sales | Fast Company

How Complacency, Not The Economy, Is Killing Deals

BY Steve GiglioThu Feb 9, 2012

The economic climate has given the perception that all companies are struggling, so some people justify sales being down. But sales aren’t off for everyone and companies are doing business--but are they doing business with you? They will only if they consider your service or product as critical, not a commodity.READ»

LEADERSHIP | Comment

In Social Business, Pay Sales Teams Less And Customer Service More

BY Francine HardawayMon Jan 23, 2012

If we prioritize business growth, we are almost always prioritizing transactions rather than relationships. We compensate sales teams much more highly than we compensate customer service or marketing teams. This is wrong. Anyone can bring in a customer once--but what does it take to keep that customer and unlock his value?READ»

LEADERSHIP | Comment

7 Steps To Scoring New Business In A Bad Economy

BY Don PeppersFri Jan 6, 2012

Getting a prospective business customer to say “yes” when his own economic world has deteriorated so much requires a deft and nuanced sales effort. So if you sell to business customers, here are seven suggestions for improving your chances. READ»

LEADERSHIP | Comment

With 2012 Sales Plans On The Horizon, A Smarter Way Of Setting Targets

BY Lisa NirellWed Dec 7, 2011

Your 2012 sales plan is about to be unveiled. Here’s how things typically happen: You work hard all year, and at the upcoming kickoff meeting, someone hands you your new quota, at which point you are supposed to smile and accept it. Sadly, you seldom have any input in forming that new quota or plan. There is a better way. READ»

FAST FEED | Comment

Smartphone Battery Life Improves, Black Friday Sales Hit Online Record, HTC Faces German Smartphone Ban

BY Kit EatonMon Nov 28, 2011

This and more important news from your Fast Company editors, with updates all day. READ»

LEADERSHIP | Comment

Can Night Owls Get The Worm, Too?

BY Dayna SteeleThu Oct 6, 2011

Many say that being an early riser is key to success--but does everyone have to be a morning lark, or do night owls have their place? READ»

LEADERSHIP | Comment

The 7 Secrets Of Spellbinding Pitches

BY Sam HarrisonTue Oct 4, 2011

Steve Cohen is billed as the "Millionaire's Magician" because of his private shows for megabucks clients like Warren Buffet and Michael Bloomberg. From years of performing for these powerful people, Cohen has conjured up secrets on how to captivate audiences. Use his showmanship secrets to better sell your ideas to bosses, clients, and other decision makers.READ»

LEADERSHIP | Comment

Distinguishing Your Company Whether The Economy Is Up, Down, Or Sideways

BY Mark SanbornFri Sep 23, 2011

When you think about innovation, it's not as much about the invention of something new as it is about the distinction of something. And distinction is found in what you do, how you do it, the product you offer, the service you provide, and the experiences you create. So how will you distinguish your company? READ»

LEADERSHIP | Comment

What Gets Investors Excited? Revenue.

BY Brian JavelineTue Sep 13, 2011

The revenue stage is an exciting time, for both the entrepreneur and the investor. It's great for the entrepreneur since revenues can be applied toward operating costs. It is even greater for the investor since he now does not have to second guess if there are customers who are willing to fork over their money to buy your company's offering.READ»

FAST FEED | Comment

Quirky.com Comes To TV, Twitter Flagging NSFW, Spotify Shakes Up ISPs, Apple Has More Cash Than U.S. Government

BY Kit EatonFri Jul 29, 2011

This and more important news from your Fast Company editors, with updates all day.READ»

SMARTPHONE WARS | Comment

It's Becoming Smartphone World, And Nokia's Hurting Badly Because Of It

BY Kit EatonThu Jul 21, 2011

Nokia's reported its latest quarterly financial performance, and it's grim: Nearly half a billion euros of net losses. Nokia's smartphone business has been smashed by Apple and Google.READ»

APPLE | Comment

Apple's Astonishing Earnings Aren't The Full Story: There's Still Room For Huge Growth

BY Kit EatonTue Jul 19, 2011

Ahead of its earnings call, Apple's revealed a staggeringly high record revenue and profit, gross margins that beat market predictions, and iPhone and iPad sales that blew past expectations. Astonishing.READ»

APPLE | Comment

Apple News Roundup: Apple's Earnings Call, OS X Lion Imminent, New Macs And Mac Sales, Google's Schmidt Lashes Out

BY Kit EatonTue Jul 19, 2011

A handy summary of what's going on with Apple right now--including Eric Schmidt's (ironic?) lash-out.READ»

APP STORE WARS | Comment

Apple Just Sold Its 15 Billionth App

BY Kit EatonThu Jul 7, 2011

And it has made close to $1 billion in revenue from app sales. Its dominant spot in the smartphone and tablet industries looks more secure than ever.READ»

TECHNOLOGY | Comment

Apple's Smartphone Market Share Grows As Android Stalls Out

BY Kit EatonThu Jun 30, 2011

The growth of Android's U.S. market share has stagnated over the last three months despite a rash of new Android devices hitting the market. Meanwhile, Apple's recent sales share has jumped by 70%--from a 10% sales share to 17% over the same period, even though Apple hasn't significantly refreshed its iPhone lineup.READ»

LEADERSHIP | Comment

Does Social Media Have A Return On Investment?

BY Farhad ManjooMon Jun 27, 2011

Do "likes" and retweets add up to sales? Who knows? And who really cares? We're in the "I Love Lucy" era of social-media marketing, a golden age of unaccountability.READ»

LEADERSHIP | Comment

How To Be Attractive

BY Josh LinknerMon Jun 6, 2011

We all want to be attractive. To get to the next level in our lives, we are trying to "attract" people: investors, employees, voters, customers, suppliers, friends, a mate, Facebook friends, Twitter followers, etc. Of course, we need to turn up the attraction far beyond beauty and style to reach our goals in today's hyper-competitive world.READ»

TECHNOLOGY | Comment

The E-Book Effect: Barnes & Noble Worth Over $1 Billion

BY Kit EatonFri May 20, 2011

Liberty Media's offered $1 billion to buy Barnes & Noble. But it's not because of the bookseller's massive, inviting physical locations--the proposed purchase is most appealing because of one item the store offers: the Nook. Just another sign that the era of the e-book truly has arrived. READ»

E-BOOKS | Comment

Amazon Sells More E-Books Than Paper Ones

BY Kit EatonThu May 19, 2011

E-books realize their unbound potential faster than expected as pixels push past paper in Amazon sales. Oh, and, hey, look! Kindles for sale!READ»

LEADERSHIP | Comment

Small Businesses Connecting with Customers on Multiple Fronts

BY Eric GrovesWed May 18, 2011

Small business owners who say their number one concern is attracting new customers seem to be making the right moves to address that concern according to a new survey.READ»