RockRaines Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 4, 2011 -> 11:24 AM) you've never made delivery promises? Delivery means alot of things, if you mean actually delivering a package or something, we dont sell stuff like that. We do very complex implementations that are usually well drawn out from a timeline perspective. And my only promise for any question would be to do the best I can, but also to be honest if it wont go the client's way. I may not always be at the same company, but I want my customers to know that they can always trust me as a person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 4, 2011 -> 10:28 AM) Most people think of sales as some sort of slick, fast talked that can con you into anything they want you to do. This is simply not the case, especially in my industry. Most of my job is listening, understanding what people's business is and what makes them improve at their jobs and add to their company's bottom line. Its really almost like going to a constant dinner party with strangers. You have to be able to talk to people and be able to be an effective listener. The other part of the job is understanding what your "products or services" can add to a company or individual. You can then connect those two pieces of knowledge into educated recommendations and hopefully people trust you enough to partner with you. There are alot of other pieces of sales, and you add those tactical pieces along the way. In an entry level sales job you will learn about prospecting and closing small and frequent sales most likely. Then you may grown into a strategic position somewhere and then possibly management or an even larger scale sales gig. There are several reasons why I like my job: 1. No day is the same. I dont sit at a desk and pour over spreadsheets, I basically run my own business and divide up my time as I choose. 2. Performance-based pay. If I told you that the harder you work the more money you make, is that of interest to you? I'm in my 20's and make a very good base+commission package, and I know that if I put in the work day in and day out, I can make life-changing money, like seven figures. 3. Freedom. I can really be the face of my business. I can attack my territory or clients any way I choose and they learn to trust in the person and not the company I work for. I like the freedom to be myself. 4. Industry I am interested in. I like technology and so I feel like I just naturally learn about trends and industry issues because its of interest to me. It took awhile to find a company I felt that way about, but it happens. Of course there are many negatives. You are graded on your performance therefor if you begin to slack off you can and will be fired. Alot of people are job-hoppers in this business because they cant stay at one place more than 2 years. Sometimes its them and sometimes you just dont have a great territory or good accounts. Lack of structure doesnt fit everyone, some people want to go to work, do a job, and go home. I work long days and nights sometimes writing proposals or doing dinner meetings, but also have days where I play golf and thats it. It depends if you dont mind putting in the hours overall. I could go on and on. Sales isnt for everyone, but its a good place to start because in most jobs there is a sales aspect at some point and its not a bad idea to try it out. Plus sales jobs are almost always hiring. That mirrors my experience. I chose a management path after 8 years in the field, which I really loved. But I have friends who are still working their same customer list for thirty years now. I was in the electronic distribution industry. Everything from connectors to micro processors, from resistors to power supplies. I lived through the PacMan years and the telephony explosion, and lived to tell about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 4, 2011 -> 11:38 AM) Delivery means alot of things, if you mean actually delivering a package or something, we dont sell stuff like that. We do very complex implementations that are usually well drawn out from a timeline perspective. And my only promise for any question would be to do the best I can, but also to be honest if it wont go the client's way. I may not always be at the same company, but I want my customers to know that they can always trust me as a person. The best salespeople I knew would underpromise and overdeliver. A five week delivery when you promised four sucks, a five week delivery when you promised 6 is pretty nice. Same 5 weeks. When I had my best years I had less than ten customers. Lie to any of them and they would have kicked my butt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 And when I started in the industry, a college degree wasn't only not needed, it was frowned upon at some companies. Now with all the consolidation and national companies forming, a college degree is required for damn near every company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 4, 2011 -> 05:38 PM) Delivery means alot of things, if you mean actually delivering a package or something, we dont sell stuff like that. We do very complex implementations that are usually well drawn out from a timeline perspective. And my only promise for any question would be to do the best I can, but also to be honest if it wont go the client's way. I may not always be at the same company, but I want my customers to know that they can always trust me as a person. you took it how I meant it. I've had a lot of frustrating fights with our sales team promising things our system is not set up to do, and then putting multiple times the effort into a deal that wasn't even worth much revenue. Drives me nuts. But on the whole we have a great sales staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 4, 2011 -> 02:08 PM) you took it how I meant it. I've had a lot of frustrating fights with our sales team promising things our system is not set up to do, and then putting multiple times the effort into a deal that wasn't even worth much revenue. Drives me nuts. But on the whole we have a great sales staff. Yeah, once you make that mistake once you hopefully never make it again. I take ALOT of time on any answers to questions and never get the excited "head nod" that some sales people will get when they smell a deal. I've done that before it it backfire BIG TIME. Part of the learning process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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