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Tag: reaching

  • 2 Little Words to Close More Sales

    2 Little Words to Close More Sales

    If you knew two little words that could improve your sales, you’d use them, wouldn’t you?

    When you see your customer has some reservations, it makes sense to get the issues out in the open, doesn’t it?

    And after the ink is dry on the deal, you should make every effort to make sure your customer is satisfied, shouldn’t you?

    So why all the questions? They illustrate a simple technique–sales tie-downs–that can help you improve your sales process. By getting your customers to agree with you in small steps along the way, you have a better chance of reaching agreement when it’s time to do business.

    Sales tie-downs are short questions you add to statements throughout your presentation to get your prospective customer to start saying “yes” long before you go for the close. You want to engage your customer and get them used to saying “yes.”

    Too often, sales reps simply regurgitate their presentations and expect to land the sale. It doesn’t work. Prospects tune out because they aren’t engaged in the process. The remedy is to ask little questions along the way, and monitor the feedback.

    You know what I mean? Are you following me? These are tie-downs. End statements with questions like: Wouldn’t you agree? Is that right?

    These questions can be as simple as:

    • Aren’t they?
    • Can’t you?
    • Isn’t it?
    • Shouldn’t it?
    • Won’t they?

    Tie-downs have to become a natural part of your conversation before you can use them in your sales presentations. Be aware of your tone so the questions don’t sound threatening or argumentative. Practice tie-downs on your spouse or friends. Have some fun using them in role-playing exercises with other sales professionals. That will help you develop a rhythm that will include enough–but not too many–tie-down questions.

    There’s another benefit to tie-downs as well: They keep you in control and confirm that your customers understand what you are saying during your sales presentation, and that it’s okay to continue.

    You don’t need a big close, as many sales reps believe. You risk losing your customer when you save all the good stuff for the end. Keep the customer actively involved throughout your presentation and watch your results improve.

    Now let me ask you again, if you knew two little words that could improve your sales, you’d use them, wouldn’t you? I think you know the answer.

  • European Investment Bank Boosts Defence Funding Threefold

    European Investment Bank Unveils a €100 Billion Reboot for 2025

    Picture this: a European bank wading into the pandemic‑swept waters of 2025 with a pocket full of fresh cash, ready to splash it around in defence, energy, and tech. The European Investment Bank (EIB) just set a brand‑new financial ceiling for the year – a whopping €100 billion.

    Why This Matters (and Why Everyone Should Care)

    • Defence: With geopolitical tensions simmering, the EIB wants to back projects that bolster our security machine. Think better drones, smarter cyber‑defences, and upgraded naval fleets.
    • Energy Networks: The battle for a cleaner, smarter grid is on. From renewable solar farms to high‑speed electricity highways, the bank’s money will push this transition forward.
    • Technology: AI, quantum computing, and next‑generation software are the new frontiers. The EIB is ready to fund the labs and start‑ups pushing these ideas into reality.

    How the €100 Billion Will Be Placed

    The allocation isn’t just a big pot to dip in; it’s carefully stacked to hit high‑impact projects. Here’s a quick peek at the blueprint:

    1. Defence Projects: 35 % of the budget goes toward initiatives that can strengthen Europe’s military footing.
    2. Energy Networks: 40 % fuels the renewable wave – think wind farms in the North Sea and power‑storage megasheds.
    3. Technology: The remaining 25 % backs cutting‑edge R&D across the continent, from AI hubs to quantum labs.

    What This Means for Local Communities

    When the EIB puts €100 billion into the pot, the ripples spread far beyond boardrooms. It can mean:

    • Local jobs created in construction, research, and maintenance.
    • Partnerships that let SMEs leap over the funding wall.
    • Innovation hubs that attract talent and spark fresh entrepreneurial ideas.

    Cheers to a Brighter, Safer Future

    Now, let’s celebrate the European Investment Bank for giving us a fresh stretch of financial ambition – because having a €100 billion plan is less about numbers and more about a collective surge toward security, sustainability, and smart innovation.

    Unpacking the EIB’s Bold Move into Defence Finance

    Hold onto your hats, Europe—The European Investment Bank (EIB) is turning up the heat on its money‑making powers, smashing a new record of €100 billion in financing for this year. The bank’s strategy? Spin the dial on defence and security straight to the 3‑point‑eight mark.

    Why the EIB is Bumping Up the Budget

    • Geopolitical drama is raging across the continent, so the EIB is double‑checking its commitment to keeping the EU safe.
    • They’re tripling the money it pours into defence projects—a big leap from last year’s numbers.
    • Now, 3.5 % of all its financial muscle is earmarked for the military side of things.
    • With “32 flagship projects” lined up, the bank looks ready to tackle everything from big tech to big tents.

    Who Gets the Paycheck?

    The new funding scheme is a “one‑size‑fits‑all” deal. Whether you’re a goliath corporate giant or a scrappy startup, the public sector or a private outfit, all EU companies are on the welcome list.

    Public Sector Projects

    Expect big names in infrastructure—think sprawling military barracks that can transform back‑end strategy into front‑punch tactics. For example:

    • Recently, the EIB signed off a significant military barracks in Lithuania—home to a Bundeswehr brigade that’s practically hugging the Belarus border. Talk about strategic proximity!

    Private Sector R&D

    Meanwhile, the bank isn’t leaving out the entrepreneurs and tech firms that keep our economies running on the cutting edge:

    • Big private companies are getting the green light to invest in research and development across innovation and industrial capacity.

    The Partnership Palette

    Under the leadership of President Nadia Calviño, the EIB is also teaming up with the European Commission to scout out other critical pieces of military mobility. Think of it as the EU’s own “big brother” in the world of strategic infrastructure.

    Takeaway: A New Paradigm for the EIB

    The latest moves confirm the EIB’s expanded security mandate—a big shift in its mission narrative. With a hefty budget, an eye on defence, and the open door for all EU players, the bank is not just clinking its coins; it’s setting the stage for a stronger, more resilient Europe.

    The climate priority

    EU’s Double Play: Security Meets Green Energy

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is playing a two‑track game. It’s tightening its focus on defence, but it’s also staying fiercely committed to fighting climate change. After all, a climate‑resilient Europe is a secure Europe.

    TechEU—A £70 Billion Tackle

    • What’s the plan? A brand‑new programme called TechEU, launching from 2025 to 2027.
    • Where’s the cash? €70 billion in a mix of equity, quasi‑equity, loans and guarantees, all backed by the EIB Group.
    • Private partners? The EIB wants the private sector to jump in, pulling up to €250 billion of additional investment.
    • First wave focus? Clean industries—think net‑zero tech, green infrastructure and, oh, wind power!

    Why Clean Tech Matters

    “We need the gadgets that build energy networks. It’s all about backing clean‑tech innovators with guarantees and working with the wind‑energy sector,” says Calviño, the EIB president. He stresses that-friendly power purchase agreements are crucial to stabilise energy prices for Europe’s big industries.

    Strategic Autonomy

    Calviño wraps it up by pointing out that pushing forward the green transition and tech innovation is key to Europe’s strategic autonomy. In other words, when we’re green and tech‑savvy, we gain the independence we need.