By now you’re most likely aware that Sundays at Acceler8Success Cafe is the time for looking back over the past week. It’s a time for review as with so much going on at Acceler8Success Cafe I know it’s easy to miss a newsletter or two. Possibly my Question of the Week slipped by without you noticing, or an announcement I may have made just seemingly got lost amongst the busy news feed.

To reiterate, just like an experience at your local cafe, I really want Acceler8Success Cafe to be conveniently located when you desire or need to relax, enjoy a cup of coffee, and catch up on some reading. My goal is for Acceler8Success Cafe to be your virtual cafe. A place where you may frequently visit to enjoy a few minutes to yourself. I’d like the experience to be memorable by providing learning opportunities, by presenting a different perspective & insight, by spurring thought & reflection, by encouraging interaction, and by spotlighting topics that, frankly, may not be as front and center as they should or need to be.

I’m excited that Acceler8Success Cafe is open for business seven days a week. For the benefit of current & aspiring entrepreneurs, this daily newsletter will be delivered each morning. As a way to jumpstart the week ahead, I’m delivering a weekly review each Sunday morning listing the articles you might have missed during the previous week. My goal is to provide an opportunity to begin the new week with information and ideas that possibly could accelerate your success.

The Ability to Sell is a Cornerstone to Entrepreneurial Success It’s essential to have developed a great idea, product or service, and business model, but without perfecting the ability to articulate the vision, communicate it well, and close the deal, the company or concept goes nowhere.

Proper Preparation (and Diligence): Essential Steps to Closing Deals Whether selling a product or service, or as is the case of an entrepreneur pitching his or her ideas, it’s vital to be ready, really ready to make an effective presentation.

Questions are Key to Closing Sales Buying motivations and needs are not always the same. Buying motivations have to do with desires, feelings, tastes and so on. Look for tell-tale signs – hot buttons. How? By asking the right questions, the right way!

Question of the Week: How important is it for an entrepreneur to be proficient in presenting and selling?

When the Sale is in Jeopardy, but Failure is not an Option! You’ve learned in the 11th hour; an important prospective client is changing directions and is exploring options with your competitor. As it turns out, the change in direction is being blamed on something you did or said that they weren’t exactly happy with. What would you do?

There is No “I” in Sales Nothing is so basic to business as sales. In fact, nothing happens in business without a sale!

Together… The way it was, and/or a case for how it could or should be? Together… with or in proximity to another person or people; so as to touch or combine; in combination, collectively; into companionship or close association; so as to be united or in agreement; at the same time; without interruption; continuously.

A major announcement in the world of franchise and small business finance!

Benetrends, the International Franchise Association’s preferred vendor for ROBS business funding and the trusted leader in franchise and small business funding for over 40 years, has acquired DCV Franchise Group.

“The acquisition of DCV Franchise Group enhances our access to lenders and greatly expands our lending footprint in the industry,” stated Rocco Fiorentino, CEO of Benetrends.

Read the press release HERE.

If you’re interested in submitting an article for Acceler8Success Cafe, please let me know. Articles must be about entrepreneurship, franchising, small business ownership or anything related to these general topics. Please reach out to me here on LinkedIn or via email to paul@acceler8success.com. Thank you!

On the lighter side…

A young MBA was leaving the office late one evening when he found the CEO standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand. “Listen,” said the CEO, “this is a very sensitive and important document here, and my secretary has gone for the night. Can you make this thing work? “Certainly,” said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button. “Excellent, excellent!” said the CEO as his paper disappeared inside the machine. “I just need one copy.”

A month and a half left in the second quarter. It’s hard to believe. It’s time to shift into high gear and take things to another level or two!

Have a great week ahead. Make it happen. Make it count!