Sales numbers low? Here are our top 7 ways to pump up your sales crew and get that sales floor poppin’! (In no particular order since we love them all!)

Encouragement.  We’re all human, and it’s important to remember that most people are driven by success and emotion, including your employees.  If you forget to give compliments or motivation (in reasonable measure, of course), you will wind up with a bunch of disgruntled employees – a poisonous combination for your business.  On the flip side, you may be thinking “Well what about me??? I’m working harder than anyone else in this building! Where’s my kudos?” You need the following reminder:  YOU’RE THE BOSS. Your crew looks to you for guidance and direction – you should know this by now! Your responsibility as leader is to keep your team motivated and working for you; isn’t that why they pay you the big bucks?  Don’t give them any excuse to slack off. So, take a moment, unbuckle that belt of pride, and offer a word or two of encouragement to your hard working salesmen and women. Whether you  throw a pep rally or just tap one of them on the shoulder and say ‘Good job,’ your crew will appreciate the support. Something so simple, if done right, can help give your business the life it needs!

Decorate / Re-decorate:  Sometimes you have to rearrange the furniture in your house to give your living space some more spunk, right?.  Why not do the same thing at your office?  Hang up pictures, put up signs, turn on more lights, and put that fake plant in a different corner.  Dig through your storage space and have a redecorating party!  Give your crew something new to look at: a little visual change can trigger positive shifts on the sales floor.

Pump up the Volume:  Do you ever drive home without your radio on? Or do you go for a walk or a run on the treadmill without something to listen to? Nope, we don’t either.  BORRRING! The same thing can happen at your office so switch on that stereo and put on some music to get blood pumping on the sales floor.  Nothing is more mundane than listening to yourself think all day long.  Remind yourself and your crew that they have a pulse – break the silence!

Promotions & Add-ons: Now more than ever, customers are more likely to be sold on add-ons and promotions. Think about how much leverage this can give your company in the marketplace! And it’s also kind of fun to get creative, right?  There are so many options available in this realm. If your client spends a certain amount with your company, add something extra like a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant, tickets to a ballgame, or simply throw in an extra item or service you already offer.  You don’t have to spend a lot and it helps you get to know your customers, which hard for them to forget you! The new wave of promotional competition is starting to hit hard and it’s time for you join the race.  Don’t come in last!

New Ideas:   Don’t spin your wheels, if your tactics working it could be time for you to switch gears.  Get together with your business partners, associates, etc. and have a brainstorm session!  The best think tanks are comprised of happy, relaxed people who have the freedom and willingness to let those ideas flow, so meet somewhere cool or provide refreshments: make it fun!  Through your efforts you might come up with a new product or service to sell, or a new, more productive way to sell what you already offer.

Leads:  Leads are the lifeblood of your salespeople.  If necessary, trim your budget elsewhere so you don’t have to cut back on buying leads.  If your reps are only calling on their current books it’s inevitable that they are going to get frustrated and you’re going to start losing more money than ever. Don’t lose sight of the power of Leads!

Sales Contests: Get your sales team pumped up by having a weekly or bi-weekly Sales Contest or Rewards Program. Incentivise and give them something to work toward! If you reward your salespeople for their successes above and beyond their base paycheck, the pay off will be worth it, we promise!

Why? We’re not really sure: it’s hard to say what exactly makes touch screens so awesome. Maybe it’s because they remind us of futuristic movies and rapid-fire information transfers, a la Minority Report. Maybe it’s because they’re the catalysts for the future of streamlined, all-in-one technology. Maybe it’s because swiping your fingers across a screen is just that much more fun than punching a button on a keyboard. Whatever the reason, they’ve hit the market in a big way, and we’re not just talking about cell phones and media players! Enter: the touch screen personal computer. Here are our favorites!

Sony Vaio L Series VPCL111FX/B All-in-One Touch Screen PC

The media darling of the bunch, Sony’s VAIO L Series rises to the occasion and amply supports even the hungriest of games and applications. The PC is sleek and compact, and as an added bonus, comes with Blu-ray support so that you can enjoy all your favorite movies and shows on the crystal clear 24” touch-screen display.

MSI Wind Top AE2010 All-in-One Touch Screen PC

MSI’s Wind Top all-in-one PC features the Vista operating system and an easy and user friendly interface that allows you to sort your programs by four categories: Work, Fun, Tools, and Web, all controlled by the touch of a finger!

Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 All-in-One Touch Screen PC

Looking for a new computer to replace your current system? The Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 30113HU All-In-One PC combines the power of a traditional tower PC with modern style, clean lines and the simplicity of an all-in-one display.

HP Touchsmart IQ770 All-in-One Touch Screen PC

This stylish all-in-one is the space-saving media solution you’ve been waiting for! HP’s Touchsmart is light and sleek, ensuring a small desktop footprint and more workspace and room for the things that really matter (Pictures of the kids, hello!).

ASUS Eee Top Touchscreen All-in-One Touch Screen PC

ASUS’ Eee Top’s minimalist design and sleek form ensures a clean desktop. In addition, it’s light and compact, making it the perfect all-in-one PC!

Cybertron All-In-One Touch Screen PC

Clear your cluttered desk and command your world with a simple touch with Cybertron’s AIO system. The PC has a fast and easy startup, seamless set up, and hey – we think it looks pretty cool, too.

eMachines EZ1601-01 All-in-One Touch Screen PC

Stylish and space-saving design, a low, competitive price…eMachines’ EZ Series all-in-one has got it all! Say goodbye to crowded desks and messy wiring forever!

Fast Company: The how-to magazine that keeps managers in the know, Fast Company reports on business trends and ideas, with topics including innovation, digital media, technology, leadership, and much more.

Inc. Magazine: Inc. focuses on business resources for the entrepreneurial-minded, and is widely-known for its annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the United States: the “Inc. 500.”

Businessweek Magazine: A wealth of information specifically pertaining to the economy, Bloomberg Businessweek magazine features an in-depth perspective on financial industries, financial markets, the highs and lows, and the top individuals guiding the economy.

Forbes: For all you C-level executives out there, Forbes is a fantastic source for the latest business and financial news. The topics covered range anywhere from personal finance, and lifestyle to technology and stock markets, and each issue is geared particularly towards top decision makers.

Fortune: Famous for its thematic and well-researched lists, Fortune magazine is known particularly for its annual features ranking companies by revenue.

The Economist: The Economist makes our list for its weekly publications geared towards readers wanting just a little more from their business magazine. Although each issue digs into domestic and international issues as well as business and finance, other covered topics can range anywhere from science to breakthrough technology to the arts.

Money Magazine: The name says it all! Money magazine is your source for all things money. From evaluating and reaching personal financial goals to reviewing investments to smart money-saving tips, each issue offers innovative, no-nonsense strategies on how to make the most of your money.

If you haven’t jumped on the Bluetooth bandwagon yet, what are you waiting for? Not only is it now illegal in 5 states – California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Washington – to drive without a hands-free headset, but it’s guaranteed that other states will soon follow suit. Here are our best picks for the hands-free headsets that will make you life a little easier, and help you avoid that traffic ticket.

1. Bang & Olufsen EarSet 2 (Above): A name synonymous with contemporary design and clean aesthetics, Bang & Olufsen has hit it out of the park again with the EarSet 2. The lightweight headset is the pinnacle of chic design and ergonomic comfort – with a price tag to match (but hey – the best never comes cheap!).

2. Aliph Jawbone Icon: Small, simple, and shiny, Aliph’s Icon comes in second for its highly customizable design. Available in 6 different jewelery-like colors and textures, such as the rippled-gold effect on “Bombshell,” and the red, slightly star-sapphire reminiscent “Rogue,” the clever in-ear design and pretty finishes deliver the perfect combo of beauty and brains for those looking for just a bit more from their Bluetooth headsets.

3. Plantronics Discovery 975: Although probably not the best for those of you with larger fingers, the slim and simple Discovery 975 is our pick for number three. The comfortable headset is known for its superior audio quality and fantastic noise-canceling and wind-noise resistance features – perfect for you convertible drivers out there!

4. BlueAnt V1: Featuring full voice-control, the BlueAnt headset is small and lightweight. As an added bonus, the earpiece comes with a variety of accessories and attachments, making it (in our opinion) one of the better values on our list and giving you the most proverbial “bang for your buck.”

5. Bluefox Extreme BF-401: The Bluefox Extreme is our top choice for all you fitness fanatics: the headset is lightweight and features an around-the-neck design that makes talking and walking (or running) a breeze.

6. Sound ID 510: Featuring a sleek, minimalist design, the Sound ID 510 is the best headset for you iPhone users out there. Combine the Sound ID 510 with its tangential iPhone application for cool features like Personal Sound mode, Environmental mode, and even a headset locator (so…can we get this feature for our car keys?).

7. Nokia BH-905: Although Nokia’s BH-905 model deviates the most from a traditional headset design and veers alarmingly toward the look and feel of a heavier pair of true earphones, the set is lightweight and comfortable, and features fantastic noise cancellation technology.

1. Pebble Beach – Pebble Beach, CA

For the Impossible-to-Impress Client

The game of golf is at its best at Pebble Beach! Always the name synonymous with high-end golf, the Northern California course is sure to impress even the pickiest of clients. Each of Pebble Beach’s four courses offer a dizzying array of breathtaking ocean views, brand-new course enhancements to challenge every level of play, and a truly once in a lifetime experience. If the promise of playing Pebble Beach in itself isn’t enough to inspire crippling envy, take the tried-and-true approach and name drop: the course will play host the U.S. Open for its fifth time in June, 2010.

2. Augusta National – Augusta, GA

For a Celebration

Seal that big deal? Close on that important account? It’s time to celebrate! Augusta National tops our list as the absolute best golf course to take a business partner or anyone you’re celebrating with! Most people know Augusta as the site of the Masters tournament each spring, but there is an additional something about the course that strikes a deep chord in those who visit. Augusta’s natural beauty and sense of history moves those who visit in a profound way, and the deep-set sense of tradition provides the perfect ambiance for anyone looking to create memories, found a life-long tradition, or commemorate a special occasion.

3. TPC Scottsdale – Scottsdale, AZ

For the “Wild-card”Client

Set like a vibrant jewel deep in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by the soaring peaks of the Mcdowell Mountains, TPC Scottsdale has much, much more to offer than simple aesthetics. We’ve dubbed Scottsdale’s premier PGA Tour Facility as the perfect place to bring that wild-card client. (You know the one we’re talking about: those “good old boys” who are looking for a rowdy time and a little more entertainment that the average wine-and-dine). But if you’re not a strip-club type of businessperson and wish to retain some semblance of dignity while still letting loose, here is your perfect out! The boisterous fans in the stadium seating surrounding the short par-3 are guaranteed to heckle and yell, creating the party-like atmosphere that sets TPC’s Stadium Course apart from any other golf course in the country.

4. Kapalua Resort – Maui, HI

For Relaxation

As it says on Kapalua’s website, “the sensation of striking a dew-kissed drive into the morning Kapalua Resort sun is, to the avid golfer, discovering golf nirvana.” We couldn’t agree more! Revel in the natural beauty of the course while enjoying Hawaii’s perfect weather and the courses’ panoramic views. The Maui-based course has been recognized as number one in Hawaii for Best Golf by Travel + Leisure Gold Magazine and it perennially hosts the PGA Tour’s Season Opening SBS Championship, guaranteeing a world-class golfing experience in a beautiful, scenic setting. Perfect for relaxation!

5. Torrey Pines – San Diego, CA

For the Historian

Torrey Pines. The name itself inspires thoughts of California’s towering, craggy cliffs and the nearly indescribable views off San Diego’s renowned coastlines, not to mention the wild beauty of the indigenous trees that inspired the famous course’s name. We chose the Southern California course for the historians among us, because Tiger’s last major US Open win before “the incident” occurred here, and the possibility of walking in the famous golfer’s footsteps is nothing if not a conversation piece! Additionally, the La Jolla course is a well-known PGA Tour stop, and hosts the Buick Invitational every Feburary.

6. Wisconsin Kohler – Kohler, WI

For the Old-Schoolers

Wisconsin Kohler made our list for its inherent beauty and natural ability to exude a chic, backwoods class that simply begs to be catered to. Besides the fact that Kohler’s four championship golf courses are all ranked among the leading courses in the country, Kohler, Wisconsin in itself is a destination worth visiting. The resort boasts world-class accommodations with small village charm and old-world elegance; think rich leather and mahogany, port and a classy cigar.

7. TPC Saw Grass – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

For the Competitors

Created to challenge the best golfers in the world, TPC Saw Grass will inspire the competitor in any player! We chose the Ponte Vedra course specifically for its island green signature 17^th hole, a challenging island shot that will spark up friendly competition, whomever you happen to play with. The perfect course on which to let that on-the-fence client beat you, or to impress you friends, TPC Saw Grass made our number seven for the heavy competitors out there – happy playing!

1. BlackBerry Tour

When it comes to business, there is no comparison: BlackBerry has hit it out of the park with the Tour! The user-friendly handset might have a slower CPU than others out there on the market, but the myriad office applications available more than make up for a couple seconds in lag time. The Tour is one of the strongest smartphone offerings from Verizon, and when it comes to security, let’s just say that BlackBerry has it on lockdown: President Obama is a devoted “Crackberry” addict, and if it’s good enough for the President of the United States, it’s good enough for me!

2. Apple iPhone 3GS

As a member of the iPhone nation, I have to say, Apple’s innovative digital darling will always make my top lists! But what can we say about iPhone that hasn’t already been said? The sleek, stylish handset is easy to use and comes with great business benefits right out of the box, such as secure push email, visual voicemail, and up-to-the-second calendar software. With improved battery life and a faster run-time than its predecessor, the iPhone 3GS leaves communication-junkies panting. As an added benefit, as the commercials say, if the phone doesn’t come with it there’s probably an App. out there to accomplish whatever needs to be done!

3. Palm Pre Plus

I’d have to say that out of our seven smartphones, the Palm Pre Plus is definitely one of the more beautiful phones. The Pre Plus sports a very streamlined look and feel, and fits easily and comfortably into your palm (Well we know where they got the name!). With more memory than the original Palm Pre and great features like the “Deck of Cards” feature which allows seamless switching from application to application, the Pre Plus exudes definite business appeal.

4. HTC Nexus One by Google

Google’s Nexus One, the newest gadget sprung from Google’s mobile ventures, shines for small businesses. The handpiece is easy-to-use and straight forward, and for added business functionality, the so-dubbed “superphone” works with Microsoft Office documents and can sync with Exchange Server messaging. As an added bonus, users can install Mobile Defense, which enables tracking and remote backup and data-wipe.

5. Samsung Instinct

The Instinct is great for the traveling executive! Samsung’s newest smartphone is extremely user-friendly and easy to navigate, and with its slick, streamlined design that harks back to Apple’s groundbreaking iPhone, it has enough style and chic flair to have even the pickiest of phone critics drooling. It boasts a large, clear screen with great resolution and the GPS is unparalleled in the navigation sphere. Other added bonuses are voice recognition software and Live Search, a GPS related feature that searches and pulls up a directory-format list of the nearest locations of whatever you’ve searched, whether it be cheap gas, pizza places, or the nearest dry cleaner!

6. T-Mobile MyTouch 3G

With three Android phones on our list, I think it’s safe to say that the Android invasion is fully underway! The MyTouch is perhaps the most customizable of our top 7 with its sleek, eye-catching design and glossy skin available in white, black, or “merlot” (don’t you just love that!). The touch-screen smartphone operates on Google’s Android system, providing users with over 5000 downloadable application a lá Apple’s App Store, and all the other Google services and goodies built in, from Gmail email and calendar syncing to Google Maps!

7. Motorola Droid

The Motorola Droid has a distinctive physical design that is slightly heavier than many of the other smartphones on the market, but what the phone may have in added bulk, it makes up for tenfold in cool features such as voice recognition search, the always-appreciated ability to run multiple apps simultaneously (for those multi-taskers out there), and a blazing fast processor. The Droid’s massive screen makes web-surfing a breeze, and as with the other Android smartphones on our list, the Droid runs off the Android platform and comes pre-loaded with all of Google’s greatest built-in-goodies!

1. Always have an excuse…

“But it was all Bobby’s fault!”

We’ve all used excuses to justify our actions, whether it’s to justify losing that account, or to champion yourself in that fender-bender off the I-5. We’ve all done it! However, the key to your personal success in garnering a pay raise is to leave your excuses at the door. No employer likes hearing “It wasn’t my fault!” time and again. Think about it: in your own life is there anything more irritating and off-putting than a person who simply won’t own up? Nothing will set you further back than a boatload of excuses! Be strong, own up, fix the problem, and go get your raise!

2. Lie…and get caught!

It’s common sense.  Why would an employer want to reward a liar? If you break your boss’s trust, you’ll also lose their respect.  No Trust + No Respect = NO RAISE.

The point is simple: don’t lie!

3. Offend the Boss!

The same rules that apply to conversational consideration and decency in the “outside world” apply directly to the workplace. If your female boss is turning sixty on Monday and you know she’s sensitive about her age, do not comment on the fact! This rule of thumb should be used when a subject isn’t one you would broach with a respected stranger.  When in doubt, be tactful.

4. Be late to work…and only do a pretty good job

Let us hypothesize:

If you’re killing it on the sales floor and raking in boatloads of cash for your company, but you straggle in every day fifteen minutes late, it is a guarantee that you will not advance (in fact, it’d be surprising if you weren’t fired! However, we are speaking in hypotheticals…). Employers are looking to reward the well-rounded, all-inclusive employee who exhibits personal success in all areas. Besides establishing a Rockstar-esque vibe á la “I’m too sexy for my shirt,” consistent tardiness authenticates the blasé attitude that you just don’t care, and you’re not fully invested in your position. No matter how much money you’re raking in, you look like a slacker! In this instance, use that common sense! Who wants to reward a slacker?

5. Outshine your co-workers…and brag like an ass!

Humility will get you far in life, no less in a corporate environment.

It’s easy to go overboard with bragging after a big success. There’s the overwhelming excitement, that unmistakable rush of warm, personal pride; and that little measure of smugness we all feel after we’ve accomplished something great. However, it is important to remain humble. There is nothing more irritating than a person who marches around tooting their own horn! Not only will it drive a wedge between you and your co-workers, but to put it plainly, you will look like an ass. No one wants to promote an ass! So remember, take due credit, but don’t go overboard.  Save those ‘end-zone’ victory dances for the privacy of your own office!

6. Kiss ass…to the wrong person

In an ideal world, personal goals are achieved by diligence, hard work, and a little extra elbow grease. In the ideal business world, the same goes for raises. However, as we’re all aware, our worlds are less than ideal! Though it’s not generally suggested, if you ditch the hard work and go for the brown-nose approach, you absolutely must do your research beforehand! Spending six months currying the favor of the company’s most expendable executive isn’t going to get you far in the long run. Make sure that the person you’re cozying up to is in a position to reward your sycophantic behavior!

7. Spend all your time trying to be ‘Mr.’ or ‘Mrs. Popular’

If you’re spending all of your time trying to make friends in the office and become the workplace equivalent of your High School’s Homecoming King or Queen, you’ve got the wrong idea! The same is true when you assume that office popularity goes hand in hand with a higher salary. There is no correlation! Think of it this way:  your high school class clown was probably not the same student getting straight A’s and being rewarded on the Principal’s list. In most cases, they probably spent their time and effort making people laugh rather than investing in getting a good grade on their final exam (the one they needed to pass in order to graduate).  Therefore, work hard to establish yourself as a straightforward, competent employee who excels for the inherent reward of personal growth and achievement. Don’t get caught up in a popularity contest!

1. Start Marketing
We all realize that the current economy is in “Recovery” and things are getting better, so how do we increase our revenue now? Well, I will tell you “The time is right to start spending money to make money!”

In Real Estate the slogan is “Location, Location, Location,” and in Business it’s “Marketing, Marketing, Marketing!”  Mail that postcard, make those calls, send those emails and increase your top line now.

2. Stop Waiting and Take Action Now!
Is Obama going to pay your mortgage? I think not! There probably won’t be a stimulus package that makes sales for you and changes your fate. Get back to what made Americas best entrepreneurs succeed, the ‘go get it now’ attitude. You had it once, so take a walk down memory lane and take action again.

3. Reignite Past Customers
Remember that one big order that paid for your boat or your vacation to Maui? Um, call them back and see if there is something you can do together. Remember, it is easier to sell someone from your past versus trying to meet a new customer. P.S. Re-Read #1 above.

4. Create Efficiencies
Make more calls, sell more deals and send more quotes; but how?
One way is to stop confusing all your activity with accomplishment. Use auto dialing software, lead management systems, buy your lists @ List Giant.com (Shameless Plug) in the evenings.

5. Stop Watching Micro Trends
The world is changing faster than any of us can keep up. If we wait too long to get involved we will be yesterdays news. Anybody remember what happened to the “Deer in the Headlights?”

6. No More Silly Excuses
If you want an excuse to go out of business or a reason to fail then copy and paste the next one-liner and frame it. “This is the worst economy since the Great Depression!” Feel better? I don’t. Stop reminding yourself why it’s ok to fail just because Circuit City and Lehman Brothers did.

7. Create New Value
The best way to make more money is to be a little bit better, or have a better offer. Add a new feature to your product, give away shipping, make it easier to buy. Southwest Airlines is not charging for luggage and most other major airlines are. Who will you fly with if given the choice?

1. Find a Job
   The good news is that unemployment numbers have become more stable, the bad news is that those of you looking for a new gig are amongst millions of others. Find an aggressive, growing company; they’re out there.
2. Find a New Him or Her
   Does love have anything to do with the calendar? Some say yes. Find Mr. or Mrs. Right at the beginning of the year. Trust me you will not be alone.
3. Make More Money
   It’s time it’s time it’s time! ‘08 and ‘09 sucked for everyone! Let’s all wake up, dust off our courage, get out there and crush it!
4. Quit Smoking
   More people vow to quit this funky habit at New Years than any other, but this year, amid recession woes people keep this darling around a bit longer.
5. Diet and Exercise
   Trim those waistlines eat those tofu bars. Yum yum yum.
6. Save Money
   Credit card spending is down, saving money is up. This resolution is not very fun, but smart, some would say.
7. Time to Give Back
   Even though this should be higher on our list, it made the cut. Be generous, give back, and pay it forward. You know it’s the right thing to do.

1. The Venetian

The Venetian rocks! Just one stay in this lavish behemoth pushed the hotel to the top of my list.  Also The Toscano Zino Conference Center is just downstairs!

2. The Hotel at Mandalay Bay

Built for business, reminds me of downtown New york City.

3. Planet Hollywood

This hotel would never make our top anything list, but its cheap! Real cheap… recession cheap.

4. The Wynn

I’d like to see Mr. Wynn face to face, give him a hug and a handshake, and tell him how incredible his hotel is.  Impress a customer or just enjoy the ride, The Wynn is pure class.

5. The Bellagio

See number four, just a tad older.

6. Las Vegas Hilton

Contrary to popular belief, this old Vegas gem is a hub for tons of business. LVH hosts many conventions.

7. Mandalay Bay

Mandalay Bay hosts all of the major boxing and MMA events. Impress your best clients by taking them to one of these extravaganzas, it will not disappoint.