| Many salespersons wish to increase sales and | | | | with closed ears and mind will be very difficult if |
| become that super performer. Selling is simple if | | | | not impossible. |
| you have honed your talents both personally and | | | | Second, seek advice from someone who can |
| professionally. I realized this when I came across | | | | provide specific assistance. This person may be a |
| this story of Ole Bull, a famous Norwegian violinist | | | | mentor, a colleague, an existing or past client or |
| of the 1800's. | | | | even a sales coach. Whoever this person is, he or |
| Even though this young man had a passion for | | | | she must be able to give you honest feedback. |
| playing the violin in spite of having a father who | | | | Third, invest the time to assess your talents. |
| wanted him to seek another profession - | | | | What I have come to realize these past couple of |
| theologian, his technique according to an Italian | | | | years, is well over 90% of people do not know |
| music critic was untrained. What Ole did was to | | | | their talents. They focus their energies on |
| seek out this critic and discuss his shortcomings. | | | | non-talents and weaknesses. What happens is |
| Then he stopped his tour and returned home for | | | | they end up working harder not smarter. |
| the next six months to hone his "diamond in the | | | | Fourth, practice, practice and practice. Coach |
| rough" musical talents. This honing resulted in | | | | Vince Lombardi had only 5 offensive running plays. |
| hundreds of hours of practice before he returned | | | | Yet his team, the Green Bay Packers, continued |
| to playing concerts. At the age of 26, Ole Bull | | | | to win game after game because they executed |
| became a renowned violinist and a sensation in | | | | these five plays flawlessly due to practice. |
| Europe. | | | | Fifth, monitor your results. Ole had the advantage |
| So what actions do you need to take to turn | | | | of reading the critiques of musical critics. You |
| your diamond in the rough selling talents to secure | | | | must read your numbers to determine the overall |
| being that virtuoso salesperson? Possibly using the | | | | effectiveness of your honed sales skills. |
| 3 specific tactics that Ole used may help you. | | | | If you truly wish to increase sales, then examine |
| First, have an open ear and open mind to | | | | these 5 tips. Learn from someone who truly was |
| constructive criticism or feedback. Moving from | | | | a diamond in the rough and was able to turn his |
| where you are know to where you want to be | | | | performance into a gleaming gem. |