If you are successful at sales, I'm sure you do! Recently in BusinessWeek Magazine, they featured "the most competitive businesspeople on the planet". So without looking, who do you think made the list? Of course there were the usual suspects, and a few surprises as well.

Certainly Larry Ellison, Donald Trump, Martha Stewart, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Rupert Murdoch made the grade. Then there was Carlos Ghosn of Renault's Nissan Division, Dick Fuld of Lehman, and Klaus Kleinfeld of Siemens,  to name a few less-obvious A-list competitors.

Just think if your industry had a "Most Competitive" list that was printed and distributed amongst your peers, managers, employees, competitors, and even your customers. Would YOU make the list? Be honest with yourself. If you can't honestly answer "yes", perhaps you may want to consider upgrading your competitive edge within your business space. Before reading some suggestions, keep in mind that the topic is "Competitive With Integrity". No, "dog-eat-dog" stuff here. This has to do with what YOU have control of, without jeopardizing relationships, stepping on anyone in the process, or selling your sole to the devil!

Here is my top 10 list for increasing your competitive edge with customers (external AND internal):

1. Start studying. Read anything you can get your hands on that has to do with business. Even if it's not your industry, see what you can learn that you can use. Even studying politics will help prepare you to compete more effectively. (Rupert Murdoch learned about MySpace technology and their customers; then he bought it.)

2. Sharpen your tools. Try something new. If you have been using the same opener, same approach, same system for engaging customers and/or managing your sales organization, try a different technique. (If you are doing #1, this should be easy!) (Steve Jobs is a perfect example of practicing this. Ever heard of Ipod?)

3. Hang around with those better than you. Invite the sharpest person you know  to coffee, lunch or for a drink once a month or every quarter. Ask him/her lots of questions and listen to gain new ideas. This isn't an opportunity for you to SELL, it's an opportunity to LEARN!

4. Get speaking engagements in front of groups Start polishing your competitive skills by gaining attention from the front of the room. You will get great visibility and lots of opportunities because those who speak the best in front of groups are perceived as competent, risk takers, and the most successful. (EVERYONE truly accomplished--speaks!)

5. Get up earlier. Instead of starting your day at the same time, begin an hour sooner. Plan what you'll do with that hour the night before and you have a purpose. Send emails to customers, prepare for your presentation, leave voice mail messages (if you happen to find a customer in the office at 6am, it could be a great call!) (Mary Kay Ask of the Mary Kay Cosmetics business had a "Four-o-Clock Club" so she could get things accomplished.)

6. Get involved in a sport.  Even if it's just for fun, it will get your competitive spirit revved up. Some people find that a Sunday sport activates the dopamine in the brain that makes you a more competitive individual. (Larry Ellison sails competitively for example.)

7. Practice persistence. I talk about this all the time. If you are persistent in your personal life as well as your business life, you'll find yourself beating out your competitors more often. Most people give up after 3 tries. (Steve Jobs and Donald Trump are great examples, here. Look how many times each of them has "failed".)

8. Volunteer your time and energy. When you donate your muscle and/or brain power, you are better prepared to be more competitive because you will feel good about what you're doing. (Look at Bill and Melinda Gates, for example. They have a dedication and passion for eradicating certain diseases around the world.)

9. Enlist a business coach. Many people don't like to admit they need assistance. However, most truly successful competitive businesspeople use professional consultants to enhance their business skills. The best sales professionals I know use a coach. (Bill Clinton used a team of coaches to help him become one of the most successful speakers; and earns over 100k per keynote.)

10. Set your goals, visualize success, and remain persistent. THOSE three tips all together will get you where you need to go! And if you don't believe me, just ask Martha, The Donald, Bill, or Mr. Jobs!

(c)Renee Walkup, SalesPEAK, www.salespeak.com, 678 587-9911 all rights reserved. Call or email for permission to copy.