Meditation helps every aspect of life, and the benefits are amazing. There are tons of benefits recently proven by science. So here are a few.
Showing staff members how it’s done, will set an amazing standard. It will also galvanise your team.
Why is it important to show them how it’s done?
In my opinion some the best teachers of my craft that I have had in my life, have actually shown me how to make sales/leads. What it does crucially from a teachers point of view, is creates an image of superiority for the teacher and also means that the student can see that the techniques they preach work. It also by default defeats that mentality of it isn’t possible. It will create a reserve of positivity that will increase productivity. It also makes the teacher part of the team because they are contributing to the targets that the team have been set.
A manager should always be passionate about what he is teaching
We always think have we still got it in our locker, getting back on the phone will reignite that fire of passion for dialling. If you don’t have that passion or excitement for it, you didn’t love the sport of sales in the first place. Which means you became a manager to get off the phone not to instil your passion for sales on to others. Without this passion for sales it will become harder to teach employees how to be better.
From a financial point of view you will have to employ a teacher to come in and there’s no guarantee that their product knowledge will benefit your team. It will also take time to get it to fit your sales teams’ needs. This will mean the return on investment will take longer and there’s no guarantee it will work. Unless you just focus on a motivational coach. But as we all know that to be successful, you need more then enthusiasm. Its fine being pumped up to lift 200kg, until you have to lift it. You need to train hard to get to that stage on technique and form. Its the same with sales, perfect your close, rapport skills, call control techniques, positive energy and your reserve to deal with negativity.
Employing managers internally
With the employment of managers internally, that manager gains respect from his staff members as long as they are a good performer of this sport called sales. I have first-hand witnessed mediocre sales people go into a training programme and become a manager. That’s not to say they don’t know how to manage but they don’t know how to become top seller, so how are they are going to motivate me, when they can’t even motivate themselves to do it. It’s a logic that made managers that weren’t better than me, hard to take seriously.
Taking a top seller off the phone and placing them as a manager, will get rid of the sales on the board that they contributed. Which initially sounds ludicrous but in the long term if they can get 6 more sales people performing at a similar rate to them, then your business is laughing. Also their successes leave clues, so the low performers will want to listen to him because of what they have seen them do with their own eyes. What this will also do is provide a manager who can get on the phone and still show people how it’s done. That trick up their sleeve will be a priceless commodity to the business. Will also mean that the entire team will be trained under one regimented ethos. It will increase team spirit because even the manager is rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in.
How do I know that this theory would work?
I know that this theory would work because I worked in a business that had a dedicated trainer who was one of the best sales men I have ever met. The manager of that sales team was an incredible sales men too, they were two sides of the same coin and complimented each other very well. Also they both had the ability to gain respect because they had done this job that we were doing. It was like seeing a soldier who had stripes from being in the trenches. It’s like having William Wallace from Braveheart every morning, before the dialling hours started, showing us his passion and what’s possible. We found ourselves following him blindly with a burning faith because he has been in our shoes. Also any advice they gave us, was taken on board and never questioned.
How my Telemarketers will benefit from my experience.
Since I set up my business 8 months ago. I have had some of the best sales people I have worked with offer their services to me because they want to work for me. Now I have to remind people you will be working “with me” not “for me”. All the people who have offered their services have all said that they respected me as a sales men first. They all feel that I could teach them something and create a great environment to work in. None of my advice will be ignored because it will only cause their figures and results to fail. Sometimes you got to swallow your pride and take a good look on where you need to improve. If it isn’t broke don’t fix it, is good in theory, but if you are monitoring performance you won’t have to wait for it to break for you to mend it. When something breaks it’s out of action, so that could harm your sales performance. So prepare for storms and keep learning and you will maintain the top spot you seek.
We are upsizing soon…
How you could benefit
If after reading this you feel you have the sales and marketing skills to join a team with such amazing potential to grow, please INmail me today or email me onsean@botmarketing.co.uk. Alternatively if you are reading this and would like a sales and marketing department to generate sales opportunities for your business, whether they are inbound or outbound with the same level of passion and precision that we provide. Email me on sean@botmarketing.co.uk.
Check out another article of mine here: Success is driven not given. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
A positive attitude is a powerful skill to have. This post does that theory justice.
Seriously, I have a curiosity to write on this topic. Your attitude determines how you live your life. “Positive Attitude” , in my sense it is a power that can change your life. A positive attitude shows the bright side of the life, it brings optimism in your life and makes it easier to […]
Is your management managing to teach you? or just reporting it and letting you drown in deep waters.
Aren’t managers meant to teach employees based on experience?
This is something that I have seen first-hand. Lazy managers who don’t teach me any techniques but expect me to smash targets without being taught anything new. Now let’s be honest with ourselves if we don’t change what we are putting in, how will the result be any different? The answer is, no it won’t.
I am not stating that the student shouldn’t be held accountable for his results. But being motivated and knowledgeable in what he is selling, is something a manager should be managing. So many places I have worked at in the past 2-3 years, did not add anything to my skill set. I ended up learning more speaking to colleagues or successful sales people in that business and elsewhere.
I found that I learned from people that were doing well, and had been in the trenches and tasted victory of being top seller before. I will never forget the fact an old manager had never done an outbound dialling campaign in their life. They were meant to teach me how to do the job without ever doing it themselves. The logic behind that confused me, because if I came to the them with a problem how would they respond? that’s right, blag the hell out of it and just lie to me with what works.
The difference with working with Beans on Toast Marketing Ltd
The difference my business will have is, a managers main thought is not a report but driving the sales team to deliver the leads, appointments or online demonstrations. Let’s be honest if the results aren’t on the report, it doesn’t matter how you butter it up, it won’t look good.
All my sales staff will have the ability to;
- Talk to me.
- Ask me or campaign manager any questions about the campaign itself. I want them to feel there is no barrier. between us.
- Bring problems to me as soon as possible, so we can address the problems quickly.
- Ask me about tips and industry knowledge to improve their pitches.
- Books to read to get better. (this is something I ignored for a while, but when I decided to pick up a book, I gained experience from peoples’ experiences)
- Even a cheeky joke to raise morale. I want my staff to enjoy their day and not feel like it’s a prison, where they get yard time and a lunch break.
This is all because they are working “with me”, not for me. The passion I have is to stop people being treated how I was at other establishments, it’s what drives me to implement this ethos to my sales staff. So much so that I already have a list of people who want to work for me and I have had to correct them, that they will be working “with me” not for me.
Motivation is key, but understanding how others respond to different types is crucial
From an early age I understood an untold law that a boss had to be scary to gain respect. I have got to say that nobody is going to be motivated on the back of fear. It will consume him and if he has a bad day which everyone in sales has. It will set that sales men back and cause his confidence to be knocked. When your confidence is low, sales is a lonely place. Confirming to the employee that he is on his own will only affect the campaign, then the client and before you know it’s on your lap as a problem.
Now motivation from us at Beans On Toast Marketing Ltd Ltd will be understanding what that sales men responds to and acting accordingly. Gary Vaynerchuck said it best, “I get more from my staff by deploying honey than vinegar.”
How I got motivated to improve and perfect my craft
When I was on the phone at my first sales job, I was bottom of the pile and nobody helped me. It was only me wanting to get better and hearing about techniques that worked. Now at that point I was good but not great. I had the technique but didn’t understand that my mind was holding me back.
When I switched over to telemarketing and booking appointments it was a different ball park, for the first time I was selling time. The company I went to had a telesales manager and a performance manager. Who went into detail every week about my calls, focusing on where to develop, what was working for me and it was all documented and given to me to keep. This was a really in-depth experience, it made me start to analyse myself and start to look at how I could improve myself. Not going to lie, at that point in my career my pride wouldn’t let me change as much as I should of. My mind was still holding me back.
How I stumbled across a really effective method of improving members of staff
I know that this is focusing on a sales team but I believe reflecting with staff is a way of getting everyone on the same page. It will also create an open channel for staff to discuss problems and in turn address problems quicker and more efficiently. It will also help your team focus on improving not because they are doing badly, but just because we only stop learning when we are dead. I love the quote’ “If you think you know everything; you know nothing. If you think you know nothing; you know something.”
This management strategy and attention to detail opened my eyes to a blueprint that I wanted to integrate with my future business. Even 6 years ago I believed that I would own my own business. Even set up a clothing business at that time, just so that I could do a tax return and learn how to keep books for it.
What gave me the push to make this happen
Now my main motivation to set up this Marketing business was the way I have been treated since that time. I have been top selling everywhere I have worked, since I have moved down to the coast. Only one manager made me feel of worth and that was the job with the least wage and commission structure. Which taught me, that to get the best out of people you don’t need to always throw money at them. Don’t get me wrong it helps. It was the just atmosphere made that job so enjoyable.
Over ten years after starting in sales, I am running my own telemarketing company. I finally stopped my mind from holding me back. The frustrations I had, have now motivated me to change how I am and how my future employees are treated. Also the books and online seminars have helped me build the self-confidence to get through the tough times.
My why
When people ask me why I am doing this, the answer is never for the money. The answer is I want to create an environment that people want to come to work for and it be inspiring every day. My company will be for people who want to do better with their life and learn some amazing skills that will make life easier as well. I am going to encourage people to dream not dilute it like other places had try to do to me.
Connect with me on LinkedIn to discuss further.
Something I am never afraid of is to fail. It tests my reserve to see how badly I wanted the goal I seek. This blog is spot on, read it if you don’t believe me.
Written by Millionaire’s Digest Team Member: Sudhanshu Joshi Founder & Owner of: Be Motivated! -If you have the courage to dream! You too, have the power to achieve it! Millionaire’s Digest Team, Contributor, Successful Living Writer 130 years ago, an idea changed your world. It was Thomas A. Edison’s motivation that snuffed out ten thousand failures and, finally, […]
via Don’t Be Afraid To FAIL! (1 min read) — The Millionaire’s Digest
This was a read that really got me pumped up. I recommend everyone read this.
The most fearless person is the one who has nothing to lose. The most powerful weapon on the earth is the human soul on fire. Can you connect the two quotes? Let me show you how i felt about the two. When a person has nothing to lose, he becomes fearless and hence the most […]
If you are stuck for something to read. Check out this list. Some success and self help books to get your teeth into.
Amazon’s 100 Leadership & Success Books to Read in a Lifetime Amazon sent me an e-mail that they have added their latest “100 books” list: Amazon’s 100 Leadership & Success Books to Read in a Lifetime (at AmazonSmile: benefit a non-profit of your choice by shopping*) This list really intrigued me! While I consider myself an […]
via Amazon’s 100 Leadership & Success Books to Read in a Lifetime — I Love My Kindle
Had to say reading this really reminded me of 6 months ago.
I found myself in a situation of stagnancy where I had nothing to do, excitement was all gone, clubbing was no longer fun for me. I was an extremist in the social circle and a fashionista…I lost my job and then it dawned on me that I had been living a false life. At age […]
via Daniella- Entrepreneurship Established Through Reading — eddaz
I know they are interviewing us, but have they forgotten that we are interviewing them too.
Let me clarify what I mean
I know that when you go for an interview, the business is interviewing to fill a certain position, but have they forgotten that it is still our choice whether we take it or not. A lot of interviews I have gone to I have been offered the job but turned it down for numerous reasons. I will discuss those further later on in this piece.
Are they missing the bigger picture?
I know that the main aim is to find a candidate that fits their requirements. This main thought sometimes clouds legacy of whether that candidate can integrate further down the line. Also a bad interview will be talked about a lot more than a good one. I am always going to bare this in mind when interviewing. I want to leave the door open or a nice taste in the candidates’ mouth. Not just no but where we feel you could improve on before becoming an employee of ours.
Inappropriate questions and random questions.
I know that companies like to stand out but some of the questions I have had and heard about confuse me. Like asking somebody if they are single or married I find inappropriate because my marital status shouldn’t affect my ability to do the job or my skill set. I don’t know where these questions came from but here are a few random questions or requests;
· If you were a dinosaur? What dinosaur would you be?
· If you were a mythical creature what would you be?
· If you were a shape what would you be?
· If you could be a colour what would you be?
· What Instagram page are you really obsessed with?
· Asked them to sing a song in front of the whole office. He did it, got the job and then turned it down.
These are just a few examples please comment on this post if you have a worse one. Best worse question will receive a prize. I promise the prize won’t be as random or irrelevant as the question itself. All the questions will be voted on by connections on LinkedIn (The winner will receive a custom made drawing of a celebrity of their choice, themselves or anybody they choose drawn by an up and coming artist Zac Henderson)
Take pride in your reputation and you will get people wanting working for you.
I also found that some interview techniques put me under instant pressure for no reason. We all know that different people, act different ways to pressure. Like one interview I went to, all they did for the first 20 mins was talk about the candidate before me, which I found instantly switched me off and made me think I don’t want to work for these unprofessional people. So I went into my shell and that job was advertised again within a month so obviously my hunch was right. Funny how because I knew my worth I was more annoyed that I wasted my time. Also anybody who asks about that company I don’t recommend. Which means those managers, one who isn’t there now has given that business a bad reputation.
I treat everyone with the same level of respect I would expect to receive. I am trying to focus on building a legacy not currency. The reason for this is I believe currency will come with the legacy itself, it’s not guarantee the other way round.
Employees need longevity too
I completely understand that businesses are looking for someone to stay with the business to make it worth their while. So why is it so hard for employees to ask the same level in return? In sales roles there are always probation periods which I found off putting like I am on trial lol. Also I have employers, have the campaign I’m working on not renew and I am out of job because they couldn’t renew that client or a field sales guy couldn’t close a new client. I have to thank these companies because they have fuelled me to have a 100% close rate on client meetings. I believe my clients have bought me and how I can improve revenue streams. Just having a 10 to 15 minute conversation with me would confirm my passion for this business.
So moving forward
I treat sales calls with as much respect as I do an employee. It’s because I have been in their shoes. Also a rude sales man is a reflection on the establishment they are calling from. I want to employ people who at the end of the interview have something I see in them that I can develop or the finished article that I can polish and still improve. I don’t ever want my team to plateau, we keep evolving and we stick around, instead of churning out sales people every 6 months. Companies forget bad sale people who work at their craft get better and there’s only so many people in the area. So I am not going to burn bridges. I am going to leave doors open for the next transfer window.
Good luck with the worst question competition, comment on this article with your weirdest interview question. Please do not disclose any company names and no names of the interviewers please. We are not doing a witch hunt just highlighting what is a weird question to be asked. On the 21st of September all the questions will be on a LinkedIn post where connections can vote on them(voting closes on the 23rd of September, the winner will be announced later on that day). Your name will not appear on the voting post either. Feel free to share that post to increase your chances of winning. All questions used in this example will be entered as well. Good luck everybody. If you would like to read more of my posts click here. Also check out my company page.
Success is driven not given.
The one thing I have learned the most over the last 6 months is that, it’s what you got in your tank, not the engine you are running. A Bugatti is the fastest car in the world but without petrol, it isn’t going anywhere. The same applies to an idea, without an action behind it, it won’t go anywhere.
With this in mind I have recently opened up our first office, only 6 months after running the business from my bedroom. It was an opportunity that arose and a cautious mind might have procrastinated about it. Me on the other hand I remembered what Tony Robbins had said in an online video, “If you want to take over the island, burn your boats. When the only option is to win, people seem to find a way.” So I put the deposit down, picked up the keys, bought a phone system and took it in my stride. I felt like the fear would fuel me for the drive not paralyse me. It surprisingly had that affect. It was a new feeling and made me feel alive. Like going to a restaurant and trying a new dish, the first bite was different and then it grew on me.
Now when I mention a fuel tank, I am not talking about how long you can stay awake for, but how long you can keep that positive mind fuelled. I listen to Les Brown every morning and the video this morning had this quote, “If you get knocked down try and land on your back, because if you can look up, you can get back up.” That thought really resonated with me, because I feel like Shawn Michaels sometimes how quickly I bounce back from landing on my back.
I believe that if this version of me went back 6 months and spoke to me, I would be amazed how much my fuel tank has increased. In those 6 months I have worked on feeding my mind with books and motivational videos to keep my fuel tank serviced. Even today my tank started dropping and I gave myself a talking to, was like an out of body experience. I was doing whatever it took to get the job done for my client.
My passion for marketing, and getting opportunities for my clients to close, refuels me instantly. I focus
on improving myself every day and also my marketing strategies. If you would like to find out more about how my passion and marketing strategies can benefit your business, email me on sean@botmarketing.co.uk
Sean Maticas' Thoughts 