|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
Dell Resorts to Questionable Sales Tactics to Drive Revenue
| Guest post by: Dave Kurlan |
Article Overview: Today, I received an email from Dell showcasing their latest ill conceived scheme to generate revenue. I really have to question their thinking because when you see it you'll start thinking about all of those Yellow Page advertisers that send confirmations for ads you didn't place...
 |
Free Download - Sales Courage and Resilience By Dave Kurlan |
Dell Resorts to Questionable Sales Tactics to Drive Revenue
Last December, I wrote this article to show you what Dell was doing to generate revenue. It was not an example of a best practice for maintaining margins.
Just last week, I wrote this article about the difference between pricing strategy and selling strategy.
Today, I received an email from Dell showcasing their latest ill conceived scheme to generate revenue. I really have to question their thinking because when you see it you'll start thinking about all of those Yellow Page advertisers that send confirmations for ads you didn't place. You may remember laser cartridge companies that billed for cartridges that you didn't order and they didn't ship. You're going to think SCAM. Is that how Dell really wants to be perceived as they attempt to rebuild their revenue and market share? Take a look!
Direct Link to the article on my blog where you can see the email.
Can't see it clearly? By design. The only words you need to read are just below the attachment where it says, "Quote Information".
They sent unsolicited quotes to be approved. The email starts out with Your Dell Quote and goes on to say, "Thank you for your interest in Dell" and goes on to provide instructions to place the order. If you read everything, you'll read that this is simply a "sampling" and a method to provide contact information.
A huge part of effective selling is the ability to build trust and credibility. It's not until you have that trust and credibility that a prospect is comfortable enough to willingly share their answers to your salespeople's good, tough, timely questions. Well this email breaks trust. Not only that, since it was an unsolicited quote via email, one could easily say it is SPAM.
Seth Godin is always writing about permission marketing. Seth, I'll bet Dell didn't send this one to you...and I'll bet you'll have something to say about it too.
Learning a New OS
Lesson #4: Thrive On Change
Computing Success: How Dell Came Out On Top
Self Improvement -- Motivation Sometimes Comes From the Most Unlikely Sources
Perfect Vacation Opportunities at All Inclusive Luxury Resorts
Article Tags: credibility, dell, economy, effective selling, email, laser cartridge, margins, market share, page advertisers, pricing strategy, quotes, sales strategy, sales tactics, salesforce, sampling, target, yellow page
|
About the Author: Dave Kurlan RSS for Dave's articles - Visit Dave's website Click here to visit Dave's website   Visual Pipeline Salesperson Selection Predict Sales Turnover |
Related Forum Posts
Re: How many computers do you have?
- [quote="OmnivoreInk":1dnp9mfb]Here's a question... I'm just curious... how many computers do each of us have?
I've got a desktop computer - a Dell... about 4 years old now, I think, and a laptop, a Sony Vaio...which I bought when I hoped to be doing a lot of travelling around the country...that never came to pass (and looks even less likely now with gas prices!) but it's still fun to be able to carry from room to room of my house...
I don't own any fancy palm pilots...not even an Ipod...[/quote:1dnp9mfb]
Hi Barbara,
I only have one 4 year old Dell Inspiron 8600 (15.4" monitor).
On the other hand, my father has a very old desktop, but a new 20" monitor... while my brother also owns a Dell notebook, but it's a Vostro and is much better value than an Inspiron or Studio model. The only drawback of the Dell Vostro is that it's really ugly looking.
Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional
- Hi Evan,
I am noticing that many of the posts in the Sales/Marketing section deal with online marketing, SEM and and SEO and Affiliates. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to separate that section into two; 1) Online Sales and Marketing; 2) Traditional Sales and Marketing
Re: Bye Bye Vista
- I was hesitant to replace the Vista OS with XP because Dell claims to void any service support if I made changes to the OS. I was held hostage until I finally made the decision to drop the Dell support (if I have too), hopefully I can persuade them to assist me if I have troubles that I can't troubleshoot.
Re: Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional
- [quote="ltrahan":31w9r2iz]Hi Evan,
I am noticing that many of the posts in the Sales/Marketing section deal with online marketing, SEM and and SEO and Affiliates. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to separate that section into two; 1) Online Sales and Marketing; 2) Traditional Sales and Marketing[/quote:31w9r2iz]
I second the request...
Re: How do you back up your computer?
- After deciding not to go with BackBlaze because they couldn't back up all of my files within the trial period (what's the point of a trial period of you can't actually try it out??) I have now given Dell a chance.
I bought my new Dell laptop about 6 months ago and never initialized the Dell DataSafe Online application - until yesterday afternoon.
My favorite thing about it so far is that before you back up it shows you how many files you have in different categories - ie documents, financial information, email files, videos, music, and photos. From there you can set your preferences as to what you want to back up.
For me I have a large number of videos, photos, and music on my computer but I deselected them for the backup - To make the backups go more quickly I only chose the documents, financial information, and email files. This might be why my BackBlaze trial backup never completed.
It works on the same premise that if you change a file it will recognize the change and only backup those changes.
I have a free one year account that came with my Dell and so far I'm happy with it. You may want to consider looking into the program if you haven't found a suitable backup system yet!
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
by: 
4 Building Blocks of an Effective Talent Management System
Simon Fuller Quotes
Lesson #3: “Tell ‘em quick and tell ‘em often”
Searching for the Stars: How Yang and Filo Took Their Business to New Heights
Salesperson Wimp-Out: I Need Help 
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Civility in the Workplace---Is it Decreasing?
Avoid Burnout: Do the Limbo Regularly
Emotional Intelligence in Business
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.