In Sales: Take the Road Less Traveled
Why should one take the road less traveled? First, there is less competition on this road. Yes, the road could lead to a dead end. Yes, the road could have some unexpected bumps along the way. This is true. However, the payoff for your perseverance and creativity can be quite high. Why? Most salespersons prefer to play it safe and stay on a road that is worn and well-traveled. In our terms this might be known as calling on the same people that everyone else calls on. This leads to more selling on price.
You cannot take just any road; but a road that you have strategically chosen that fits both your own interest areas, as well as the services your company excels in providing. You will find that many such buyers/companies you encounter along this road do not get contacted as often as others. Why? Drum roll...it is a road less traveled. They are a little more off the beaten path and this type of sales is scary to many who prefer to call on things they can pick up in the mail or grocery store. Hence, we stay off this road and the buyers are overlooked more times than not.
Does this mean your road less travelled should be a shortcut? No. Does this mean your road will make you successful overnight? No. There is no shortcut to sales. Sorry. However, creative planning, perseverance, passion and determination will help you prevail. Sales and marketing are two different things. However, I would challenge all salespersons to approach their sales activities like a strong marketer when choosing their “road.”
Here are some questions you need to ask. Do the customers I want to reach live on this road? Does my road have companies that need the products and services my organization does best? Does my road get overlooked by the competition? Does my road give me a chance to build solid relationships and meet others along the same road? Does my road allow me to be an expert problem solver who provides a “shot” of headache relief? Does my road allow me to more readily find buyers I like to work with? Does my road allow me to be a “consultant” who makes their life easier?
- Categories:
- Business Management - Marketing/Sales
Ryan T. Sauers has spent nearly 30 years running, leading or consulting with printing, graphics, promotional and visual communications-related organizations. Sauers is CEO of two companies, Sauers Consulting Strategies LLC and End Resultz Inc. that among other things, owns magazines and is a media firm. Key areas of focus of the firms include sales training, marketing strategy, personal branding, leadership development and organizational change.
Sauers is a frequent national speaker and columnist. He has been recognized as one of the top 80 CMOs globally and achieved the top designation of Certified Marketing Executive through Sales and Marketing Executives International.
Sauers is an adjunct university professor teaching leadership and communication courses to current and aspiring leaders. He is a Certified Myers Briggs, DiSC and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner (one of few in the U.S. to achieve all three rigorous certifications related to human communications, personality and behavior).
Sauers has completed his doctoral-level coursework in Organizational Leadership and is now (ABD - All But Dissertation) working on his dissertation on why some entrepreneurs and small businesses achieve initial and long-term success, whereas countless others do not.
Sauers is the host of the Marketing Matters radio show in Atlanta that later becomes a global podcast. He also is the host of the Community Connections TV show that comes out in video and podcast form. Sauers is the author of the best-selling books, Everyone is in Sales, and Would You Buy from You? More info at RyanSauers.com or call (678) 825-2049 or email Ryan@RyanSauers.com
