Monday, April 16, 2012

Sales Poem

So I had to write a poem for my Literature class, and decided to write it on my favorite subject, SALES!  Would love some feedback and comments on the poem.


My Life, My Sale
By: Michael C. McMillan

A name and number is where it starts
Five minutes of attention is all I want
For six long months I call without losing heart
I wonder what skills you need me to flaunt?

Finally I reach you, and you are interested in what I have to sell
All my work seems to have paid off, if I can just make this sale
Then right as I feel you are one of my newest clientele
 You let me know senior leadership may have to bail…

So as quick as I can I get to the airport
Contract in hand, I will not let this deal fail
Yes, I know how to make sure to win this sport
I hope your team is ready, because I am ready to land this whale!

            A last minute meeting with your entire team
            Then out with a signed contract and the fulfillment of my dream!

Friday, April 13, 2012

How Far Do You Go For Business?

So this week was an exciting week at the AGA/EEI Customer Service Expo in Fort Worth, Texas.  Had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people, and get the full Texas experience...LOL!!!

The one thing I took away from this trip is that to be in sales requires you to be willing to always live outside your standard comfort zone.  For instance on this trip to Texas at the big networking social event on Wednesday evening I found myself faced with doing something I NEVER thought I would ever do, ride a mechanical bull...

LOL!!  I still am laughing at the fact I was brave enough to get my butt up there to do this...

Why, did I decide to do this you ask?  Simple, because as I sat there watching almost the entire group go up and do it one by one and get their photo taken doing it, I knew if I had any shot in connecting with these people after the show I had to get up there and do it.  And here was the result:

I lasted a whole 15 seconds on that bull before getting bucked off.  And you know what, I had the time of my life doing it.  Now granted it was a little embarrassing to say the least, but the photo and experience was well worth it.

So this leads me to the question I ask in the title, what are you willing to do for business?  Could you have put your pride aside and got up on the bull to ride it?  If not, why not?  Sales is all about building a bond between your company and another, and common experiences is the sure fire way to make sure that happens.  So next time you are at a social affair and you see something you would NEVER do, take a minute and ask your self, could this help me drive business and build a closer relationship with my prospects?  If the answer is even maybe, get up on that bull and have a good time!