Sales 101

by Tom on February 1, 2012

Whether we want to accept it or not ALL of us are in sales. We are always constantly selling something either to our spouse, children, co-workers, boss, etc. Did you notice I didn’t even mention in that sentence a prospect or client? I did that for a reason. You see I run into so many people on a daily basis that “think” they cannot start their own home based business because they have no sales experience or they will say ” well Tom I am not a good salesperson like you”. That is such a line of crap….It drives me nuts ( inside of course) when I hear that. The reason why it drives me nuts is because i use to be “that” person. When I first started out in the “business world” I was an insurance adjuster and considered myself a technical person. Well I soon found out that I was not a technical person. All the reports we had to do and classes we had to attend, not to mention reading the insurance policies YUCK! However, I found out that I loved dealing with and helping people…

This love for helping people is what led me to career in sales, yes sales. You see I realized that people are going to buy “xyz” product so why not buy it from me. Plus I knew I could deliver value to that consumer by selling them what they need NOT what I want to sell them. This belief has worked well for me and for the people that have followed me down this path. With that being said we still need to apply some sales basics so that we don’t starve :)

 

So here are my Sales 101 Basics I follow in my brick & mortar business and my home based business:

1. Prospecting,we all need to do it and most of us hate it. I have relied on two different ways in my career. One is true cold calling and the other is referral source development. I have found that the building of referral sources is the BEST way to grow your business. It takes longer to build those sources, but its worth it. When you get a lead from a referral source its as good as sold!

2. The next step is to build rapport. Actually show an interest in them,not just go straight for the throat. This will gain their trust in you which will allow you to uncover that prospects needs. When you do that this will position you to deliver what you are selling.

3. Assuming that you did not make a first call sale there will be some follow up. Some people believe in the ” buy or die” theory. That means you will follow up with these prospects till they buy or die! For me that’s a little harsh. You will be able to tell from interaction you have with the prospect if they are willing to still be contacted by you for a length of time. If you did a good job in step 2 then it will not be a problem. Remember,sales is all about timing…

4. Close the sale! This is when the relationship really begins. You must provide value to that individual and deliver what you promised them

5. Nurture that customer as if its a newborn and you will be able to provide more services/products to them in the future because you have gained their trust.

 

If you look at these above steps you really can see how this applies to everyday life for all of us. So when you go home and need to ask your spouse or child a favor apply these steps and your win ratio will go up…I know I do it all the time.

 

Till Next Time,

Tom Brady aka ” The FlipFlop Networker”

 

Tom Brady aka " The FlipFlop Networker" 941.301.8160

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I have Become a Nutritional Expert!

by Tom on January 30, 2012

You know I have always been told that once you have just a little bit of knowledge on a subject you become an expert in that subject to the majority of other people you come in contact with. I guess the theory behind that is that you are speaking with many people who have not made an effort to become acquainted with your subject or they just plain don’t care! In any event you are an expert!

 

Well over the past 5 or 6 months it seems I have become quite a nutritional expert with many of my friends, clients, prospects, colleagues. In one of my posts from last year I had told ya’ll ( little southern slang for ya ) that I had made some significant changes in my daily nutritional habits and exercise routine which resulted in me losing 38 pounds in 90 days and the best part I have kept it off! Well because this ” transformation” I went through is so noticeable a LOT of people compliment me and ask ” how did you do it?”. Of course this is a beauty of opening for me in my primary direct sales company but I will not lay ” the pitch” on you guys now. :) However, I will share with you what I have discovered through this self transformation and from so many conversations with people about nutrition. Most people don’t know JACK SQUAT about how to eat properly…including me up until about 6 months ago. I mean we all say we know and we probably do to some extent, but do we practice yet? Well that obvious answer is NO! Look around ! This country is obese….by the tune of over 60% of the population. The sad part is that its not getting any ether and its not just restricted to the gold ole US of A.

What I have found is a few things:

1. People do not know whats in the food they are eating. They do not read the labels nor do they understand the ramifications of eating too much of a certain ingredient.

2. People eat way too much. I was guilty of this BIG TIME! I lived to eat instead of EAT to LIVE. We really don’t need that much feed people.

3. Most people don’t even take the time for a 15 minute walk with their kids and/or dogs. I mean come on….

 

My success in achieving my unbelievable results was as a result of some incredible products and getting really good at the 3 things I mention above. The best part about it is that I did not take a class, hire a nutritionist, nor go to a doctor. I just used common sense and started to remember all those things you have been taught over the years about eating smart. You know plenty of protein, fruits, vegetables and a ton of water. Its not rocket science…

In closing none of this really work unless YOU are willing to make a change for a better healthier you.

Till Next Time,

 

Tom Brady aka The FlipFlop Networker

941-301-8160 

Tom Brady aka " The FlipFlop Networker" 941.301.8160

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Take some initiative…please

by Tom on January 15, 2012

Well this is something that absolutely drives me nuts and I think it has gotten worse over the past few years.  Its the lack of initiative by people . I can’t believe the number of people that are looking for the “easy” way to success. I have to admit there was a time in my life that I thought I could find that “silver bullet”. What I eventually discovered is that taking some initiative in your quest for success is the first step and an absolute must. Because this is something that really gets “under my skin” I made my first video post about it:

Take Some Initiative

 

I know this ended up being more of a “rant” but I hope I got my message across. I simply believe that everyone needs to take some responsibility for whatever it is they want to achieve and not expect someone else to do it for them.

All The Best,

Tom 

Tom Brady aka " The FlipFlop Networker" 941.301.8160

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