Sales Tips All Wrapped Up

Years ago, I wrote about our (then) 8-year-old son’s efforts to sell wrapping paper for a school fundraiser. If you have kids (or even simply know some), you’re probably familiar with the fundraising season and its many offers of candy, gift-wrap, popcorn, cookie...

Fourth Quarter

At football games, you often see players (and fans) holding up four fingers to signify that the fourth quarter has started and it’s time to seriously take control of the game and its outcome. As you approach the beginning of your own fourth quarter at work, take time...

What Do Fishing & Selling Have In Common?

Last time, we discussed the conflict that often occurs between salespeople and sales managers in regard to activity. Managers want more and will say so; salespeople view this unsolicited advice about more activity as criticism. Further, a demand for more activity...

taming the tension in sales

There’s probably always been tension between sales managers and their salespeople. I know I’ve felt that friction with my manager when I worked as a salesperson. I also felt it from the other side of the desk when I was a sales manager myself. I’ve sometimes even...

What Happens During a Coaching Session?

What Happens During a Coaching Session? I always end my first coaching session with someone new to the program by asking this question:  “Was this session what you thought a business-coaching session would be?” The answer is almost universal.  They tell me they were...