by Admin | Jan 11, 2012 | Goal Setting and Achievement, Networking, Prospecting, Selling
2012 is here whether you like it or not. This time of year brings reflection, celebration and sometimes regret. Many of the folks I talk to each week have had a mixed bag with the economic challenges, changing market conditions, political uncertainly and overall unwillingness to move forward and make something happen. My clients in construction are challenged with the lending environment, clients in insurance are dealing with the uncertainty of health care reform, financial service professionals have a turbulent market, fill in the blank with your challenge from the above or perhaps you are dealing with you own. What’s a sales person to do? Environments such as the one we are in right now leave you in one of two places: the ‘Waiting Place’ referred to in Dr. Seuss’s the Places You Will Go (a must read, my favorite book this year) or the ‘On Purpose’ place. In the Waiting Place you are at the mercy of circumstances out of control of your own life and destiny. You are at the mercy of your clients, prospects, competition – name the reason for lack of results. In the ‘On Purpose’ place you recognize that while many circumstances may be beyond your control – how you react to challenges is completely in your control. Ready to change your address from the Waiting Place to the On Purpose Place? Here are a few thoughts on how to do just that. Recognize the positive that happens each and every day. What you reflect on will reproduce itself. You think about crummy stuff and all it seems you are surrounded by is crummy...
by Salezworks | May 25, 2010 | Goal Setting and Achievement, Selling
Disclaimer: Prepare for a 2 x 4 directly between the eyes. I am not responsible if the proverbial 2 x 4 leaves a mark. I work with compensation a lot, especially sales compensation. I have 2 compensation tenants that I know are universally true: I have never met somebody who truly thought they were paid enough.And…Compensation is an emotional topic that people find difficult to have a rational discussion about.If you can keep these in mind for the rest of the entry, it will be appreciated. You see, I have been introduced lately to rational, talented sales people who know all of the things I point out above yet have a very unrealistic expectation of their value, especially in this economy. Look around. Things aren’t what they used to be. Companies still value sales people knowing they are the lifeblood of their company but want to change the deal a bit. Gone are the days of high base salaries for sales people, with very few exceptions. Say hello to the days of 100% commission opportunities or a lower base. Companies are happy to pay their top sales people who produce but that will be in the form of variable compensation that they earn from sales. Sales people who mention they need a higher base to be comfortable with this new opportunity in an interview might as well say they are a blood sucking leech (sorry, forgot to warn you before the 2 x 4 hit) who will take your money and not deliver. I am reminded of a recent discussion with a salesperson that had a salary history of...
