Sales Joke of the Day (May 11) Plane Talk.

Two software salespeople were returning home from a field presentation. As with all software salespeople, they were assigned the cheapest seats on the plane so they each were occupying the center seat on opposite sides of the aisle.


They continued their discussion of their most recent presentation and the specific customer integration issues that had been the subject of their meeting through takeoff and meal service until finally one of the passengers in an aisle seat offered to trade places so they could talk and he could sleep.


After switching seats, one salesperson remarked to the other that it was the first time one of their presentations ever kept anyone awake.


Moral of the story:   If your presentations aren't normally keeping people awake you've got a huge problem!   If you just "PLANE TALK" without getting your prospects involved by asking questions and encouraging meaningful interaction, your commission cheques won't be "taking off" anytime soon.


"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.  If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart."    -  Nelson Mandela


 

Sales Joke of the Day (March 24) The Monkey.

A salesman was passing a pet shop when he saw a talking monkey advertised for sale.  He was so impressed by the monkey's vocabulary that he bought it on the spot.

That evening the salesman took his monkey to his local bar and bet everyone $10 that the monkey could talk.  A dozen people accepted the challenge but despite the salesman's coaxing, the monkey refused to say a word and the salesman had to pay up.  When he got it home, the salesman was puzzled to hear the monkey chatting away merrily.

The next evening, the salesman returned to the bar and bet everyone $20 that the monkey could talk.  Again there were plenty of takers but, to the salesman's fury, the monkey remained silent.  After paying up, the salesman took the monkey outside.

"I'm taking you back to the shop!" he raged.  "You've been a complete waste of my money!"

"Chill out," said the monkey.  "Just think of the odds we'll get tomorrow!"

Moral of the story.  True sales professionals know that in order to succeed at sales, sometimes you have to do the unexpected.   Most sales people will chatter on endlessly about their products, services and their company like monkeys.   At times however, it's silence that can be golden.  Often by staying silent, at the right time, your prospects will talk themselves right into a sale.  By staying silent, listening more and observing more, you'll be able to understand what motivates others, and in process become much more effective at selling.

"A man who lives right, has more power in his silence than another has by his words."   
                                                       -    Phillips Brooks