Business ideas

"If you make listening and observation your occupation, you will gain much more than you can by talk."

Sir Robert Baden-Powell

Over the years, one of my passions has been working with other scouting adults, teenagers, and children. Recently, I returned from an Advanced Leadership Development program as an assistant course director. Although, I have been an instructor and trainer for scouting for many years, this program was absolutely the most demanding program I have ever participated in.

It was such an incredible experience. I left that course reminded of why scouting is so important to me. That insight helped me understand how successful sales professionals are made. Let me tell you what I found.

Over time the true nature of a sales professional will always rise to the surface: the type of person you are, the way you treat your co-workers, and the way you treat your customers. No matter what you try to do, you cannot change what you are without changing who you are. This is not only important in sales, but in business and life in general.

Want an example? Have you ever met a salesperson that you felt was less than ethical? Ever had done business with a company that took advantage of you? How about the last time you tried to call a customer service line for help? How did this make you feel? I know how it made me feel. I didn’t like it. I stayed away from that person or company. I certainly didn’t go around giving testimonials or character references about them, just the opposite.

How many times have you wished that the people that sold you a service or product were ethical, of good character, and just plain honest with you? I believe we have all run into this situation too many times. As a consumer, I just want to be treated fairly and with respect. I don’t believe that is too much to ask for in business these days.

Occasionally, I get lucky and run into someone that I can trust with my business. They treat me like they mean it, and they make a customer out of me for life. I believe that all sales professionals should be like that. So what can we do to be more like that? I have twelve ideas.

I would like to share some traits I learned in scouting that I believe every sale professional can use. For some of you this may look familiar, to others, I hope you find it useful. In the end, character counts in life and in sales.

The Sales Professional Creed

A Sales Professional is:

TRUSTWORTHY. A Sales Professional tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.

LOYAL. A Sale Professional is true to his family, community, friends, organization, and customers.

HELPFUL. A Sales Professional is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for customers, co-workers, and others without pay or reward.

FRIENDLY. A Sales Professional is a friend to all. They are a brother or sister, to other Sales Professionals. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.

COURTEOUS. A Sales Professional is polite to everyone regardless of business or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.

KIND. A Sales Professional understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not say or do hurtful things to others.

OBEDIENT. A Sales Professional follows the rules of his profession, organization, and customers. He obeys the rules of his company and customers. If he thinks these rules are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.

CHEERFUL. A Sales Professional looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does sales related tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.

THRIFTY. A Sales Professional works efficiently and to help others. He protects and conserves company and customer resources. He saves for unforeseen needs. He carefully uses time and property.

BRAVE. A Sales Professional can face difficult situations even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.

CLEAN. A Sales Professional keeps his personal and professional image neat and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his business and community clean.

REVERENT. A Sales Professional keeps the faith and respects the beliefs of others.

As a Sales Professional, I tried my best to live and sell by this creed. I would like to add two things that are very important to this idea. First, a motto for new opportunities that come your way, Be Prepared, and next, a slogan that is appropriate, Make a Good Sale Daily.

Steve Porcaro

As an Executive Sales and life Coach, Steve moves people and organizations forward by helping them break through challenging blocks, leverage “hidden” opportunities, and discovering their strengths.

His clients include sales professionals, entrepreneurs, leaders and organizations seeking solutions to a wide range of challenges, who are looking for a better way to live their live --one that allows them to prosper, be truer to who they are, make a significant contribution, and leave a legacy.

A veteran of business, sales and leadership programs, Steve’s diverse background includes working as a pizza chef, surgical technologist for the U.S. Navy, sales consultant and field trainer in the medical device industry, entrepreneur, and host of the new cable access television series “Passion Quest”.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Everything I Need to Succeed in Sales, I Learned in Scouting....