Sales Joke of the Day (April 20) The Test.

Two young sales reps applied for a single position at a computer company. They both had the same qualifications. In order to determine which individual to hire, the applicants were asked to take a test by the sales manager.   Upon completion of the test, both men had each missed only one of the questions. The sales manager went to the first applicant and said, ‘‘thank you for your interest, but we've decided to give the job to the other applicant.''


"And why would you be doing that? We both got nine questions correct," asked the rejected applicant.


"We have based our decision not on the correct answers, but on the question you missed," said the department manager.


"And just how would one incorrect answer be better than the other?" the rejected applicant inquired.


''Simple,'' said the department manager, ''Your fellow applicant put down on question..5, 'I don't know.' You put down, 'Neither do I.'


Moral of the story.  True sales professionals know that in order to succeed at sales they always need to be improving their game.  While from time to time it can be a good thing to "borrow" an idea or two from others, you need to always maintain your own identity.  No one ever made it to first place by constantly following someone else.  Finding your own path to success is the true test.


"To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."      -  William Shakespeare

 

Sales Joke of the Day (March 5) The Applicant.

To check the character of the prospective salesman, the Vice President of sales says:  "Let's assume you go to my house to pick up some important papers, and you ring the doorbell.  My wife invites you in.  She tells you that I won't be home for another two hours.  What would you do?"

The applicant hesitates, and then asks, "Could you let me see a photo of your wife?"

Moral of the story.  True sales professionals know, that when being interviewed, you need to show character, not be a character, to get the job.   Second, if you asked a question that is inappropriate, suggest that the question is inappropriate, rephrase the question into an appropriate one, and answer it.   You will have given the interviewer an out of a potentially embarrassing situation while also displaying your ability to think on your feet and take control of an awkward situation.

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."                                                                     -  Abraham Lincoln