Friday, February 28, 2020

Why most people don’t open your sales emails!: Special Guest Post

If your prospecting and sales emails aren’t getting you leads or sales, chances are your prospects aren’t even reading your emails.
More likely, they are not even opening your emails.
According to several high-volume, email industry providers (e.g. Mailchimp, Campaign Monitor etc.), email open rates can range from 15%-25%.
That means that 75%-85% of the emails you send are not even being opened or read. Talk about a waste of your time.
So, even if you sell the best products or deliver the best service, your emails won’t get you any customers if no one even opens your emails.
There could be several reasons why people don’t open your emails. Here are 3 of the most obvious reasons why…

1. Your Email Subject Lines use SPAM words

Writing email subject lines for your prospecting and sales messages can be very stressful. You’re often left to wonder, is it engaging? Too short? Too long? Too boring? Will people click ‘delete’ because of it? Will they open my email? Will it even get to them, or will it trigger SPAM filters? SPAM words in your email subject lines such as Free, Earn Money, Get Paid, or any type of deceptive promise will trigger the Spam filter. SPAM filters change frequently. It’s best to test various email subject lines.
2. Your Email Subject Lines fail to generate CURIOSITY
If my first degree in Psychology/Sociology taught me anything, it’s this. When people are curious, they have an overwhelming need to satisfy their curiosity. So, when you make your prospects curious about your unopened email, their curiosity will drive them to open your email. Try to create curiosity (without being deceptive!) in your subject lines. For example, one of the best lines I ever used was simply, “Are You Ready?” It created our largest email open rates ever!
3. Your Email Subject Lines are BORING
Boring? Yes, I said boring. The subject line of your email is the most critical part, sometimes even more than the actual content of your email message. Why? Because it’s the first thing a prospect sees and then decides whether to open your email. Don’t use boring lines like, “Email Newsletter” or (Your company) “Update.” Nobody cares. And do not use the same subject line repeatedly. Test different lines and see what type and style works the best for you. You’ll be glad you did!
Remember this. A good Email Subject Line can significantly increase your email open rates. The more your prospects open your emails, the more they’ll read your emails – and if your message is right, you’ll soon find new customers lining up to talk to you.

Looking forward to your continued success…
J. Brett Abbey

Face to Face: The Art of Human Connection- Book Review

Jim Pagiamtzis Review
Superb book that Brian Grazer shares insight on his success in the movies business and the journey to meet new people and understand the power of human connection"

About book;
Featured on CBS This Morning, Squawk Box, MSNBC, CNN, Bloomberg, Forbes, Fast Company, The New York Times, and more.

“Reading Face to Face is like being a fly on the wall, watching Brian Grazer work his magic. Utterly entertaining, this is how you become Hollywood’s best producer.” —Malcolm Gladwell, author of Talking to Strangers

Legendary Hollywood producer and author of the bestselling A Curious Mind, Brian Grazer is back with a captivating new book about the life-changing ways we can connect with one another.

Much of Brian Grazer’s success—as a #1 New York Times bestselling author, Academy Award–winning producer, father, and husband—comes from his ability to establish genuine connections with almost anyone. In Face to Face, he takes you around the world and behind the scenes of some of his most iconic movies and television shows, like A Beautiful Mind, Empire, Arrested Development, American Gangster, and 8 Mile, to show just how much in-person encounters have revolutionized his life—and how they have the power to change yours.

With his flair for intriguing stories, Grazer reveals what he’s learned through interactions with people like Bill Gates, Taraji P. Henson, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Eminem, Prince, Spike Lee, and the Afghani rapper activist Sonita: that the secret to a bigger life lies in personal connection. In a world where our attention is too often focused downward at our devices, Grazer argues that we are missing an essential piece of the human experience. Only when we are face to face, able to look one another in the eyes, can we form the kinds of connections that expand our world views, deepen our self-awareness, and ultimately lead to our greatest achievements and most meaningful moments.

When we lift our eyes to look at the person in front of us, we open the door to infinite possibility.buy book

Thursday, February 27, 2020

February TASK: Security Checkpoints for Agile Engineering / Machines that Fight: Event Review

Wednesday February 26,2020

It was great evening of learning at the Michener Institute of learning as two speakers shared there expertise to massive crowd.

Rahul Raghavan sharing from WE45

Speaker: Rahul Raghavan
Topic: Security Checkpoints for Agile Engineering
In this age of rapid product engineering, we are amidst the flux of jargon- dropping in a dire attempt to drive home the need for scalable application security models. While Agile Engineering and Security Automation have independently creates waves within product engineering and security engineering communities respectively, the practical realisation of Security Automation WITHIN Agile engineering is far from the ideal.
This “HOW-TO” talk would focus on translating application security objectives into sustainable engineering tasks that can be seamlessly consumed within the product development process. The presenter will delve deep into identifying and designing security checkpoints within the SDLC mapped to the fundamental principles of Design, Build, Develop and Deploy! Finally, the talk would also propose a Plan -Do -Check -Act (PDCA) mechanism through which product engineering teams can extend these checkpoints from ideation to deployment and all the way back.

Hisham Qaddoumi sharing

Speaker: Hisham Qaddoumi
Topic: Machines that fight: State of the Nation of Cybersecurity and AI
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the security industry. Rapid advances in ML and the creation of machines that can mimic human behaviour raises cybercrime to a level. This talk sheds light on the applied usage of AI in cybersecurity in the fight against cybercrime. As an expert in AI, Hisham will provide an overview of the field and deeper implications for security professionals. He’ll describe where in cybersecurity AI is having the greatest impact toady and explore future possibilities.

This month’s TASK is sponsored by CIBC.
We’re on a mission to build the relationship-focused bank of the future and we’re looking for the passionate collaborators, innovators, advisors, and leaders who can get us there. Our distinct culture is built on a shared commitment to do what’s right for our clients, our people, and our communities, and we strive for excellence in everything we do. Because life at CIBC is not only what you do, but how you do it.
What CIBC Offers
At CIBC, our people are our greatest asset. You’ll become part of a diverse community that acknowledges everyone’s unique talents, and empowers teams to do what’s right for the client, and to do it well. As part of our team, you will:

Thrive: Benefit from an open and approachable culture that provides the flexibility and support you need to integrate your life at work and at home
Connect: Work in a place where the right technology and infrastructure fosters innovation, collaboration and creativity
Develop: Grow your skills and career through our best-in-class onboarding experience, ongoing learning opportunities, individual development planning and comprehensive product training
Prosper: Share in our collective success with a competitive salary, incentive pay, banking benefits, health benefits program, and employee share purchase plan

Roasted Garlic Mushroom Lentil Soup (organic): Food Review

Jim Pagiamtzis review: Fantastic mix of garlic and mushroom bring amazing taste

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

I found three items in one day!

             Tuesday February 25th

                I was coming back from a special project and I found a measuring tape, bottle opener and winning ticket!

JBL Harman GO2: Product Review

JBL Harman GO2 with Bluetooth

Wireless Bluetooth Streaming

Wirelessly stream high-quality sound from your smartphone or tablet.

5 Hours of Playtime

Built-in, rechargeable Li-ion battery supports up to 5 hours of playtime.

Waterproof design

The IPX7 waterproof housing makes GO 2 perfect for worry-free listening by the beach or poolside, or even in it.

Learn more

In the box:

1 x JBL GO 2
1 x Micro USB cable for charging
1 x Quick-start Guide
1 x Safety sheet
1 x Warranty card

Foodism Toronto, One Bite at a Time: Magazine Review

All about food read more

Autostrada Sept 2019: Magazine Review

Awesome articles on cars! Learn more

Zoomer Jan/Feb 2020 Edition: Magazine Review

Amazing magazine with cool articles Learn more

21 Lessons for the 21st Century : Book Review

Jim Pagiamtzis review:
Tremendous book with lots of great stories and insights on the 21st Century and changes and adaptations will go through as a society!

10 out of 10 stars

About book
With Sapiens and Homo Deus, Yuval Noah Harari first explored the past, then the future of humankind, garnering the praise of no less than Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg, to name a few, and selling millions of copies in the over 30 countries it was published. In 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, he devotes himself to the present.

21 Lessons For the 21st Century provides a kind of instruction manual for the present day to help readers find their way around the 21st century, to understand it, and to focus on the really important questions of life. Once again, Harari presents this in the distinctive, informal, and entertaining style that already characterized his previous books. The topics Harari examines in this way include major challenges such as international terrorism, fake news, and migration, as well as turning to more personal, individual concerns, such as our time for leisure or how much pressure and stress we can take. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century answers the overarching question: What is happening in the world today, what is the deeper meaning of these events, and how can we individually steer our way through them? The questions include what the rise of Trump signifies, whether or not God is back, and whether nationalism can help solve problems like global warming. Few writers of non-fiction have captured the imagination of millions of people in quite the astonishing way Yuval Noah Harari has managed, and in such a short space of time. His unique ability to look at where we have come from and where we are going has gained him fans from every corner of the globe. There is an immediacy to this new book which makes it essential reading for anyone interested in the world today and how to navigate its turbulent waters. buy book

Monday, February 24, 2020

Actra Conference 2020: Event Review

                 Wednesday February 19th and Thursday February 20th

   It was packed to days of learning, sharing and networking with industry professionals from all types of expertise.

Ann Kaplin sharing on social media strategies

Ann Kaplan book

organizations

tools to use

Actra Toronto Performer: Magazine Review

Lots of great information shared in this issue.

Zoho1 Seminar : Event Review

        Tuesday February 18th

    It was educational morning with Zoho One at 150 King Street West on the 16th floor.

Full room of Zoho partners and new users learning new information on Zoho CRM Software

Podcamp 2020: Event Review

Saturday February 22nd

It was great of learning, sharing and socializing at Podcamp 2020 at Ryerson University Communication Building.

10:00am

Storytelling Through Interviews with Natasha Ali

So you’ve got a list of people who you know have amazing stories to share – but how do you turn a simple voice recording into a killer, must-listen episode?
On my Exploring Filipino Kitchens podcast, I talk to chefs, home cooks, academics, farmers, food producers, culinary professionals and content creators about their relationship to Filipino food – covering themes around migration, food history, traditions and culture from the Filipinx diaspora.
While each guest’s comfort level in front of a mic (or on a recorded Skype call) differs, as a podcast host, I believe a large part of the job (and the fun!) lies in getting people to open up and share things you know your audience wants to hear.

Key Take Aways

The importance of storyboarding and starting with a hook (aka the "lede" in journalism)
How to get the interview
Interviewing techniques (how to ease guests into conversation, learning when to pause and ask for more details, listening for cues to a good anecdote)
5 Ws to set the scene
Why your personal narrative matte

11:00am

Don’t fear the Mic: How to host a successful podcast.

This panel discussion will cover what you need to know to be a competent and confident host.
Whether you have launched your podcast or are thinking of an idea for a podcast, this panel discussion will be for you.
The panelists will discuss best practices when hosting:
– a solo podcast
– a podcast with a co-host
– a podcast that is a host and a guest
– making your guests feel welcomed
– dealing with a guests who are challenging
– tricks and tips that are key when hosting
The panelists will take Q & A during the discussions.

Key Take Aways

Learn how to prepare for your podcast episodes.
Learn how to make your guests feel at ease.
Learn how to connect with your audience.
Learn to avoid the awkward silence.
Q & A

4:00pm

Starting a Podcast: From Zero to Hero

Seasoned Podcast Jim Pagiamtzis will discuss the lessons he learned from earlier failures in not being prepared to creating a template that worked and make the entire process easy and effortless.
He has 40+ successful podcast having interviewed Olympian, World leading Dating Experts and numbers Authors all over North America
Being a world class networker catalyst I will share strategies, tips and advise on how to create the ultimate popular podcast, market your own podcast and attract the first local audience to your podcast and the expand globally
We will work together to mastermind the perfect container of brilliant ideas that will foster interest from your future audience locally and globally. And how to choose and perfect idea to rise it up from zero to hero!

Key Take Aways

Creating social media buzz
Creating a how-to create a podcast template
Having prepared questions matters
Starpower is important
Createn and expand your podcast audience

2:00pm

Podcasting for Newbies: How to Get Started and How to Build an Audience

Are you new to podcasting or want to start a podcast but don’t know where to begin? Once you post your podcasts, do you have questions about how to build your listener base? This session may not answer all your questions, but it will definitely give you a chance to discuss your issues and concerns. This will be a facilitated, discussion-based session. If you are looking for a polished lecture replete with formulaic answers, this is not the session for you.
This session will be led by Bill Templeman, a facilitator & consultant by trade and a volunteer program host with Trent Radio, 92.7 FM in Peterborough. As the host of Pints & Politics, a podcast about all things political, he has posted 75 podcast episodes and counting, mostly panel discussions (https://pintsandpolitics.ptbopodcasters.ca/) since May of 2018. His focus is on the content as opposed to the technology. He owes his survival as a podcaster to the volunteers at Trent Radio and at Peterborough Independent Podcasters. In this session he wants to host a discussion about growing an audience.

Key Take Aways

Focus and branding: How to build an identity for your podcast
How to use social media as a marketing tool for podcasts
How to create more listenable podcasts: Duration, preventing discussion fatigue, pacing, the use of musical interludes, brevity of comments, show don't describe.
How to become a community resource: Responding to requests for shows, encouraging others to be your producers by finding panelists
How to develop a podcast idea: Script writing for beginners. Preparing for the unexpected. Responding to the news.

Ryerson Tech Talks - Startups and Networking: Event Review

Saturday February 15,2020

It was great experience to sharing networking and branding tips at Ryerson University.

Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives: Book Review

Jim Pagiamtzis Review:
It was an interesting book to read but not much substance at all

2 out of 10 stars

About book
Celebrated scientists Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler explain the amazing power of social networks and our profound influence on one another's lives.

Your colleague's husband's sister can make you fat, even if you don't know her. A happy neighbor has more impact on your happiness than a happy spouse. These startling revelations of how much we truly influence one another are revealed in the studies of Dr. Christakis and Fowler, which have repeatedly made front-page news nationwide.

In Connected, the authors explain why emotions are contagious, how health behaviors spread, why the rich get richer, even how we find and choose our partners. Intriguing and entertaining, Connected overturns the notion of the individual and provides a revolutionary paradigm-that social networks influence our ideas, emotions, health, relationships, behavior, politics, and much more. It will change the way we think about every aspect of our lives.

Friday, February 14, 2020

High Performance Habits: Book Review

Jim Pagiamtzis Review;
            Tremendous book written by Brendon Burchard.

         I will it simple buy and read it ASAP! buy it

10 out of 10 stars

         About book:
THESE SIX HABITS WILL MAKE YOU EXTRAORDINARY. After extensive original research and a decade as the world’s highest-paid performance coach, Brendon Burchard finally reveals the most effective habits for reaching long-term success. Based on one of the largest surveys ever conducted on high performers, it turns out that just six habits move the needle the most in helping you succeed. Adopt these six habits, and you win.

Neglect them, and life is a never-ending struggle. We all want to be high performing in every area of our lives. But how? Which habits can help you achieve long-term success and vibrant well-being no matter your age, career, strengths, or personality?

To become a high performer, you must seek clarity, generate energy, raise necessity, increase productivity, develop influence, and demonstrate courage. This book is about the art and science of how to practice these proven habits.

If you do adopt any new habits to succeed faster, choose the habits in this book. Anyone can practice these habits and, when they do, extraordinary things happen in their lives, relationships, and careers. Whether you want to get more done, lead others better, develop skill faster, or dramatically increase your sense of joy and confidence, the habits in this book will help you achieve it. Each of the six habits is illustrated by powerful vignettes, cutting-edge science, thought-provoking exercises, and real-world daily practices you can implement right now.

HIGH PERFORMANCE HABITS is a science-backed, heart-centered plan to living a better quality of life. Best of all, you can measure your progress. A link to a professional assessment is included in the book for free. Learn more and buy book

Vice (2018):Movie Review

Jim Pagiamtzis review
A introspective look into the journey of Dick Cheney and the many roles he had before become Vice President. He knew he could change politics his way and he did so and nobody could stop him!

9 out of 10 stars

About film
Governor George W Bush of Texas picks Dick Cheney, the CEO of Halliburton Co, to be his Republican running mate in the 2000 presidential election. No stranger to politics, Cheney's impressive résumé includes stints as White House chief of staff, House Minority Whip and defence secretary. When Bush wins by a narrow margin, Cheney begins to use his newfound power to help reshape the country and the world.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Mother! (2017) Movie Review

Jim Pagiamtzis review:
           The most disturbing film I ever seen!
         It will have you totally confused and trying to figure out what is happening the entire film!
         That's why I included the link below explaining the ending!

7 out of 10 stars

Ending Explained read more

About film:
A young woman spends her days renovating the Victorian mansion that she lives in with her husband in the countryside. When a stranger knocks on the door one night, he becomes an unexpected guest in their home. Later, his wife and two children also arrive to make themselves welcome. Terror soon strikes when the beleaguered wife tries to figure out why her husband is so seemingly friendly and accommodating to everyone but her.