I am somewhat new to the industry. I just got out of the Army in May of 2010 and started with a marketing firm in Houston almost immediately. After selling on the floor for 4 months and closing 38 deals they transferred me to Dallas to build and run their sales team. I am very young and am constantly learning. I would appreciate any specific tips you might have on building the foundation for a sales team. In the mean time I will continue to look over your site.

Thank you,
Grant Lang
Executive Sales Manager
Gulf Media Solutions
214-797-3566

Many thanks for your note and congratulations on your outy-of-the-box thinking. I am impressed! I also need to apoligize for not commenting sooner as I have been SWAMPED! So, please allow me grace for the time period between your note and my repsonse.

In regards to the sales trainer position, my suggestion is for you to write a written proposal to the VP or the power to be about your intention of becoming a sales trainer. In the proposal you need to write about the VALUE you bring to the table. As far as your computer skills go, I would not write that into any communication just yet. Get the proposal in and see where it leads you.

The computer skills as you have seen can be overcome with plenty of free online course, many that Microsoft provides. Way to go on excel, that is the only one that I have yet to figure out however I cheat because one of my staff takes care of it for me.

Way to “tune in” on some of the trainings here at http://www.chuckbauer.com and if there is anything else I can help you with, please let me know! Speaking of that, you should sign up for SalesFOCUS in January!

God Speed & Good Selling!
Chuck

About me…I am a 30 year veteran of selling flooring, 5 years outside, 25 years retail.

As for your question, I chose, “empathy and understanding,” thinking of your YouTube video that suggests asking the question, “Tell me about you.” I did struggle with “enthusiam.”

Last March my store received a new line of carpet from Beaulieu of America, their new “Bliss” collection. I haven’t been so excited about a carpet line in the last 10 years. I embraced it…got extra sales training from my rep, his regional manger, the website and articles from flooring magazines. The president of Beaulieu came to see our display(we are a premier dealer),I suggested that his sales reps carry “Bliss” chocolate candy with them for added recognition …we all know sales associates LOVE anything to eat. Much to my suprise he made a note and issued a memo to his sales staff! Since then I have been communicating with a VP of sales, sending her emails of my best sales techniques and comments from my clients. Several of stories were also sent to all retailers in the US. I went on the Beaulieu website looking at employment ads. After finding an ad for a Sales Trainer, I knew this was the job for me. Computer skills were needed that I don’t have. I am currently on my third class, mastering Excel. I would make a wonderful trainer/sales rep, creating a new position.

My question for you,”When should I bring this up to the VP?” Do you think I should finish my classes first?

Thank you for listening. I am going to put a mirror on my desk, read a Dr Suess book, and try to change the wording on a document from “order” to “investment.”

Sincerely,

Linda Abrams Fleming