Frequently Asked Questions:

What is blended learning? Since most people learn differently, Kaizen Performance offers a variety of methods of receiving our programs. They include: instructor led workshops, web-based courses (available 24/7, anywhere), web-based seminars (webinars), and simulation "game-based" learning - The Sales Activator.

What is DDR? This is the Kaizen Performance philosophy of impacting your sales team with immediate and sustained performance improvement in the area of revenue production and customer retention. We subscribe to the methods of Diagnostics, Development (of the training), and Reinforcement. No company wants to invest in a world class performance improvement program without the comfort of knowing the right training was conducted on the right people and that it all unraveled at the end of the program.

Is the DDR philosophy unique to Kaizen Performance? Probably not in theory. But in practice, it is a very significant reason why we are better than most typical single focused training providers. We believe in truly educating your team and changing habits that will provide benefits to you for a very long time.

How do we know what type of or how much training we need as an organization? You usually don't! That is the biggest reason for our success. We use a highly accurate and sophisticated program of diagnostics that identify the raw material skills and desires of your sales team - representatives and managers. If they need improvement, we can provide that. It they are already good, we can reinforce that. It they are not trainable or even misplaced as sales people, we will be honest and tell you that, too. No other diagnostic program is capable of making sure you get what you invest in and MORE!

We have done sales training before, but have seen little use of the skill sets that are taught once the training is completed. Do you have a way of ensuring that the training gets put to use? Absolutely! That is the reinforcement concept of our program. We use both web-based courses and simulation based coaching that underpins the knowledge gained by the sales rep and manager. (Plus, it is FUN, which makes the team want to continue the learning process.) Also, TRAINING tells you WHAT, EDUCATION shows you WHY and HOW - the difference is profound in long term learning and application. Kaizen Performance is an education based development program, not just training.

I have reps of many different skill levels and tenure. How do we tailor training for such a diverse group? Our diagnostics program does not care about these elements of background - we diagnose the group and individual ability and desire of the sales team. We then tailor the best solution for performance improvement that provides the biggest return on your investment (ROI).

Are you a big-time radio personality? Only in my own mind! I was a featured guest on a Houston based business radio program recently. My raving fans seemed to enjoy it!

My managers have limited time, and yet their most important job is coaching. How do I make this a priority to them? This is the number one complaint for sales managers - time! Unfortunately most companies promote their top sales reps to manager in the hopes of having their skills rub off on their team - big mistake! In reality, you have taken a person with one set of skills and assumed they can perform a completely different set of skills as manager. It's no wonder these people are short on time; they are out of their element and have to re-learn the necessary skills to keep up - no easy task!!

Our reps find sales training redundant and a poor use of their time. How do you address this? There are 3 big reasons why sales training fails: it's usually boring, it's not a "real world" experience for the reps, and it's overwhelming to learn and apply. At Kaizen Performance, we understand this and have created a program that avoids all of these roadblocks to long term success.

Is Kaizen Performance a Japanese company? No, but we follow the eastern culture philosophy that significant and sustained performance improvement comes from small and continuous steps, not sweeping changes that meet with resistance and usually fail to achieve their intended goals.

You talk about Customer Loyalty a lot. I have a very good Customer Satisfaction rating of 92%. Isn't that good enough? What you are saying then, is that your customers are unsatisfied 8% of the time (WOW!!). Most people will tell everyone they know how unsatisfied they were, but these same people will not necessarily tell anyone when they are merely "satisfied". Being satisfied will not bring that customer back to you if other choices are available. Being LOYAL to you will bring that customer back - no matter what! Would you rather have your spouse satisfied with you, or LOYAL to you?! Our Customer Loyalty program gives your company the knowledge and passion for creating Loyal Customers!

You can obviously make my sales team more productive - how about my managers and employees? You bet! Our leadership and management programs deal with all areas of your organization in terms of productivity improvement, such as: communications (listening, presenting, etc…), behavior style recognition and effectiveness, YES! Attitude, time management, team building and dynamics, leadership skills, employee expectations, change management, innovation and creativity - just to name a few. Your employees are the life blood of your organization - we make them more productive and happy so they give you more return on your investment of this precious asset.