"Selling with Passion"

Do you have big numbers to hit in the year 2011? Numbers that you think might not be achievable? Maybe it's time to go back to the fundamentals on ways that can help get you there.

Sometimes salespeople can get complacent or in a rut if you will. There's no profession that has more peaks and valleys than that of a sales professional. Here's some hints that might make your year as profitable and rewarding as you want it to be:

Promote your personal brand. If you don't do it, nobody else will. You can do this many ways; social networking, ribbon cuttings, chamber events, after hour business meetings, or maybe a hockey game or sporting event. The more people that know who you are and what you do for a living, the easier it will be. You should leave no doubt in other people's minds on who you are and who you work for. Your profile is a very important part of your persona. Build your personal brand.

Sell with passion. There is nothing that sells more than passion and enthusiasm. People migrate toward people with passion. People want to be around people who are fun. People buy from passionate, enthusiastic people. If you are passionate and enthusiastic about your products and services, they will be too.

Don't pre-judge. There's business people out there that are far better off than they may appear on the surface. Embrace some of these people and you might be surprised what you find out. There's a diamond in every rough and sometimes these people are the easiest to find. If you venture outside the circle you draw, the rewards and success will follow.

Dress the part. We call it "dress for success", call it what you will. We all know business has become more casual these days---but we still need to know who our customer is. Make them feel comfortable by how you dress. Don't make the mistake I did years ago when I called on a farmer in nice slacks, shirt and sweater and I never heard the end of it from the guy. It was a bad mistake on my part. Don't make the mistake I did.

Be prepared. There's nothing more powerful than knowing your product, and knowing it well. Executive your sales pitch. Practice on friends, relatives, or co-workers. It sounds kind of cheesy but it works. Sports teams that executive their plays have much better results than teams that don't. Sales is no different.

WOW the customer. This is most important. Show them value in what you are providing. Exceed their expectations. Don't leave them with the feeling of buyer's remorse. Sometimes it's the little things that can be so big. Surprise them with something special, it could even be on the personal side of things. Don't be a vendor that just sells your product. Create a strong and meaningful partnership. There's nothing more powerful that creating a team. Now you are in it together.

Find your passion. Find that "new thing". Like that new relationship that has fire in it. You want to enjoy the hours you put in. Fight for yourself.

We only get one chance at this thing called life.

To Your Success!