Shhhh, don’t let anyone hear me tell you this, but you are IN sales! It’s OK, don’t panic. Take a few deep breaths. It’s true. It does not matter what you do, whether you are employed or in a career transition.
Do you remember the person who hired you for your first job? I do, and today I had the very great pleasure of having lunch and a wonderful time with my first manager, Joel Mickelberg. I have not seen Joel in 15 years, and it was amazing to reconnect with him and talk about my days at Xerox and—most importantly—be able to say “thank you.”
Lately, much of my speaking and training has been focused on the (vast) differences between sales reps and sales professionals. They have two different modes of operation and styles of work. Sales reps are focused on the present, the here and now of a specific sale. They are fully engaged in providing product information and getting a contract signed. There is usually not too much complexity in this task or role, except when they need their organization behind them – which is all of the time.
Here is a small excerpt from my 5th chapter from my book on Sales Culture. Here I am beginning to set the stage for the Virtual Team.
Yesterday was a scientific experiment for me. Here is what transpired. In a few months, my car lease expires. I need to think about a new car, and that is exciting for me. So many choices and so many ways to go! Yes, I love cars! I have been looking passively at many different models, and one that has caught my attention is the Cadillac CTS. I know, I never ever thought I would be caught dead in a Caddy dealership. Junky cars serviced by indifferent service departments. However, I have been looking for signs of an American car resurgence, and I think the last few years have seen the beginnings of that. Ok, back to my story.
Are you using the vast array of social media tools to help you close business? No doubt that tools like Twitter and Facebook have changed the landscape of how we do business, and help get our value proposition “out there.” So that we are clear, I am not an “expert” in social media (although it seems to me that suddenly everyone else is!). I am looking for your thoughts and impressions on how you use Twitter or Facebook.
In the last few months, I have counted no less than 20 different sales gurus claiming they have THE answer to selling in this recession. The titles all start the same way – “The 10 things you need to know…”, or “The 5 new things you can do…” or, my favorite “The 55 new skills you need to sell….” I am serous! I am actually saw that one. No joke.
