Comments on: Everyone should have at least one sales job in their life – Part 2

By: Pat Jocius

Pat Jocius — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:29:46 +0000

I have been in sales all my life, starting as a Brownie selling Girl Scout cookies in front of grocery stores, through being a Real Estate Agent, Dry Cleaning Coupon salesperson door to door, and finally to being a govenment employee trying to convince (sell/persuade) people to get prepared for future disasters. In every case, I set very specific daily goals and VISUALIZED myself accomplishing those goals. I believe that it is a daily routine that can begin every morning with a writing out of the small measurable goals to be accomplished that day and evaluating the progress at the end of the day. I BELIEVED IN MYSELF AND FELT ANYTHING I THINK ABOUT, I CAN BRING ABOUT. It is like eating an elephant in small bites.
It is surprising how little daily course direction corrections can ultimately either arrive at a goal or completely miss the target. So, I value the little changes I can make along the way to achieve my goals.
I have also found that it is the QUESTION that I ask myself and my perspective customers that can make the difference. I have found that negative questions like, “Why did this happen to me?” usually illicits my mind giving me answers that are not uplifing like you are dumb or it is your fault, whereas questions like, “What positive learning did I get from this experience?” illicits answers to myself that provide opportunities to learn and progress. As a Brownie, I learned the simple question, “Would you like the Thin Mints or the Scotties” that lead me to a muliple sale, rather than asking, “Do you want to buy some cookies?” I always ask questions that lead me to what the cusomer wants through open-ended questions, never a yes or no answer. And of course a smile and enthusiasm were keys to making that sale.
Your mission statement reminded me to create one for my new e-business as I have in past careers and to go back to my tried and true tools I have used in my life. Thank you for your example.

By: Tobey

Tobey — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 21:31:00 +0000

A positive attitude, belief in your product, belief in yourself and the willingness to go the extra mile for someone helps one’s attitude and sales.

Several days ago I had a client call me and ask if I could expedite her 24 candles so she could have them for the wedding. I wasn’t sure how to go about it or if our manufacturerer would have the candles packaged and ready to go.

I heard her frustration when she told me she had contacted multiple candle companies on the internet and no one helped her.

I told her that I would call my manufacturer, find out the necessary information, explained the procedures, asked for her phone number. I followed through. Long story short is I got the sale, the client is happy and she told me that she certainly appreciated my assistance. Upon closing the phone call, I asked her to remember me in the future and her statement made my day, “oh I certainly will. You went the extra mile for me when no one else would.”

Sales? I wasn’t even thinking about sales while talking to the woman. I heard her frustration and aggravation and made a decision to help her through it. By helping her, I made a sale and a friend.

Tobey Craft

By: Lenise Page

Lenise Page — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 12:32:50 +0000

I can see where you are coming from Nat, a positive outlook is important even when reviewing the mistakes we make (my words) because we can learn from them.

If one thing doesan’t work, then we can try another way until we hit on success, then we can replicate it. Why change something that works?

I know what I have got to do – start thinking of myself as a success and that will come across when I speak to people about my online business site I have.
I will be more convincing because I am positive, and as a result the advertising I must do will reflect that.

By: Barb

Barb — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:25:19 +0000

Your mission statement is an inspiration, Nate. Just reading your goals laid out with the terms for success help me to see that I can follow your example. Learning to maintain a positive outlook while accepting responsibility for only those areas that are in my control will be a challenge. Many times in the past, I focused on what I could not change. It was impossible to maintain a positive attitude. In my business, I want to keep the focus on the goals, practicing the steps required to achieve them.

By: Holly C.

Holly C. — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 06:40:49 +0000

Growing up, I had my first sales job when I was 10 years old. I worked at my mom’s clothing store in California. I learned great lessons about work, and could really appreciate the dedication of salesmen! I then worked on a sales floor when I was 17 as a manager, and then after I was married to put my husband through school. I think everyone should at one point have a sales job. I think it teaches you to be strong and overcome obsticles. To be outgoing and to work closely with others. To see and face challenges. To achieve what you have set forth to do…and to (hopefully) see the big picture of what life will become…as long as you work towards it.