| Grow or Die |
|
OK, let's admit it. The economy has been better. Lots better. In fact, it sucks. But, that doesn't mean we die. Just look at what you did in the past 12 days since the new year began. Have you gone to the grocery store? Been to the movies? Taken a trip (for business or pleasure)? Stayed in a hotel? Eaten out? Bought a latte at Starbucks?
If you have, you are living. What have you done for your business? Have you called a customer? Presented to a group? Attended a networking event? Met someone for coffee? See, you are alive! Very much alive. And so are those around you. The question is, are you going to die or are you going to grow? I know what I'M doing. Everyday, I'm focused on learning something new. You read about my goals to use LinkedIn a few weeks ago. My goal? To connect with everyone in my database. I sent them the opener, and several hundred of them said, "yes", and we're now re-connected. What about those other few hundred who have not yet responded? Are they dying or committed to growing? Every day I get new emails from more of them, which tells me they are growing, too! The other day I spoke with the COO of a mid size company. Their sales were terrific until around November/December. He's convinced that if the salespeople can bump up their skills, sales will rise again. I know what they do and am convinced he is correct. He wants me to come in and work with them. Sounds good to me! However, the owner is scared. He's afraid that if they (gasp!) commit to TRAINING, that they will have (gasp, again!) SPENT money that he is afraid he'll need. For what? To provide his salespeople with severance packages after he has to let them go? Is he planning on dying, or planning on growing? You know the answer. So, if you have read this far, let's talk about what you can do to GROW. Here are my tips: 1. Don't stick your head in the sand and worry. Plan on growth. Hey, if you are out there working hard while your competition is sitting around worrying where they will get their next sale, you will win. Customers are still buying--maybe not as much or as frequently right now, but they are still buying. Be there! 2. Train yourself. Or, train your people. If you have better skills, more knowledge, and are exceptionally motivated, you will train yourself right into MORE success! I promise. However, if you either a) think you know it all, b) are waiting until the economy "improves" before investing, or c) are afraid to invest, you have now voted yourself off the proverbial island. (Hence--you are dead.) (Note: March 13th, I'm running a Sales Boot Camp in Atlanta.) 3. Get off your butt. Yep, I said it. Attend an event, make some sales calls, go to the trade show, network, visit a customer, ask for a referral, get a testimonial letter, update your website, invest in marketing, send out a newsletter to your customers,..how many more do you need? Write down 3 things you can do. Now. 4. Commit. Set your goals for '09 and after writing them down, paste the goals on your visor, bathroom mirror, or just above your TV. Somewhere that sticks out. Make the goals lofty--after all, you aren't dying. Right? 5. Go see the movie, "Yes Man" with Jim Carrey. 'Nuf said. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|