Category Archives: Career

Nice Guys Always Win

Many of you know my Day Job is in sales. For almost 18 years I’ve been in retail car sales. 80% of you just reached for your mouse to exit this post. Please don’t. I promise it’ll be okay.

For MOST of those 18 years, I’ve loved my job. There is one primary reason.

I thoroughly enjoy helping people sort through their options and make the best decision for their situation.

Easy, right? In fact it is!

The hard part of sales is learning the product. Once you know the product, the selling is easy. And really, you’re not even selling. You’re consulting and advising. You’re sharing the information about the product so the customer can make the best decision.

A couple of weeks ago I helped out a few people with some simple questions. They were definitely in the market to purchase vehicles, but they weren’t quite ready to do it while talking with me.

A few days later, one gentleman came back to the store. In the days between visits he had been to a couple of other dealerships. Before even telling me he wanted to purchase a vehicle, he made sure to tell me why he came back to purchase from me.

His reason had nothing to do with price. It had nothing to do with availability. (I didn’t even have the vehicle in stock he wanted.)

He came back because I took the time to answer his questions. I didn’t pressure him to make a decision. I didn’t try to talk him into a different vehicle.

His final words to me when he left (after placing an order for the exact vehicle he wants), “Nice guys always win.”

I 100% agree with him.

Whether I sell a person a vehicle or not, being nice is the only way to go about my business.

I know there are salesmen who spend their entire day trying to use all the “tricks of the trade” to talk people into purchasing their particular product. I also know I get to go home each night with a clear conscience.

Do I want to sell more vehicles? Yes. Without a doubt.

Do I want more money in my bank account? You bet.

But never at the cost of selling the right way.

Everyone reading this is in sales. Yep. Everyone.

No matter your job. You are in sales. You are in customer service. You interact with other people every day.

Make sure you remember: Nice guys do ALWAYS win.

My Virtual Mentors

13 Replies

The Internet and Social Media give me the ability to learn at the feet of great mentors.

Most of the time they don’t even know they are mentoring me. There are some exceptions to this, like when after following and reading material from someone for many months, or even years, you begin interacting with them via social media, or you talk in person on the phone or at a conference.

Here are mine….Who are yours?

These are mentors I look to while on my current path from my Day Job to my Dream Job. Will these ever change? I’m 100% certain of it.

As my goals in life change, my mentors will change. Some mentors are long-term, and some short-term. Will I ever outgrow the incredible leadership wisdom offered by Andy Stanley? Probably not. But, I may transition to a different leadership mentor, or add one.

Jeff Goins, Ally Vesterfelt, and Jon Acuff are key mentors for my current growth as a writer.

Ally in particular has had a huge impact on me as a beginner or new writer. Her short book, “Writing to Find Yourself” (available through her writing course) has really pushed me to speak my mind, and to use my own words to express my thoughts and ideas.

Jeff’s writing, through his blog and books, helps me understand I need to continually work on the craft of writing.

Jon has been pivotal in pushing me to understand I don’t need to stay where I am as far as a career. Jon is so open about his career. He continues to share the guts and details of his changing life as a writer, entrepreneur, husband and dad. I think the only way I could learn more from Jon is if he let me live with him (pretty sure Jenny will say no to that idea).

Michele Cushatt is the epitome of courage and empathy to me. Even before her current battle with cancer, she showed to me through her writing what it means to be authentic and caring for the people around you. Whether those people are family members or blog followers like me, she shows a true understanding of the emotion of people.

Michael Hyatt has been a leadership guru for a number of years, and now he is vital to my growth in the area of setting and attaining goals in my career. I learn at least one thing from Michael every time I read or listen to him.

Finally, Mark Batterson has forever altered my prayer life. Over the last couple of years he has pushed me to pray boldly. He has shown me the truth of how big my God really is. Mark’s books, The Circle Maker, and The 40 Day Prayer Challenge, are life changing. I will continue to read them and use the principles he teaches through them, to expand and grow a rich prayer life.

I could go on forever writing about how these people impact my life. But, this is a blog, not a book. I encourage you to click on the links I provided for each of these folks. Follow them on Social Media. Subscribe to their blogs and websites. Use their materials (each of these people offer a HUGE LOAD of FREE materials).

Most importantly, find your own mentors. Find people who “speak your language”. Search out people currently in the space you hope to be someday. Learn from them. Find out who they learn from. And, share with your followers the great information you learn.

Who are your current mentors? Share with us in the comments.

Productivity and Opportunity

7 Replies

Productivity is a funny thing. It comes and goes. For me lately, it has gone. Too often I find myself thinking I’ve lost productivity. I sit and dwell on the thought. I ponder it. And, I lose even more. The minutes tick by while I zone out, or while I stare off into the beautiful sky. The HOURS stampede passed while I stare at the TV.

http://writerchrisholmes.com

We all, at one time or another, wonder why we let time pass without getting things done. Chores, projects, blog posts, research, books, work, etc. It happens to every one of us.

What would it look like if we could take back even a small amount of the time we waste every day?

Off and on I’ve attempted to become a member of a unique club. I enjoy my membership. It is similar to being a member of a gym. When I’m there and working out, I love it. I love the idea of it even more. But, many times I fall back into non-membership.

The club I’m in and out of doesn’t cost me any money up front. I do believe it is costing me money on the back-end. Weird club huh? It only costs me money if I don’t show up.

Not showing up certainly costs me more than money.

I am on a journey to change my life. I have a desire, and a call, to write about my life. Eventually I’d like to stand up in front of people and speak about my life too. By not making a daily appearance at this interesting club, I fall short of moving forward with my writing, researching, planning, preparing, and general growth.

So, tomorrow morning, on my day off, I will once again make an attempt to regain membership into this club. The club doesn’t cost me monetarily if I show up. It costs me in far greater ways if I don’t. It costs you too. If you are reading this post, my inability to be a consistent member of this interesting club, costs you my words. This may sound egotistical, but I have proof from people in the form of comments and conversations, that my words do in fact matter and make an impact.

#5Club

Tomorrow I begin again.

Do you struggle with productivity?
What actions do you take, or would you like to take, to be more productive?

#Next3Decades