The Job Nobody Dreams Of

Idiot Consultants

You know what the definition of a consultant is? Someone who will take your watch and tell you what time it is. I remember when I was in the radio business...almost every single station consultant was an out of work Program Director. It never made any sense to me that you would hire someone to tell you how to program your radio station when they didn't have a job doing it themselves.

It's the same story in sales...most "consultants" are out of work salespeople. Seriously! If you are that great of a salesperson...why aren't you selling for a company???? You could do the "consulting" work on the side...nights and weekends.

I think I have found the most galling example of "consultants gone bad." Ever since I joined Linkedin I have seen this ad off to the side called "Never Cold Call Again." I knew it was some huckster trying to peddle his snake oil. Tonight I got bored clicked over to the site. The guy admits he has been fired from several sales jobs!!

Not only does he advocate not cold calling...because it demeans you in the eyes of prospects but he also suggests persistence means you are desperate! WTF? All this insight from a guy who has failed repeatedly. Wow!

Just so you don't think advocating cold calling is my opinion only, here is a recently article from Inc. Magazine on how important cold calling can be to a business. Remember, cold calling is NOT about selling over the phone, but instead uncovering needs that your product or service might help.

Finally, here's my take on consultants. I think most are well meaning scam artists. They are trying to earn a living offering advice that didn't work for them in their career. Obviously you can learn from others...that is why I advised people to go out and talk to people who are currently doing what you want to do. If you want to become a salesperson...take one to lunch. If you want to get into Human Resources, buy a HR Director breakfast or meet for coffee. This knowledge will only cost you a few bucks and you'll learn from the real pros...not someone who couldn't make it themselves.

Happy Selling!

Volunteer Your Way to a New Job

Great advice from author Harvey MacKay about how to network your way to a new job while volunteering for your favorite cause.

Part-time Sales Redux

Back in January of last year I wrote about getting into sales as a part-time or 2nd gig. Maybe you are looking for a few extra hours a week to supplement your main income. Perhaps you want to "try sales" on a project basis or just need to bring in a few extra bucks for your kid's band fees (trust me they add up!).

There are several sites where you can bid on freelance sales and marketing jobs. Started with IT gigs in mind, these sites have expanded their offering to include telemarketing, lead generation, proposal writing and other sales activities.

Elance is probably the best know job bidding site. Other sites include Freelancer and Guru. You can also do this locally...maybe even on a barter basis. I know one person who wanted a $400 blender from a kitchen specialty store (my $30 blender seems to work fine). He offered to work a couple weekends, got his blender in lieu of pay and made a few extra bucks commission.

The limits to how you approach this idea is simply your imagination.

Happy Selling!