Their continued mentorship of me is a blessing and boost to anyone working with us for data.

Consider Lead Research Group for your next data purchase. Lead Research Group is a wholesale data provider with a mantra of growing its clients. Call Robert Brack of Lead Research Group 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430

Sell With Purpose

At Lead Research Group, I have been asked for help with scripting for sales organizations in the loan modification, debt settlement and tax resolution industries. I come from a 13 page script background. No memorization, no phone time is what I am accustomed to. There is something to be said for good scripting knowledge and making it your own. This is true because not to conversations will start alike. You can do your best to control a conversation but with many potential customers in these industries, suspicion, interest, questions and fear make up a common psychology of people calling you on mail and tv campaigns. They do not know you, so scripting will be important in your effort to get enough information to qualify and educate your potential customers on a product or service.

Scripting is not enough though! A sale made without having a customer's best interest in mind is hollow. I heard a saying years ago something like the following: "Help enough people get what they want and you will get what you want". From a sales standpoint, we want more closed deals and are clearly motivated by increased compensation with increased production. But this presents a danger: The danger is that the sale is cared about more than the family being serviced.

So, what do the potential clients of these industries want. They want to get financially back on track. They want to remove worry and uncertaintly from their family and often times to protect their children. They want to save their family home, get out of credit card debt, and put an end to threatening letters and calls from the IRS, Mortgage Companies, Credit Card Companies and Collectors. They are not bad people but are caught in circumstances financially that have spiraled out of control. They would prefer to recover and then focus their time and effort on family, kids and relationships. In essence, they want what most people want...love, friendship, time with kids, date nights for husbands and wives, dinners without arguing and silence created by burden and stress and for a strategy to right their finances.

In comes you! Help enough people get their finances back on track and remove worry and burden from a family and you have a customer that will refer you potential clients left and right. They have to believe you care. They have to believe that some how and some way that they are connected to your greater desire to help people, and that you as a representative of your company, are the perfect conduit to righting the ship, and helping them enjoy family and life once again, without the fear and worry that has plagued them during this financial crisis. It comes down to good people helping good people that became side tracked.

Get them back on track. Do so, with a greater concern for familes and fellow human beings and you will win business from the competition hand over fist.

Loan Modification Referrals-Direct Mail

The Loan Modification Industry, given the state of the housing market and economy, is very busy. Most people know someone who had been or is currently suffering from a job loss, hours reduction, furlough, lay off, adjusting rate loan and medical emergency. If you don't know of someone like this, you travel in circles of people that don't face these real human troubles or you are not paying attention.

Why is this important to the loan modification firm? It's simple! Referrals still are the best marketing you could have but how do you get them? The easiest way to get them is to do a good job helping a family get their loan modified. The next best way is to use your sphere of influence that you can lean on to gain credibility with people they know. There is a bit more trust in this situation and yes, given the experiences of people out there, trust is a huge issue.

The most often overlooked referral opportunity is those inbound opportunities where someone calls in from a direct mail campaign and is not a good candidate for loan modification. Sure, it is disappointing when a sale cannot be made, but if you treat that person well and educate them on the product, it should be okay to ask for a referral of someone they know that you may be able to help. The goal is still to save Americans from losing their homes, right? Why not use rapport and trust built in a conversation to gain referrals even when you can't help someone? Even if one in 10 people you talk to a day gave you a referral, it would lead to 22 extra sales conversations. If you closed 10% of the people you talked to that would be 2.2 extra deals per month. Why? Because you asked for referrals!!!

For a direct mail campaign for loan modifications packed with sales opportunities and great referral potential, call Robert Brack Lead Research Group. 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430