Career Advice

Friday 07 October 2011 at 09:24 am

Check please ...

Just getting your sea-legs in sales? Or perhaps you've been in management for a while and are now moving back to the sales team. You could even be a seasoned veteran of the Art of Selling, but whatever your status is, it never hurts to review and examine your approach to a sale, before, during and after the sale.  Are you remembering everything you need to do, say, ask?  As for me, I'm a list-maker, so I like to write checklists for myself to ensure nothing's been left out during the sales cycle.  It's easy when you're juggling several clients in different phases of the cycle to get a little muddled. It then becomes more likely that you may miss subtle nuances with your clients that can make the difference between closing and not closing.  Again - this is why I like lists.

Here is a helpful checklist for the various phases of the sales cycle to make sure you don’t miss a beat:

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Career Advice

Thursday 15 September 2011 at 07:49 am

The crème de la crème

Have you risen to the top of your selling game? Do you intend to?
No matter how complex your product, no matter how esoteric your service, selling it still depends upon remembering and following the basic tenets of Sales 101.
What are those tenets? Well, I’m going to tell you, but be forewarned; when you read them you’re going to think to yourself, “Duh. I already knew that”. Which I’m sure you do, but do you put them into practice? Are you aware of when and how you’re using these tried and true commandments of selling? Think about that hot-shot.

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Career Advice

Tuesday 13 September 2011 at 11:30 am

‘Networking’ is not a four-letter word

Just the mention of the word is enough to make some people shudder. Why is that? Well, it’s because the process of networking can feel very similar to cold calling, which terrifies almost everyone; you’re initiating contact with strangers, telling them about what you do, asking questions, trying to find a fit, and attempting to create a way to continue your communication with this person or entity in order to grow your client base….except that it’s generally done in person, which can feel very scary. Ideally, you’d like to get a few clients with accounts that pay well, and they would remain loyal and prosperous resources forever. But how often does that actually happen? Try ‘never’. So networking is a vital and effective way to expand your circle of acquaintances, get your name and product out to new prospects, and grow that client base. Believe it or not, with a bit of practice, it can start to feel comfortable, familiar, and not at all scary. Try these tips to get to that place:

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How To Look & Sound Like a Snazzy Salesman

Monday 21 March 2011 at 12:00 pm

Selling is a matter or persuading, convincing, or influencing. To look and sound like a snazzy salesman, you will need to follow a combination of rule and traits and avoid certain behaviors and appearances.

The Look - Over the top Salesman

  • Greased up hair, raised eye-brow and a cheap smile all scream, "I'm a slimy salesman!"
  • Avoid flashy body language that is pushy or aggressive in nature. You don't need to put on a show.
  • Garish clothing is another trait a good salesman should avoid.

The Nervous Salesman

  • A sloppy hair cut and disheveled clothing displays a lack of professionalism.
  • A timid and nervous salesperson will always struggle with closing a sale.
  • Poor posture and lack of eye-contact will exhibit low confidence.

The Snazzy Salesman

  • A great salesman is well groomed and is always considerate of their hygiene.
  • A snazzy salesman aligns with their client with a welcoming smile appropriate body language.
  • A sales professional wears suitable attire that matches the product they are selling.
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How To Nail A Job Interview

Wednesday 16 March 2011 at 10:00 am

In the interview, your cloths, manners and mannerisms are all on display. Within the first 60 seconds, your self-confidence and ability to present yourself is assesed. Be prepared to make a strong first impression.

  1. Model your clothes aftyer the company dress code.
  2. Wear clean, wrinkle free clothes.
  3. Trim and clean your hair
  4. Do not wear excessive jewelry or perfume/cologne
  5. Polish your shoes
  6. Cover up tattoos and remove and body piercings
  7. Do not talk on your phone or listen to music while in the waiting area.
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Does Sex Sell?

Monday 14 March 2011 at 10:06 am

Sex has been employed in marketing since the beginning of advertising. In 1885, W. Duke & Sons inserted trading cards into cigarette packs that featured sexually provocative starlets. Duke grew to become the leading cigarette brand by 1890.

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Posting 100% Commission Jobs

Tuesday 08 March 2011 at 10:56 am

Any seasoned salesperson applying to your job knows that they must have over 90 days worth of funds in their bank account to cover their expenses.  It costs money to bring in good sales people, and when candidates don’t see a salary of any kind they think that it’s too high of a risk.  In fact 90% of salespeople today will not take a sales position without there being some sort of salary or compensation.  Candidates are more likely to look at companies that can’t afford to pay a salary as being ‘shady’, ‘turn and burn’, or ‘fly by night’; therefore too high of a risk.  Our visitors are of a much higher quality of candidates, they come from multiple backgrounds, and salaried +commissioned positions.

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The Perfect Resume

Monday 28 February 2011 at 12:21 pm

Your resume makes your first impression—whether it is a good one or a bad one. A potential employer immediately assesses your skills and qualities in order to fit their job opening, and if your resume comes up short, you won’t even get an interview. When it comes to crafting the perfect resume, employers are looking for certain things, and when you follow these tips and tools of the trade, you will come out one step ahead of your competition.
From initial research to final job offer, keep reading to see what your resume can do for you—and for future employers.

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The Art of the Sale

Monday 28 February 2011 at 11:56 am

Making a sale depends on more than good timing and knowledge of a product. While some people in sales have instinctive attributes that lead toward success, others have to cultivate these traits over time. Being a good salesperson is truly an art form, a specially calculated collection of techniques, practices and “that extra something” that combine in the culmination of a sale.
From the drawing board to the real deal, these statistics and examples help you become the master artist of sales in any sphere. Much like a job interview, a career in sales requires a full display of your talents, and when you perfect the art of the sale, the graph of your sales figures will speak for itself. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

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Does Money Alone Motivate Sales People?

Friday 21 January 2011 at 11:41 am

Money is the driving force behind sales performance. How does salary vs. commission affect the preformance of a sales staff?

  1. Straight Commisison
  2. Straight Salary
  3. Salary plus Commission

How much are Sales People getting paid? Here's a look at eight sales jobs where your base salary and commission could add up to six figures.

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The Current State of Sales

Thursday 20 January 2011 at 11:41 am

Evolution of Sales - The rise of the Internet and globalization has shifted the roles and responsibilities thet a a sales agent traditionally had. Sales representatives in any industry must increase their lines of communication among their clients for more responsiveness, and overall sales agents are expected to have more knowledge about their products than in previous years.

  • Top 10 Job Markets
  • Bottom 10 JobMarkets
  • Top Industries
  • Top Locations
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