What was I saying?

on May 16 in Uncategorized by al about sales

Oh,yea. In order to really succeed in sales you must…… “Excuse me, what?” “Where have I been?” Gees’, can’t a fellow take a little break?
Fair enough. It’s been over a year since the last post, so only fitting that you’re brought up to speed before “selling” along to new horizons.
Thinking an old fashioned Q&A interview will best summarize the past year, so here goes.

Q. You were like the lyric in that song from the old show Hee- Haw….. “and plghhhhhhh you was gone”
A. Yea, just like that… “Plghhhhhhh I was gone”. Nice reference, are you making a southern dig?

Q . No, not saying that at all. It just fits well. Nothing more you have to say?
A. Only that in my sales coaching sessions, I wrap up the class with the topic of financial responsibility. I try to motivate the group to expect the unexpected, save more than they spend, and try to live as debt free as possible.
For if you do, I explain, you’ll never be a slave to a career, and/or you’ll be more apt to weather any storm that comes your way.
Fortunately, that is something that I not only preached, but put into practice.

Q. So, the past year has been Margarita’s, Mai Tai’s and sandy beaches?
A. No, not at all. Originally I thought that since I was free from hectic travel schedules, I could get that novel from my head, and onto paper, but that didn’t happen.

Q. What got in the way?
A. Al, got in the way. I just can’t sit still long enough. I still have too much energy and drive, so I turned a hobby into a business. I became more active managing my investments. I started consulting for one business, then another. Quickly my schedule was overflowing again. Just as I like it.

Q. What’s the hobby turned business?
A. Later I’ll go into that. There will be a series of devotions and coursework coming out of those experiences.

Q. Speaking of devotions. What brings you back to your blog? Sounds like your schedule is as packed as ever, so why bother?
A. Several Reasons. Mainly I miss it. I like doing it. It comes naturally, so it’s easy to do. I also found I needed to do it.

Q. Explain.
A. It’s like this. I tend to view “life” in a different light than most. I read below what’s transpiring on the surface. It’s not really a conscious act. I’m just an odd bird, and the layers below the surface seem to unfold in my head. My devotions are a window into that world, as it relates to human behavior, and more directly, how it affects the psychology of selling.
For example, take a stroll out into a public area like the grocery store, and odds are you will witness a mild confrontation between two people. It may be a mother and a child having a discussion over buying a piece of candy. What most people notice is exactly what’s going on, which a child is asking over and over for candy, and a mother trying to deny the request and keep the child calm.
I tend to notice the underlying behavior. How both keep changing their negotiating tactics. The child goes from a simple request, to whining and begging, and then perhaps deploys either anger (tantrum) or sadness (crying). The Mom begins with a simple “no”, to escalating voice tone, and often leads up to some sort of potential consequence if the request is not withdrawn. (Spanking, telling dad, etc).
The situation really is a sales negotiation, with measurable and visible behavioral actions.

Q. You’re right. You are an odd bird. But I still don’t understand the “need”.
A. Writing or storytelling is my outlet. I just feel better when I can get it out of my head and share it. I also receive a lot of requests. Over the past couple of years, the devotions started to flow externally. What started as an internal communication was often shared to a spouse or friend elsewhere, and often shared again. I really wasn’t aware, but the devotions weaved their way through many large corporations fairly quickly. The principal concept is rarely product specific, thus anyone could usually take something away from the topic, so I guess it makes sense.
It was also interesting how many non sales employees responded to the devotions. I’m guessing the fact that many key points are wrapped in a behavioral or psychological package that can be beneficial to personal relationships is what fuels that segment of readers.
Regardless, it’s time to fulfill my need, and get back to posting.

Q. Okay then. When shall we expect to see the posts?
A. I have a few minor website adjustments to make, and plan on posting within a week. Tentatively shooting for Tuesday releases, but that is subject to change.

Awesome- looking forward to it… Hope the readership is as well.