Paramount Granite Blog » Uncategorized http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:11:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Spring Clean And Be Green… http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/03/09/spring-clean-and-be-green%e2%80%a6/ http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/03/09/spring-clean-and-be-green%e2%80%a6/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:09:09 +0000 Barb http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/?p=2575 Spring is a great time to clean and unclutter your life. I don’t know about you, but I have a few closets that could use a little spring cleaning. In fact, the other week I came across an ad in a local paper that caught my eye. The ad was for a consignment store that was accepting prom dresses. I thought, “What a great idea!” I have practically a whole closet full of them from “my now college kids” that I would love to get rid of.  Not only will I unclutter my closet, but will also help some high school girl save a few bucks.

While not everyone has prom dresses to get rid of, I also came across a list to get rid of other stuff . Maybe you can use it for your spring cleaning.

Thanks for reading!

Barb

]]> http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/03/09/spring-clean-and-be-green%e2%80%a6/feed/ 0 Get Out And Walk! http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/02/23/get-out-and-walk/ http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/02/23/get-out-and-walk/#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:21:08 +0000 Barb http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/?p=2526 I don’t know about you, but I am an avid walker. It is something that I really enjoy, and it always seems to help clear my head, especially after a busy day at work. While everyone knows that they should get some form of exercise everyday, not everyone has a membership at a gym, or club. Walking is something that doesn’t require any equipment, or membership fees, and can be done just about anywhere. Walking not only is good for the body, but helps ease the mind.

I recently read, “Walking Techniques For Your Mind And Body,” an article found on the Better Homes and Gardens website that stated that, “Confucius advised people to go for long walks without time, destination, or expectations in mind,” according to Tom Brown Jr., founder of Tracker School. By doing so, it allows you to discover surprises along the way.

Walking is also a great way help get your daily dose of vitamin D. Go ahead, enjoy a little sunshine on your face, or skin, but make sure to remember your sunscreen.

If you need a little boost to get you started walking, you might be interested starting out with friend, setting up some sort of a routine, or joining a walking program.

Thanks for reading and happy walking!

Barb

]]> http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/02/23/get-out-and-walk/feed/ 0 Persuasive, Persistant Selling Pays Off… http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/02/12/persuasive-persistant-selling-pays-off%e2%80%a6/ http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/02/12/persuasive-persistant-selling-pays-off%e2%80%a6/#comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:28:24 +0000 Barb http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/?p=2479 Today more than ever, it is important to have a good sales force.  While closing sales is key in business, having a pushy sales person can sometimes backfire. Often times, a more persistent, persuasive approach is more beneficial in the long run.  I recently read, “Don’t Pressure, Persuade,”  an article found in the Januray/February 2010 issue of Selling Power magazine that had some interesting information I thought would be useful for those people out there in sales.

  1. Make sure you listen 80 percent of the time and talk 20 percent. Try and use open ended questions that will keep prospects talking to you.
  2. While it is important to open new accounts, keep in mind that the close should be the beginning of a long-term selling relationship, not just a one time commission sale.
  3. Be persistent, and let your prospect know that their business is important, and that you’re ready to serve them now, or later.
  4. It is important to present product features selectively, based on each individual customers needs.
  5. Don’t just talk discounts. Real sales professionals talk about value and emphasize how the quality and durability of their product will benefit the customer.

Thanks for reading!

Barb

]]> http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/02/12/persuasive-persistant-selling-pays-off%e2%80%a6/feed/ 0 Get Connected and Help If You Can… http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/01/14/get-connected-and-help-if-you-can/ http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/01/14/get-connected-and-help-if-you-can/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:16:34 +0000 Angie http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/?p=2344 The past couple of days, the TV and radio have been inundated with news and information about the 7.0 earthquake that rocked Haiti. Last night, we were flipping back and forth between Fox News and CNN, and an interesting perspective came up. The first images of the destruction were those posted on Facebook, and it got me thinking, what did we do 20 years ago (5 years ago for that matter) when Facebook was a distant thought? It is amazing how social networking sites have connected not only “friends,” but also nations, essentially making our world much smaller. Last night, there were 60 results showing when I typed Haiti Earthquake into the search function on Facebook, just a few minutes ago there were 336 results.

That said, the devastation that the Haitians are experiencing is unthinkable. The logistics of trying to help the nation are impossible. With the fear of hundreds of thousands dead, the rescue efforts, clean-up efforts, and rebuilding efforts, seem daunting and overwhelming. This catastrophic event is bound to affect the country for many years to come! Please take the time to help in any way possible.

Here are a few ways of doing so:

The American Refugee Committee: 430 Oak Grove, Suite 204, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Ph: (612) 872-7060  http://www.ARCrelief.org

Feed my Starving Children: http://www.fmsc.org/Page.aspx?pid=415

The International Committee for the Red Cross: http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/helpicrc

The American Red Cross also has a texting option: By texting Haiti to 90999, ten dollars will be added to your cell phone bill.

Partners in Health: https://donate.pih.org/page/contribute/haiti_earthquake?source=earthquake&subsource=homepage

International Rescue Committee: http://www.theIRC.org

Friends of the Orphans: http://www.friendsoftheorphans.org

Please help if you can and PLEASE SHARE!!!

Angie

]]> http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/01/14/get-connected-and-help-if-you-can/feed/ 0 Ponder This… http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/01/05/ponder-this%e2%80%a6/ http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/01/05/ponder-this%e2%80%a6/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:05:22 +0000 Barb http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/?p=2313 Last Sunday, as I was driving home from the cabin, I got a text message from my 19 year old daughter. It read, “Why are the eggs brown?” I burst out laughing and then called her and said, “What kind of a text message was that?”

Apparently she wanted to make some muffins and needed to add eggs, but had never seen brown eggs before. I told her they are just like the white ones, but with a different color shell. She proceeded to ask, “Yeah, but what is the difference, you’ve never bought brown eggs before.” I said, “I think they just come from a different type of hen, and who really cares, just use them. They are good”

After I hung up the phone, I thought about it some more, and decided I needed to Google this question when I got home, just to make sure I gave the right answer. I mean, who really thinks about “what color eggs are and why” that often. So if you were wondering…
here are some answers to your egg questions in a nutshell, (or should I say eggshell?)

Thanks for reading and happy cooking!

Barb

]]> http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2010/01/05/ponder-this%e2%80%a6/feed/ 0 Happy New Year…Once in a Blue Moon!! http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/29/happy-new-year-once-in-a-blue-moon/ http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/29/happy-new-year-once-in-a-blue-moon/#comments Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:34:57 +0000 Angie http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/?p=2221 “Once in a blue moon!” Everyone has used that saying at one time or another. Well this New Year’s Eve, it will actually come true! Typically, full moons appear 12 times a year, once a month. Popular definition of a “blue moon” is a full moon occurring two times in one month. This happens about every 2-1/2 years. However, the occurrence of a “blue moon” on New Year’s Eve is much more rare, occurring every 19 years, which means there will not be another one until 2028.  Moon

As you are out enjoying your New Year’s Eve festivities, take a moment to enjoy the sight of the “blue moon.”

We wish everyone a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year!!

Feel free to share…

Angie

]]> http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/29/happy-new-year-once-in-a-blue-moon/feed/ 2 HolidayTrufffle Party… http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/23/holidaytrufffle-party%e2%80%a6/ http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/23/holidaytrufffle-party%e2%80%a6/#comments Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:17:52 +0000 Barb http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/?p=2267 A few weeks ago, I had a little get together at my house with a few friends from work to make some holiday truffles to give out. Last year, we did the same thing, and had fun doing it, so I figured we’d start a tradtion. The lucky recipients really enjoy them.

The truffles are easy to make, although a little messy, and delicious!

Following are a few photos I wanted to share:

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Leisa and Barb

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Barb and Leisa

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Barb and Angie

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Leisa and Angie

Thanks for reading!

Barb

]]> http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/23/holidaytrufffle-party%e2%80%a6/feed/ 2 Slow Down & Savor The Season… http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/22/slow-down-savor-the-season%e2%80%a6/ http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/22/slow-down-savor-the-season%e2%80%a6/#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:36:19 +0000 Barb http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/?p=2261 It is easy to get caught up in all of the holiday hussle and bustle and hurry from place to place. Most people, at some time or another, are guilty of participating in the holiday rush trying to get things done—myself included! In fact, I was thinking, “I need to slow down and enjoy the rest of holiday season,” when I had a little accident playing tennis that made me come to an abrupt stop.

With some forced down time, I had a chance to do a little reading, and came across some tips from “How to Savor The Holidays,” an article found in the December 2009 issue of Body + Soul magazine that I wanted to share. Please take them to heart and enjoy the rest of the holiday season.

Winter Savoring Tips (from the article)

  1. Slow Down—Try not to rush. Stay in the moment and be aware of what is going on in each moment.
  2. Soften Your Focus—Sometimes details seem really important, but try not to get caught up in them. Most people will remember how much fun they had, or the laughs, and not the type of wine, or a certain appetizer, or if your place mats matched.
  3. Roll With It—You won’t remember the place mats either. Just forget about the little things like forgetting to dust a certain area, etc.
  4. Observe—Try to see the people and things around you as they are, not as you might wish them to be.
  5. Awaken Taste—When you put something in your mouth, make an effort to really taste it and enjoy it instead of eating just to fill up.
  6. Breathe First—When stress is high and we are anxious, we tend to take shallow breaths, which makes things worse. Take time to breath and inhale deeply.

Thanks for reading!

Barb

]]> http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/22/slow-down-savor-the-season%e2%80%a6/feed/ 0 Fun For All At NARI Firm Night… http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/09/fun-for-all-at-nari-firm-night%e2%80%a6/ http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/09/fun-for-all-at-nari-firm-night%e2%80%a6/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:02:38 +0000 Barb http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/?p=2206 Fun was had by all at last nights NARI Firm night, held at Synergy Products in St. Louis Park, MN. While the snow put a damper on the drive, it did not prevent NARI members from showing up, although there were some complaints about the longer than normal drive.

The event included a toy drive for Toys for Tots, social hour and silent auction, and live band, which included music by the Belladiva’s.

Following are a few photos I wanted to share:

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Jack Kluempke of PGC

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Mike Grabow of Grabow Plumbing, Barb Rodgers of PGC, and Keith Holtan of Holtan Kitchen &  Remodeling, Inc.

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Chuck & Terry Johnson of J Brothers Home Improvement, & Barb Rodgers of PGC

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Jack Kluempke of PGC, & Tyler & Trent Johnson of J Brothers Home Improvement

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The Belladiva’s

Thanks for reading!

Barb

]]> http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/09/fun-for-all-at-nari-firm-night%e2%80%a6/feed/ 0 Mastering The Closing Process… http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/07/mastering-the-closing-process%e2%80%a6/ http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/2009/12/07/mastering-the-closing-process%e2%80%a6/#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:44:32 +0000 Barb http://www.paramountgranite.com/blog/?p=2189 Most people in sales know that, selling is a numbers game, and… “The More You Tell, The More You sell.” While this is true, and beating on doors and making calls is important, being able to master the closing process is key to successful selling.

Mastering the selling process however, takes time and practice. I recently came across, “A Checklist For Mastering Closing,” in my November/Decmber 2009 issue of Selling Power magazine that I liked and found useful and wanted to pass along to readers.

A Checklist for Mastering Closing

  • Did you describe all the benefits your product, or service offers and what they can do for the client?
  • Did you ask the client to buy? (Did you outright ask for the sale?)
  • Did you discover the key issue in your client’s buying decision? (You’re too new, or too much like XYZ company.)
  • Did you uncover the key benefit that your client wants from your product, or service?
  • Did you attempt to make lots of little closes, so the client had the opportunity to make small decisions before making a large decision?
  • Did you try one more time when you thought the sale was lost?

Thanks for reading and happy selling!

Barb

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