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How effective are the messages that YOU leave for your prospects? Your prospects form an opinion about you and your company every time you contact them. In fact, the messages you leave on their voicemail or e-mail may be a determining factor in their decision to call you back and consider doing business with you. So make a good impression!

The Voicemail Message

Recently, I had the experience of shopping for a car. Unfortunately, I didnt have the pleasure of buying one. Although I knew the exact car I wanted and was ready to buy, not one car salesperson was willing to give me any personal attention.

To begin, I followed a get a quote tool that was available online and filled in exactly what I wanted in my next car: the type, the color, the features, and even additional comments. I couldnt have made it much easier for a car salesperson to sell me a car that I already knew I wanted.

With the five requests that I sent online to different car dealerships in my area, I received five phone calls within 12 hours of my request. All of them went directly to my voicemail.

Here is the basic script to four of the messages I received:

Hello, this is (insert name of salesperson) calling from (insert name of car dealership). Please call me back at (insert telephone number that I have yet to call).

BOOORING! And talk about impersonal! Did they even read my request? Do they even know what kind of car I am interested in?

When a prospect goes out of their way to contact you in regards to a sale, the last thing you want to do is leave them an impersonal or automated message!

Whats the purpose of a voicemail message?

There is only one objective to leaving a voicemail: get them to call you back. Be creative! Use humor! Show them you are different from the competition!

Distinguishing yourself from others DOES NOT mean telling your prospects how great and wonderful you and your company are. DONT tell them that your company is the biggest, the best, that it always puts the customer first, has a 99.6 percent customer satisfaction rate, was the first to do something, or how long youve been in business and how many awards your company has won. In fact, dont tell them ANYTHING remotely similar to anything on that list!

True Story: While attending college at Bowling Green State University I made a significant observation: all seven pizza companies in town printed voted #1 pizza in town right on their pizza box. Why? The same reason you tell your customers how great you arebecause you think people actually care.

How do you differentiate yourself from the competition?

Your prospects know what they like and what they want. They dont want to dance around with you or play games. They want to be treated like an important customer and not like the next sale towards quota.

So try leaving a message that is actually to the point. Try to sound like a human being and not a salesperson. Leave a message of value, where you tell your prospect something they might actually want to know. This will entice them to return your call. (Want more examples? Send a blank e-mail to voicemail@tomrichard.com)

The e-mail message

After sending in my online quote requests for a car, I also received an automated e-mail. I know that youve probably received one sometime in your life, too. Theyre easy to spot as soon as you open the message: a letter full of misspellings, asterisks and exclamation points; sent from a nameless person promising to give you an incredible deal on a sale.

These types of e-mails almost always end up in the trash folder. Why? Because theyre garbage, and you know it! So, why are you using this garbage to reach your prospects?

Voicemails and e-mails should always be sent personally from a real human being, with the intention of creating a relationship with your prospect. Get to know your prospect so you will understand them and discover their motivation for their interest. When you know why they are interested, you will find out how they will make the decision of whether or nor to buy from you.

Be persistent!

Although all five dealerships reached out to me within the first 24 hours of my inquiry, not one person has followed up with me since then (with the exception of automated e-mail blasts, like I mentioned).

A clear and simple way to separate yourself from the competition is to be pleasantly persistent with your follow-up. You are NOT creating a favorable impression with a prospect if you cant take the time to contact them on a personal level after your first attempt.

When I sent out my initial online inquiries, I was ready to buy a car. I took the first step to contact five different car dealerships in my area. However, the impersonal and ineffective follow-ups of these dealerships have reminded me of why I dont like purchasing a car, and now I am considering keeping my old one.

I didnt make the sales process difficult, the follow-up system of the car dealerships did!

So consider this: is your follow-up system killing your chance of making sales? Do you send messages to your prospects? Are they personal? Are they effective? Remember, the point of the follow-up is to establish a relationship that will eventually lead to a sale. So be personal, be persistent, and be happy youre changing a prospect into a customer!

So there we have it. The previous articles provided a brief snapshot of The Antiques Roadshow, US style, through the lens of the viewing public. One may not consider them the most discerning bunch but they speak from the heart and they represent a reasonable cross section of this audience. Nevertheless, there are a few sharp and pithy observations camouflaged within this site that deserve more than just an acknowledgement in passing.

I have not watched a moment of this show since that woman came on with her hideous folk art jug that she got at a garage sale for $25 and it was worth over $50,000! The only bigger idiot than someone who would pay $25 for that ugly piece of yuck is someone who would actually shell out FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS for it! This show makes me realise just how money orientated our country has become. When some wealthy collector out there will pay $50,000 for a jug or $800,000 for a side table I just have to think of the things that money could have done for a sick or needy person. The Antiques Roadshow, though interesting at first, merely reinforces our societys obsession with stuff.

The Antiques Roadshow is a wonderful insight into the differences between two cultures. The antiques business in the UK is fuddy duddy, full of eccentric characters and gullible but polite people who just nod pleasantly, saying yes a lot when told their piece is a load of junk etc. The US show is dominated by really annoying presenters, most of whom are flagrantly homosexual, and just plain dull. Also, in the US show there is much more emphasis on price than in the British version where the history of the piece is more important.

A cross between a museum and The Price is Right.

Take equal parts Game Show, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Falcon Crest stir vigorously, pour over ice (into a rare 18th century pewter mug) and, voila, you have The Antiques Roadshow.

There is a sense that the US market is much more financially orientated so far as art, antiques and collectables are concerned. The major driver in the various message boards is for an affirmation of the monetary value of an item. This doesnt mean that its intrinsic value, nor its history, are irrelevant but the attention span of the typical consumer in the US is very short. Although there are many educated and informed viewers on US television, it is almost impossible to contemplate a programme with the intellectual rigour of Going for a Song appearing on a mainstream channel. Interestingly, there has been an attempt to resurrect the aforementioned show with the formidable Anne Robinson in the chair though this just seems a ruse to replicate a successful formula without establishing whether there is any latent demand. These television executives really do have to work a bit harder. I reckon you and I could do a better job half the time.

Part four in a series of articles by Howard Lewis.(Read the first three parts in the www.invaluable.com blog).

The 21-22 February will see the 16 remaining teams in the Champions League battle it out for a place in the coveted final held on 17 May in Paris. The second round fixtures have been decided so here is a run down of who is left in the competition and their chances of progressing to the quarter finals:

Inter Milan vs Ajax
Inter qualified comfortably from Group H as winners and have a favourable match against Ajax. The Dutch side qualified as runners up of Group A without too much trouble. Inter are overwhelming favourites to qualify for the quarter finals and striker Adriano, with four goals so far in this competition, poses the main threat. Manchester City. Verdict: Inter to qualify at 2/5.

AC Milan vs Bayern Munich
Milan stuttered through the first round, with just three wins in six matches, before eventually topping the group ahead of PSV Eindoven. Andriy Shevchenko is the tournaments most dangerous striker with six goals. However, Bayern Munich should not be underestimated. They dumped out Arsenal at this stage last season and were only edged out by a single goal against Chelsea in the quarter finals.Verdict: AC Milan to qualify at 4/6.

Liverpool vs Benfica
The Reds take on the team who dumped Manchester United out of the Cup and are firm favourites to progress to the quarter finals. Liverpool were unbeaten and hadnt conceded a goal in 11 league and Cup games until Sao Paulo denied them the World Club Championship on 18 December. Benficas 2-1 win over Manchester United was a shock result, but one they are unlikely to reproduce. Ronald Koemans side are only sixth in their domestic league and are likely to see their interest in the Champions League come to an end at this stage of the competition.Verdict: Liverpool to qualify at 4/9.

Barcelona vs Chelsea
This was the most "anticipated" draw in terms of a replay of last seasons second phase encounter. Barcelona have won 13 games straight in La Liga, while Chelsea have topped the Premiership since August, losing just one match, against Manchester United, all season. Barcelona have also been unstoppable in Europe, winning five out of the six group. Despite the unquestionable talent at his disposal, Jose Mourinho may find his Chelsea team outgunned this time around.Verdict: Barcelona to qualify at 5/6.

Lyon vs PSV Eindoven
Lyon are a team not to be underestimated in this seasons Champions League and won their group ahead of the glamorous Real Madrid. John Carew is Lyons top goalscorer with four goals while Juninho has laid on three assists. PSV will have their backers but Lyon remained undefeated in the group stage and should edge this encounter.Verdict: Lyon to qualify at 1/2.

Villarreal vs Rangers
An upset could be on the cards in this encounter with Rangers a large price to qualify ahead of Spaniards Villarreal. Under-fire Rangers boss Alex McLeish may be ridiculously off-the-pace in the Scottish Premier, but he has got it right in Europe and Rangers have become the first side north of the border to venture this far in the competition. Villarreal scored just three times in six group stage matches.Verdict: Rangers to qualify at 5/2.

Real Madrid vs Arsenal
This is the first time the two have clashed in Champions League and the bookmakers are having difficulty separating them. The Gunners won their five opening matches in the group stage before an experimental line-up drew 0-0 with Ajax in the final round of fixtures. Real Madrid have plenty of attacking power in their line up but are suspect at the back which could be to Arsenals advantage.Verdict: Arsenal to qualify at 10/11.

Juventus vs Werder Bremen
Juventus stormed through the group stage, winning five out of six matches, with David Trezeguet scoring four goals. The "Old Lady" have already beaten and lost to German opposition in the competition this season, with two 2-1 results against giants Bayern Munich in the group stage. Werder Bremen are at their best at home, demonstrated in the 5-1 demolition of Panathinaikos and 4-3 victory over Udinese.
Verdict: Juventus to qualify at 4/11.

One of the things people are always asking me is how can I find a good stock. The answer I give does not please them. I say, "You are not qualified to pick stock. You don't know how so don't try. Put your money in a no-load mutual fund that is going up".

The next cry is, "I don't want to buy mutual funds. What do I do?"OK, so I'll tell you. It is easy. You will have to do less than an hour of work. None of that Wall Street mythology about research which is all horse hockey. The way Wall Street does research is worthless. And don't listen to any broker. Advice from a broker is a eulogy for your money.

They want you to look at the company prospectus. This document isn't worth the paper it is printed on. It was not written for the investor; it was written to pass inspection by some Dilbert lawyer in Washington to see that it meets all the regulations. You can take a prospectus of a very good company and one of a company that has gone bankrupt and you will see they are almost identical. Throw them away.

Read the Annual Report. Another bit of smoke and mirrors. The title should tell you - Annual. Much of what is in it is a year old. Worthless. And let's hope it doesn't have a case of Enronitis.

Get a report from Morningstar. They know all about every financial statistic for a company that you can think of. You might even find out how many sugar lumps the CEO has in his coffee, but there is one thing you won't learn. If you buy this company's stock will it go up? What I am saying is that all the conventional wisdom methods of doing research are worthless. So what do you do?

On the Internet you can find a list of the best performing mutual funds. Go to www.smartmoney.com or www.yahoo/finance.com . There are other places also, but these 2 are very good. List the top 5 mutual funds (write down their symbols). Now go to www.bigcharts.com .Put in the symbol for one of the funds. A chart will come up giving you a picture of the price performance of that fund. If it is going up at a 25-degree angle or more it means the fund manager is doing a good job of picking stocks. At the top of the chart picture there is a legend for Morningstar. Click on that. The new page will show near the bottom the major holdings of this fund. Again you need to get the symbols for his top 5 stocks and look at the chart picture for each one. If that stock is going up in a nice steady price over a period of time of 6 months or longer you have found a winner. Do this with several funds until you have found some stocks you like.

You have let a professional stock picker do all the work for you and now can piggyback his expertise at no cost. Please remember that when that stock turns down you want to sell it. You may be able to ride one up, but you can never tell when it will turn into another Enron. Always be ready to sell.

A fairy garden is a great kids party activity, especially if your theme is a fairy party, garden party, or tea party. A dinosaur den or construction site garden is a fun alternativefor little boys too. Here's how to make a magical miniature garden kids will love.

This project is a truly unique kids party activity, combining fun, fantasy, and learning. Kids love getting their hands dirty and learning how things grow. They will also love the idea of making a magical garden place for a fairy to live.

A miniature garden takes little space and can rest on a tabletop. Maintenance requires only a light misting from time to time and watching for fairies to come to call. Just kidding about that last part, but you never know...

Start by collecting various containers such as woven baskets, large shallow bowls or deep dish clay saucers (like a birdbath), or even discarded bureau drawers. Check yard sales for innovative ideas and inexpensive materials.

Next, supply potting soil and a selection of small plants that will reach under a foot when fully grown. Dwarf zinnias, marigolds, violets, ivy, baby's tears and sprigs of vinca are all good choices.

There are many types of mosses that will work nicely too, fitting into corners and small areas easily to add texture and interest. A variety of low-growing herbs such as thyme and rosemary lend aroma to the mix as well.

Start by lining your garden container with heavy duty plastic, fill to within an inch of the top with potting soil then kids are ready to landscape the top. Let them choose their favorite diminutive plants, interspersing them with various materials to add charm and character to the fairy garden.

For example, turn a colorful plant pot on its side and submerge it halfway in the soil to serve as a proper fairy dwelling. Add dollhouse sized furniture to set in the garden, popsicle sticks to construct a fairy fence, or small flat rocks to make a wonderful stepping stone path.

A small mirror symbolizing water making a faux gazing pool. The round flat glass beads used in vases make nice accent pieces too. Tiny garden accessories like terra cotta pots and shovels give your garden a "lived-in" look.

Fairy gardens needn't be for little girls only. Boys can make a miniature dinosaur den using many of the same materials. Herbs, moss and other green plants can make a forest or wooded area in which small plastic dinosaurs return from extinction to live another day. Soil mounded to one side forms a volcano, spilling red aquarium stone lava.

A construction site garden is another option for boys. Tiny rocks, stick logs, and craft stick lumber can be stacked up waiting for the big rigs to move them. Small toy bulldozers and cranes can be scattered about, among the plantings.

These whimsical gardens can go wherever your child's imagination takes them. You provide the materials, they supply the ideas and creativity. Planting and maintaining a miniaturegarden teaches kids about plants, caring for living things, and most all the fun of gardening.

Copyright 2005 Kids Party Paradise All Rights Reserved

Grimsby Town are the new leaders of League Two after beating Boston United 1-0 at Blundell Park. Michael Reddys goal after 72 minutes was enough to secure the Mariners second win in a row at odds of 9/10.

Last weeks leaders Carlisle United were held to a tense goalless draw at promotion rivals Leyton Orient. Draw backers could have got on at 23/10 with Carlisle now two points behind Grimsby.

Third placed Wycombe Wanderers fought back from two goals down at home to draw 2-2 with relegation strugglers Mansfield Town. Jon Olav-Hjelde and Richie Barker put the Stags 2-0 ahead after 33 minutes, but goals from Tommy Mooney and Stefan Oakes denied an unlikely 9/2 away victory.

Northampton Town squandered the chance to move in to the top three by losing 3-1 at Cheltenham Town. Steve Guinan, Kayode Odejayi and JJ Melligan ensured a home win at 6/4.

Rushden & Diamonds refuse to go down without a fight and Petr Miklondas 30 yard strike gave them all three points against Notts County. Barry Hunters side, 8/5 on the day, have lost just one of their last five games.

Bottom club Stockport County also earned a vital win at faltering Chester City. Liam Dickinson broke the deadlock for County after 76 minutes but Ryan Lowe equalised for City five minutes later. With the match heading for a draw Dickinson grabbed the vital 5/2 winner a minute from time to keep the Hatters just one point from safety.

Meanwhile, Torquay United remain in deep trouble after losing 2-0 at Lincoln City. Scott Kerr after 12 minutes and a last minute goal from Jeff Hughes secured a 5/6 win for the Imps.

Macclesfield Town vs Wrexham, Rochdale vs Barnet and Bury vs Oxford were all called off due to frozen pitches.

As a New England vacation travel writer Ive always considered Connecticut an overlooked state when people choose destinations and attractions for a New England vacation. As youll discover here a Connecticut vacation offers excitement... or peace and quiet, depending on your mood.

Lets take a quick look at seven reasons why you should consider a Connecticut vacation for your next New England trip.

THE MUSEUMS OF CONNECTICUT

With more than 14 diverse theme museums in Connecticut, theres bound to be something to suit your taste. Heres a quick rundown...

Bridgeport is home to The Barnum Museum and Discover Museum, and at Danbury youll find the Military Museum of Southern New England and the Danbury Railway Museum. Keeping with a train theme Thomaston hosts the Railroad Museum of New England and Naugatuck Railroad.

In Bristol you can find The New England Carousel Museum and period time pieces at the American Clock and Watch Museum. Just a little south in Waterbury is Time Expo, and a chance to celebrate the heritage of the Litchfield region at the Mattatuck Museum. At the Connecticut Antique Machinery Museum in Kent experience machinery that once drove commerce in the area.

Windsor Locks is not just home to Bradley International Airport but also to the New England Air Museum and south in East Haven experience another form of transportation at the Shore Line Trolley Museum.

And rounding out our must-see list is Mystics Museum of America and the Sea, and the fabulous Mashantucket Pequot Museum in nearby Mashantucket.

THE CONNECTICUT WINE TRAIL

Wineries in Connecticut? Yes, in fact theres 16 of them scattered throughout the state, and they make a perfect basis for a Connecticut Vacation. The climate in Connecticut is mild compared to the rest of New England and wines produced include: Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, and Riesling. While Connecticut wines have only been produced since 1978, many farms where the grapes are grown are hundreds of years old. The wine tasting room will usually be open but call ahead for a tour time. Youll find these wineries not geared for large bus loads, but on the plus much more intermit than wineries in Northern California.

The wine trail is split into two major regions and its suggested your tour is split up over three to four days. But because the trail takes you near so many other destinations and attractions in Connecticut let yourself be distracted and enjoy the jaunt through scenic and historic New England towns.

FOXWOODS AND MOHEGAN SUN

Combined Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun make the largest casino complex in the world. Foxwoods in owned and run by Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and Mohegan Sun by Mohegan Tribe on lands they own in Uncasville. These are sophisticated high-style experiences with shopping complexes, hotels, high profile entertainment acts, and top-rated restaurants. They are both close to each other and located in the eastern region of Connecticut, and close to museums, scenic drives, and the Connecticut vacation attractions in Mystic.

HISTORIC HOMES OF CONNECTICUT

Perhaps the most famous home to see on your Connecticut vacation is Mark Twains in Hartford, which is now a museum as well full of many artifacts he accumulated in the 17 years he lived there. Also in Hartford is Harriet Beecher Stowe home of Uncle Toms Cabin fame. Another famous womans home is the academy run by Prudence Crandall in Canterbury - its the site of the first academy for black women in New England. Your trip to Connecticut should include the town of Litchfield where you can view museum quality preserved colonial homes, and the Litchfield History Museum and Tapping Reeve House and Law School.

Connecticut includes many historic homes that played an important role in the Underground Railroad and the African-American journey from slavery to freedom.

ESSEX STEAM TRAIN AND THE CONNECTICUT RIVER

The historic 1892 Essex station is your kick-off point for a unique combined 21/2 hour vintage Steam Train and Riverboat Cruise along the Connecticut River. In the summer its cooling, and in the fall stunning with the turning of the leaves. The Connecticut River Museum is also in Essex and vividly brings to life the rivers history as told through paintings, artifacts, and interactive exhibits.

THE TOWN OF MYSTIC

Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium are magnets for visitors to Connecticut. The seaport is billed as The Museum of America and the Sea and depicts an authentic 19th century seafaring village, tall ships to tour, and a Preservation Yard where master shipbuilding skills are still practiced. The Mystic Aquarium includes a delightful array of indoor and outdoor exhibits, including Beluga whales, and a stunning display and model of the Titanic.

THE ANTIQUE RUNS

Connecticut is famous for its concentration of antique shops, and draws thousands of treasure hunters each year who take a Connecticut vacation just to stock up on bargains and specimens to collect and decorate their homes. The village of Woodbury is known as the "Antiques Capital of Connecticut" and has over 45 dealers, but the fact is youre never too far from that special purchase no matter where you are in the state. Just sometimes its nice to take the time to follow your nose along a scenic New England road and see where it takes you... you can bet if its in Connecticut, itll take you close to an antique shop.