Square Off Against Your Sales Slump

“Adversity causes some men to break, and others to break records.” - Source Unknown

It’s that time of year when all good salespeople need to hit their stride and make those year-end numbers. For many people, this time of year is challenging from a sales perspective. Maybe your numbers are not as good as last year’s, or maybe you are not on target to meet your sales intentions for this year. Perhaps you have exhausted every possible lead and nothing is closing. It can be a tough time of year to keep hitting the pavement and selling when you’re not seeing the results.

So how can a salesperson combat the dreaded slump and stay in the game for the rest of the year? If your sales are down, take some time to strategize about what you need to keep doing, what you need to change, and how you can motivate yourself to fight the good fight. Here are some basics for recharging those batteries:

1. Don’t panic. You have sold before and you will sell again. A slump is just the system’s way of letting you know it’s time for some new strategy. Don’t let the circumstances throw you into a self defeating frame of mind. Because that’s just what they are – circumstances.

2. Review the Steps of Selling. Create a checklist and make sure you are being thorough in your research, approach, presentation, and handling of customer concerns. It’s easy to let things slide with existing clients. Be sure to provide excellent customer service and lots of attention to show that you don’t take any account for granted.

3. Make a new game for yourself. Maybe you’re just burned out on the whole thought of getting out there every day. Your company probably has stated incentives for your performance, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sweeten the pot for yourself. A new set of golf clubs for making your numbers? That designer handbag you’ve had your eye on for landing that prize account? Make your own game and play hard.

4. Update your game plan. Are you keeping up with your social networking? Can you offer a free webinar or training session that will get you in front of your prospects? Have you tried new sources for lead generation? Do something new to mix up your game and keep things interesting.

5. Schedule sales in your calendar. We can never say this often enough. If you don’t have sales scheduled in your calendar every day, you will simply not have the results you desire. Schedule time for sales and show up! Your calendar is a measure of your future results. Keep sales in the calendar and stay in action.

There’s no magic formula for getting out of a slump. The main objective is to stay positive and stay in action. Your business coach can support you by holding you accountable to your sales intentions and providing perspective to your set of circumstances. If you need some help getting out of a slump, give us a call. We’d be happy to give you strategies for winning the game.

Are you ready to win?

Business Relationships - More Than Just a Handshake

“Make sure the team members know they are working with you, not for you.” – John Wooden, Legendary College Basketball Coach


The value of your business is a function of your relationships. Your relationships with your customers, employees and vendors determines the true worth of your business. The more customers you have, the more employees you will have, and the more vendors you will have. You have to have relationships in order to have customers. The better you are at creating affiliations, the better you will be at growing your business.

Building personal connections begins early in life. First with family, then friends, and then co-workers. We are all trained in relationships throughout our lives. The skills we develop, listening, interacting, speaking and supporting, are the very skills we need to attract clients and sell our products and services. If you are willing to hone those skills, your business and your life will be exponentially enhanced.

People who succeed at relationships are those who have a strong sense of self worth and self confidence. They are willing to suit up, show up, and put themselves out into the marketplace. They are willing to risk rejection and not take it personally. They have the ability to pick up the phone and make the calls that will result in sales.

Part of this confidence comes from a knowledge that we are all already connected. We share this planet, we share this connection called business. It’s not about intruding into someone’s space, it’s about my business helping your business. It’s about my service solving your problem. And the only way we will be able to work together to solve that problem is if we have a relationship.

Take the time to work on your listening and communication skills. Work with your business coach on how to develop better relationships with employees, customers and vendors. Good relationships are a win/win for you and your business.

Are you ready to win?