The Sales Evangelist

Three Things Small Businesses Get Wrong When Marketing     Businesses often make mistakes in their marketing campaigns and as a result, don’t maximize their exposure. Let’s discuss how strategic decisions about your online presence can make a bigger impact.    Stephen Hart is the host of the Trailblazers.fm podcast and is also a digital brand strategist. Stephen enhances marketing and communications for a global software firm by coaching individuals and businesses to improve their own brand. Through his experience, Stephen is seeing the need for people to address their brand presence and their digital footprint. It’s important for your brand to represent your product well and this is done by your prospects associating your online presence with a reputation of quality..    Digitally sophisticated  People today are more digitally sophisticated. Employers and consumers often end up going to Google or asking Alexa and Siri for answers to their questions. The same is true when consumers are looking for products or services.  They research and ask relevant questions using social platforms before making a final purchasing decision. People look at company websites, verified reviews online, the company’s social platform, and their customer service and support.    People want confirmation online long before they ever speak to their first salesperson. There are many touchpoints that consumers look for and by the time they make the decision to meet a product or service rep, most of them have already made up their minds.    Five key areas of branding Branding is critical because it’s a visual representation that lets the consumer know what you and your company are all about. Stephen has five key elements that entrepreneurs should consider to define their personal brand. These 5 elements that will help your digital presence include: Color Font Mood and vibe Logo Voice or the tone of your written content   Colors in branding Color is  important because it’s one of the elements that offer people the first impressions about your brand presence. Research has shown that people make a judgment within 90 seconds based on color tone alone. This is especially important for salespeople and business professionals with a global touch who are dealing with people from a variety of cultural and religious backgrounds.    There are websites that can help you decide what color palette works best with your vision.  Think about two or three colors that set the tone, and an additional one or two colors you might use as an accent.  The website can help you work out these different combinations.     Hex Code  The hex code is a hexadecimal code that refers to the specific color that you want to choose. You can use this hex code to have a consistent color for your brand. You can document your six-digit color code throughout different platforms so you’re consistently getting the right color and shade.. This will come in handy when making PowerPoint presentations, images in Canva, and more. Just type in the hex code and your color will automatically appear.    Even beyond your website, the colors you should choose should carry into  your social media. Use them when you create motivational graphics for your social media posts and other areas you want a digital footprint. You want to create a cohesive visual feel across all platforms. This trains people to think of you when they see your color combinations.  Be involved in building your brand While it may be a good idea to have experts and professionals handle the execution of your branding campaign, it is equally important to be involved in building your personal brand. It’s important that the final product accurately and authentically reflects the message you want to portray. Suggest color and tone so you can give the experts a launching pad and a sense of the energy you’re trying to create.    Focus on the personality of your brand as well. What kind of message do you want to convey? If it’s hard to see with clarity, consider creating a visual mood board.  Similar to a vision board, your mood board will be the place you can put images that capture the tone and the vibe of your business, and you. The more specific your vision is, the easier it will be for your marketing team to put a package together that will make your brand stand out from your competition.    Another thing to consider is the tone and the voice in which you write your copy throughout your website, social media, and marketing tools. Is it playful, technical, serious?  Make sure you have a consistent voice that reads the same, across the board, to avoid consumer confusion about what they can expect from your business.   Branding is the promise you're making to your customer. #PersonalBrand Optimize Your Profiles Your social media accounts are mission critical for your brand. With that in mind, make sure you optimize your profile. Use a profile picture that can be found on all platforms, duplicate your cover photos from your website, and use uniform fonts and colors to show consistency and professionalism.    Use your LinkedIn account to expand your network.  For your profile, be strategic about how you use the different fields.  Your summary, your positions, experience, and education, for example, should keep pointing back to your central message. Be mindful of keywords that are high on the search.    “Three Things Small Businesses Get Wrong When Marketing” episode resources Stephen advises business owners to take care of the story you share online. Begin by creating a personal website and optimize your social channels. Take care of your personal brand and your digital footprints.    He is having a free webinar on October 4th where he will talk about the things that he’s mentioned in this podcast. This is a digital brand workshop that Stephen is leading for individuals who are looking to maximize their personal brand.    You can check out his website and social media accounts including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Satisfy your thirst and let us answer your sales queries. You can also talk to Donald about it via LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for any sales concerns.  This episode is brought to you in part by TSE Certified Sales Training Program. It’s a course designed to help new and struggling sellers to master the fundamentals of sales and close more deals. Sign up now and get the first two modules for free! You can also call us at (561) 570-5077.  We have a new semester beginning on February 14th and we would love to have you and your team join us. Follow this link to apply to the program.  We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes so tune in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and ratings to every episode you listen to.  You can also read more about sales or listen to audiobooks on Audible and explore this huge online library. Register now to get a free book and a 30-day free trial.  Audio provided by Free SFX and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

Abundance Now: Amplify Your Life & Achieve Prosperity Today   We all want to amplify our lives and achieve prosperity. Entrepreneurs want to prosper in their business, but how is that achieved? Sales professionals all have the desire to be successful. The definition of the word can be pretty broad and it may differ from one salesperson to another. Lisa Nichols is a transformational coach and her clients achieve massive succes through her use of education, motivation, and inspiration.   Getting to Know Lisa Nichols  Lisa Nichols was academically challenged in school. She had a difficult time learning and in her twenties discovered she’s functionally dyslexic. While she gets by, she’s slower than most. C was her highest grade in school and she was told she was the weakest writer her English teacher had ever met. Even her speech teacher said, “Ms. Nichols, I recommend that you never speak in public. Get a desk job.”   Education was challenging and when she had her son, she had to get government assistance. She applied for WIC (Women, Infant, Children), an organization that gives out free cheese, pasta, milk, and other necessities. There were a couple of days she had to wrap her infant son in a blanket because she hadn’t had enough money for diapers. Why? There wasn’t enough in her bank account to make a twenty dollar withdrawal.  That was her all-time low. She was broke and broken and in that state, she learned a valuable lesson. When you’re broke, you’ve just got to figure out how to make money. But when you’re broken, you have to figure out how to be inspired enough to get up and go do something.    The beginning When she hit rock bottom, she made a decision to reinvent every part of her. Lisa was willing to become unfamiliar with every part of her journey so that she could become familiar with everything new. She wanted to explore her potential and know who she could be. That was the beginning of how she became the woman she is today.    What is abundance? People tend to look at abundance in just two ways - monetary and assets. These things are part of abundance but it doesn’t show the total pictures. Money and assets fall under wealth and wealth is just a slice of the abundance pie. Abundance is a 360 experience and most people fail to see how abundance differs from wealth until they’ve achieved some level of wealth.  When wealth is achieved, they realize they want to have abundance. Abundance is not only having wealth and assets. It’s only fully achieved when you also  have good health, great relationships, and a spiritual center. Instead of just going for wealth, you might as well go for abundance. #SalesProsperity   Lisa works with wealthy people who are fiscally in the top 1% but she’s not coaching them to achieve wealth. She's helping them to achieve abundance. Many people believe that it can only be achieved because of a particular zip code or nationality but the truth is, abundance is everyone’s birthright. Anyone can achieve abundance. The limiting belief  Every so often, we live with a limiting belief that was embedded in us from an early age. It can come down through the generations, come from the gender we live in, start from our geographical origin, come from our cultural origin, or from our spiritual background.  Carrying limiting beliefs can hinder your future. Salespeople need to let go of these limiting beliefs. When you move toward a more positive, abundant mindset, you will see your world start to shift for the better. How do we begin?   The first thing is to feed yourself with better mental food. This will help you produce a different emotional and physical outcome. Learning something new enables you to do something new and when you are doing something new, you also produce something new.    Getting abundance  Many think they’re getting a good picture of what they want by repeating what they don’t want. The truth is, the more you spend energy thinking about what you don’t want, the more you’re living a contracted experience. Energy grows where energy goes. You are a creator, an artist.  You lead where your energy follows. Ask yourself, how far out are you planning? Think about what you want your future to look like in 5 years.    Create a plan then work that plan. Most people are living without having created a plan. Ensure that you are being an abundant thinker and live your life intentionally with a plan in mind.    As you look five years ahead, ask yourself these questions:   What are you driving? Where are you living? What’s the balance of your bank account on a monthly basis? How many vacations are you taking a year? What does your relationship with your children look like? Your spouse?  How many times a week do you engage with your parents? How often are you praying?     Be specific about the details. Remember that it may not happen exactly that way, but now you have a plan, even if you have to tweak it along the way. Based on your five-year plan, figure out your three-year plan. You will notice the alignment of your plans and start making decisions based on your five-year plan. It will keep you in check and keep you focused on your goals.    Making a life plan By creating a five-year plan, you begin to create an abundant life. The blessing is in the details and the more you see these details, it will make you hungrier and more inspired to taste more. You learn to identify the smell and color of your future and it makes you want to run toward your success. Your mindset and emotional state go together.    People fail to make plans down to the minute details because of two things - one, we weren’t taught how to make plans and we aren’t taught to pay attention to the details. We make macro goals to get macro wins. The reality is, we need micro details to achieve macro wins. The more detailed you make your goals, the more likely it is you can achieve your dreams.  You are more fully engaged.   When you set a goal for yourself and don’t hit it, you lose a little bit of faith in yourself. It’s important you set yourself up to win. It’s important to set a goal you can achieve. These goals should stretch you to your full potential, not stress you from reaching your maximum potential.    When your goals stress you, then look at where you can adjust. This may be the number of goals or your timeline in achieving your goals. Give yourself time to make it happen. In Lisa’s book Abundance Now, she talks about how abundance isn’t something  you can just get. It’s what expands from what you already have access to.   12 Life-changing areas   In the book, there are 12-life changing areas that make an impact. Some of these include:    Romantic relationships Family relationships Peers, Colleagues, and social circles Mentors  Career Investments and future legacy   Love relationships will help you shape your life. As a person designed to have human connections, we are spending more of our energy in our relationships. This is a great time for people of color because now, you are also able to create investments and future legacies. Your legacy can be like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and other great people who have made a lasting impact. They did this by speaking to inspire, not impress. Speaking to inspire has a ripple effect.    If you are in an environment that’s negative and draining, you can do several things. Number one, understand you have a choice. Don’t slide over in the passenger seat of your life. You should be in the driver’s seat. Number two, hunt for positive people and surround yourself with people who foster positivity.    “Abundance Now: Amplify Your Life & Achieve Prosperity Today” episode resources As a salesperson and as an individual, remember that you are the designer of your destiny. You are the true author of your autobiography. It doesn’t matter what chapter four looks like. All that matters is that your chapter four is a blank page and you are the one holding the pen in your hand. Give yourself a powerful chance to be the brilliant being you are meant to be and write a good story.    Get the free abundant checklist by visiting this link.  Catch up with Lisa Nichols via her LinkedIn profile. Satisfy your thirst and let us answer your sales queries. You can also talk to Donald about it via LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for any sales concerns.  This episode is brought to you in part by TSE Certified Sales Training Program. It’s a course designed to help new and struggling sellers to master the fundamentals of sales and close more deals. Sign up now and get the first two modules for free! You can also call us at (561) 570-5077.  We have a new semester beginning on February 14th and we would love to have you and your team join us. Follow this link to apply to the program.  We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes so tune in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and ratings to every episode you listen to.  You can also read more about sales or listen to audiobooks on Audible and explore this huge online library. Register now to get a free book and a 30-day free trial.  Audio provided by Free SFX and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

Best Sellers In History Series 8 - "Reginald F. Lewis"   This episode of the Best Sellers in History series is different from the other episodes we’ve had. We are going to do an interview not with the person himself, but with his friend, Lin Hart. He wrote a book about a period of Reginald Lewis’ life. As we talk to Lin, we discover how Reginald was able to inspire us to achieve our goals and become great sellers as well.    Knowing Lin Hart Lin had a great experience when he was still a customer, back when he first purchased his own computer. His brother had told him to get a computer and with the help of his colleague’s daughter, who was a salesperson with new computer company, was able to decide what computer to buy and make all the purchasing decisions    He was reluctant but the young lady was excellent. She came over to his office and explained to him all the things he needed. She also picked out the right package for Lin. The computer came with a lot of instructions and she explained how it worked, and explained the purchase price in detail. Her attitude was great. She called personally, came, and delivered the product herself.    The beginning  Lin started working for Western Electric,  a company that later became AT&T Network Systems. This company manufactured all the telephone equipment for all the telephone companies back when they were still in a monopoly arrangement. Lin left the company in 1995 and decided to work for himself as a professional speaker.   With success as a professional speaker, the company expanded into executive coaching. The job allowed him to travel around the country. By 2011, he decided to relax and began to limit his traveling. It was then that Lin was asked to write down his thoughts and record his experience. Lin wasn’t keen to do it until Reginald’s wife and mother personally asked him to write about Reginald. There weren’t many people who were close to Reginald Lewis, as he was an extremely private individual. Being so close to Reginald, he was in the perfect position to write about him and Reginald F Lewis, The young man before the billion-dollar empire was born.   Sales on Spotlight - Reginald F Lewis?  Reginald Lewis passed away in 1993 and at the time of his death, he was arguably the richest African-American on the planet. He had several business deals including that last one, the International division of Beatrice Foods. It was a company that was doing an excess of $2 billion a business. When he closed a deal, they didn’t realize that he was a young African-American businessman. Reginald was an extraordinarily successful businessman with extraordinary wealth. Unfortunately, he was gone too soon.    Linn and Reginald’s relationship started when they were young men growing up in the same Baltimore neighborhood. He lived three blocks away from Lin’s family. They would see each other often and eventually, they became friends and competed against each other in high school sports. While Reginald went to Dunbar High School, Linn went to Edmondson High School. They both won athletic scholarships to attend Virginia State University for football where Linn and Reginald became roommates and close friends. They remained close and would stay connected through their professional careers as well.   Attributes of Reginald F Lewis  Reginald didn’t come from wealth. He was a man who had sustainable beliefs about the inevitability of his own success. He never doubted for a minute he was going to be successful despite many shortcomings. Regardless of the situation, Reginald didn’t let those things deter him from his path to success.  While people talk about how to think in terms of a  box, he, on the other hand, never saw a box. He was always upbeat and was able to overcome his lack of money with good grades in school.    Every salesperson has the innate ability to survive. This instinct is embedded in their brains. We are all born with a desire to be good at something, whether it’s in sports, speaking, or some other skill. The trick is to find what lights our fire.  We have to figure out the drive that propels us to go where we want to go in this life. Discovering what lights our fire requires a certain amount of determination. Reginald was certainly driven and it took him a long way.    Ability to think ahead Lin and Reginald started to look for jobs so they decided to apply at a recently opened bowling alley. It didn’t take a long time to note that it was a predominantly white institution. While black people can come in, there were certain lines they didn’t cross. Reginald didn’t see those lines and didn’t want to work under such limitations. After a time, Reginald began getting to school late. Apparently, he’d gotten the job and was running the bowling alley as the night manager! It was extraordinary.     Lin was working for AT&T and he had the responsibility for network systems engineering in the Western part of the country. He had a little workgroup of guys who came up with ideas about how to provide the propagation studies for towers in Australia. The cellular phone business was just starting to ramp up and the propagation studies were designed to know where the towers should be placed. Lin had 30-40 engineers working for him. Reginald heard about this and called to suggest buying assets from Lin’s company. It was a considerable business and through their discussion, Lin discovered Reginald had the money to afford the assets. It was then that Lin realized Reginald was playing in a different league.    There are so many things that people didn’t know about Reginald. He was a private man and he was a behind-the-scenes guy. The inspiration to write the book stemmed from the desire to let people know who Reginald really was as an individual and not just a person who made a fortune.    No straight line to success Reginald didn’t have a straight line to success. He had some rough patches as well, with bumps and obstacles he had to overcome. The most important thing was that he understood when there was a need to change direction and change plans. Most people are reluctant to change because they fear the outcome that may come after the changes.    Change is difficult and is never free.  If you think about the resources that a person brings to their job, whether it’s a salesperson, a businessman, or other career, you only have certain things that you can invest your time, your capital, and your money in. When you make significant changes in your life, you see you don’t have to expend all of these.    Overcoming the failures  Reginald was able to overcome failures. Salespeople can do the same thing by loving what they do. You need to make sure that whatever you do, it takes you in the direction of something you feel good about. You need to feel proud about it and see that it’s meaningful work. Examine yourself and ask yourself if you are really doing what you could be good at.    Do a deep dive and understand your business at a granular level as opposed to a surface level. Sometimes people are in the right place but they’re not getting any success in their business because they haven’t spent time truly understanding what it is that they do.    Details matter You can be brilliant even if you don’t have a command of the details but there’s a big chance you’re going to miss some steps in the process. You don’t need to be mired in detail but you do need to have a deep understanding of all the details. We fail when we put limitations on ourselves. Again, the most impactful limitations are the ones we put on ourselves.    The most impactful limitations you will face will be the ones you place on yourself. #SalesFacts Best Sellers In History Series 8 - "Reginald F. Lewis" episode resources Lin’s very first client was a man named James White, a young African-American business man who worked for Nestle Purina. He’s now the chairman and CEO of Jamba Juice. That’s his life now as an executive coach and a writer. You can follow Lin via his LinkedIn and  Facebook.  You can also talk to Donald anything about sales via LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for any sales concerns.  This episode is brought to you in part by TSE Certified Sales Training Program. It’s a course designed to help new and struggling sellers to master the fundamentals of sales and close more deals. Sign up now and get the first two modules for free! You can also call us at (561) 570-5077.  We have a new semester beginning on February 14th and we would love to have you and your team join us. Follow this link to apply to the program.  We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes so tune in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and ratings to every episode you listen to.  You can also read more about sales or listen to audiobooks on Audible and explore this huge online library. Register now to get a free book and a 30-day free trial.  Audio provided by Free SFX and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

It’s Time To Transform Our Sales Training   2020 is here and there is an opportunity to update sales strategies. The most common ways to execute sales systems, processes, and training have historically been written by men and for men but how do we get take those same techniques and update to include the natural strengths of women?   All about Cynthia Cynthia is a keynote speaker and sales trainer who shows sales professionals how to influence decision-makers through her company, the Barnes Sales Institute. Between her company’s focus on women-centric sales training and her global organization, Women who Sell, there is a focus on empowering female sales professionals in  male-dominated industries. Their organization is giving saleswomen a voice to be heard, so they can stand out from the competition, and be counted.   Buyer’s journey  Salespeople need to realize that 70-80% of the buyers’ journey includes conducting their own research, even before they get in front of the first salesperson. In addition to doing the research, they get recommendations from their friends, make a decision about what they’re going to purchase, and then decide who or where they’re going to buy from. Their minds are pretty much made up before they get in front of an expert.   Because consumers do so much research on the product they need, they can have more knowledge than the people selling their products. The truth is, this buyer wants to be sold to by an expert. As consumers, they want to know what the salesperson can tell them that Google couldn’t. If you are the salesperson, you have to figure out how to be their expert.    Sales training and programs of today  Being a saleswoman in a male-dominated industry is difficult. Most sales training today have men in mind. They expect women to act like the opposite sex to be effecting at their job. The majority of sales programs were created 40 years ago by men for men. It was at a time when men made up most of the sales force. In 2017, women made up to 49.8% of the sales force and there are even more today. However, the model still hasn’t evolved despite the change in demographics.   Women have the innate ability to be patient and intuitive in the way they interact with people. Instead of using traditional scripts, they can utilize their natural talents by tapping into their authentic selves and their own communication skills to connect with their prospects.  Women control 51% of the wealth and influence over 71% of the household spending. Knowing this, it’s wise to train female salespeople. The alpha male approach doesn’t work for the female brain.    Effects of gender in the buying process In male-dominated industries such as logistics and truck brokerage, it’s not as common to have a female salesperson. This means a woman coming in as a sales rep has to know the material frontward and backward. Unlike their male counterparts, they tend to have to prove their expertise. Cynthia had her fair share of working with men and the experience taught her how to play in the field. She learned how to become an expert and it allowed her to go from being a salesperson to a consultant. Her natural ability to build relationships and network helped her talk to men on a deeper level, get to know them and build a friendship. Because she was able to break down initial barriers with her expertise, she even knew her clients’ favorite beer and wives birthdays!    Women have strong emotional intelligence, excellent listening skills, and they are natural networkers. These qualities allow them to build strong relationships. They shine when the sales cycle is slow enough to build stronger relationships with their clients.    Tweaks that can be done for sales programs today Women’s natural abilities include intuition, patience, and relationship building.  Women are also perfectionists, address their own weaknesses, and like to play it safe.  It’s wise to tap into this resource but many of the current sales programs are not catered toward women.   Saleswomen thrive in an environment they feel safe. It’s important they know they can take risks and make mistakes without the threat of being ridiculed. It works well for women to be given space to learn on their own. Educate them on the desired outcome and give them the opportunity to use their own voice, instead of a script, and you’ll start seeing some great results.   Women control the majority of the money in a family so it makes sense to train female salespeople. #Saleswomen   “It’s Time To Transform Our Sales Training” episode resources Female salespeople have to feel that internal confidence. Connect with Cynthia for questions or call her at 313-586-SELL. She’s offering access to her pilot program for online training that they’re going to roll out soon.    Do you have sales questions? Suggestions? You can also talk to Donald about it via LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for any sales concerns.  This episode is brought to you in part by TSE Certified Sales Training Program. It’s a course designed to help new and struggling sellers to master the fundamentals of sales and close more deals. Sign up now and get the first two modules for free! You can also call us at (561) 570-5077.  We have a new semester beginning on February 14th and we would love to have you and your team join us. Follow this link to apply to the program.  We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes so tune in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and ratings to every episode you listen to.  You can also read more about sales or listen to audiobooks on Audible and explore this huge online library. Register now to get a free book and a 30-day free trial.  Audio provided by Free SFX and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

How To Tell A Story That Connects & Sells   In this episode, we are going to talk about how to tell a story that connects and sells. We tell stories to inspire others, show empathy, and more. The problem is, we don’t know how to tell stories in a way that consumers will be compelled to buy our products. This is what Jude Charles is going to teach you in this episode.    Jude Charles is a story-driven filmmaker, brand strategist, and a speaker who’s been running a video production company for the past 13 years. He’s been helping entrepreneurs tell stories effectively to be able to connect with prospects and clients.    What is a story?  Stories are universal. There is no difference between a story about your normal day and a story you might tell during a sales meeting. The only difference is the ending and its goal.  Stories are about a specific moment in time. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end. What happens at the end will make your story impactful.    When you’re telling a story in sales, you want the listener to buy into the service you’re selling. This story has to matter in a way that by the end, they will want to buy your product or service. Stories can make a connection.    Case Example: Money Heist Storytelling works because it’s relatable. A Netflix show called Money Heist has a story that pulls you in. It includes a group of nine guys that are getting ready to rob a mint in Spain. Although viewers aren’t robbers themselves, as the movie unfolds, the audience begins to relate to these men and become more invested in the characters and the plot. The viewer gets to know these nine guys and sees their reasons for wanting to rob the mint.    The same is true in selling. You want to share a story with your client that he/she can relate to. Instead of just selling your products and services outright, or presenting bullet points of the benefits, share a success story instead. Set the scene by beginning with the problem. You’ll then go into the actual journey that leads to solving the problem.  As the story unfolds, the client or prospect should be able to picture themselves in the scenario. By the end, they will see themselves as the one rescued from the problem by the solutions you have to offer.  The basics of presenting a story  When forming a story, think about how you will sit with the client and talk to them about what you’re doing.  The number one question in your client’s mind is about who you are and why they should do business with you. It’s during this assessment your story telling should be an integral part of the sales process. It will become part of the conversation you’re having with your client. The basic framework of storytelling is pretty much the same:    Start with a problem How you went on the journey of solving the problem Reveal the solution  Share the results of the solution    Jude keeps a story bank and saves story notes throughout the day, from the biggest details down to the minute ones. It’s these pieces that are used to create a story that is meaningful to the client.    Kinds of Stories There are different kinds of stories. When you talk about yourself, then you are telling the Who are you? story. Other stories include Client Success stories. These kinds of stories not only build your credibility but they prove your process has worked for someone else.    There are also Closing Stories and Value Stories. These are your core values. Clients like to see integrity and transparency so you can tell a story that illustrates these values.   To see examples of great stories, a recommended book is The 10 Great Stories That Leaders Tell by Joseph Lalonde.    Raising the stakes Let’s look at Money Heist again. The objective of the movie is for nine robbers to be able to get into the Royal Mint of Spain. The first thing they did was to pose as cops. The story raised the stakes when the police commissioner decided to try to break into the Mint of Spain while the robbers are there. The robbers say they have hostages and that one of them is the daughter of Spain’s ambassador. The police could rescue all the people but the stakes are high because the ambassador’s daughter will die.  Raising the stakes is getting to the moment in the story where it looks as though you think the journey is way too hard.  A great story will illustrate how the characters overcome.   What happens at the end The end is where you become very strategic about your story. It will include the lesson you want the client to learn. Your goal is for the client to understand that they need to be all in.  The important factor at the end of the story is how you frame the lesson. What are the results after the solution? That’s a question you need to answer.    A great way story lets your client know you have an understanding of who they are, what their problems are, and the solutions they need. You want to set the vision of what the future looks like with, or without, your product or service.     Another book called The Story Factor by Annette Simmons also talks about storytelling. While it’s not in the concept of framework, it shows you how to use storytelling in everyday life. It shows you how you can influence the person you are talking to so you can get your message across.    You can get better at telling stories by doing it every single day and observing how people react. It’s a skill worth learning.    The most important thing to know about storytelling is you can use it in everyday life to connect, influence, and get the message to the person you’re sitting across from. #SalesStory   “How To Tell A Story That Connects & Sell” episode resources Connect with Jude Charles via his website, judecharles.co  Do you have sales questions? Suggestions? You can also talk to Donald about it via LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for any sales concerns.  This episode is brought to you in part by TSE Certified Sales Training Program. It’s a course designed to help new and struggling sellers to master the fundamentals of sales and close more deals. Sign up now and get the first two modules for free! You can also call us at (561) 570-5077.  We have a new semester beginning on February 14th and we would love to have you and your team join us. Follow this link to apply to the program.  We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes so tune in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and ratings to every episode you listen to.  You can also read more about sales or listen to audiobooks on Audible and explore this huge online library. Register now to get a free book and a 30-day free trial.  Audio provided by Free SFX and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

Best Sellers In History Series 7 -" Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.    This is the seventh episode in the Best Sellers in History series. We celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. day on January 20, a legendary man who was the face and voice behind the civil rights movement. We have freedom today and now have opportunities that weren’t available for many people before him. Martin Luther King Jr. fought a tough battle but he never gave up and his efforts paid off. Through his actions and his character he was able to move people closer to justice and freedom.    Today’s episode is about Martin Luther King Jr., one of the best sellers in history. We’re going to focus on the characteristics that made him so persuasive and how he was able to inspire a nation to change its ways.    Sales Spotlight - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was originally named Michael King Jr. He was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. He passed away on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Martin was a Baptist minister and a social activist who led the civil rights movement in the United States from the mid-fifties until he was killed in the sixties. Dr. King’s leadership was fundamental to the success of the civil rights movement. His involvement helped to end segregation in the South and in other parts of the country as well. He rose to prominence as head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1964 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his continued effort to realize equality among his fellow Americans. King was among the youngest individuals to receive this award.    His early life Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was 15 when he entered Morehouse College in Atlanta under the special wartime program. It was created to help boost enrollment by admitting promising high school students like King. Before he officially began his college education, he spent his summer on a tobacco farm in Connecticut. It was his first time to be far from home and what he experienced there opened his mind. He saw how people with different races interacted with each other, he saw what life was like without segregation. He was shocked and he wrote about it to his family back home. He wrote about how negroes and the whites went to church together. He never thought people of the same color could share a meal together. That summer deepened his hatred towards racial segregation.    His oratorical skills came from his father and the time he spent going to church. It was further honed when he went to Morehouse College, especially when he met the school president, Benjamin Mays, who was also committed to fighting the battle against inequality and racial injustice. Benjamin accused the African-American community of being complacent in the face of oppression. King saw how strong-willed Benjamin was and this was not lost  on the mind of a young Martin Luther King Jr.    Becoming the face of the movement  King furthered his education by going to a Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania and proceeded to Boston University where he got his degree and married his wife Coretta Scott. They got married in 1953 and had four children. King became a pastor at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. A year before, the civil rights movement had already begun when everyone started talking about Rosa Parks. She had refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white female. This small group of social activists approached Martin Luther King Jr. because he was admired in his community, he was charismatic, and he was outgoing. Martin Luther King Jr. had ties in the ministry community so he was thought to be the perfect individual to be the voice for the civil rights movement. This launched his campaign to promote freedom and justice for all people.   Martin Luther King Jr. was a great salesperson for 5 reasons:  Built relationships well  Set a vision He was a great orator  Created unconventional solutions to conventional problems  Was willing to take action and go into battle for those he lead   Building rapport and connecting with individuals  Dr. King was new to Montgomery, Alabama. He didn’t know many people but they knew about him. They knew of his stellar reputation and they saw something in him. The small group of activists who approached him were already doing taking action but they knew they needed Dr. King to help. They needed him because of his ability to connect and build rapport. It was a risk that Dr. King was willing to take.    Build rapport as a salesperson  As a sales representative, people will do business with you only if they trust and like you. The community rallied behind Dr. King because they trusted him. As a salesperson it’s important to build trust with your clients as they get to know you. Show them you’re trustworthy, understand them and you empathize with their problems. Reflect similar behavior and language. They need to see that you are in the same tribe. Start with your LinkedIn profile. Check out your social circle and try to connect to one person a day. Send them a note of positivity. Practice this everyday until deeper connections are made.    Creating a vision  In Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech, I Have a Dream, he painted a picture of hope for people who otherwise may have felt there was no hope for their race.. He encouraged them to take action and challenge the status quo.    “I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. Yes, it is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day, this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. I have a dream that one day, on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream.”   All of the great people we’ve had in this series all had a vision and they helped other people to recognize that vision too.    Create a vision as a salesperson As a salesperson, it is your job to show your clients a better tomorrow, especially those who are stuck in the status quo. Help them realize that there is a solution to their problem even if they see them as insurmountable, and they need to do something about it. Show them how much better their lives could be if they implemented the solutions you provide. Paint a vision for them, even as simple as getting home to the kids early, being able to spend more time for the family, etc.    Having oratorical skills  Dr. King came from a family of ministers so he’d been in church all his life. As he observed people at the pulpit and learned from his mentors, it became natural for him to speak in public. These experiences helped him hone his skills. His words were profound and conveyed messages of great importance. No one can listen to his I have a Dream speech without feeling something, regardless of what side you are on. In the final speech before he died, he said,    “We’ve got some difficult days ahead, but it really doesn’t matter with me now because I’ve been to the mountaintop… like anybody, I would like to live a love life, longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will and he’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. I’ve looked over and I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know the night. And we as a people will get to the promised land. So tonight I’m not worried about anything, I’m not fearing any man. My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”    He was clearly passionate and had a gift.    Practice your speaking skills as a salesperson  King didn’t become a great speaker overnight. He practiced. As a salesperson, you should be able to speak to your prospects well enough to understand your message. Read books and become familiar with the words, terminologies, and concepts that apply to your industry. Give yourself a chance to dive into the challenges your prospects are facing. This will allow you to understand their experiences and speak to their struggles in your communication.   A great training opportunity to become a more effective communicator is Toastmaster. It’s an inexpensive way to learn and you can go regularly to practice your speaking skills and speeches. Your experience with Toastmaster will help you get the practice you need to speak confidently. Find a Toastmaster club nearby and register as soon as you can!    He had an unconventional idea  Martin Luther King Jr. had an unconventional idea. He thought of using Gandhi’s civil disobedience in America as well. It was an unconventional solution to a conventional problem. Dr. King was able to amplify this method of civil disobedience and pushed it forward.    Salespeople face problems all the time and it may be an unconventional solution that you or your client needs. Bring something to the table that is innovative for your client and it will help you stand out among the competition. The point is to think outside the box.    Take action  Dr. King was willing to take action. A great salesperson understands that in order to persuade a new prospect, they have to be seen in motion, either in service, in working, or coming alongside.  This is how you convince people to take action with you as the lead. Model what you’re asking them to do.   “Best Sellers In History Series 7 -" Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” episode resources Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a persuasive leader because he was able to build rapport with people and he was able to set a vision. He was also a great orator and he created unconventional solutions to conventional problems. Lastly, Dr. King was willing to take action instead of just telling people what to do.  Do you have sales questions? Suggestions? You can also talk to Donald about it via LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for any sales concerns.  This episode is brought to you in part by TSE Certified Sales Training Program. It’s a course designed to help new and struggling sellers to master the fundamentals of sales and close more deals. Sign up now and get the first two modules for free! You can also call us at (561) 570-5077.  We have a new semester beginning in January and we would love to have you and your team join us. Follow this link to apply to the program.  We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes so tune in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and ratings to every episode you listen to.  You can also read more about sales or listen to audiobooks on Audible and explore this huge online library. Register now to get a free book and a 30-day free trial.  Audio provided by Free SFX and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

How To Rapidly Grow Your Sales Through An Effective Message & A Powerful Sales Script   A message and a powerful sales script are important to rapidly grow your business. These strategies can take your sales game from zero to hero.  Matthew Pollard was a customer before he became a game-changer and a rapid growth expert. He was 21 when he met the most unbelievable salesperson he’d ever met. The man was part of the Wine Selector’s club. Matthew grew up in a relatively poor neighborhood so beer, straight vodka or bourbon had been his drink of choice. He wasn’t a wine person but the salesman’s script was so good he bought it.  Matt signed up for a club membership and collected wine for 7-8 months before he moved houses. He started drinking wine and has become a huge fan.   When Matthew told this salesman he’d purchased the wine because of the sales pitch, he was told the secret was to tell the same story every time.  What made it so effective was that because he knew the script so well, he could guarantee a great performance consistently, and was developing better versions of his story each time.    That resonated with Matthew. The idea of a sales script was something new for him and he wanted to work on it.    What is script sales? A sales script can initially sound robotic and monotone. It’s similar to an actor who is reading a script for the first time.  In that first run, there’s no guarantee that it’s going to sound great. What will develop the performance is practice. It’s practice that will give life to the scripted words.    Actors can embody their characters so well because they run their lines repeatedly. The same is true in sales. When you’re able to connect with your customer from a script, then you know you’ve practiced enough to make the script a natural part of your pitch.    Practice and more practice    Practice a sales script until it  becomes who you are. Tell the jokes and stories repeatedly, watch what works and doesn’t work, and continue to hone the storytelling until you are getting positive reactions in the places you want your client to react. The story could be as simple as how you met your spouse to how you tried and failed to climb Mount Everest. You will get better about crafting your joke or story so it’s more engaging. It’s going to take time before you get comfortable but once it does, your sales script will be so effective.    Famous Australian comedian, Jim Owen, does stand up comedy and his shtick is to riff on topics people want him to talk about or he’ll find random objects in the room.  He finds humor in all of it. He admits that it’s a huge amount of work for a comedian to come across as original and authentic in the moment. He also adds that part of what he does is scripted and then he practices and rehearses the script until it makes people laugh. How he prepares is to make sure he thinks of all the variables in the room so he can be ready for any eventuality.   The key to sales scripting  As comedians practice to hone their craft, so should salespeople sharpen their scripts.   There are generally four or five problems when you’re selling a specific product or service. If you’re good at creating a unified message, finding a niche of clients to target, and you’re able to sell, then you have most of the problems solved.  The only thing that should vary is how you respond to the problems and questions that come up. Your answer should highlight the benefits that fit their special needs.    Salespeople  want to get really good about differentiating their products and services from their competition and they need to know the profile of their ideal customer. They need to know what their sales goals.    Steps to looking for the right customers  You never want to pick a market that your competencies can’t support. You can’t classify yourself as an expert in something you know nothing about.  Instead, look for a specific person or group of people that benefit from your offer the most. What is the profile of the client that provides the best revenue?  Knowing this will allow you to offer a product or service that is specific and work best for their needs. It makes selling so much easier and helps to alleviate competitions because you’ve already differentiated your niche market. This is the perfect time to present your sales script, when you know the specific group of people will move you to rapid growth. When your script is well-crafted, you have a higher rate of closing.  Case example: Beijing Language Academy  One of Mattew’s clients was a language institute called Beijing Language Academy. They were having a difficult time charging more than $50-80 for a one-on-one consultation. It was a massive problem for them.  Matthew was called in to help and helped them come up with their sales goals and customer avatar. When they looked at their existing clients, they found that they weren’t only giving language lessons but their academy was also teaching their customers how to become successful in China. Hence, China Success Institute was born. It’s now an education course for executives, their spouses, and their children who are being relocated to China. They now charge $30,000 for the program and they don’t have any problem selling it. They key was thinking about their branding even before they came up with the sales script.    Focus on your branding  John McEntire is a podcaster and he sells an autoresponder for $1,200. Although he was doing okay and was able to sell his premiums, he had the wrong messaging. He was fighting against bigger competitors who assumed that people knew what an autoresponder is. With Matthew’s guidance, they changed their branding. They went to educating their customers on inquiry re-engagement and focused on going into real estate agencies using a sales script that would allow them to grow their platform. By creating a unified message that highlighted the benefits, they were able to change John’s niche market from online businesses to people who are established in brick and mortar businesses. What should you do?   Matthew’s podcast is called Better Business Coach and his focus is to share how a salesperson can become successful using a sales script. He suggests salespeople write down three business goals and three personal goals. One of them should be to be absolutely selfish because this will serve as their driving force. He then tells them to use the smart criteria and directs them to summarize their goals into 250 words or less, including their “why statement” and why these goals are important to them. The next step is to write down their avatar and mind dump every single person they’ve successfully worked with. After they have their list of customers, they write down everything they do for these customers.  The last piece is to find the higher purpose and make it the end goal. Matthew’s point in this exercise is for his clients to see if their goals conflict with the people they associate with and adjust accordingly.   As a salesperson, it can be scary to try new things but think positively and put your best foot forward. Having a script allows you to work smarter, not harder.    “How To Rapidly Grow Your Sales Through An Effective Message & A Powerful Sales Script” episode resources   Find Mathew Pollard at matthewpollard.guru. He is also on LinkedIn, so you can check him out there as well.  Do you have sales questions? Suggestions? You can also talk to Donald about it via LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for any sales concerns.  This episode is brought to you in part by TSE Certified Sales Training Program. It’s a course designed to help new and struggling sellers to master the fundamentals of sales and close more deals. Sign up now and get the first two modules for free! You can also call us at (561) 570-5077.  We have a new semester beginning in January and we would love to have you and your team join us. Follow this link to apply to the program.  We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes so tune in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and ratings to every episode you listen to.  You can also read more about sales or listen to audiobooks on Audible and explore this huge online library. Register now to get a free book and a 30-day free trial.  Audio provided by Free SFX and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

How To Create An Environment Where People Thrive At Work   A healthy work environment allows people to thrive and grow. But what can we do to create that environment where people thrive?  Kingsley Grant is focused on helping leaders get better results by using a framework of emotional intelligence and leadership. He helps sales leaders create environments that support positive output.    Reasons why salespeople don’t thrive at work  The research group, Aussie Tanner, interviewed people who left their companies. Based on that research, it showed that people leave because they felt unacknowledged,  under-valued, and unimportant. The best way to address these problems is to create an environment that supports employees and allows them to feel they are part of the team. This engagement can be a challenge for many leaders.    Another reason why salespeople fail to thrive is they don’t feel safe to share their ideas. There is a fear that sales leaders will use those ideas against them. Sales leaders need to create an environment where their team can share ideas they know will at least be considered.  When employees feel they’re in an environment that offers room to experiment and make mistakes, these salespeople grow and thrive.   How does thriving look like? A salesperson who is allowed to  unleash their talents is a person who thrives. For example, L’Oreal is a huge cosmetics company that wanted their people to thrive with their company. They had some of their salespeople  trained in the area of emotional intelligence. The rest of their sales team weren’t given the training. What they found was that their trained personnel and sales staff were able to sell more. Their value increased and their net revenue rose to $2.5 million in just a month.    Helping salespeople acquire emotional intelligence can greatly impact the company. Allowing your sales team to learn self-awareness is a powerful tool to build their confidence and increase revenue.    Defining emotional intelligence Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and regulate your emotions. It is the ability to have a level of awareness of how you feel and manage your relationships around you.  Every salesperson is building relationships around them, whether it’s with their team or their customers. Having emotional intelligence provides the ability to manage a variety of relationships.    A sales leader plays a huge part in building their sales teams’ emotional intelligence. The leader must be sensitive to the needs of the members of their sales team. This includes an awareness of what their team is going through, what the sales reps need to learn in order to make better sales decisions, and more. When the sales leader is tuned in to the feelings of their sales team it helps them have a feeling of belonging. This helps the sales reps stay motivated, thrive, and bring in more sales.    Building a safe environment for salespeople    The sales team should be encouraged to share suggestions they think will help the company. Kingsley shares an experience he had at a previous company when he wasn’t supported. He wanted to help the company by sharing an idea he had and brought the idea to his coordinator. When his coordinator didn’t agree, instead of talking to Kingsley, the coordinator went to the vice president of the company. As a result, Kingsley could no longer trust his coordinator.  After his idea was received so badly, he didn’t share other ideas he wanted to offer and quit the company six months later. He could no longer work for someone who would shut down his ideas and talk to the executives behind his back.    Sales leaders are often focused on the bottom line, only seeing the end results, and they fail to acknowledge the people who are delivering those results. They fail to see their most important resources, the sales team. The way teams are treated can determine whether or not goals are met. Salespeople have to feel safe. They need to know if they don’t make a sale, they won’t be reprimanded but instead, be mentored about how to be more effective next time.  It doesn’t mean a sales leader ignores a sales rep who can’t or refuses to learn but unfortunately, sales people leave a company long before the company realizes their true skill set. People don’t leave organizations. They leave bad bosses.    When salespeople feel heard, and their ideas matter, they will stay at a company longer and make more money.  Win-win! #SalesWin   Reprimand at the right time  Sales leaders are effective when they praise publicly and reprimand privately. A sales rep should never be embarrassed in front of the team. Tough love isn’t going to work.   As a mentor, build an environment where you can watch your sales team interact and help them modify any actions that aren’t working.  Help them to overcome and face a variety of situations that may be keeping them from success. You are learning with them and will see some skill sets you didn’t know they had. It’s these very skills that will prove to be useful in the sales process. You may even be able to reposition them to areas they are even more effective for the company.  Be the thermostat and the thermometer of your organization. You are not only setting the temperature in the environment but also making note of the temperature so you can adjust your team accordingly.   “How To Create An Environment Where People Thrive At Work” episode resources Kingsley Grant is also a published author of the book, The Emotilligent Leader: The Story Where Others Failed. You can check it out on Amazon. You can also check out his website, kingsleygrant.com.  Do you have sales questions? Suggestions? You can also talk to Donald about it via LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for any sales concerns.  This episode is brought to you in part by TSE Certified Sales Training Program. It’s a course designed to help new and struggling sellers to master the fundamentals of sales and close more deals. Sign up now and get the first two modules for free! You can also call us at (561) 570-5077.  We have a new semester beginning in January and we would love to have you and your team join us. Follow this link to apply to the program.  We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes so tune in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and ratings to every episode you listen to.  You can also read more about sales or listen to audiobooks on Audible and explore this huge online library. Register now to get a free book and a 30-day free trial.  Audio provided by Free SFX and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

Best Sellers In History Series 6 - "Mary Kay Ash"   It’s the sixth episode for out Best Sellers in History series. We’ve talked about Jesus Christ, Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Mother Teresa, and Mahatma Gandhi. This time, we’re going to talk about someone who helped get others promoted but was overlooked for promotions herself.  She noticed how unfairly she was being treated at her job but instead of begging for a piece of the pie, she went ahead and created her own pie! Let’s talk about Mary Kay Ash and how she built her empire from the strong skill sets she developed as a salesperson.   Sales Spotlight - Mary Kay Ash Mary Kay Ash is world-renowned for being the makeup and skincare queen.  Her pink Cadillac has become iconic. How did this come from someone who kept getting passed over for promotion?  Because she is considered to be one of the best sellers in history. Here are five reasons why:  Had a purpose and a why Created a vision or a common cause Had a strong and impressive work ethic Had the desire to create and give rewards Willing to take action   Mary Kay Ash was born on May 12, 1918, in Hotwells, Texas. She took care of her sick dad for most of her childhood while her mother did the earning for the family. At 17 years old, Mary Kay married Ben Rogers and had three children with him before Ben went to war in WWII. Their marriage eventually came to an end and Mary Kay was left with three children to take care of.    She needed to make money to feed her children so she started working for Stanley Home products in 1939. She’d go into someone’s home and host parties with the sole purpose of encouraging people to buy household items. Mary Kay was great at her job and she became a top seller. By 1952, Mary Kay was hired by World Gifts. After 10 years,however, she quit her job. At that time, the sales force was mostly made up of men and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get ahead because she was a woman. She saw the men she was training were getting promoted, going onto better jobs, and they were getting a much higher wage.    Had a purpose and a why   With $5000, Mary Kay used the money to build her empire. Mary Kay had a purpose.  She was a mother who needed to take care of her kids and a woman who wanted to see other women succeed. Mary Kay also had a vision that helped her achieve her dreams. She had a why.   As a salesperson, a vision and purpose can propel you beyond a bad sales day. For many people, a paycheck isn’t enough.  There has to be a deeper connection, something bigger. Having a purpose is the motivation that moves you to show up even when things get hard.  Have a purpose that pushes you to create an opportunity for the people you care about the most.    Mary Kay had a purpose that was even bigger than herself. While she wanted to take care of her family, she also wanted to create something that would help other women.    Created a vision and a common cause Every great salesperson in this series had a vision and created a common cause. Mary Kay recognized that women were undervalued in the sales industry and other workplaces. Women were not considered as capable as men.  This misconception prompted Mary Kay to build an empire that would give women the opportunity to succeed and do more. Her business opened doors for women to become six-figure earners and as a result, became the breadwinners for their families and they had a community where they were valued. The company grew and by the end of its second year, it was making $1 million in product sales.    A salesperson can also achieve greater success if they can communicate a common cause to their clients. Creating a brand message that solves problems and identifying a common struggle can create a unifying purpose.     Had a strong and impressive work ethic Mary Kay had an impressive work ethic and worked hard. She got up everyday at 5:00 AM. She said, “If you get up at 5 o’clock three times a week, you’ll gain an extra day. You need to try it a few times because you realize a great feeling of satisfaction at 8:00 in the morning when you’ve already finished what would have taken you six hours to do after 8 o’clock because of the interruptions.”    Make it your goal to wake up early, put in the time, start working, and be productive without the distractions. Give yourself an opportunity to practice and challenge yourself as Mary Kay did.    Had the desire to create and give rewards According to the Harvard Business Review, the three reasons why people leave their job is because they don’t like their boss, they don’t see an opportunity for promotion, or they were offered a better job. Mary Kay understood this and set up a system with four levels of promotion: Independent beauty consultant Red jacket beauty consultant Independent sales director National sales director    As sales people hit their numbers, they would be promoted to the next level,and get different rewards. This motivated people and gave them room to grow. The system made them very successful. The ultimate success for any employee in Mary Kay is winning the pink Cadillac.    As a sales rep or sales leader with a small business, give your team a path and an opportunity to grow. Give them a goal and when they hit that mark, offer a reward. They will see that as an opportunity to earn and achieve. It helps your company because you’ll have an employee who works hard to earn the reward.    Willing to take action Mary Kay left her full-time job and decided to create her own company but she didn’t have the capital. She borrowed the $5,000 from her son and bought the rights for the makeup and skincare brand from a previous client. She could have used the money to save up and pay the bills but she didn’t. She saw an opportunity and she grabbed it. She struck while the iron was hot.    Don’t talk yourself out of opportunities. Be brave and take calculated risks. Reach out and make something happen. Don’t miss an opportunity because you’re afraid. Notice when you’re in the right place at the right time and position yourself around people who can help you make things happen.    Mary Kay knew how to create a vision and a common cause. #SalesWoman   “Best Sellers In History Series 6 - "Mary Kay Ash" episode resources Mary Kay Ash did five things right and that made her a great businesswoman. She had a reason which enabled her to create a vision. Mary Kay adopted a strong work ethic and she used the power of rewards to motivate people. Lastly, Mary Kay was willing to take advantage of the opportunities and struck while the iron was hot. Learn more about her from this link.  Do you have sales questions? Suggestions? You can also talk to Donald about it via LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for any sales concerns.  This episode is brought to you in part by TSE Certified Sales Training Program. It’s a course designed to help new and struggling sellers to master the fundamentals of sales and close more deals. Sign up now and get the first two modules for free! You can also call us at (561) 570-5077.  It’s also brought to you by B2B Sales Show with a different podcast format. It has a rotating co-host and they brought in multiple sales though leaders and half a dozen other co-hosts that are either interviewing the guests or sharing quick hit tactical content themselves from their own lessons throughout their sales career. They have multiple episodes a week.  We have a new semester beginning in January and we would love to have you and your team join us. Follow this link to apply to the program.    We have a new semester beginning in January and we would love to have you and your team join us. Follow this link to apply to the program.  We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes so tune in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and ratings to every episode you listen to.  You can also read more about sales or listen to audiobooks on Audible and explore this huge online library. Register now to get a free book and a 30-day free trial.  Audio provided by Free SFX and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

5 Ways Exercise Will Help You Become A Better Sales Professional   Everybody wants to be better and be the best version of themselves. There are ways to help you become a better sales professional.  Austin Rolling is the founder and CEO of a software company based in Houston, Texas called Outfield. It’s a web and mobile-based software application designed for organizations that compete for outside sales, field marketing, and field merchandising activities.  They created a platform to help companies acquire the necessary data to be effective in rolling out and executing their field marketing strategies.  Austin wrote an article about 5 areas we can become a better sales professional through exercise. To be better, exercise doesn't just refer to physical fitness. Mental health is just as important for someone wanting to be a great salesperson. The 5 areas we’ll be reviewing include:  Mental fitness Having various outlets  to relieve stress  Appearance Energy to make it through the day Self-reflection    Mental fitness   Sales can be mentally taxing, especially with a challenging sales cycle.  They have to be able to show up and be ready to do critical tasks month after month.  Because of this they have to be mentally tough. You need to be in the right mental state to remember even the tiniest tasks in order to remain organized. With the hormones released by the body during a physical exercise is one way a clearer mind can be achieved.   Have an Outlet to Relieve Stress   The second area that can help someone become a better sales professional is to have various outlets to relieve stress. We typically feel better after a great workout. The body releases endorphins that help reduce stress and anxiety. The hormones released by the brain due to exercise helps with mental clarity. For Austin, he relieves his stress with hard-core exercise. He suggests sales people look at a variety of outlets like golf, basketball, art, music, and more.  Presentable appearance  Appearance and grooming play a vital role for salespeople. In sales, it’s important to maintain a level of confidence and you only have one chance to make a first impression. When you want the value of your presentation to be heard, you need to make sure there are no distractions.  An example of a distraction may include a wrinkled shirt or dirty shoes. You want to present yourself in such a way that you appear fit, carry yourself well, and seem confident.   Having the right energy Salespeople have to be excited about the value they are going to provide to their customers. You want to go into a meeting with contagious energy so your customers will also get excited about your company’s value proposition. Make them believe in what you’re selling by believing in yourself first. If you want them to believe in the value and the services you’re able to provide show the energy that conveys that.    In his book, Social Intelligence by Daniel Goldman, a Harvard Ph.D. graduate, he talks about how our bodies are wired to connect with people. We have mirror neurons that allow us to synchronize with other people based on their emotions.  These emotions are also based on the emotions we exude. If we are coming off negative, the client will sense it. Make sure that what you’re sending out is positive energy. Two sales reps can share the exact same message but the one with more passion and excitement will get the deal.    Exude a level of energy that’s contagious and believable! If you don’t, your competition will. #SalesMindset   Self-reflection  Setting aside time for self-reflection is another way to become a better sales professional. Self-reflection allows you to see what mistakes you might have made and gives you time to think about how you can become better. It’s a time to think about your missed opportunities so you can make a note of vulnerable areas and allocate your energy to the right activities next time. Taking the time to do this will enhance and sales professional.    Even more important than talent and intelligence, is attitude. Do the things that will move you toward a more positive energy and clients will see that in the work.    “5 Ways Exercise Will Help You Become A Better Sales Professional” episode resources Talk to Austin Rolling via Austine@outfieldapp.com. He is also on LinkedIn so you can just go check his LinkedIn profile. Do you have sales questions? Suggestions? You can also talk to Donald about it via LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for any sales concerns.  This episode is brought to you in part by TSE Certified Sales Training Program. It’s a course designed to help new and struggling sellers to master the fundamentals of sales and close more deals. Sign up now and get the first two modules for free! You can also call us at (561) 570-5077.  We have a new semester beginning in January and we would love to have you and your team join us. Follow this link to apply to the program.  We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes so tune in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and ratings to every episode you listen to.  You can also read more about sales or listen to audiobooks on Audible and explore this huge online library. Register now to get a free book and a 30-day free trial.  Audio provided by Free SFX and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com