THIS IS NOT A DRILL Dont blame the button presser, blame the button designer

THIS IS NOT A DRILL Dont blame the button presser, blame the button konzepterTHIS IS NOT A DRILL Dont blame the button presser, blame the button designerOn Saturday morning, people living in Hawaii faced a false-but-terrifying nuclear threat after an employee at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency erroneously sent a public emergency alert that read BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL to peoples smartphone devices, causing widespread panic and fear for the 38 minutes it took for Hawaii authorities to correct the error.How could such a massive error have happened? According to the Washington Post, the unidentified employee saw two options in a drop-down menu on a computer program - Test missile alert and Missile alert - and incorrectly picked the latter option of a real-life threat, which triggered alerts to the publics smartphone devices and television screens.Design failure, not human error, to blameThe employee responsible for the push alert failure has reportedly been reassigned but not fired. Instead of blaming the person who pushed the wrong button, the government blamed the state system that allowed one person to have so much power. Based on the information we have collected so far, it appears that the government of Hawaii did not have reasonable safeguards or process controls in place to prevent the transmission of a false alert, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement on Sunday.User interface expert Don Norman said the error is the incompetent design in the alert system that allowed it to occurIn 2003, Norman wrote an oft-cited essay on how system failures within organizations too often get attributed simply to human error, which allows the errors to continue to occur unexamined.If we assume that the people who use technology are stupidthen we will continue to design poorly conceived equipment, procedures, and software, thus leading to mora and more accidents, all of which can be blamed upon the hapless users rather than the root cause - ill-conceived software, ill-conceived procedural requirements, ill-conceived business practices, and ill-conceived design in general, Norman wrote. It is far too easy to blame people when systems fail.Under this logic, yes, humans can cause errors, but more attention and responsibility should be paid to the processes in place that lumineszenzdiode to such an error.When a contractor can disable the presidents accountNormans philosophy can be applied to another recent incident of one workers mistake causing an outsized impact. In November, social media company Twitter blamed a contractor on his last day for disabling President Trumps Twitter account for 11 minutes.In a later interview, the contractorBahtiyar Duysak explained that his action was a mistake because he never thought the account would actually get deactivated, according to TechCrunch.The New York Times reported that Twitter employees had long expressed concerns that high-level acc ounts like those belonging to the U.S. president were too easily accessible for hundreds of the companys workers. By having a procedure that allowed for contractors like Duysak to access them, a system failure was more likely to occur.The nuclear threat triggered by a dropped socket wrenchThis is not the first time a nuclear situation has been caused by a human error facilitated by a flawed system. In 1980, two airman were performing maintenance on a U.S. Air Force ti II ballistic missile in Arkansas when a socket wrench was accidentally dropped into the shaft of the missile silo. The socket hit a fuel tank and caused a missile explosion that lifted a warhead out of the ground and caused two peoples deaths.If the warhead had actually detonated, the maintenance mishap could have made part of the state of Arkansas uninhabitable and countless lives would have been lost. The safeguards for such a fluke event were not in place. As one of the technicians in the missiles control room put i t, an accident like this wasnt on the checklist.If the system worked properly, someone dropping a tool couldnt send a nuclear warhead into a field, Eric Schlosser, who wrote a book on the Air Force incident, said in a PBS documentary.These examples show us that blaming a person is easy when an error causes headlines and panic. Whats more important, designers like Norman argue, is making sure the problem gets fixed so that mistakes and fluke events cannot be repeated by someone else.

A Racket for Engineers

A Racket for Engineers A Racket for Engineers A Racket for EngineersWatching professional tennis now compared to 30 years ago, its hard to even compare. Thats because at times its hard to even, well, see the ball. The increased speed of serves and ground strokes is undeniable and, though shot technique has changed and improved, its clear that racket improvements are at the forefront of what changed the game forever.And with more than a billion people playing tennis worldwide, theres much money to be made in continued improvement. Dr. Tom Allen, lecturer in engineering design at the Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Sheffield Hallam University, UK, has actually made a career out of analyzing what makes a stronger racket. In fact, his PhD was sponsored by Prince, among the most recognizable companies in all of tennis products.I got into this because I liked the idea of mixing tennis and engineering in terms of applying finite analysis, he says. Im constantly looking at numbers ba sed on programs and also seeing players in action. Improvements never end.But where did the growth in racket technology, which led to the lightning-fast game we see today, really start? Its been a slow transition, Allen says. It started with wooden rackets, then laminated, then reinforced around the throat and, of course, the Howard Head and the Dunlop Max 200G.The Howard Head model brought on an increase in racket head size, allowing players to get to balls theyd otherwise fall short of, while the Dunlop had greater control because you could precisely place materials, Allen says. Remember the wood by contrast would only give so much, Allen offers. If, for example, you made a racket skinnier to reduce stiffness do that enough and it would break.Allens biggest contribution to the sport came much later. We were able to show the influence of friction on tennis strings wasnt like people thought, he says. They conceived that as you increase the friction of the surface you get more spin, but our experiments demonstrated that lower friction actually is what does this, and I believe youve seen this change rackets across the board It was the result of a model. Its an advantage over an experiment because you can go right through to impact and measure what happened.Research can be intensive, as the friction conclusion took more than six months, but Allen continues to refine his methods. We use high-speed video to see what the player likes based on the video of them playing and then go to the step of creating a racket, he says. We used to not do that and that meant a much higher gelegenheit that the players wouldnt like what we made.Racket manufacturers today can use graphite, fiberglass, and still more options, making for different levels of flexibility and weight. And they still have engineers like Allen that wont stop tinkering. Even after you look at the speed of the ball, he says, you can look at adjusting rackets to limit injuries, so many areas. I know I wont run out of things to research anytime soonEric Butterman is an independent writer.I got into this because I liked the idea of mixing tennis and engineering in terms of applying finite analysisImprovements never end.Dr. Tom Allen, lecturer in engineering design, Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Sheffield Hallam University

A strategic approach to using personalized marketing messages

A strategic approach to using personalized marketing messagesA strategic approach to using personalized marketing messagesMost geschftliches miteinanderes whether theyre large or small want to bring their messages to larger audiences. But carpet-bombing the general population isnt a good use of a companys time or money. Instead, the more strategic approach for many firms is to micro-target their marketing messages to therightaudiences.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreBeverage brand Sparkling Ice recently launched amarketing campaign aimed at specific consumer segments, while online grocer Peapod says ituses customer data and geographic targetingto better tailor its messages to the right audiences. Restaurant chains likeCKE Restaurants HoldingsandTaco Bellhave also released marketing programs targeted at specific consumer segments.The benefits of such programs are vast, says Den ise Indovina, vice president of new business development withUltimate Data. When a consumer receives any marketing message, they first ask themselves, Does this pertain to me?Does it resonate? Is it relevant?If so, they are more likely to engage with that message.Targeted marketing requires a multipronged approachCreating a tailored, customized marketing program requires several layers, Indovina says. First, the right individuals must be targeted - meaning those consumers who are most likely to need that product. Second, ensuring that the message, offer and creative are well-suited to that consumer.In the case of a quick service restaurant, this means finding their best customers and top prospects that reside within close proximity to the location and offering them a promotion they would be excited to receive, she says. For a CPG brand, it might mean working with a grocery retailer on a shopper marketing initiative to bring known users of a specific brand into that retailers local s tore to buy, rather than having them buy it from the retailer where they traditionally shop for it.For a grocery retailer, this may mean using data from a trusted third party to more quickly personalize offers sent tonew loyalty program participants for which a robust purchase history is leid yet available in the retailers CRM database.Pinpoint where to find the audienceWhen evaluating how to find an audience for a targeted marketing campaign, ensure that both existing customers and potential new ones are included in the program, Indovina says. In both cases, data mining, profiling and selects (demographic, etc.) are the basic ways to find the audience, she advises. Predictive analytics, machine learning, and AI are the newest generation. For current customers, tools can be applied internally on customer relationship management/house files, either with internal resources or outside help.When aiming the marketing at prospective customers, using tools from trusted, external third-part y partners can be key to finding the right audience, she advises.Set measurement criteria earlyCompanies that create targeted marketing campaigns must put measurement tactics in place so they can compare the effectiveness of the programs against their other strategies, Indovina says.Applying the most sophisticated advanced targeting and personalization tactics can deliver a significant lift.Weve had clients achieve a lift of 360 percent vs. benchmark and a five to one return on ad spending (ROAS) in the same campaign.Not everyone can get there, but thats certainly something to aim toward.Campaign ROI can vary depending upon the objective of the campaign, the offer and media channel chosen, she reminds businesses.While wed always like to see a campaign payout in and of itself, often times brands will use a 12-month payout hurdle.This is especially true when working to acquire a new high-value consumer who will visit their restaurant, or buy their brand frequently, once they try it.Th is article first appeared on Smartbrief.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Cosmetologist Sample Job Description

Cosmetologist Sample Job DescriptionCosmetologist Sample Job DescriptionCosmetologist Sample Job DescriptionThis cosmetologist sample job description can assist in your creating a job application that will attract job candidates who are qualified for the job. Feel free to revise this job description to meet your specific job Job Duties and job requirements.Cosmetologist Job ResponsibilitiesA cosmetologist serves customers by providing various beauty services, such as hair styling, manicures, pedicures, scalp and facial treatments, or make-up application.Cosmetologist Job DutiesMaintains supplies by checking stock anticipating needs placing orders verifying receipt.Prepares hair for styling by analyzing hair condition shampooing and treating hair.Conditions hair and scalp by applying treatments.Plans desired effect by studying facial features examining potential styles conferring with customer making recommendations.Produces desired effect by arranging, shaping, curling, cutting, trim ming, setting, bleaching, dyeing, and tinting hair.Maintains quality service by following organization standards.Maintains safe and healthy conditions by following organization standards and legal regulations.Obtains revenue by recording or collecting charges.Maintains technical knowledge by attending educational workshops reviewing publications.Contributes to gruppe effort by accomplishing related results as needed. Skills/Qualifications Listening, Supply Management, Analyzing Information , Customer Focus, Client Relationships, Organization, Creativity, Attention to Detail, Confidentiality, Professionalism, Verbal CommunicationCosmetologist Skills and QualificationsListening, Supply Management, Analyzing Information , Customer Focus, Client Relationships, Organization, Creativity, Attention to Detail, Confidentiality, Professionalism, Verbal CommunicationEmployers Post a job in minutes to reach candidates everywhere. Job Seekers Search Cosmetologist Jobs and apply on now. Learn mor e aboutthe hiring processVideo How to Conduct an InterviewMake the most of Hiring ToolsMaximize your Job Description Results

5 Mistakes to Sidestep During a Salary Negotiation With a Candidate

5 Mistakes to Sidestep During a Salary Negotiation With a Candidate5 Mistakes to Sidestep During a Salary Negotiation With a CandidateIf youre a hiring manager, you may be interested to know that more than six in 10 executives polled in a Robert Half survey said theyre willing to negotiate starting salary.And no doubt, the best candidates know this. The better the candidate, the more likely you need to be ready for salary negotiation when the time comes. Get a head start by taking a look at these five common mistakes managers make when attempting to close a deal1. Being unpreparedMany of todays savvy job candidates show up at the negotiating table organized, having done their research on how to get what they want. You should be prepared, too. Before you discuss salary, make sure youve benchmarked your offerings. Is the position harder to fill than last time you hired? Use resources such as the most recent Salary Guides from Robert Half as a reference.2. Agreeing to a salary thats to o highNot much can kill the spirit of teamwork in your office quite like beginning a new hire at a higher rate than your current staff. While you may think salaries remain secret, eventually they often get out, especially in a small business setting. Its best to set a maximum amount youre willing to offer a job candidate so theres a reasonable degree of internal equity. In case the candidate does reveal his salary, you wont have to worry about disgruntled coworkers.HIRING? WE CAN HELP3. Thinking its all about the moneySalary itself isnt the only part of the salary negotiation equation. If a job candidate isnt satisfied with the starting salary, remind him of the intangibles related to the position such as opportunities to learn and grow with the organization and the benefits package. totenstill not budging? Here are some other perks you might offerTelecommutingFlexible work hoursOpportunities to attend seminars and conferencesDiscounted gym membership4. Playing gamesSalary negotiati on is essentially bargaining Youre trying to get what you want (a great employee) at the lowest possible cost. A back and forth is inherent in the process, but dont let it lead to playing games. Respect and be honest with the job candidate and with yourself during salary negotiation.Always keep in mind your workplace needs and how easy or difficult you believe filling the position will be.Plus, dont let factors such as the halo effect - focusing on one positive attribute of a candidate and ignoring everything else - taint your judgment during the process. Sometimes you have to let a great candidate go if you cant strike a reasonable deal.5. Getting caught up in the momentDont become so engrossed in negotiating that you forget whats important to your organization. Sometimes, you just have to walk away. If your attempts to woo a reluctant candidate fall short, the best thing to do in many cases is to cut your losses and look somewhere else. The goal at this point should be to end th e process so that the candidate leaves with a feeling of being treated fairly and with dignity. Dont burn the bridge You never know when your paths may cross again.This post has been updated to reflect more current information.

The Unexpected Truth About Ma Resume Examples

The Unexpected Truth About Ma Resume Examples The Foolproof Ma Resume Examples Strategy For them, its important to have well-crafted CVs. Recruiters utilize software to locate the resumes theyre searching for. If youre searching for a new job, make sure that you start out with a strong, well-written resume so its possible to secure the Enterprise management trainee position you desire. On occasion the job posting will list her or his contact details. Be sure to concentrate on skills related specifically to the job which youre applying for. Its also advisable to use the help of on-line job platforms. Medical assistants are in demand, but it doesnt indicate it will be simple to land work. A dental assistant resume is vital in the work application procedure. Before you begin to doubt yourself to take another degree in medical billing, return to your Medical assistant resume. A health assistant has to execute some crucial jobs, and typically a medical team is composed of a sm all number of talented along with skilled medical assistants. It is essential that you comprehend the significance of office assistant objectives for resumes. Its true you dont require a medical assistant program to find work. What You Should Do to Find Out About Ma Resume Examples Before Youre Left Behind You may also find the Job Resumes. Writing a CV has ever been a daunting endeavor, and for the healthcare assistants, its even more daunting. Why it is essential to maintain a Building Worker Application even as you work. Your Medical Assistant Resume should stand out whether you need to put yourself ahead of different applicants. New Step by Step konzept for Ma Resume Examples Objective can fluctuate greatly for specific careers. More than every other portion of the resume, the Objective must be quite compelling as its the very first line that the prospective employer reads. Although resume objectives are getting more obsolete in favor of career summaries, in some sp ecific conditions, it is reasonable incorporate an objective. Once writing the financial resumes, its important to adhere to the important ideas. Knowing the fundamental steps of writing a good resume does not indicate you have to write alone. If you want more help writing your experience section, take a look at the expert experience part of our resume writing guide. Writing resumes might have been taught to us in school, but things learned from the book might not always be the exact same in the actual world. The Debate Over Ma Resume Examples Fortunately, there are a number of excellent samples and resources available to assist you craft the great professional resume. Writing a resume can be a very hard job. The kind of resume that combines the initial two varieties of resumes and is composed of two pages. There are lots of professional resume vorlage which may be on the internet that you will be in a position to learn some idea about ways to construct an expert cv apply ing best resume builder sites. The 30-Second Trick for Ma Resume Examples Not only is it more descriptive for your prospective employer, but in addition, it provides you an opportunity to advertise yourself a tiny bit more. You must bear in mind that if youre still studying then its fine to list wherever your education progress stands. Show your prospective employer why its possible to execute the work far better than others no matter how much experience youve got. If you prefer to receive a great work, you need a good resume. You dont need to include work experience thats not linked to the work post. If you wish to put in an application for a post of a health assistant then we can assist you in writing your resume. If you believe that this schrift of object of information about the medical assistant resume examples ought to be shard then be our guest and share it on various social networking channels. Resume writing doesnt have to be always a 1 person job. Many internet resources are preaching that objectives arent a valuable part of the medical assistant resume and its merely a mere waste of space. By making certain you have not overlooked any mistakes, you can prevent the embarrassment of appearing incompetent to hiring managers. Its possible to use the resume objective whenever you are targeting any particular job. The work market is getting more competitive in just about any area. The Basics of Ma Resume Examples That You Will be Able to Learn From Beginning Today A providers headquarters is an amazing method to get a number of openings in a range of fields. There are plenty of, quite a few different tactics to commence an organization. When choosing a continue contractor, you will need to be certain to purchase one which is very simple to update and will give you a document that might be edited. As an overall guideline, your resume does not have to expand upon each and every job or duty youve held.

How Career Degrees Can Help You Get Your Dream Job

How Career Degrees Can Help You Get Your Dream Job Landing some dream jobs requires a different educational path than other jobs, which is why many job seekers are actively pursuing career degrees to ensure that they wind up in a career that is rewarding in every imaginable way. It can be tough to get any job without higher education, but getting and keeping your dream job may require a specialized course of education that you can only get from career specific training. A huge benefit of career degrees is that they actually put you on exactly the right course for success in your chosen field. In many cases your studies will focus only on things that are necessary or beneficial to performing well in a specific career. Where success in a traditional higher education drumherum may have a portion of coursework that is heavily focused on career skill development, there will almost always be generalized learning that may or may not translate well to improved performance in your chosen field. Thats why you need to seek a college degree if you are set on entering a certain field. When it comes to career specific training, you are much more likely to receive the hands on training you need to succeed in your chosen career and much less likely to waste time on coursework that may not hold a great deal of benefit.Career degrees can also benefit job seekers by getting them into the workforce more quickly. Due to the fact that there is usually little or no unnecessary coursework, career-specific degrees can also prepare you for a specific career in a shorter time period than a generalized college degree. By eliminating much of the time spent on developing potentially unnecessary skills and focusing only on the knowledge needed to excel in a particular field, you may be able to dramatically cut down on the time youll need to spend earning your degree and get into the workforce faster.Makin g the decision to pursue a specific career degree is a big decision. Youll receive valuable and necessary education to prepare you for success in a specific field, but prior to making the commitment to career specific education, it is imperative that you do the necessary research to ensure that it is the correct career path for you. Seek the advice of a career counselor or take a few career aptitude testslike those here to ensure that you are embarking on a career that you will both love and feel rewarded by. Once youve made the decision of the best career path, seeing if there are career degrees available for your chosen field could help you get fully prepared as quickly as possible for the career that youve selected.

Bring the power of progress into your one-to-one meetings

Bring the power of progredienz into your one-to-one meetingsBring the power of progress into your one-to-one meetingsAcknowledging team success via a Friday Wins Meeting like this one at content marketing tech firm Percolate has become standard practice at many companies. Many teams also informally share wins at their daily huddle meetings.Theres something exciting about celebrating a win with members of your team that can start the day off right, or wraps up an especially busy week.Beyond the momentary buzz that celebration provides, focus on success aids in a broader goal enhanced performance. The late social psychologist Kathryn Cramer coined the phrase Asset-Based Thinking in which she encouraged people to focus on whats going right in their world, rather than focusing solely on problems that need fixing. When leaders shine the light on whats working, it opens up the potential for even bigger gains.In addition to group settings, theres another way you can use the idea of wins in your leadership role during one-to-one meetings. Heres an example from my home life. Every Sunday night, I check in with my 17-year-old son, who will soon start the college application process. We review the weeks progress and set goals for the upcoming week. At the start of each meeting, he lists three wins (he defines what constitutes a win) for his week and we talk about it.This process works well becauseIt starts the meeting on a positive musiknoteIncremental success is recognized, which maintains momentum as he works towards larger goalsHe decides what serves as a win therefore its more meaningful to himIts part of an established process that perpetuates framing of activities in terms of successAlthough he dislikes public praise, my introverted son is comfortable sharing his wins in a one-to-one settingAlthough I stumbled into this wins process on my own, it turns out that research backs up my hunch that a positive focus aids in goal achievement. In the Harvard Business Review article The Power of Small Wins, researchers Teresa Amabile and Steven J. Kramer describe the progress principle - the human desire to feel that one is making progress on work that matters.Whether they are trying to solve a major scientific mystery or simply produce a high-quality product or service, everyday progress- even a small win- can make all the difference in how workers feel and perform, the authors write. Leaders who act as nourishers providing respect, encouragement and recognition are those best poised to help their team members capitalize on their daily (or weekly) wins.If your one-to-one meetings with staffers have become bogged down in detailed status updates and problem-solving, consider changing up the agenda. Ask your team members to start the next meeting with a list of two or three wins. Listen carefully and without judgement. Assure them that you arent looking for huge, blue ribbon achievements. If you continue this process for a while, youll discover precisely what each of your employees finds worthy and rewarding.As Amabile and Stevens point out, their progress principle only works if people feel that their work is meaningful. Luckily, meaningful doesnt have to be life-altering.Meaning can be as simple as making a useful and high-quality product for a customer or providing a genuine service for a community, they explain.As a leader, its up to you to help connect the dots between team members wins and the value their work provides to your company and customers. In the process, not only will your team members experience satisfaction, their output will improve as well. And thats progress everyone can feel good about.Jennifer V. Miller is a freelance writer and leadership development consultant. She helps business professionals lead themselves and others towards greater career success. Read more about leadership and AI on her blog The People Equation from the post, 7 Reasons Leaders Should Focus on Developing Employee Soft Skills.This artic le first appeared on SmartBrief. If you enjoyed this article, sign up for SmartBriefs free e-mails on career growth and leadership, among SmartBriefs more than 200 industry-focused newsletters.

Understanding the Product Creates Sales Success

Understanding the Product Creates Sales SuccessUnderstanding the Product Creates Sales SuccessNearly all sales experts agree that knowing at least the basics about your product is critical to selling it effectively. However, understanding your product is even more helpful. The difference between product knowledge and product understanding? Knowledge is the facts and figures, while understanding is about realizing how those facts and figures affect the product owner. Knowledge vs. Understanding Product knowledge vs. product understanding is quite similar to the contrast between features and benefits. And just as features tell, benefits sell, a salesperson who focuses on product knowledge without product understanding misses the mark. For example, someone who sells cars probably knows all about the latest models acceleration features, the available paint colors, and whether it comes with a V6 or V8 engine. All of the above come under the category of product knowledge. But the sales person who understands his product knows what each of those factors will mean to different prospects. He knows that high acceleration will be attractive not only to the teenager who yearns for speed but also for the suburban mom who wants to be able to safely merge onto a busy freeway. Product knowledge is absolutely essential for salespeople, but by itself, it can create a badeanstalt case of expert-itis, especially in salespeople with a highly technical product or service. The result is often a salesperson who carries forth at length about product specifications that mean little or nothing to most prospects. An addiction to industry jargon is another common side effect. In extreme cases, these aspects of expert-itis can make a salespersons pitch completely unintelligible. And if your prospect cant understand what youre saying, shes not likely to buy from you? Product understanding, on the other hand, allows a salesperson to present these technical details in terms that make sense to prospects. So a new computer with dual-core processors and two terabytes of hard drive storage could be pitched to a prospect as ...a computer that has plenty of room for all those movies you like to download, and still runs really fast Use the Product The best way to make the leap between knowledge and understanding is to use the product yourself. If your company gives you access to your products for free, then, by all means, take as many as you can and use them as much as possible. If you can also get copies of your competitors models, so much the better youll be able to explain exactly how your product is different and (hopefully) better. If your company cant or wont give you the product to try for yourself, then the next best option is to do a little market research. Set up appointments with a few of your best customers and ask them to tell you about their experiences with your companys products. Try to make it clear that you want sehr honesty, since there will almost a lways be ways in which your products are both good and bad and the more you know about both aspects, the better. In many ways, product understanding goes hand in hand with prospect understanding. The more information you have about both your products and your potential customers, the better youll be able to fit one to the other... the less time youll waste with matches that are doomed from the start... and the happier your customers will be.

Great Referral Sources for Salespeople

Great Referral Sources for Salespeople Great Referral Sources for Salespeople No matter what you sell, there are a lot of people out there who can benefit from buying it. The question becomes how to find and make contact with them. Some folks you regularly or not-so-regularly cross paths with can often introduce you to said people. Dont limit yourself to asking just your own customers for referrals. Think outside the customer box.   01 Friends and Family Uncle Fred might not be a qualified prospect, but he probably knows someone who is. Your family and friends can be a big help if you educate them a bit as to who your potential prospects are. Give them a few of your business cards and ask them to keep their ears open. 02 Professional Contacts Do you work with an accountant? A lawyer? Even a dry cleaner? All these are great sources for referrals. They talk with clients all day long and many may be great prospects for you. Just let the professional know what you sell, give them a stack of your business cards, and thank them a few dozen times! If you find youre able to refer people back to these professionals, youll really get some enthusiastic help from them. 03 Other Salespeople Look for salespeople who are incompatible industries and form a referral pact. If youre selling furniture, talk to an interior decorator and suggest that you trade referrals back and forth. If you sell gym memberships, befriend the team at your local athletic shoe store. The possibilities are endless. 04 Former Colleagues You probably worked somewhere else before you took your current sales position, even if it was just a summer job at McDonalds. By all means, keep in touch with the gang at your former place of employment. Unless theyre direct competitors of your current employer, they can be a terrific source of referrals. 05 Online Acquaintances Got a Facebook page? How about LinkedIn? Mention what you sell in your bio, being as specific as possible. You can even make up informal contests, like promising to buy ice cream for the first person who sends you five referrals. Dont push too hard, though, or people will start dropping off your network. 06 The Guy Standing Behind You in Line As youre standing around waiting to buy tickets to a movie, to get your picture taken at the DMV, or to pay for groceries at the supermarket, strike up a conversation with the person next to you. You usually dont have to pitch them hard to get a referral â€" often all it takes is explaining what you sell and theyll spontaneously think of a friend whos in the market. 07 Closing the Deal Dont forget to send a thank you note when one of your referrers comes through for you and sends you a paying customer. Hell remember you, and your name will come to mind the next time hes talking with someone whos in the market to buy the service or product youre selling. Hell probably tell the person to look you up. Maybe he even still has some of those business cards you gave him on hand.   Customers Are Everywhere Everyone you meet every day is a potential customer â€" or he knows someone who is. This doesn't mean you must spend your entire life in hard sales mode, but you can drop a word about what you're selling, then move on if interest isn't high. Maybe your neighbor's sister isn't looking to buy a widget today, but she might need one tomorrow and she'll think of you.