The #1 Reason You Can’t Sell Your Product Or Service

 

 

 

Ever wonder why you can’t sell your product or service?

Wondering which training program or seminar would help?

Wanna learn the world’s simplest way to improve your sales ability?

 

 

Let’s start with the problem that is hindering your ability to sell.

YOU DON’T TRULY BELIEVE IN YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE

If you did, it’d show through how you speak and how you act.  The charisma and passion would show.  But most people don’t show passion when they are trying to sell a product.  Most people aren’t even sure about the product themselves and so it shows.  

You say, 

 

But Gary, I do believe in my product…

 

Ok, maybe you do believe in your product but for some reason you’re not able to convey your passion to the other person.  Why is that?  

Maybe you believe in the product but you don’t believe in yourself which is the bigger problem.  

 

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

I’m a Christian and I believe that you were created by God.  I believe God sees greatness in every one of us.  I don’t believe God thinks we’re meant to be in inferior.  I’m not saying that you’re supposed to be suddenly competent in anything you touch.  

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Perspectives on the Future of Work: October 24

Upwork’s biweekly column brings you the latest news on the future of work, including trends, freelancing, and other shifts in the way we work.

This week’s roundup highlights:

• Freelancers are working longer workweeks than full-time employees—and they’re happy about it.
• The use of freelancers is on the rise, but at a recent HR conference, one attendee felt the contingent workforce was being overlooked.
• The freelance talent pool is growing, but labor protections haven’t caught up

Yahoo Finance | Freelancers Work More Hours than the Average American Does

The number of freelancers grew from 53 million in 2014 to 55 million in 2016, which comprises nearly 35 percent of the U.S. workforce. Not only have their numbers grown, so has their workweek. In the U.S., full-time employees work an average of 34 hours per week, whereas full-time freelancers work an average of 36 hours per week.

Bankrate.com’s senior economic analyst Mark Hamrick said, “It’s generally a good sign that there is sufficient demand to need workers to work a longer week because it shows employers are meeting demand for services.”

According to the Freelancing in America: 2016 study, over half of full-time freelancers believe their workweek is just right. What’s more, 54 percent say they make more than they did in their traditional job. And 86 percent expect more project opportunities in the future.

Spend Matters | HR Tech Post-Mortem: Was the Elephant in the Room?

Although the expanded engagement of freelancers affects HR professionals greatly, very little was mentioned about this large workforce during HR Tech 2016. Business/technology consultant Andrew Karpie attended the recent conference and found most of the over 400 exhibitors focused on traditional employees.

Karpie observed most attendees didn’t give contingent workers a high priority on their list of interests. And most HR professionals were not concerned with learning more about the workers or related technology solutions, such as digital work platforms that reduce the administrative processes involved in sourcing, engaging, and utilizing contingent workers.

With more organizations turning to contingent workers, Karpie says he found this oversight surprising. Numerous studies support the benefits of freelance expertise, such as an IBM study that found independent contractors are so much more engaged than average workers, they nearly matched the level of the companies’ highest performers.

In spite of this, HR Tech 2016 attendees, exhibitors, and speakers seemed to ignore what Karpie refers to as the “elephant in the room.” Perhaps they’ll face the elephant in 2017.

Forbes | McKinsey Study: Gig-Economy Workforce is Bigger than Official Data Shows in U.S., Europe

The independent workforce is growing, but the McKinsey Global Institute says labor policies are still stuck in the Industrial Era. “A lot of our labor market policies have been developed with the idea of a traditional nine to five job in mind. That no longer applies. There is a lot of catch-up we need to do,” said Susan Lund, a partner at McKinsey.

Current labor laws don’t apply to the new and growing freelance workforce who take projects on the side, or freelance full-time. As a result, many independent workers lack access to traditional protections such as unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and disability insurance.

This is a growing concern now that 20-30 percent of the U.S. and EU-15 labor forces freelance either part-time or full-time. And this trend is predicted to grow.

According to the McKinsey report, “The Industrial Revolution moved much of the workforce from self-employment to structured payroll jobs. Now the digital revolution may be creating a shift in the opposite direction.” Of the workers surveyed, this shift is driven by a combination of technology, employers, and workers who seek greater control over their income and work schedules.

“What I can imagine in the future is not only that government policy is more realistic about different ways of working but there is a whole ecosystem of players catering to the needs of independent workers,” said Lund. But until that happens, this large workforce remains on its own.

What else should industries or policymakers address that would make it easier for you to freelance full-time? Share your thoughts or in the comments below.

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How to select the best wood to build your Timber Frame Home

What wood will create the look I want for my timber frame home? Which tree species is most durable to build with? How much will it cost? These are the most common questions we get asked by clients as they decide on the right timber for their home.

We previously wrote an article on the best type of wood to build a log home, you can read the article here. Timber frame and log homes are different, so wood selection may vary for each.  

When it comes to building a timber frame home, you’ll want to consider three things: the type of wood, how the timber is processed, and what finished look you desire.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Most common wood species used for building a timber frame home

It all starts with the species of wood you decide to use. Timber frame homes can been made from a variety of wood species. Choosing the right type of wood comes down to personal preference, climate, structure, and price point.

Below is a rundown of the most common wood species used for building timber frames.

Oak:
This is the strongest and hardest species of wood available. It’s commonly used in Europe and eastern Canada for building timber frames as it’s readily available. Oak timbers are becoming used less frequently due to increased difficulty in finding high quality pieces in suitable sizes

Douglas Fir:
This is the most popular species of wood used in timber frame homes due to its strength and beauty. Most timber frames built in western Canada and in B.C. are made with Douglas Fir. This wood gets a high grade for its structural strength, which makes it an engineer’s favourite to build with.

Western Red Cedar: 
This is the premium choice for exposed timber homes since it can handle weather conditions better than any other species. One design consideration: Cedar is a softer and lighter wood, so beam sizes have to be larger compared to other species.

Pine and Spruce:
These are strong softwoods that are mostly used in eastern Canada. The name “softwood” does not mean that the wood is weak. In fact, softwood species (including Douglas Fir) are known for their structural strength and flexibility for design. Pine and spruce are some of the most economical varieties of timber available.

Deciding how the timbers are processed

How wood is processed isn’t actually related to which part of the tree that it comes from. Below are some options that you can mix and match to choose the best timber processing methods for your home’s needs.

Free of heart centers (FOH): 
These timbers come without the center (or heart) of the tree trunk. This makes the timber more stable, straight, and more resilient to cracks, checking and twisting.

Boxed heart:
Boxed heart timbers are sawn or milled so that the center of a tree remains intact. These beams have more movement and are therefore more prone to cracking.

Green timbers: 
When a tree is first cut it’s considered green. The wood has not been dried and its moisture content is high. This means the timbers will shrink over time, causing movement along the way. To ensure your home doesn’t shift or twist in the years to come, we don’t recommend that you use green timbers.

Kiln dried timbers: 
Kiln drying is a process that carefully dries the wood at a very slow rate so that it doesn’t cause damage to the beams. Timbers that undergo kiln drying will typically have a consistent moisture content of 12-16%. The kiln drying process helps make the timber more stable, less likely to crack, and keeps shrinkage to a minimum.

Choosing the right finished look for your timber framed home

There are two main options for the finished look of your home: smooth and rustic. This breakdown will help you decide which finish matches your style.

Smooth finish:
If you want a modern and sleek look for your timber frame, you’ll want a smooth finish. All four sides of each beam will be planed, which results in a consistent size and shape. This is the ideal look that many timber frame home owners want.

A rustic look:
If you are looking for a more natural feel, you might want to consider a rustic look. These timbers are not planed, so they have more character and a more unprocessed appearance. This is also the more economical finishing option.

So, which wood is best for your timber frame home?

At the end of the day, selecting the right wood species, processing, and finishing comes down to your own personal style and budget. We encourage you to discuss these options with your designer or log home company. They may have valuable suggestions based on your location, climate, and the species of wood that they have readily available.  

If you are considering building a timber frame home and are wondering which species of wood are available, please feel free to contact us at info@artisanlog.com

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Finding Top Freelancers Through Better Job Descriptions

Specialized work often requires experts with specific skillsets and experience, and a well-crafted project description is a key ingredient if you want to attract the best freelancer to fit your project needs.

To attract the right freelancer for the task at hand, it helps to know how to tailor your project descriptions. These articles from the Hiring Headquarters—Upwork’s resource for businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs—will help you get the most effective reach with your project descriptions.

Track Down Terrific Technical Writers

Writing is a freelance field that covers a tremendously broad range of styles, disciplines, and skillsets. While it’s often seen as a creative and artistic endeavor, the process of transforming highly technical information into digestible, easy-to-understand prose is no simple task for the common wordsmith. The best technical writers are adept at the different approaches required to excel in this role.

“How to Create the Optimal Technical Writing Job Description” explains the types of work technical writers most frequently handle, from whitepapers and product packaging to websites and training manuals. Explore how to align your project description to attract ideal talent, with a sample project description you can use as a guide to craft your own.

Here are three questions to consider when looking at a technical writer’s portfolio and evaluating whether they’re a good fit.

1. How well does the writer understand your industry? Familiarity with your industry overall, as well as your company’s unique brand, can make for an ideal match.
2. How do they gather and organize information for a project? Working with a resourceful, organized technical writer can ensure a project moves along smoothly.
3. What other clients has the writer worked with before? Seeing specific examples of technical writing work, particularly projects for an audience similar to your own, can give you an immediate sense of what the finished results will look like.

Get Better Insights with a Data Scientist

Buried deep within the data generated by your company, team members, and customers lie many valuable insights. Without an expert who’s capable of analyzing and deciphering important trends within that vast sea of information, it’s hard to put that data to good use. That’s where a data scientist comes in.

“How to Compose the Ideal Data Scientist Job Description” explains how this newer specialization can be used to benefit your business. In addition to outlining the most valuable traits to look for in a freelance data scientist, it poses a number of questions to consider as you craft your project description.

1. What do you aim to learn from the data? Setting a specific focus for what you aim to learn from the data will give potential talent a clearer sense of how to tackle the project.
2. What is the expected time commitment? How long do you anticipate it’ll take to go through your data and glean the insights you seek? Are there any time constraints or other considerations to factor in?
3. How large is your budget? Skilled and experienced data scientists expect adequate compensation, and the best of the best will be more inclined to submit a proposal if it seems financially worth their while.

Get help writing stellar job descriptions for your next project by checking out other skill-specific tips in the Hiring Headquarters.

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Upwork Newswire: Freelancers Now Make Up 35% of the Workforce

Forbes | Freelancers Now Make Up 35% of the Workforce

The “Freelancing in America: 2016″ survey shows the freelance economy is still growing at a strong clip—and politicians may want to pay attention. The study, commissioned by Upwork in partnership with Freelancers Union, show freelancers now total 55 million people, and make up 35 percent of the U.S. workforce. Collectively, they earned $1 trillion in the past year.

Despite making up one-third of the workforce, both presidential candidates have paid little attention to freelancers. The candidates may be missing a significant opportunity as the survey found many freelancers would respond to someone who acknowledged their needs. Many don’t have unemployment insurance, affordable healthcare, or other traditional social safety nets.

“They are expressing a lot of their pain points in this election. Episodic income is a huge pain point,” says Sara Horowitz, Freelancers Union Founder and Executive Director.

However, unsteady income and other challenges aren’t deterring workers from freelancing. The survey found 63 percent voluntarily chose freelancing over traditional jobs, partly because of the flexible hours and other benefits of being their own boss.

Read the full article on Forbes >

See the full “Freelancing in America: 2016” survey results >

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Holistic Hair Stylist Spotlight: Kat Cline

Kat Cline

As our Holistic Hair Tribe continues to thrive, we can’t but notice some standout stylists! In the spotlight this month is Kat Cline. She’s a Managing Stylist at TMAC’s Hair Studio in Mobile, AL. She specializes in hair color, highlights, cuts, and styling, but also men’s grooming and barbering services.

She’s no stranger to educating others on health, beauty and wellness, and has been able to combine her love for all three behind the chair.

Get to know Kat!

Tell us a little about yourself! What brought you to working with a holistic hair line?

Although I haven’t been in the hair industry for very long, I’ve been very involved in the holistic and health/wellness world. I started a food blog The Primordial Table in 2012 that was geared towards ancestral health. In the last several years, I have transformed the blog into mostly recipes and support for those who are hoping to control/maintain/reverse autoimmune conditions.

I have a very large Instagram following, where I also share my dedication towards finding all natural and less toxic cleaning supplies, makeup, skin care, hair care, and so on. To me, holistic wellness is a lifestyle, and I want to incorporate it into all aspects of life including my job and career.

 

What is one of your favorite looks to create and which products do you use to create them?

My favorite looks right now are the balayaged/ombre styles that are soft and blended. I love the reverse application process – that’s where you take a previously highlighted or blonde client and transition their base into a soft, blended, more low maintenance style.

I’ve been using Oway’s Hnectar color almost exclusively for these looks because the color line is so natural and almost flawless in the blending process. My clients are also loving the shine and silkiness of their hair post-color.

What is your favorite client story?

My favorite client story recently is probably my brother’s story. I don’t regularly cut his hair, but he’s had fine, thinning hair for almost the last decade. He’d tried everything and resigned himself to no hair within the next five years. We’ve talked and argued a lot about different products. I’ve given him samples, and so on.

On my last trip to Tampa to get Oway Certified, I met him for dinner since he lived in the area. We talked and argued about him trying Oway, and he was stubborn that he wasn’t going to try it. But he shared that he was almost out of the usual stuff he had so I bought a bottle of the Micro-stimulating hair bath and left it with my mom to give it to him. When he ran out, he decided to try the Oway since it was “laying around”.

He called two months after my visit to share with amazement that the shampoo was making his hair feel the strongest he’s felt it in years. And he also shared that he was no longer afraid to touch his hair because it used to fall out in his hands when he did.

He also wanted to remedy to go with the hair bath. Sure, this story makes me feel great because my older brother finally admitted I was right for the first time ever, but it’s also a reminder to not give up on a situation just because a client has! There’s always going to be new information or new products, and you never know what might work!

How do you relax after a long day at work?

I’m a huge foodie, and I LOVE to cook so my favorite way to relax after a long day is usually to cook a simple dish or enjoy a delicious meal from one of my batch cook sessions. Enjoying a meal with a glass of wine and a friend are always a bonus.

If you had one wish what would it be?

My one wish is for a more eco and environmentally aware society.

I love being a part of a community like Oway, and others that desire environmentally-friendly, sustainable products, that desire better farming and agriculture practices, that desire fair trade and sustainability, but I wish that more of society as a whole felt the same way. I’m happy with the revolution that is underway, but I can’t wait for it to continue to grow and become a very big thing that will change the world.

What would you like to see change in our industry?

The biggest thing I would love the see change in our industry are higher standards to continue to educate ourselves as hairstylists. I’m fortunate enough to work with coworkers who are always looking for new classes and information, but I know this isn’t always the case.

I think the industry is only as strong as our weakest link, and I would love to see more hairstylists working together to find new ways or better ways to do hair instead of being so competitive. I think the sharing of information is a beautiful thing that not only creates great hairstylists, but also creates happy clients and a world full of beautiful people with great hair.

What sort of trends do you see on the horizon for the beginning of 2017?

As for upcoming trends, I still see the “lived in” looks reigning supreme for most clients. With the 80s and 90s making some comebacks in the fashion world, embracing natural texture or enhancing tousled, bed-head texture for ease of styling seems to be the go to. I think texture, low maintenance, easy styling are going to be the key words for a while.

Check out Kat's work with Oway!

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Join Kat and other like-minded stylists in our Organic Way Holistic Hair Colorist Group here!

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3 Web Development Trends To Watch

Staying up-to-date on the latest developments in your field is vital for delivering maximum value to your clients. For web developers in particular, trends in key areas like cloud computing, information security, and the way people browse online can have a major impact on your work.

These articles from the Hiring Headquarters—Upwork’s resource for businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs—will help you stay abreast of several noteworthy shifts.

Navigating the Shift To HTTP/2

Late last year, HTTP saw its first update in over two decades, and adoption of HTTP/2 has grown steadily in 2016 as many websites are making the jump. With ample time to kick the tires since its debut, industry experts now have a stronger sense of the perks and pitfalls of this significant overhaul.

“The HTTP/2 Protocol: Its Pros & Cons and How to Start Using It” explores some of the core differences between HTTP 1.1 and HTTP/2, while looking at the advantages and disadvantages of the main changes to the protocols.

Overall, HTTP/2 is seen as a big improvement over the web’s older outdated protocols, although the article highlights a few deficiencies to be aware of and work around when implementing it into your systems. Additionally, the article features helpful graphs and offers detailed tips for how to get starting using HTTP/2—on both the client and the server sides.

Software Stacks Headed To The Cloud

The tried-and-true LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) has long been the stack of choice for many designers of dynamic websites and apps, due in large part to its free, open-source nature. Some developers, however, are now favoring a modern ecosystem-style stack approach that encompasses a broader range of modular, open-source tools, cloud-based infrastructure, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers.

“How Cloud Computing Is Changing the Software Stack” looks at how the advent of the cloud has impacted software stack preferences in recent years and what this means for developers. The article explores many of the different factors driving this shift and takes a look at the main platforms emerging as the go-to for this new cloud-centric stack landscape.

Here are three big factors cited as heavy influences on this migration over to the cloud.

1. Easier tool integration. Modern APIs are designed with modularity in mind, and many easily interface with one another with minimal effort or hassle.
2. Affordably scale faster. Cloud-based infrastructure makes the process of scaling to meet current needs a far smoother and more flexible process.
3. Greater reliance on distributed teams. More companies are relying on remote workers and distributed teams for web-based projects, which makes cloud-friendly options a strong fit.

Increased Need for Tighter Security

As the online world expands and evolves, so do the countless ways that hackers harness the Internet in an attempt to cause damage and mayhem. Keeping clients’ systems safe and secure should be a top priority for any developer, and designing your code and infrastructure with security in mind from the ground up is always a good idea.

Of course, it also helps to have a strong understanding of the latest threats to watch for.

“Trends in Cyber Security Threats & How to Prevent Them” is an exhaustive discussion of many types of potential cyber attacks you’ll want to guard against—from classics like viruses and phishing scams to newer threats like ransomware.

The article offers helpful definitions to classify attack types, and also explores how hackers use these tools to damage systems, steal information, and wreak havoc. It’s an excellent source for anyone eager to tighten their security.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest tips, tools, and trends for developers? The Hiring Headquarters has lots of in-depth articles that explore the latest developments.

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