Merepek

Doing Sales and Marketing is tough, they say. The competition is stiff and it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there. It sure is. Sales people are trained and re-trained and trained and re-trained over and over again and reminded that…Competition is HEALTHY and Rejection is GOOD!

When the answer is a ‘YES’, thank your Client for giving you the business. And when the answer is a ‘NO’, thank your Prospect for giving you his time. Be a true professional and never ever speak ill. Embrace these simple timeless rules and you will be rewarded manifold. All these sure make a lot of sense to me - and nothing too much and too difficult to follow.

Like an eager beaver, I dived into my new vocation full of spirit, drive and boundless enthusiasm. Soon, I was to find out the hard way that many don’t play by the rules. It seemed every single rule in the book was made to be bent, if not broken. I felt dejected and depressed. It was totally unfair, I wailed. It hurt and on a few instances, I almost crumbled. Fortunately, I have a good mentor – he is patient and he is kind and he is wise. He counsels well. “Just like anything else, there sure would be some who have different ideas and chose to do it their way, dirty tactics and all and it will be to their detriment. Honour your craft and honour yourself. Garbage belongs to the garbage dump”, my mentor drummed into me.

Over the years, I have heard just too many words spoken by others that got back to my ears. Oh, words that never fail to make me cringe in embarrassment. They sure don’t play by the rules and I bet it was a sad day for them when they opened their mouth :-

1. “You bought from her last time. So now you buy from me.”

The Client WILL buy from me. He believes in loyalty.

2. “Please give me this order. If not, I’ll be dead meat”

The Client will come to me. He DOES NOT want to deal with dead meat anytime now or in the future.

3. “She’s an old-hand already and don’t need your support. Please support me.”

The Client will buy from the confident ‘old-hand’.

4. “She has too many Clients. She is too busy and won’t have time to see you often.”

The Client will buy from a BUSY me rather than deal with someone who has nothing to do.

5. “She is soooo old-school.”

Thanks, dude. You just lost the order. ^O^

And a couple of days ago, a new client paid me a compliment. “Ms Tan, I was looking for this product and have met with many other sales people. They confused me. They harassed me. And they frightened me. But you impressed me – you kept it straight and simple, you gave me time to think and I appreciate lots. Thank you.”

Wah….what a soothing balm for any bruised spirit and a great boost for any sagging ego. I stepped out of the office with a spring in my step, a smile on my face and a song in my ear. Thanks Robin, you made my day!

Have A GREAT and INSPIRING WEEK, FRIENDS!