Recently becoming a graduate from DePaul University (in one of the hardest economic times since the Great Depression), has been a journey in itself. Studies have been done proclaiming that graduates in 2010 will make less money in the next 10 years than any other recent graduating class! So what do I do with this information? Shall I curl up in fetal position and decide it is where I belong? Not a chance!!
I recently participated in a Sales Leadership class that involved selling White Sox promotional gift cards through cold calling people from the Sox CRM (Customer Relationship Management) list. Cold calling may be one of the most unappealing aspects of sales since the beginning of time. The key is knowing how to relate to the person on the other end. You are going to get hung up on, told NO, asked to call back at a better time. Knowing how to handle objections is conquering the majority of cold calling evil!!
This real-life experience is what makes it exciting to be a DePaul graduate at this time. By the end; I had the most sales out of my entire class, and the option to gain a Sox Internship. Whether I win the internship or not, these lessons will help me in my journey through my entire career.
Joining forces with Guerzo Business Solutions Center doing Social Media (as an intern, then employee); cold calling and sales experience is a necessity to acquire new clients. If you listen and ask the proper questions, there is no need to sell. People will tell you what they want as long as you build a rapport with them, and they trust you. Plain and Simple!
To me sales is about building a long-term relationship. Would you assemble a house rapidly knowing it may collapse in a year, or take the time to build it properly? As a salesperson, you may ask yourself which type of assembling you deem necessary. Just remember that one will probably bring instant gratification, yet future ungratefulness.
So, even when the economy is tough; work on improving your skills to be a better asset not just for your company, yet to yourself. The lessons you learn now will carry you to a brighter future, whether or not the present is hardly comforting. If I can graduate in one of the hardest economic times with a great career, and great opportunities ahead: the best is yet to come!
