The Job Nobody Dreams Of

Open Mouth Insert Foot

I found this article about stupid things sales people say. I can't think of something I've said to a client that is worthy of mentioning but I do remember a screw up involving my manager at a company I used to work for.

I had emailed a peer in another city bitching about my boss and the recipient emailed back an idea for me to use in my day to day selling. As is often the case I keep old emails to refer back at a later date and about two months later I was reviewing this email and was excited about the idea my colleague had shared with me. I was so excited...yep you guessed it...that I wanted to share with my boss so I forwarded the email!

I didn't realize what I'd done at first and was initially confused by his reply...then it dawned on me! I didn't get fired (my complaint wasn't that bad) but he did give me crap for not keeping my gripes in-house. Luckily that has been the only mistake I've made in my career...NOT!

Happy Selling

Job Hunting Video

I found this CNN interview on getting an interview with a potential employer without relying on submitting your resume...which doesn't work anymore anyway. When he talks about "Six Degrees of Separation" think of bacon...Kevin Bacon!

Never Give Up

There's a lot written about the mind and sales success...basically whatever you think will happen...it will. If you think you won't make any sales during the holidays...you probably won't. If you think no one is around on Friday afternoons...you probably will not sell that much at the end of each week.

I was faced with my own similar situation at work. Spring Break is coming up the week of March 15-19 and not only are a lot of people going to be on vacation, my two main tech instructors are going to be in Vegas at a "convention"...how convenient!

When I was presented with this situation several weeks ago I got upset and just figured that I lost 25% of my month. About two weeks ago I said ..."To hell with it!"...and decided I would schedule some classes we COULD run with other instructors...even those I would have to bring from out of town. 

I am happy to announce that the week of March 15th is already a great week revenue wise! I have several classes book with instructors who are available that week...including one who will teach several students across the country from his home in Cincinnati using our "remote attendance" technology.

I am sorry I doubted myself...

Happy Selling!

This Stuff Does Work

I have been participating in an online discussion with one of the sales groups on LinkedIn about cold calling. Thankfully most of the other people still believed in the single most effective way to build your sales.

I personally have had a couple sweet victories this week. A major organization booked several classes for the first time. I had called and emailed this individual for years...wasn't even certain he really existed until this past weekend when he accepted my LinkedIn connection request.

Today I got a call back from a manager at one of the major banks here in Oklahoma. He mentioned the times I had left messages and now wanted to book some classes.

I have always said the only thing I bring to the table is my tenacity. I was never going to make money with my looks or personality. Once again I was proven right this week when I landed two longtime targets.

Happy Selling!