Happy Valentine's Day!

Hopefully, by the time you're reading this, you've already secreted away your special Valetine's Day card and bought that romantic gift for your partner. If you have not, I would strongly recommend that you do not now try to find a card at the local Halmark store since all that will be left will be in the category of "strangely weird" given that the longer term Valentine's Day planners-the true lovers-bought all the good cards back in January. 

And for us guys, buying the oversized Teddy Bear at Walmart or the single rose for $14.99 or a package of lottery tickets at the Cumberland Farms gas station on the way home will most likely not go over well especially when the other person was expecting at the very least a loving bauble.

On a crisp and sunny Friday Valentine's Day, my transition to discussing Sales is very direct this morning. 
If you want to be successful in Sales, you need to love what you do!!!

• Not just "do" Sales!
• Not just "be in" Sales! 
• Not just "like" the world of Sales!

You Gotta Love Selling!

As highly successful sales professionals, in our skills, in our training, and most importantly in our emotions and our whole being as a person, we simply LOVE what we do! 

Personally, I love the science of sales in terms of knitting together solutions through processes and the use of various tools to sell value and solve problems for my customers. 

Here's a few other ideas to think about what it takes to love being a salesperson.  It also may be as you think about these 5 bullets below that there's a category or two, where you might want to consider what it would take to enhance your sales skills in the first half of this year. 

• Are there skills you personally need to improve on? 
• Could you invest in an online skills training program in your CRM or negotiating capabilities?
• Should you bring the team together for a half day of improving your sales processes?  

The Best Salespeople Love: 

1. Relationship Building: Sales is all about connecting with people, understanding their needs, and building relationships. If you enjoy meeting new people and forming connections, this component is very fulfilling. If you do not enjoy this aspect of the job, you simply should not be in Sales.  If you believe you can improve, then there's a relatively short list of improvement activities you can employ.   Improving your skills in becoming a better listener would be an example.

2. Challenge and Growth: Sales often presents challenges that require creativity and problem-solving skills. It's a field where you can constantly learn and grow, honing your skills in skills such as negotiation, market knowledge, the use of specific technologies, or improving your hiring and training skills are just a few.

3, Impact and Results: Closing a deal or exceeding quota is incredibly satisfying!  It's tangible proof of your hard work and skills, and it always brings a significant sense of personal accomplishment.

4. Variety: Every day in sales can be different. Sure, there's a level of repetitiveness, but that's balanced by countless opportunities to explore new markets, work with new prospects, and learn new skills.  

5. Recognition and Rewards: I left this as the last bullet since too many non-salespeople think that this is the number one definition of a successful salesperson.  I've worked with tens of thousands of salespeople, and, yes, there's a reason that the best salespeople are often the most highly paid people in the company, but that's the output and the end result, and it's not the #1 reason why the best salespeople sell.  It is because they love what they do!

Have a Happy Valentine's Day! Let me and others know what you love about your sales work! 

Enjoy the weekend!

Working on your 2025 Sales plans!

For a few ideas on how to customize your own sales planning for 2025, click here for our just updated, no-cost "Writing the Winning Sales Plan in 2025, outlining ideas on structure, sales models, process funnels, productivity tools and how to recruit, hire and onboard the best salespeople.  A hands-on "how to" guide for real salespeople written by real sales managers.

Connect with me any time at jack@derbymanagement.com, and let's discuss your own sales planning ideas.