Jeannette Marshall : MEMO: Sales needs to get on the same page

MEMO: Sales needs to get on the same page

"I have never worked a day in my life without selling. If I believe in something, I sell it, and I sell it hard."

It's no wonder there is a fascination, fear and disrespect for the profession of sales. There are oodles of experts with unique perspectives, definitions and advice. Seriously folk, let's get on the same page for goodness sakes!

Most, many, MBA, B.Comm., BA consider "sales" as a final resort. Defeat when CEO doesn't appear to be accomplished any time soon. Then you have your father-in-law or someone several times removed tell you their worst sales nightmare when you admit that you are considering sales as a career.

Sadly, only the ones that "get it" really "get it". Sales as a profession has so many opportunities. For example, where can you build a business without putting your own capital up front? Be rewarded, compensated when the business grows without any ceiling? Sales.

What frustrates me is that sales professionals, sales experts, sales trainers are their own worst enemy. They are too readily prepared to offer advice without explanation, credentials, or common language. It is little wonder, that if you look up sales under Google, Twitter, Wikipedia or Facebook you are bombarded with conflicting and massive information overload.

PLEASE. Everyone get on the same "page".

Let's agree that "order takers" are not sales reps, they are "customer service reps". Hunters with the capability to market are Business Development Representatives (BDRs). Farmers that are pros at expanding established customer base, are called "Account Executive" or "Account Manager". Then there are "Sales Representatives" that sell, with a little bit of everything else thrown in. Get over it. Most knowledgeable buyers recognize titles ... Managers, Directors, VPs. What they want is "listen to me".

It all comes down to hunting (catching), farming (sowing) and then cooking (customer service) and delivering (operations). Each has a unique role, none more important than the other. When everyone can understand that, get on the same "page", share, communicate, strategize .... it's amazing what can happen!

I admire those that come up with "Customer Experience Manager" or "Big Cheese" as cool or innovative. BUT please, can we at least agree on what is what, who is who, when it comes to sales? That is, get on with our jobs. Bring in new revenue.

"Catch a man a fish, and you can sell it to him. Teach a man to fish, and you ruin a wonderful business opportunity."

Karl Marx

1 comment:

Marketing BusinessOctober 21, 2011 at 4:30 AM
Network marketing is one of the most effective ways for a product or a service contract. When done properly and efficiently, network marketing has the ability to change your lifestyle and not much better, because the amount of revenue we can get.
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Bio

Jeannette’s background includes the launch of a national magazine in Canada, leading regional sales, media relations, public relations and marketing in digital printing, document management, software, telecommunications, publishing, CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Tools, Social Media (online chat: #saleschat), print order systems, archive systems, international collaboration, project management, infrastructure development, change management, purchasing, vendor management, waste elimination, sustainability.

Jeannette has worked for Fortune 11 and 500 coporations for 20 years, accumulating sales expertise and pioneering many initiatives.

She writes to share first hand experience in business, customer service, loyalty, leadership, retention, operations, project management and sales.

Her claim to fame is CONSISTENT top performance with the highest recognition: · Multiple Presidents’ Clubs· Regional and National Awards.

Jeannette has become a trusted advisor and social media influence since creating her @optioneerJM pseudonym in May 2010. She has earned influence scores of Top 1% KRED and 72 Klout scores by third party measurements.

@optioneerJM creates excitement with refreshing enthusiasm and shares expansive knowledge widely embraced by her global audience and following. She is an original – whether by content curating, resourceful writing or displaying artistic visuals.

An OPTIONEER? Reviews options then re-engineers ideas or processes to successfully adopt changes in life, business or attitude.

Jeannette lends her voice on demographics on https://optioneerjm.wordpress.com/2016/05/13/a-culture-of-work-ethic-and-optimism/ and life+love+living under "meanderingsABOUT" http://meanderingsabout.blogspot.ca/ and as @optioneerJM on Twitter.

Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: The content provided is my personal opinion and not that of my employer or any previous employer. Any relationship to subject characters or situations are co-oincidence unless noted. All images and photos were obtained royalty-free with no intention to infringe on copyrighted material. Photos by Chantal are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or shared without permission. Blog content may not be reproduced without written permission by the author. This disclaimer covers the psuedonym "optioneerJM' as signified that the opinions are mine and mine alone. No infringement on business intelligence from any company I have worked for or currently work for or do or have done business with has been been revealed or shared, intentionally by accident of which I am aware.