One of my mastermind buddies just sent out his newsletter. There are some really interesting points I thought you might like! For any one in sales management or sales it provokes a re evaluation of what is actually important when it comes to being successful

Did you see the independent report on childhood this week? According to the panel, “excessive individualism” is to blame for many of the problems children face and needs to be replaced by a value system where people seek satisfaction more from helping others rather than pursuing private advantage.

This struck a chord with me. It is easy to slip into patterns of habitual behaviour that seem normal as everyone else is doing it. It was not long ago when the acceptable norm was for hospital doctors to work 56 hour shifts.

Today the kennel club are in a mess because what is acceptable in dog breeding has been challenged by the Panorama programme. Do you think it is acceptable behaviour for you to sleep with your daughter an official was asked? If not why is it for dogs? They have a point.

I would like you to consider two points.

Give and you shall receive – ‘….helping others rather than pursuing private advantage’. These statements are not actually exclusive. If you are generous in giving to others, it is human nature that usually you will receive in return. This is a great principle for business. If you add value to your customers in innovative ways you increase the likelihood of receiving more business in return. If you come from a position of what can I get; rather than what can I give; this is counterproductive and you will ultimately suffer the consequences. This is the same with children. Give generously of your time and you will be rewarded with ‘private advantage’ through a closer relationship. By helping others you can attain advantage.

It is worth always asking yourself ‘where can I add more value to others’?

Creativity not competition – The report said people are over competitive. We have been conditioned from early childhood to be so. However, it does not always result in an endearing character and can mean we are focused on what others are achieving rather than developing ourselves step by step to achieve more. Those companies who are really excelling, compete not by continuously using the competition as the benchmark but by looking to add greater value for the whole through creation. Take Apple IPOD who created a new market sector rather than price cutting in existing sectors. They got very creative. Nintendo Wii is another example.

In the words of ‘Wallace Wattle’ while writing about wealth creation ‘People must be taught to become rich by creation, not by competition. Every man who becomes rich by competition throws down behind him the ladder by which he rises, and keeps others down; but every man who gets rich by creation opens a way for thousands to follow him, and inspires them to do so.

How can you get creative?

Being creative and adding value for some sales people are new concepts for others the really successful ones maybe not?

Chris Cooper launches his new website in a matter of days you will find it here

Best Wishes

Denise

8 Steps To Creative Sales Management was part of a recent sales management seminar we ran.

The client was concerned that creativity was totally absent from his team so we ran a brief session. The top line chanks are below for some stimulation and suggestion.

With the increasing pressures in business and the need to perform at the top of your game. Creativity is probably the last thing on your mind. Am I correct.

Well fear not because with some basic easy to implement steps it is more than possible. The added benefit is it and will help boost your performance more than you ever imagined.

Being creative is an ability every one has. Yes even you. The fallacy over the years has been that only people in the arts and media are creative. Not so.

If you look at some of the best sales people ever it often boils down to their unique and creative way of presenting their product. This results in high volume sales they always seem to achieve.

Being the most creative sales manager in your division usually means you will have the best ideas to motivate and inspire your team to success.
The result of which is always an improvement in your sales line, through a combination of a motivated team inspired by a manager that is unique.

So let’s explore 8 steps to improve your creativity:

1. Nutrition

Think about what you eat and drink. Boring I know. A great time to start now post the festive season.The saying of having a clear head is actually true. The body is well over 80% water particularly the brain. That headache and mid afternoon lull is usually down to dehydration. Not wishing to sound like your mum here and, fruit and water will make a major difference to how you feel and process information.

2. Question Yourself

Ask yourself questions you want the answers to. This primes your subconscious mind to go out and find the answers.
Remember the last time you were wrestling with a problem and then suddenly the solution popped into your head. How often you wake up in the morning and the answer is there straight away.

Tell yourself the answer is on its ways. Not I am not creative!. Positive imprinting on the brain works. Don’t believe me though try it for yourself

3. Go for a Walk

When you feel yourself getting frustrated. Stop what you are doing and change your physical body position.If it is possible go for a walk. It is logical when you think about it. Physical movement helps you take in oxygen and increases blood flow to the brain.

4. Listen to Music

On a similar vein listen to music. Researchers in Germany studied in depth the relationship between music concentration and the ability to learn. We know it works. Music has a profound effect on mood. Worry anxiety and fear all block ideas. Music is one of the quickest ways to change how you are feeling and actually allow ideas to come through.

5. Define the challenge

Get a piece of paper, computer whatever. Then write out the challenge in question in real detail. Remember to throw some questions in to get the subconscious mind working on it.

6. Brainstorm

Great idea. Only if you do this without judgments though. Just throw all the ideas down on a flip chart or your business journal. Then group and analyse them later. Top tip do this when you are high energy and upbeat or it will be like pulling teeth.

7. Read

As much as you can whenever you can. About all sorts of different things. It really helps to stimulate the brain. If you put great ingredients into the brain that are varied and different. It can create results you never dreamed of. Instead of a run of the mill home page why not use one from the industry you are selling to? If its photocopiers for instance perhaps they have an online journal. Its amazing what you will take on board just by skim reading. It gives you a talking point with your customers and clients as well.

8. Meditation and relaxation

Now I am not going woo woo on you here. Even a well known business school beginning with H, recommends meditation for managers. We are such busy people juggling so many different things in our life. Both in and out of work. As a new sales manager on a steep learning curve probably more than most.
The brain need to have periods of relaxation so the best thoughts can bubble to the surface. Meditation gives it the space to actually do that.

Like anything nothing actually happens till you take action. Here are some simple steps to get you going.

Good luck!

Sharon

Great video don’t you think? and a reminder of what creativity can be all about.

Boosting creativity is an ability every one has. Yes even you. The fallacy over the years has been that only people in the arts and media are creative. Not so.

If you look at some of the best sales people ever it often boils down to their unique way of presenting their product. That results in the high volume sales they always seem to achieve.

Being the most creative sales manager in your division usually means you will have the best ideas to motivate and inspire your team to success. The result of which is always an improvement in
your sales line.

So let’s explore some great steps to improve your creativity

1. Nutrition

Think about what you eat and drink. Boring I know. The saying of having a clear head is actually true. The body is well over 80% water particularly the brain. That headache and mid afternoon lull is usually down to dehydration. Not wishing to sound like your mum here and, fruit and water will make a major difference to how you feel and process information.

2. Question Yourself

Ask yourself questions you want the answers to. This primes your subconscious mind to go out and find the answers.
Remember the last time you were wrestling with a problem and then suddenly the solution popped into your head. How often you wake up in the morning and the answer is there straight away.

Tell yourself the answer is on its ways. Not I am not creative!. Positive imprinting on the brain works.

3. Go for a Walk

When you feel yourself getting frustrated. Stop what you are doing and change your physical body position.
If it is possible go for a walk. It is logical when you think about it. Physical movement helps you take in oxygen and increases blood flow to the brain.

4. Listen to Music

On a similar vein listen to music. Researchers in Germany studied in depth the relationship between music concentration and the ability to learn. We know it works. Music has a profound effect on mood. Worry anxiety and fear all block ideas. Music is one of the quickest ways to change how you are feeling and actually allow ideas to come through.

5. Define the challenge

Get a piece of paper, computer whatever. Then write out the challenge in question in real detail. Remember to throw some questions in to get the old subconscious mind working on it.

6. Brainstorm

Great idea. Only if you do this without judgements just throw all the ideas down. Then group and analyse them later. Top tip do this when you are high energy and upbeat or it will be
like pulling teeth.

7. Read

As much as you can whenever you can. About all sorts of different things. It really helps to stimulate the brain. If you put great ingredients into the brain that are varied and different. It can create results you never dreamed of.

8. Meditation and relaxation:

Now I am not going woo woo on you here. Even Harvard business school recommends meditation for managers. We are such busy people juggling so many different things in our life. Both in and out of work. As a new sales manager on a steep learning cure probably more than most.

The brain need to have periods of relaxation so the best thoughts can bubble to the surface. Meditation gives it the space to actually do that

What are your thoughts?

Leave us a comment

Best Wishes

Denise