My last blog post

Over three years ago I launched Figment Consulting with the plan to right the virtual school ship. Since then I have had some wonderful opportunities to work with some school leaders who are truly working to build virtual schools that work -- for families.

It renewed my hope in what virtual could be, and should be.

However, over the past three years, I have also had the opportunity to expand the role of Figment and branch out beyond the confines of education. In doing so it allowed me, and us at Figment, to play in fields that produce inspiring work.

Most recently we helped launch former American Idol Terrian's music career with her debut single, 'I Am Free.' And, we continue to work with her, guiding her as she moves into her next stages beyond the launch.

Also, we have had the pleasure of working with Disney Master Artist, and celebrity artist, Kevin-John. He is an amazing talent and a wonderful personality. Currently, we are working to expand his brand in new and exciting ways that could propel him far down the path of celebrity over the next few years.

We have also had the pleasure of one-off efforts with some unique talent in a variety of fields, fields that lend themselves to producing good (not just good work, but good overall). To say it has been fun would be an understatement.

But, what to do with my passion for virtual schooling? What should I do with my desire to help schools build virtual schools that serve families -- I still recall the tens of thousands of families I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking with over the years. And recently I have been able to present my message from Pennsylvania to British Columbia.

However, I thought about leaving it all behind, and I was close to doing just that. In the end, though, after months of contemplating, soul-searching, and planning, I have decided to let Figment continue to evolve down the path it is headed -- talent management, marketing consulting, sales training, SEO, design, and simply producing great, fun work. In other words, putting good in the world.

With that decision, I then turned my attention to continuing the effort to help virtual schools. In essence, I am splitting the two, separating them. Moving forward Figment will concentrate on marketing, sales, and talent management, with me continuing to lead the charge.

I will also be launching a new endeavor that will allow me to continue working to expand the message of what virtual schools need to succeed. It will continue to be based on my Virtual School Manifesto: Nine Essential Ingredients. 

It will allow me to produce material, further conduct seminars, training, and speaking engagements focused on virtual schooling, but it will be separate from Figment. Soon I will launch it under my own name, Houston Tucker.

So, while this is my last blog post at Figment, I am not leaving (Figment will be taking over this blog). I care too much about the work we are doing at Figment to let it go. However, I also care about helping virtual schools serve families the way they deserve to be served.

Thank you, readers. Over the years it has grown from my family reading my blog posts (mostly because I asked them to) to hundreds and thousands reading it daily.

Stay tuned. More to come from Figment and me.

houston@figment-consulting.com

How much is a piece of tape worth?

If you stop at Target, you can pick up a roll of Duct Tape for around $6-$8 plus tax.

Measure about a 6 inch length and cut it off.

Then, tape it across your mouth, and it becomes priceless.

Can you see the ordinary in extraordinary ways? If you do, you have the potential of creating something magical.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Figment Consulting looks for the extraordinary in the ordinary, bringing out fresh ideas that stick.

How to increase sales

Tell me what you want, and I can show you how to get it.

Last week I spent two days with two different clients helping them understand how to get more of what they want -- increased sales.

Both four-hour training sessions with each client delved into areas unfamiliar to them, yet guaranteed to help them increase their sales -- increasing more conversions to lead to more revenue. The tools I provided them are the same ones I used over the years to close 70%, 80%, and even 90% of sales.

You see, most people are looking in the wrong direction in order to increase sales. They want the right words to say, the newest "closing" techniques, or the latest tricks. Yet, any increase in sales related to those are temporary at best, and unsustainable.

In order to increase sales -- sustainable, long-term increase that can occur immediately -- companies have to look in a different direction.

If you want that kind of increase, you have to ask the right questions, and be laser-focused on the right target to facilitate the kind of change that can lead to true sales increases.

Shoot me an email if you are interested in the same training. I have a few openings in July but expect them to go fast.

houston@figment-consulting.com

The solution is . . .

. . . dependent upon the question being asked.

We spend countless hours searching for solutions. We waste hours upon hours in meetings discussing possible solutions.

We fire and hire based on finding solutions.

Anyone stop to make sure we are asking the right question?

Why are our sales declining? Why are customers leaving us? What can we do to increase sales? What can we do to attract new customers?

All are centered around the same problem yet each is a distinctly different question that will provide different solutions. The real problem is which question is best asked so we can find the proper solution?

houston@figment-consulting.com

Are you selling or are they buying?

If you concentrate your time and energy on selling features and benefits, you are missing the point. Features and benefits meet the needs of your customers, but what they want to buy are not needs, they want to buy . . . Wants (and the emotions that come with them).

Spend your time on selling and you will miss the buying going on around you. Spend your time on buying, and your sales will increase.

Help people buy what they Want, and you will sell them what they Need.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Data analytics

The answers can be found in the data.

Just make sure you are asking the right questions.

And don't forget, each data point represents a person - - and sometimes they surprise you.

houston@figment-consulting.com

If at first you don't succeed . . .

We all know the saying so say it with me: If at first you don't succeed, try try again.

But is it worth remembering? Is it good advice? Or could a slight adjustment radically alter our thinking on it?

If at first you don't succeed, learn from your mistake, make the necessary adjustments, then try try again. Repeat.

houston@figment-consulting.com

3 Free Ways to Improve Customer Service

1. Smile.

Don't just grin but smile.

2. Give the customer your full attention when you utter the words, "Can I help you?"

Stop writing. Stop putting paper away. Stop whatever it is you are doing that takes your attention away from the customer standing in front of you.

3. Convey excitement in your voice.

"Can I help you?" can take on so many different connotations depending upon how you say it. Say it with enthusiasm and you can set the tone for the customer interaction.

houston@figment-consulting.com

I don't know.

Three simple words, and yet so difficult for many of us to say.

It took years for me to master these words, and there are times where the small voice inside me continues to provide me with doubt as to whether or not they should be said again. But, I also understand the power that comes with being able to say, "I don't know."

Saying it doesn't mean you can't learn it.

Saying it doesn't mean you can't find the answer (see google.com for that).

In fact, saying it frees you up to grow, to further your knowledge and expertise, and to become even better at what you do.

You may want to give it a try.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Behind the curtain

"I was told that it would only take 6-8 hours each day for the schoolwork to be completed. But, now I am finding out that in addition to the 6-8 hours of schoolwork, there is also more to be done with teacher meetings, test prep, and other online meetings -- this means our days are more like 8-10 hours. Not what I was told."

Cyber (virtual) school mom

A friend shared this Facebook post with me as we were discussing the idea of how easy it is to "peer behind the curtain" and see what is really going on. With Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and other social avenues, prospective families can easily and quickly determine if what you are telling them is true or not.

Not too long ago it was simpler for companies to create a false front and craft the story they wanted to tell. Today, your customers play an integral role in sharing that story of yours. So, make sure it is authentic from the beginning because they can easily see behind the curtain.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Moving at the speed of trust

Your customers, your prospects will only purchase from you at the level to which they trust you.

It creates for you an amazing opportunity: If I build trust then I can increase revenue.

And while I know it is not quite that simple, and there are other factors involved, the two are directly related. But they do have a prescribed order.

Focus on trust and revenue will follow.

For more on this idea, read The Trust Game in economic theory.

houston@figment-consulting.com

2015 Homeschool Conferences: 12 Tips to Increase Sales

Download your copy today. Begin increasing your sales, your leads, and your profits at the next homeschool conference you attend.

I have listed out 12 Tips -- easy to understand, and easy to implement -- all vendors should know in order to increase their return on investment.

In addition, I include multiple Extra Tips, and even 3 Bonus Tips to provide you with almost 20 ideas you can use to help you achieve your goals, increase your leads, and earn more sales.

As an added Bonus, here is an additional Tip for all homeschool vendors:

TIP: Determine how you will measure success

Do you have a sales goal identified? How many leads do you want to obtain? Take time to determine your goals for the upcoming homeschool conference so you will be able to decide if it was a successful venture or not.

Measuring results is equally as important as determining activities. Too many times homeschool vendors approach the convention they are exhibiting at with little to no preparation on what they anticipate their return on investment will be.

When setting your goals, be specific and keep it simple. Outline them on paper and go over them several times leading up to the homeschool conference.

If you have team members working with you make sure they understand what the goals are and the ways you intend to reach them.

Success can only be determined properly if you know how you plan to measure it.

Want more Tips for your next homeschool conference? Order my 12 Tips today.

houston@figment-consulting.com