I am not trying to belittle the profession that I love. While watching my four year old interacting with her classmates in preschool this past week, I realized that many of the lessons we need to learn to be successful in selling are actually taught in kindergarten. Lessons many of us forgot and eventually have had to learn all over again. The picture is of my four year old daughter Christiana. Her enthusiasm is inspiring!
Wait Your Turn- Listen to others quietly and respectfully till it’s your turn to talk. Whenever sales managers are interviewed regarding the needed areas of improvement for their salespeople to achieve higher levels of success, listening skills are almost always at the top of the list.
Keep Your Hands To Yourself- While keeping your hands to yourself is important in kindergarten, keeping our opinions to ourselves is important as salespeople. We are there to help our customers make the best possible choice, not to coerce them into our preconceived notion of what they need.
Share- Sharing is a learned behavior. It is not natural. If you do not believe this, please visit a playground and observe the children. We are taught that while playing with others we should share. Salespeople who share ideas with their customers that help them to achieve their desired outcomes are always welcome. Knowledge is very important and is foundational to sales success. Knowledge is only useful if you find creative ways of sharing it in a way that customers will welcome it. If you are not selling enough it’s because you are not sharing enough.
Be Nice- I know a lot of you are saying “Duh” right now. Think through your last ten sales and ask yourself, “Was I as genuinely friendly as I would want a salesperson to be with me when I am shopping?” I am not talking about the fake sugary nice. The key word is genuine! The more genuine you are as a salesperson the more success you will enjoy.
Take A Nap- There is nothing more refreshing than taking a nap. I am not suggesting that you take a nap at your store. Even though if it could be arranged it could help you be more productive. I am talking about the bigger picture of giving yourself the proper amount of rest that you need to be the best you can be. Everyone has a different requirement for sleep, rest, and relaxation. Make sure you are giving yourself the opportunity to be your best by paying attention to your body and mind’s need for rest. This includes vacations and mini vacations to recuperate. Selling is a demanding profession. While it is necessary to be focused and work hard, it is vital to your success to give yourself plenty of rest.
Have A Snack- Kindergarteners need a little pick me up after a few hours and so do you. Preferably snacking on something nutritious like a piece of fruit or some nuts. If you are hungry eat something. When we get busy at work we sometimes forget to eat. Our blood sugar affects our moods. None of us as salespeople can afford to be moody.
Have Fun- Learning is fun. The best salespeople have more fun than the others who are not as successful. They enjoy their customers and their fellow employees. They also are good students. They love to learn. They are eager to learn, just like the children in kindergarten. If up till now you have not been as successful as you would like, focus on having more fun with your customers. I promise you, you will make more money! Have Fun and make money!
Action Step- Please post your comments or questions. I answer them all.
Wishing You Success,
Pete Primeau