To often I see sales reps that rely on just introductory knowledge both in sales and also in their field, while hoping to achieve maximum commissions, wages and pay.
Many of those employees rely on their company to guide their careers rather than forging it themselves.
Companies don't owe you anything. They only owe you what was on your offer letter.
This includes investing in you and your craft. That responsibility is yours and yours alone.
Craftsmanship is always going to be underrated. I can not emphasize enough how mastering your craft is what will separate you from others in your position. It will bring you more time doing the things you love because you're now more so efficient in all the things you do.
I remember a gentleman, Nick, I worked with nearly a decade ago, he came into Home Imporvement Sales after spending time as a realtor. He would put up decent numbers, explore the industry, surface level, just enough to not enter robot mode with the customer...but he would never go deep into product knowlege or in his sales training or self improvement. During this time we had a fantastic sales coach the company provided and despite Nick requesting times, trying to get with him, the coach simply would say, you're not ready for what I have to say.
Nick would come to me and I would say brother, I don't know why. I can help if you want but I honestly dont know.
See I was 18 at this time, trust me. I didn't know.
Then I seen Nick start reading more, investing during his commutes in audio books, I seen him, in every sales meeting we had, he would have a different book on his desk every week. Self improvement books, sales books, gardening tips, he was becoming a scholar.
And just like that his numbers got better, 10 percent close, 18 percent, 24 percent, 30 percent, 37 percent. We ended that year with Nick in the top three with 43 percent close.
It was not just that his attitude towards home improvement industry, got better. His colleagues, his home life was getting better. He was hitting his stride.
I'll never forget bumping into him on a Monday morning, see Mondays we held our sales meetings. We all over the state, would drive in, some of us three hours, to our sales meetings.
Nick was there nearly three hours before everyone else, finally scheduled with the sales coach.
I only know this because I was scheduled 2 hours before everyone got there with Henry.
When it was my turn with Henry, I asked him. So what changed in Nick for him to finally get sometime with you? Henry knowing my goal was to one day be a sales coach, was very kind to me, he replied.. The teacher only appears, when the student is ready, not the other way around.
That stuck with me.
The power of investing in yourself, your craft and your dreams attracts help, leverage and makes people more willing to invest in you.
Stop waiting for it to fall into your lap. Master your craft. Control your destiny.
#craftsmanship #attitude #pushforward #educate