Some of my best sales training experience came from years of marriage. I’m reminded of an argument I had with my wife some years ago. We were going through some kind of innocent discussion that led to an argument that led to a fight that led to the silent treatment! Both of us were declaring victory, but there seemed to be no clear winner!
Suddenly I realized that the very next day I would need my wife to wake me up at 5:00 AM for an important early morning business flight. I’m a very heavy sleeper and need to actually be shaken to wake up!
As a seasoned sales training expert, I didn’t want to be the first to break the silence (and potentially admit defeat) so I wrote her a note on a piece of paper that said, "Please wake me up at 5:00 AM” and taped it to the bathroom door where I was absolutely sure she would find it.
The next morning, I woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and I had missed my flight. I was furious! So I got out of bed and went to see why my wife didn’t wake me as I instructed! On my way out of the bedroom, I noticed a piece of paper taped on the bedroom door that read, "It’s 5:00 AM….. Wake up."
Later that day on the way to the airport, still fuming from my defeat, I again gave her the silent treatment. After all, I’m a world famous speaker, and she would certainly know by my silence that she was again in big trouble! As we drove to the airport, taking the back country roads for several miles, the silence was really intense! As we passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, I asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?" To which she replied, "Yep. In-laws.”
There comes a time in the life of every good sales professional or sales trainer when they say, “Ok, you got me!” Very often that means we need to call it a day and head home early.
In sales training and leadership, there are times when we need to apologize for saying or doing something that we now wish we could take back. But in any event, there does come a time when we need to say, “Okay, it’s time to quit for the day.” Rest, relax, regroup and start over again tomorrow; that’s my motto!
Make it a great selling day and remember…
If you’re not selling more, you’re out of business!
Alan W. Altmann
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Comments (2)
Great story. We need you to speak at our next company convention. Finally some one with good business sense AND a sense of humor! Thanks for writing your blog each week, it really helps me stay motivated!
Janice
Posted by Janice R. Karaffa on November 1, 2007 3:58 PM
Thanks Janice! Thanks for your kind words. What a boring life we wold have if we didn't laugh a bit! I'm on the road next week to Toronto and then on to Dubai to spread my message of hope, humor and inspiration. Who knows, maybe I will show up at your next company convention! Until then.... Cheers...
Alan Altmann
Posted by Alan Altmann on November 1, 2007 4:20 PM