Scott Pemberton

24
May

Phil Krone on Giving Back: Community Leadership, Manufacturing Careers, and the Positive Future

Our FOCIS® Consultative Selling Training teaches the value of “paying it forward” in business with colleagues, prospects, customers, and others–without expectation of return. Phil Krone, president of Productive Strategies, lives that philosophy “on and off the court” in his business and community life. In this 15-minute podcast, Discussing Community Leadership with Phil Krone, Phil talks with Congiz Karatas, the executive director

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2
Mar

Consultative Negotiation: Phil Krone, Tom Hazlett to speak to VIA members on April 23

Productive Strategies President Phil Krone and Senior Consultant Tom Hazlett will deliver a talk and discussion about the principles and practices of “consultative negotiations” to the Valley Industrial Association at 9 a.m. on April 23. In the 90-minute presentation and workshop, Krone and Hazlett will discuss negotiation styles, skills and principles as well as minute-to-minute, face-to-face tactics and outline the

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4
Feb

Yes, You Can Write a Book

No, I don’t mean like the one on your nightstand, the one you think you’re reading as you doze off and turn out the light. I mean a book that you write–sharing your wisdom, explaining how you got where you are, demonstrating your expertise, telling all those entertaining and enlightening “war stories” that make your points “crystal.” A book that builds

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20
Jan

2021 Growth: Using Referrals the Right Way

In a business-to-business environment, referrals can lead to 80% of all new business. Where do the best referrals come from? Well, you can’t wait for them to knock on your door. And asking works only as part of a process that builds and maintains a productive and reliable referrals network. How do you do that? We know from experience that the

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30
Jul

Looking for New Business?

Productive Strategies President Phil Krone recently spoke at two virtual events for business groups about getting new business in today’s challenging environment. On July 28 he served on a panel—“Attracting New Business”—at a virtual event sponsored by Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries. His focus was the importance of aligning sales and marketing to boost efficiency.  “New Business Prospecting” was the

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18
Feb

Referrals: Key to Increasing Sales in 2020

Develop much better referrals to get 2020 off to a great start: Enroll in our popular half-day course “Referrals: The Workshop” on Wednesday, November 4. It runs from 8 a.m. to noon at the Productive Strategies offices in Northfield, Illinois. In a business-to-business environment, referrals can lead to 80% of all new business. But building solid referrals does take time–and a

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20
Jan

2020: Sell More Than Ever!

Beat your personal best in 2020 by developing your consultative selling skills, building a customized sales process, and getting hands-on help in closing deals. Sell like the top producers sell–the 20 percent who consistently bring in 80 percent of all new business. Our highly popular and highly productive consultative sales course, FOCIS®, supports the individual and team growth so vital to boosting

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4
Dec

The Best Business Gift Ever?

“Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, ‘What’s in it for me?’”—Brian Tracy Creating value–“helping others”–is perhaps the best gift you can give your customers, prospects, and colleagues. Even better, you can do it all year ’round in a special way during the sales process. That’s right, you can provide value before

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14
Nov

Peer Learning Round Table for Manufacturers to Launch in 2020

Peer-learning round tables for owners, CEOs, presidents, and other senior executives are a proven way to  maintain and grow companies. In partnership with the Chief Executive Network, Productive Strategies plans to launch a round table for manufacturing companies early next year. For more information, get in touch with Phil Krone at 847-446-0008 Ext. 1 or pkrone@productivestrategies.com.  

26
Sep

Align Your Sales and Marketing Now: Our Newest Workshop Builds Your Competitive Advantage

Working together, sales and marketing can grow your business faster and better—but only if they do, in fact, work together. They must be aligned. The good news is that alignment isn’t magic. Specific processes and actions you’ll learn in our new workshop will help your company get this now-essential business process right and keep it right. It can become a

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