Ten Ingredients for Success in Sales
- ORGANIZED. Use your daily planner, and always keep in touch with clients and prospects. The key to a successful salesperson is one who is on top of his or her game and day by being highly organized and knowing whom to contact and when.
- AGGRESSIVE. Small numbers multiply rapidly. Consistently make new sales calls every day. This can be habit-forming! Whether you are calling new customers or getting sales from existing customers, the important detail is how many calls you make each day.
- HONEST. All you have is your reputation. Let other people sell for you - and remember, "People buy from people." The problem with many salespeople is that they stretch the truth or exaggerate. If you tell the truth, you remember it. If you lie, you have to remember the lie. It is much easier to always be honest.
- KNOWLEDGE. Know your product or service - and the competition. An informed person is a confident and interesting person. Become an expert by always learning.
- QUALIFY. The only way to sell is to ask questions. Remember: You are in sales to help people, not tell them. Be the doctor of sales. This is the foundation of sales, numero uno, and without this, you are not in sales - period!
- LISTEN. If you talk, you are telling. If you listen and ask questions, you are now able to understand and better help the customer. Silence is the greatest tool you will have as a salesperson, so why not use it?
- ENTHUSIASM. Enthusiasm is contagious. Being positive helps create desire, discipline, dedication and focus. These are the necessary ingredients to become successful in sales. Too bad these cannot be taught. You must have these qualities before you start the job.
- EMPATHY. If you always put your customers first, they will know it. They want to do business with someone who is sincere. In my opinion, this is equal to asking questions. If you are empathetic, you are helping your clients, and that is by finding their needs and wants.
- HAVE FUN. The more fun you are, the more fun your customer will have. You must believe in your company, products and yourself. Why go through life if you are not enjoying yourself? Successful people truly enjoy what they are doing!
- PRACTICE. Sales is a profession and must be treated as one. If all athletes and other professionals practice, why not you? To be successful in anything takes practice. The more you practice at something, the better you become.
