Marc Mac’s Post

One thing I can't stand in 2024 working in sales. Part of the top 3 tortures such as: 1. slow traffic 2. needing a toilet on the motorway 3. THE WORST. That device made to suffocate talent and keep everybody in their place. The tie. My neck feels constricted and I can't get enough oxygen to my brain. I thought ties had died out long ago, with the dinosaurs. They still pop up in more than just school uniform. I’m Italian and I didn’t have to wear one everyday for 14 years. Give me a soft tailored shirt any day. I’m sure my fashion  Milanese brothers would agree. Customer will not judge you based on the way you dress. The value you bring to them at the table is more important than a tie. My point: wear what you like, as long as it makes you comfortable. One last question: how do you wash a tie? 🤣 If you agree with me, follow me. If you don't, let's start a chat in the comment section below. 🔔 P.S. I write daily on sales topics. Good, bad and ugly lessons I learned in my 10+ years career.

Treat others as you would want to be treated... Sound familiar? The Golden Rule. As salespersons, we should always think, "Sell like you want to be sold." Could you detach from the sale and stop adding pressure? If your product is good and clearly solves a problem, your job is to add value. People will buy when their pain is bad enough that they need what you offer. #salestips #salespeople #lifestyle

Had a great day today, cold calling on prospects. Some highlights and tips: 1. Spoke to a restaurant customer who shared with me how they manage their store signage and current pain points. 2. Had three cold calls after that, one of which sounds like it will turn into new business. 3. Applied my experience in cold calling to open up doors for new customers and not come across as a pesky sales person: -Did my research on the customer to try to determine their need. - Was honest in my approach. Example, whenever I am asked, "Do you have an appointment?" I honestly answer no but mention that I emailed the person earlier. - I try to practice the Golden Rule no matter who I talk to. The security guard, maintenance person, receptionist, etc. (Everybody deserves to be treated with dignity and respect!) - Tried to avoid having "commission breath" (ewww!) by expressing a genuine interest in the person I am speaking with and their potential needs for print or promo and not making the conversation all about me. - Following up to that last point, I really try to NOT be a Ned Ryerson! (Remember from the movie, Groundhog Day - the guy that was always trying to sell Phil an insurance plan?) ...This was another day in the life of a #sales professional at Capital Printing / Prisma Graphic 🙂

I have over 200 videos, each around 5 minutes long, covering all aspects of selling from prospecting to closing. If you or someone you know could benefit from this content, feel free to use or share it. These resources are designed to help you make money. Get Your Cookie! - Jack

As ridiculous as it sounds, decisions about a person are typically made within the first minute of meeting someone. Have you ever gone into a sales meeting with someone and just known instantly that the chemistry is not working and that you just want to end it and walk out now before you've even started your pitch? I know I have. I've been on both sides of that situation actually and it's very uncomfortable. The one thing I was taught from a very early age was to always be presentable and back in the old days that would typically mean a good haircut, clean-shaven, a sharp suit, and well-polished shoes. Did you know that back in the '80s, IBM undertook a study to come to the conclusion that some customers wouldn't trust men with beards? As such, they did not allow their staff to come to work with beards. Crazy eh! Can you imagine that happening now? I once hosted a networking event where our guest speaker was an image consultant. There were around 30 people in the room and she went around each and every one of us, picking out things we could improve on. These were things I hadn't particularly noticed before but when I go to a meeting now, boy do I look out for these things. There were a number of people with buttons missing from suits, shoelaces not tied properly, shoes un-polished, holes in suits, dirty fingernails, the list was endless and that was just in one room. I can't unsee these things now and sadly it does affect my opinion of someone and how much effort a person has put into preparing for a meeting. The world of sales has changed, yes you should dress to the expectations of your audience, be clean and tidy but it's not all about wearing suits anymore. Some of the best salespeople I know are successful because they stand out, people remember them. Beards are back in fashion and the bigger the beard the better these days. Two colleagues I know are recognised for their loud flowery shirts. One guy even goes to events in his kilt. In a world of fierce competition, it's ok to stand out. Just always remember, people make their minds up about you in the first minute. How do you want to be remembered?

It's been a whirlwind week, so I wanted to share a little sales humor packed with a life lesson. Two shoe salesmen go to a remote island to break into new markets. After a few days, one salesperson calls the office and says: "I’m on the next flight. Can’t sell shoes here. Everyone goes barefoot." The other salesperson sends an email to the boss minutes later: "Get ready! The prospects are unlimited. Nobody wears shoes here!" I am the hopeless optimist that see possibilities where others are sniffing around for reasons to not have to work that hard. Sales IS hard. There's no getting around it. It's my observation that most (if not all) people who are paid in the top 5-10% bracket have roles that no one else can or no one else is willing to do. I would say Sales checks both boxes. But this joke is a simple reminder that when your competition sees a reason to hop the next plane - let them. And go provide a solution that earns you gratitude and loyalty from an audience that didn't know what they were missing out on. #fridayvibes #fridayfeeling #fridaymotivation #sales #humor

Hardest Skill to master for any sales professional.... 👂👂 Silence 👂👂 It takes an entire career, trust me. Most never master. What do you do to stop yourself? to control that moment of uncomfortableness? #abh #livecoldcalls #chillycalls #sdrinsider #brand30 #salesdevelopment   #conversationconverters #coldcaller4L #outcomes #activations

Working on the best opportunities is every salesperson's dream 💭 More so when it's done with less work! But this less work comes from having the right strategy and working smart. Volume is important, but taking a step back and being laser focussed on your ideal customer, who will give you a better chance of conversion, is even more vital. I love to hear how salespeople started out. Laura-Jade Harries started her selling career as a door-knocker selling holidays, I started phone bashing in a high street bank 📞 What role gave you your thick Sales skin? #salesrecruitment #creativenatives

I used to think that sales was a horrible industry. As an introverted person, I detested the in your face, pushy aspect of sales that I’d always seen. “Salesperson” had such a negative connotation to me. I hated shopping for cars, appliances, anything that required someone to sell me on a product. What I didn’t realize is that sales didn’t *have* to be a bad thing. When done properly, a salesperson is providing a service. It’s not about making the sale, it’s about meeting a need. That should be our goal in every industry so why is sales any different? When looked at from this perspective we can appreciate a salesperson that’s doing it right. I’ll be more open the next time a salesperson tries to build rapport with me by asking questions and finding out what my need is and filling that need as best he can. What has been your experience with sales as a career or sales as a consumer? I want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly. #sales #introvertsinsales #ethicalsales

What is the secret to making sales? This question is on everyone's mind. The truth is, there isn't a one-size-fits-all secret to making sales. Each product and market requires its own unique approach. At @ownjointly, our strategy for selling differs significantly from that at Xymbolic, reflecting the diversity of our products and target audiences. Every sale is unique, with its own distinct characteristics. The key lies in continuously adapting your approach to effectively engage and captivate your audience across various channels. For instance, a brand that initially specializes in maternity outfits might employ a different strategy when expanding into pre-maternity clothing. The target audience and their needs change, necessitating a tailored approach to resonate with them. In essence, successful sales strategies are about recognizing these differences and making nuanced adjustments. By understanding and responding to the specific needs of your audience, you can create a compelling and effective sales approach.