Comments on: The Sales Apprentice 2008: Sales Training & Business Development Tips From The Hit TV Show, Part VII

By: Andrew Denton

Andrew Denton — Sun, 11 May 2008 05:11:11 +0000

This year’s Apprentice is driving me mad – what a shame they have turned a business reality show into Big Brother meets Celebrity Jungle – a pack of screaming under-performing 'personalities' – picked more for show and fireworks than even approaching "Britain's Best & Brightest Entrepreneurs".

It WAS a good show, losing it by the week, bring back Donald Trump – at least his candidates were good.

In response to "sales People are stupid…' article and last nights sacking of Jen – if she really were one of the top sales people in Europe (God where do they get these idiots!!!) then she would be earning a 7 figure salary, with 7 figure bonuses, not scrabbling about after a £100k secretarial job!

Top end Law and accountancy graduates are earning £100k in their first year at Goldman- Sachs these days. Sales People ARE successful, very high earners, it's a PROFESSION to be proud of, to become better at & to earn BIG money at. If your not already earning far more than £100k then go along to GAVIN INGHAM seminars and learn how!

By: Stephen ODonnell

Stephen ODonnell — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:38:02 +0000

Short story on negotiation.

A fellow with a damaged transit van went to a scrap yard to ask how much a replacement driver's door would cost.

"£200" said the scrap yard owner.

"But the scrap yard across the road only charges £100"

"Do they have any in stock?" replied the Scrappy

"No"

"Well when we don't have any in stock, our price is £100 too"

By: Tom Sedge

Tom Sedge — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:59:49 +0000

An excellent commentary once again Gavin. Many thanks.

What is it with people (and not just in The Apprentice) justifying their staying in a competition with the words: "I really, really want this, more than anything."?

Is this supposed to be winning argument? Do they expect SAS to say: "Oh, well in that case you can stay."?

Much better to explain how they can learn and grow with his guidance like Claire did, demonstrating that she can change.

SAS seems to like plain speaking, honest dealing, keeping it simple, common sense and someone he can mould (like Simon from the last series).

If I were in the boardroom I would play up these qualities.

Tom.

By: neil

neil — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:12:07 +0000

I love this program one of the few things I will actually dedicate time to sit down and watch outside of Rugby. But what on earth has happened to this series! ……….. As you often mention Gavin it appears to be full of self obsessed egos – perhaps someone has muddled up the candiates for the next big brother – Im rapidly losing my hair and love of the program. I thought for a breif moment last night the good old BBC were going to pull us all back around and allow Alan to fire the 3 of them!

Such a shame he didnt but my money is on Micheal going out next week. A far safer bet than having to back a winner!

im not sure there is one in there (ahh maybe no one will be picked and my love of the program will return ever the optimist)i find myself pulling towards Raef or Lucinda (how sad is that)

At least anyone who takes a pride in their proffesion of sales can hold their head high if this is the standard!

By: Stephen ODonnell

Stephen ODonnell — Thu, 08 May 2008 04:37:48 +0000

A great many sales people, feeling continually thwarted by uncooperative buyers, long to have that power themselves, and often try to become buyers. Professional buyers themselves, on the other side of the desk, often view the "easy life" of the sales person, and think it must be a breeze. There are of course many shared experiences which can be very useful, if you do make the switch.

In this task, the "award winning" sales people were asked to do just that, and of course Claire, the professional buyer, could show just how it should be done.

As a salesman, in his very first training session, you are taught to recognise buying signals, those little tell-tale signs that your prospective client is keen to do business. Signs like "how much does it cost", and "I really want that one" are easy to spot, and give the salesman the upper hand in the negotiation of price. When a group of excited foreigners start whooping and cheering that you actually have an item in stock, this is a sign that you need to be charging as much as is humanly possible. This is known in the trade as "Seeing them coming".

At no stage did I see anyone finding 2 sources for a product and using that to negotiate the best price. At no stage did I see anyone hum and haw over any product, debating either with themselves, or an imaginary girlfriend about whether they really need to buy it, especially at that price.

Whatever happened to humour based negotiation, which always works well in a haggling society, where everyone knows the game, and it is eased by a bit of playful push and pull.

Ever since I saw Michael getting royally done over for the fish at that lawyer's office, I knew that this was a complete pansy, who had nothing to be arrogant about.

Switching from sales to buying requires that you understand what the salesperson is doing in a negotiation, and can use the insight that you should have to get a fantastic deal.

I have personally often walked away from a bad sales person, and not bought the product I really wanted, at the price I was happy with, because I didn't like their technique, and didn't think they had earned the sale. Conversely, I'm a sucker for a good sales person, who takes me professionally through the process, and have often bought something I didn't need as a result.

At no point in this task did I see any of that kind of insight, and once again am dumbfounded by these so-called contenders.