End of the year

Last day of the work year for me (not too bad a set up where I used 3 Planned Time Off days and get time off from tomorrow till January 4th). Miraculously, I hit goal...which is a bit amazing considering I haven't hit it for quite some time. The ethical salesman puts ethics over profit, much to the dismay of quotas. Quotas and I have never been friends, with arbitrary time constraints put above customers' and clients' needs and time frames. "You need 3 more before the end of the month!"...highly motivating, no?

Are holiday incentives good?

I can appreciate a good incentive as good as the next salesperson, but what is the bottom line? Customer loyalty, Long term company stability, or Short term profits? While individual salespeople like incentives because it helps their bottom line, I wonder if it does hurt the long term profits for the company? A promotion sale could help line MY pockets now, but what if I got more money in the long run if they set up later?

A key factor I think of is that promotions open up floodgates to people who "wait for the best promo". You may talk to this kind of person numerous times in the future, and might have sabotaged future sale potential by shoving promotion prices or specials down their throat in the past. "Why can't I get that deal you offered me before?" Because Sir/'Mam, I work for a company that likes to play with your heartstrings.

Greatest Sales Pitch Ever

In the spirit of the holidays I was listening to some Christmas-y music...and heard one of the greatest sales pitches ever.

Baby It's Cold Outside

I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Put some music on while I pour

The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight
To break the spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir - Mind if I move closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride?
I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

C'mon baby

I simply must go - Baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no - Ooh darling, it's cold outside
This welcome has been - I'm lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm - Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious - Man, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Gosh your lips are delicious
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Never such a blizzard before

I've got to go home - Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat - It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - I thrill when you touch my hand
But don't you see - How can you do this thing to me?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay - Get over that hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

Baby it's cold outside

Brr its cold.
It's cold out there
Cant you stay awhile longer baby
Well..I really shouldn't...alright

Make it worth your while baby
Ahh, do that again

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Now think of how many rejections you've heard and gave up on? If the person is still talking to you, then they can still be convinced...

Basic knowledge for salespeople?

It's that time of year again, when one is expected to eat, drink, and be merry. I wonder if all companies before their events warn their employees to not make fools of themselves. I feel like salesmen have more leeway then other departments for instance in working hours and pay incentives, kind of like special forces compared to grunts. Though sales team ARE the grunts, and at least in my current company they are the least informed as to the inner workings of the company. How in the world can you release a product without telling the sales team in advance? I mean, who is on the front line answering the client's questions? I would assume you would want them to know what they are talking about...no?

Acceptance

Got my annual review recently, not a pretty site. I'm basically in that grey zone between being too bad to not be promoted and too good to not be fired. Not that I'm complaining in this economy, considering the particular industry I'm in is being hit rather hard, and has been all year. Is any job better then no job at all? Acceptance with mediocrity may not fit with today's happy go lucky culture or positive affirmation, but people must realize at some point that there are some that are great and some that are not, with most being somewhere in the middle. If you want to amuse yourself just take any random sampling of any group of people and ask "Do you think yourself better then average?" Doesn't matter the topic, doesn't matter the group...I have a feeling more then 50% will say "yes". I wonder if there are other people out there who realize their lot in life and accept it, or does that fly in the face of the human drive?

Speaking of acceptance...
“We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth: we will not eradicate violent conflicts in our lifetimes,”

Best acceptance speech for a peace prize...ever.

Dawn of a new day

Having been in the sales career path for many years, I decided to put down in words what the days comprise of. Partly as a lesson plan for future sales people, partly as a warning for those who are considering a future in sales (or a present). If you are considering this glorious profession, consider the following: You will be rejected...a lot. And I don't mean the "No thank you, I'm not interested, but I am thankful that you called" rejection. I'm talking the one where you've been in a five year relationship and you just find out your significant other has been sleeping around, and then one day says "You know what, based on my experience, even though the times we had were good and you took care of me...but I see that someone new has a better offer so, see ya!" You will have your hope crushed time and time again after being led around in circles, just to see your efforts in vain. There will even be times where you are so close to a sale that you can taste their bank account being added to your commission check, just to see things fall apart at the last minute. C'est la via...for such is sales. There is light at the end of the tunnel however for little is as fulfilling as someone who hates you and every thing your company stands for in the beginning of the call, but by the end they have signed up for everything you pitched. The pen may be mightier than the sword, but the spoken word beats the pen any day.