January 5, 2006
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SALES CYCLES SUCK
(you silly sojourning cyber surfer)
January 1st has come and gone, and for those of us who make our living in sales it is the most dreaded day of the year; for it is on New Years day that our sales totals are rolled back like the odometer on an ‘89 Buick. It doesn’t matter how spectacular your sales were in the previous year, because when 01/01 rolls around, you walk into your office to find your sales totals at zero and your boss sitting on your desk asking “what have you done for me today?”
I’m actually the longest tenured sales person in our company and on January 26th when I attend our national sales meeting I will be the second person in the 34 year history of our company to receive the Presidents Award for excellence in sales. I will admit being proud of that and one would think that this would give me, at least, a small amount of clout. You might think that if my sales dipped a little, I could ride on the coat tails of previous success. If you think that, you would be oh-so-wrong Kemosabe, because if I don’t land a major contract by February 1st so that our branch office’s numbers look good for January, my ass will be grass.
Yesterday means nothing. Today means everything.
I’m glad life isn’t like that.
I was looking at a print-out of 2006 YTD sales figures and I began to think about what it would be like, if every year, everything that had happened previously in our lives no longer counted for anything and we were presented with a blank slate.
There are many moments in my life that I wish I could go back and erase; things I wish I hadn’t done, things I wish I hadn’t said. It is very tempting to live in a land of regret. But the truth is that I can’t change a single thing in my past. We are the sum of everything that has ever happened to us; good and bad, and I’m glad that’s true. There are many hard lessons I’ve learned over the years that I’m glad I don’t have to go back and learn again. And there are so many wonderful moments that I wouldn’t change a thing about even if I could.
I’m all for living in the moment, but I’m glad that in life, each year builds on the year we just left behind and the year before that, and the year before that. It gives me hope for all the years that lie ahead.
Now, I’ve got to get off the computer and call some customers, because I don’t have shit yet this year.
Comments (11)
I too am glad that we accumulate a history which of course includes lessons learned the hard way because wisdom is earned just like respect. Have confidence in your instincts. They have helped you do your job well…and my thought is that the talents involved are probably pretty constant…peace Mia Lucia
I totally understand your entry. I am the daughter of a salesman, wife of a salesman, sister of a salesman, and was once a saleswoman, myself! “You’re only as good as your last order” was the mantra!
Kathi
wow, congratulations on the award. i know that in sales only today’s accomplishments count, but dont disregard your great accomplishment
good for you.
and you’re right – glad life isn’t like that.
Kudos to you for the award. Thanks for making me laugh; it’s my favorite thing to do.
Congratulations! Now get your butt out there and make some sales!
I’m glad I’m not in sales. These coat tails are a mighty comfy ride.
I’m in real estate in metro Detroit. Last year we were #1 in the office. But since around Nov. 1, everything died. Boy, does your post mean everything to me!
Just wanted to make sure you saw this:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/05/robertson.sharon/index.html?section=cnn_topstories
Stop slacking, Mark
xoxoxo
I have complete faith in you, afterall, our sales are already good for this month and my brother in law says its already shaping up for him too.
Man I think I shed a tear or two there! Well okay maybe not, but it is still very touching and true. I come from a sales background so I can relate to the post on the business front as well as outside the office. However, I can relate more so on the personal front right now. Late last year a lot of stuff happened on both sides of a relationship that would be nice to forget. While we cannot forget what happened, we are learning from it and working on moving past it. Hoping your 2006 will shadow your 2005.
Remember Auld Lang Syne lad!