[Audio] 10 Ideal Qualities to be an Effective Sales Manager
Bill lists 10 qualities that should help you become a more effective sales manager.
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Liberal Arts is Still the Secret
Taken from USA TODAY, January 11, 2007:
A panel of national higher education and business leaders issued a road map Wednesday for reforming higher education, arguing that college graduates must be able to do more than equip themselves for their first job.
Rather, it says in a report, "in an economy fueled by innovation, the capabilities developed through a liberal education have become America's most valuable economic asset.
The report identifies four "essential learning outcomes," grounded primarily in the liberal arts, that graduates should possess. They are: a broad base of knowledge across multiple disciplines; intellectual and practical skills such as teamwork and problem-solving; a sense of personal and social responsibility, including ethical reasoning; and experience applying what they learn to real-world problems."
What does this mean to you? Simply this, the capacity to think, pull from a broad base of knowledge, work well with others and yes, understand the world, its history and how things fit together is still the most valuable commodity for a person to have.
Narrow, technical training education may provide you a great living. However, it may not give you a great life. Creativity, innovation and depth are all essential to the meaningful life. Long live liberal arts. It's a shame that some people still don't see the value. A real shame.
Blogging As A Referral Generation and Customer Retention Tool
My wife and I bought a home in Greensboro, NC about a year ago. Just recently, the construction superintendent started a blog filled with great tips relative to lawn care, getting the house ready for winter and other things like that. Every time he updates his blog he shoots me an email to let me know.
I've found great value in these tips.
When I get them it lets me know that the superintendent genuinely cares about his customers and wants to make sure that they're knowledgeable about and happy with their purchase. This is great customer service and a phenomenal way to stay in front of your customers.
In the past, people and organizations could publish tips to their customer base in the form of newsletters, either physical or electronic. Nowadays, though, you can use a blog as a powerful, dynamic way to stay in touch with your customer base.
*** The Bottom Line ***
It's super-easy to start your own blog (in fact, there are tons of free blogging programs out there), blogs are fast becoming a popular method of communication, and it's a good way to provide information to your customers and to position yourself as a value resource...not just "another salesperson."
I’m Trying To Buy A Car Here!
How difficult is it for a sales person to return a call for information? Apparently, pretty difficult! All I wanted was for someone to treat my request with respect, take me seriously, and provide some additional information. I guess my expectations were too lofty.
Ever had an interest in something and needed clarification, or more information before you bought? Ever wanted to feel more comfortable about buying? Have you waited for ANYONE to return your call in which you indicated you were eager to buy, but just wanted a few questions answered? You didn’t require someone to “sell” you, just help you buy what you wanted. Ever wondered why the sales person didn’t act as if they believed you truly wanted to buy?
After all, aren’t these unresponsive sales people the very same ones that often complain about no sales, unreasonable customers/prospects, not being trusted or liked, and how slow business is? At least this is exactly what I heard from the sales person I called back to clarify what he had indicated to me. And mind you I’m talking about buying a car—and we all have our assorted, sordid, buying experiences in this market.
With all of the negativity associated with this market it seems to me that ANY indication of an intent to buy, coupled with urgency and clear ability to buy would be eagerly met with zeal. Not so! As I write this I am awaiting a response to my questions—from three days ago. I must be the dummy here! Yes, I left a message that is clear about my intent to buy with some clarification of small details.
As a sales person myself, I would love to have such a scenario as obviously any sales person would. So—what’s the problem?
I believe it to be a self-perception issue for sales people. That perception tends to be one of negatively seeing themselves as a person the rest of us don’t trust, don’t like, don’t believe even when as customers we are ready to buy. They believe it’s a just another “stroker”, time waster, or looker. Many sales people are to quick to pre-judge, and those judgments are most always negative—a reflection of their own negativity. It’s past time to stop this destructive behavior as sales people. See yourself as a professional value resource and act accordingly. Never assume anything when selling. Always ask, and respond, creating value through your actions and attentiveness, even when you have to say you don’t have what they want. That’s integrity and that’s what people want.
Tuesday’s Sales Truth {1.9.07}
The Tuesday's Sales Truths are taken from Bill Brooks' Book Entitled: Universal Sales Truths











