Truth Or Not?

There are a few misconceptions in sales that you never know if they’re the truth or something someone dreamed up. So we’ll go over them and see what they’re all about.

1. It’s who you know to get ahead: This isn’t always true. Over achievers work harder. They get out there and make them selves known. They know more people therefore more opportunities are presented to them. The more opportunities , the more sales they make. Simple if you think about it.

2. Poor managers are a bad thing: People are abusive, confrontational and dysfunctional. Managers can be also. You have to learn you deal with people like this and rise above them and the occasion, They’ve gotten where they are for are reason. If nothing else you can learn patience and control from them…which you have to have to deal with them.

3. The employees come first: Managing people is a big component of business but the bottom line is profit and goals. If the employee doesn’t work out or doesn’t meet their goals, then truth is they’re gone. Managers work with employees as long as they’re productive, if they slack off then they manager has no choice but to get rid of them and replace them with someone who will work.

4. It’s hard to make sales during the off season: If you have goals, there aren’t any off seasons. If you let the sales drive you instead of you driving the sales, there will be an off season. There are always appointments for sales people who work for it. If you are motivated and have an innate talent for building relationships with your customers, then there will always be an open door for you.

5. You have to have an extroverted personality to be in sales. The art of selling is the art of thinking and problem solving. The emphasis is on thinking and problem solving skills versus being a socially adept person. Studies have shown the top salespeople actually lean more towards introverted than extroverted. High performance sales people are actually analytical thinkers.

6. It you want it, you can do it: If you work hard, you can make it happen. Motivation is critical but it isn’t enough alone. You need the appropriate strengths to be successful in a growing occupation. You need to have talent for selling. Training is helpful if the talent is there. Below average performance is lack of talent and the desire than lack of training. Give salespeople flexibility to choose a style and technique that works for them. If the individual believe in what they’re selling, sales will improve. The key to success is consistently performing with whatever process you choose and in tailoring that process to your personal style.

Whatever your style, choosing to work hard and believe in what you’re selling is the key to success….yours and the company you are working for.

By Linda Lee Ruzicka

Linda Lee Ruzicka lives in the mountains of Western PA , happily married and with her 8 cats and three dogs. She has been published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Writing Village, June Cotner anthology, The Grit, Reminisce , the book, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family. She also does freelances work for Beyond and for Salesheads. More of her blogs can be found at Salesheads blog.