SkillInside

Selling effectively is about much more than closing deals. Any  successful salesperson  knows that choosing the right prospective customers to focus on, avoiding time-wasting activities and making time for unusual sales tactics are just as important as meeting a quota at the end of the quarter. That’s where a little selfishness can become a huge help. The only way to really manage your time—which in turn lets you focus on the right people and activities—is to be selfish with it. I don’t mean skipping out on your husband’s birthday or refusing to help your elderly neighbor up the stairs because you’re already running late. Rather, selfishness in sales means committing—unflinchingly—to the kinds of activities that are ultimately going to make you better at all the different pieces of your job: selling, talking, closing and reflecting. With that in mind, here are three areas where you need to get more selfish with your time: 1. Create rules for your calendar a...

No matter your industry, size or history, these three things are the foundation of success. Here's a question I'm asked from time to time: "What's the single most important part of running a successful business?" Much to their dismay, I don't have an answer. There isn't one single factor that universally translates to any company's success. There's three. A "Triple Crown," you could say. They all tie into one another, and without one, it's nearly impossible for any business to succeed. They're the Three P's: People, Purpose and Passion. No matter your industry, your size or your history, these three things are the foundation of every business's success. People Your business could have the world's best product and still fail. If your people aren't adequate, you won't stand a chance. One of my most strongly held beliefs is that hiring   well is the single most important part of any m...

If  you’re in a position of leadership —whether you’re a CEO, manager, or community volunteer—it’s likely that you put a great deal of care into the words you use. But if your   body language doesn’t sync with those words,   you may be giving a terrible impression without even knowing it. It is said that people form impressions of others in seven to 30 seconds. That’s pretty quick. If you don’t have the right body language, you may be leaving a negative impression before you even have a chance to speak. Body language goes far beyond a handshake and smile. But in my  decades of executive leadership coaching ,   I’ve found that executives don’t pay nearly enough attention to its importance. Here are some of the most common body language mistakes to avoid if you want to make the great impression as a leader. 1. Clashing body cues and spoken words.   If you’re saying “Let’s all work together  and make this work” while your hands are cros...