Armstrong Capital Newsletter

December 2009

 

 

Jeffrey R. Armstrong

President of Armstrong Capital

 

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        Happy Holidays! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday weekend and are now back to business for a few weeks gearing up for those end of the year profits! :)

        As I was sitting at the Thanksgiving table I was listening to my mother talking to my brother and I overheard her say to him, "You'll catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar."  It's quaint, but even in today's high tech world, it still holds true today.  With toxic bosses in vogue and self-absorption at a new high, common courtesy is anything but common.

        I have encountered numerous business people who believe that success is their ticket to bad manners.  Being successful doesn't mean you have to lose your etiquette.  The valet parking attendant should be given the same respect as the chairman of the board.

        I believe we subliminally associate good manners with other old-fashioned traits like honesty and integrity. So someone exhibiting good manners would be send, all other things being equal, as being more honest and having greater personal integrity.

        Good manners convey other positive traits, such as respect, altruism and discipline.  A display of manners is a sacrifice of what one might prefer to do in certain situations in order to follow prescriptions of behavior. It is easier to trust people with good manners.  People judge us by actions and appearance and words, so how you look, speak and act really translates into how you're viewed in business.

        Several years ago Mr. Anderson called and wanted to sell his note. His note was not very desirable and I told him right up front that we could buy it but the discount would be extreme large due to the poor terms he had on the sale and note. I spent 5-10 minutes talking with him and he appreciated my honesty and said he would look elsewhere. I wished him the best.  Almost two years later I got a call from Mr. Anderson again and he reminded me of our initial conversation and said that he had a vivid memory of that call.  He was impressed that I would be so polite and courteous to a complete stranger.  That was his main reason for contacting me again.  This time he had an exceptional note that we went on to purchase because he knew I would be honest and straightforward with him and a trustworthy steward of his money.

        According to a survey by Columbia, SC based Eticon (an etiquette consulting firm), almost 60 percent of customers say they would shop elsewhere and pay more to avoid rude sales and service people. For the note business you might read that as 60 percent of note holders would move on and choose to sell their note to someone else, even at a bigger discount, to avoid a rude note broker/buyer.  Even more interesting, the survey goes on to say that individual customers no longer have a problem exiting a relationship with a business when they are treated with disrespect.

        As your mother would tell you, manners matter most because you reap what you sow.  No one I know has ever passed along business to someone who is lacking in the manners area.  Don't just brush etiquette off as a sissy topic. Manners bring positives that help you get ahead.

        Don't underestimate the value of courtesy in the note business. Have a wonderful holiday season! Don't stop marketing, it's going to work! TWITA!

 

Jeff Armstrong

 

P. S. - End of Year Special Extended!!! - As an aide to help you develop your note brokering skills I am extending my offer to you through the end of the year only, of my complete "Rainbow Package" of books for a very reduced price of $130!  That's over 25% off of the regularly discounted package price.  But that's not all, in addition, if you order through this email I will also send you FREE the Secrets of Paper 101 four disk audio set (regularly $99) with over 6.5 hours of straight-forward, honest beginning note business basics, again for FREE.  It includes the good, the bad and the ugly in addition to the myths of today's note business.  These are must have products in your note business library. This offer will expire December 31, 2009.  I WILL NOT extend this offer ever again.  To order your "Special" package just click here TODAY!

A few people have contacted me and told me that the above link did not work for them. If the link above does not work for you and you want to take advantage of this offer just email me and we will make it happen. Thanks in advance!

Jeff's Speaking and Instructing Schedule

         Location                        Date                          Event  (click for info)       

Contact Jeff today for information about having him Speak or Teach to your group!

Jeff Armstrong is President of Armstrong Capital and was the Editor of the NoteWorthy Newsletter from 2006-2008. A current practitioner in the seller financed note business since 1991 he is a member of the Million-Dollar Club, a Master Broker/Buyer, visiting instructor for the American Cash Flow Institute, Instructor for Nouveau Riche and the author of several best selling industry books.  Visit www.secretsofpaper.com to learn about upcoming workshops and events and  go to www.armstrongcapital.com and click on "Note Brokers" for answers, articles and information about his Master Buyer services and how Armstrong Capital can help you succeed. He can be reached by calling 800-845-3055, faxing 818-865-2323, e-mail jeff@armstrongcapital.com.

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