In January you will, no doubt, get a flurry of goal-setting articles and emails from people like me. They're great but the truth is, they're probably too late! You should be thinking, dreaming and planning now so take this opportunity to share your dreams and goals below. A goal written down and shared in public will be far more powerful than one you keep hidden away, scared to share in the darkest recesses of your mind! Share your goals for 2011 below... … [Read more...]
Is Blogging A Viable Sales Tool?
September 4, 2008 By 9 Comments
As a sales author, sales motivational speaker and sales force development consultant it is very important that I walk the talk and continue to learn and develop myself. One activity which I am always recommending to clients, friends and everyone alike is to keep reading new, old and interesting ideas to keep yourself stimulated and on top of your game. My personal favourite subjects for reading about are personal development, sales training, sales force development, motivation and mindset, general business and marketing. Nowadays I read a … [Read more...]
The Return Of The Sales Apprentice…
August 30, 2008 By 5 Comments
A few weeks ago I was enjoying the sun on my back and a long cool drink on my balcony in Spain when I got a message to call Jennifer Celerier from this year's Apprentice. Having written so much about them I was intrigued so I decided that I would give her a call straight back. Apparently, both she and Kristina Grimes (who came second in 2007) had enjoyed my blogs on the Apprentice and wanted to talk to me about a sales and business project that they were planning... I think that you'll like what they have planned and I'll tell you more as … [Read more...]
The Sales Apprentice: Sales Training Tips From The Hit TV Show, Part X
June 2, 2008 By 3 Comments
In last week’s Apprentice the task was to rent out high end supercars. The team making the most sales would be the winner. A sales task plain and simple and one which created many interesting sales training and business lessons.. Sales managers for the day on the two teams were Michael (leading Helene and Claire) and Lee leading Lucinda and Alex. Their first task was to pick two cars per team that they would have to sell... Michael picked a Ferrari and a Spyker, Lee an Aston Martin and a Zonda. These cars varied in sales rental quotes … [Read more...]
How Not To Sell A Watch
May 30, 2008 By 1 Comment
For the last few days I have been in Switzerland running a sales training seminar for one of my clients. I really like Switzerland – the people are friendly, the country is clean, things run on time and the chocolate is fantastic! Last time I went over to Switzerland I flew straight into and out of Zurich (via Amsterdam) so I thought this time it would be a great idea to fly into Geneva, take a couple of days driving along two of the lakes and on to Zurich. Hence, yesterday afternoon I found myself with some time to spare in Geneva … [Read more...]
The Sales Apprentice: Sales Training & Business Development Tips From The Hit TV Show, Part IX
May 21, 2008 By 6 Comments
Well! Well! Well! What was that all about? What did you miss if you chose to watch Man U and Chelsea rather than tuning in to Sir Alan and his wannabee business moguls! After tonight’s Apprentice I was left feeling that something must have been left out in the editing, that something must be lost in translation somehow... Tonight’s show was an odd one with few or no sales training lessons to learn but plenty of mini-lessons in personal development, management and presenting. Week 9 – Atishu! Atishu! We all fall down. At the … [Read more...]
Who Cares About Web 2.0? Sales Training & Business Development Tips For The Uninitiated
May 17, 2008 By 7 Comments
What is the best way to bring in and attract new business? How can companies ensure that they have a constant stream of new business opportunities? Why is it that one company has loads of leads and opportunities whilst another struggles to generate enough new prospects? Great questions all. One of the things that I have noticed on my travels as a motivational speaker and sales training expert is how stuck people seem to get in the way that they do things. Once someone starts to do something one way then they assume that it is the only way … [Read more...]
The Sales Apprentice 2008: Sales Training & Business Development Tips From The Hit TV Show, Part VII
May 7, 2008 By 7 Comments
Lights! Camera! Action! We were down to 10 but by the end of the show these 10 were to become 8! What went on in tonight’s Apprentice and what sales training and business development tips, if any, could we learn from it? At the start of tonight’s programme I was concerned for Sir Alan… Could it be that there is no-one remotely worth hiring in the show at all this year? I’m really not sure and not much occurred to change my mind tonight although there could yet be some dark horses to watch for… 7am. Michael answered the phone to … [Read more...]
Why People Think Salespeople Are Stupid…
May 6, 2008 By 4 Comments
Last week I was on the train travelling back from London having run two of my sales seminars – No Fear Cold Calling and Professional Selling Skills – and I was reading the Evening Standard. On page 12 (Comment - Thursday 1st May 2008) there were a few pieces written by Charlotte Ross and a picture of Kevin and Sara from The Apprentice. Underneath it was written the following… A bunch of true believers Salespeople have always mystified me. This year, most of the Apprentice contestants are drawn from that world, so … [Read more...]
The Sales Apprentice: Sales Training & Business Tips From The Hit TV Show, Part V
April 23, 2008 By 8 Comments
Week 5 and Sir Alan is still looking for a new apprentice but what exactly is he looking for? With Claire in the frame to be a project manager for the second time in 5 shows tonight, this should be interesting. 730am and Sir Alan turned up at the house. Maybe he has, but I cannot remember him doing this before. Interestingly, the vast majority of the wannabees were still in bed. Now I have nothing against people grabbing some extra shut eye but I thought this was “the job interview from hell”? Few serious business people I know … [Read more...]
