Topic

quirky

ideas and experiences with a selling angle that come from left-field

Solar Panel Genius

A story to make us oldies all feel unworthy. I came across it watching NY1. 13-year old Aidan Dwyer appeared to have improved solar panels. His inspiration was sparked by looking at trees. Specifically their branches. If that’s how nature captures the sun’s energy, then why don’t

Prospect Response Times

Here’s something I learned the other day from a former rep there. Apparently, Motorola used to measure ‘customer service ratings’, and their salespeople’s effectiveness, in part by the response times of their customers. One outcome of this managerial method, was that whatever news you had for clients, you

Cold Call Bullpen

A one-time widget seller told me a fascinating piece of history the other day. Huge firm Arrow Electronics used to have what they termed a bullpen. Their American HQ sales office was by all accounts a fairly intimidating place to work. Investment in fixtures and fittings was not high on

Wood For The Trees

[https://salespodder.com/content/images/wordpress/2012/02/20120223-142835.jpg] I witnessed a test the other day at the hands of a wiley old rep. “Look out the window and say what you can see”, he said. So, you’re in New York, you see skyscrapers. But then you look

How Did You Get My Number?

Two decades ago I was thrust into the word of cold-calling. One of the more experienced sellers sitting nearby was tasked with ‘helping’ me. I say that, but really, he couldn’t have cared less. We each had a printout, the old style dot matrix kind with the holes down

What Can Change?

[https://salespodder.com/content/images/wordpress/2012/02/20120218-064136.jpg] I do enjoy a good yarn about how a new, disruptive, innovative product came to life. And here’s a real goodie. About time too, we English now have a new plug. The story is heartwarming for those of us

Innovation ≠ Invention

I was flicking through one of the Fast Company sites recently. I’m always interested in the sources of innovation, so clicked with eagerness to learn about the six questions [http://www.fastcoexist.com/1679231/the-6-questions-that-lead-to-new-innovations] that lead to new innovations. But what a missed opportunity. It was far too

Let's Keep In Touch

Someone showed me a funky new businesscard the other day. It was the kind of vibe that the dotcom boom seemed to herald way back in the late 90s. Yet never quite materialised in the flesh. Here’s a pic from the company responsible. [https://salespodder.com/content/images/wordpress/

Your Valentine Client

[https://salespodder.com/content/images/wordpress/2012/02/20120214-0702131.jpg] Got a date this Valentine’s? I’m a long way from home. I dined out to be served by the entertaining Ashley. By day a self-described Virgin America professional soda can opener. By night a waitress and studying business

Microsoft Cut Ties

Working near Silicon Valley I heard a fascinating anecdote about the value of aligned cultural values. A CEO told me about the fun Microsoft engineers used to have with visiting reps back in the day. Each prospective vendor wore suits and ties. This was not the way at Microsoft. They