"As part of my initiative to build Sales Culture
I'll post my thoughts on the topics of the day"
Do you believe in good "sales karma"? I do. I am firm believer in the old adage "what goes around comes around". I am writing this blog to the sales community today as a bit of a wake up call for us all. I just had an interesting conversation with a former colleague who was very excited about a deal that just closed! As she told me more and more about the deal and its structure , it was apparent to me that shortcuts had been taken and she was looking only at this one deal. Whatever the reasons (pressure to make the numbers, ego, etc), I was really concerned ...
The last few days I have been reflecting on the upcoming Labor Day holiday. I did some research on the meaning and origin of the holiday and here is what I found...."Labor Day is a... holiday that takes place on the first Monday in September. The holiday began in 1882, originating from a desire by the Central Labor Union to create a day off for the "working man". It is still celebrated mainly as a day of rest and marks the symbolic end of summer for many." Interesting and clearly the holiday had noble beginnings and intentions. I am not a huge fan of Labor Day only because it reminds me that my favorite season is ending. ...
Cheesy title-granted, but it was what just came to mind when I was reading some responses to my earlier blog on Great Sales Leaders. One of our sales community members was remarking about managing a team of people when none of that team actually report to him. This is one version of the classic matrix organization which is a challenge to understand and "get" and takes skill to manage. Personally I have worked for several matrix organizations and it is a unique way to work. It is of course funny to me when I bring this up to different sales professionals and I get a blank stare and some of them think ...
Last night I had the honor and privilege to be a guest lecturer at Peirce College in downtown Philadelphia. I had a very exciting opportunity to speak to a marketing class on one of my very favorite topics "Everyone is in Sales." This class was comprised of bright working adults getting their degrees. They are all working and planning to get to the next level in their professional lives. We covered this topic with four main concepts...we talked about the intersection of marketing and sales, then we discussed the core idea that we are ALL in sales, from there we segued into a lively conversation on the need to develop a professional value proposition, and ...
I am really curious what this sales community thinks a great sales leader is? What defines that person to you? I have written my column this week on sales leaders and offer some of my initial thoughts on what a great sales leader should look like. As sales professionals we have all worked under a variety of leaders and as a result have been shaped and sharpened by those experiences. I think about my sales career and how much influence some really great sales leaders have had on me. Of course, that works both ways and I can also point to areas that have not been as...hmm..should I say not as ...
I had an interesting email the other day from a member of our sales community. She asked me if it is "normal" to not leave brochures with a client. Now, apart for the general fact that I don't think we can decide what is normal, I responded that I have several schools of though on this. My thinking is part of how I was raised in sales. Brochures and other documentation are a part of any sales call. They do not replace the sales rep and are not to be overly relied on! I firmly believe that as we move from tactical to more solution oriented and complex selling, the brochure becomes less relevant and ...
I was finishing my morning walk and stopped in to the local Starbucks and saw some people having a heated discussion where one person was obviously trying to convince the other to adopt his view on whatever it was they were talking about. The discussion was very emotional ( and quite passionate) and it started me thinking about how we as a sales community use our emotions in the course of selling. There is a difference between being emotional and passionate and it can be a fine line. Thats a subject for another time...... When you are working with clients or prospects, do you let your emotions get in the way? I can say that ...
I was just reading an email from a gentleman who is changing his profession and becoming a member of the sales community. He is a police officer and has just committed himself to a new career as an insurance salesperson! Wow! So, I want to offer my congratulations to him. I applaud not only his resolve in making a change but for doing it in a demanding and tough field. Time will tell if he will be successful. I think he will be. So, to the newest member of the sales community, I offer a collective and warm welcome to our world! You have many sales professionals rooting for your ...
I recently attended a networking seminar (actually an informal gathering of bright people) that was inspired by the Seth Godin book "Purple Cow". It was a fun and interesting event punctuated by excited folks sharing their entrepreneurial ideas and...you guessed it- great networking! What struck me the most was the amazing cross section of people, what they do for a living and the ideas they brought to the seminar to pitch. The concept is simple: you pitch to the group your idea and ask for feedback and advice. It is fun and energizing. Everyone I met I now consider a part of my expanding network and some have joined the ToddCohen.com ...
Sales Community members... I have been asked several times to share my thoughts on the intersection of the practice of law and the ART of sales! Wow...anyone who has ever met me or has read my stuff, knows that I passionately believe that we are ALL in Sales, so my initial "answer" is YES, there is a clear connection. So, rather than just throw my thoughts out here (and you know I have them) I really want to invite the lawyers in my community ( yes, you know who you are!) to help on this ever so lively topic. Here is one thought starter...with respect to this topic, is there a difference between "business development" and "sales"? ...
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