Sales and management resources

Alfred_E._Neuman · Post by **Alfred_E._Neuman** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 5:31 pm

For any of you guys that are in sales or management, do you have any books or online resources for education?

If I'm going to ever have a real career in the cycling industry I'm going to have to move up into management. Even being the service department manager isn't going to cut it long term. To do this I need to get better at sales and learn management techniques.

The sales training I have access to is all specific to the products we sell. Training from the vendors on product specs/selling points and the like. I need learn more effective general sales techniques.

TomFurman · Post by **TomFurman** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 5:44 pm

Check with Batboy

Grandpa's Spells · Post by **Grandpa's Spells** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:10 pm

Alfred_E._Neuman wrote:If I'm going to ever have a real career in the cycling industry I'm going to have to move up into management. Even being the service department manager isn't going to cut it long term. To do this I need to get better at sales and learn management techniques.

What does a successful career in the cycling industry consist of? Are you talking about running a bike shop, being a manufacturer's rep, training/coaching clients?

Business to consumer (B2C) sales is very different from B2B (business to business) sales. It helps to start with the end in mind.

Kazuya Mishima · Post by **Kazuya Mishima** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:42 pm

Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, and Tom Hopkins. Hard to go wrong with these in terms of developing the communication skills and "presence" necessary for successful personal selling.

For climbing through the ranks...leadership is where it's at. Leaders get more responsibilities, get promotions and get to fuck the prom queen...followers get the leavings.

World's simplest leadership model that will guide you to shepherding of the common flock, and attainment of Master of the Universe status:

1. Set clear goals and expectations for your people.
2. Give your people the tools they need to do their job.
3. Provide feedback so that they know how they are doing.
4. Take time to coach and mentor your people for ever increasing results (and to replace you...easier for you to get promoted if your higher ups believe you have succession in place).
5. Hold them accountable for results, and teach them that they are responsible for their own success (hard for most people to do to others, and the reason they never become leaders and rise among the flock...takes balls).

Number 1 and number 3 in the above list comprise the "Pentagon Model". Evidently, they spent millions of our tax dollars studying leadership, and found that success always exists where 1 and 3 are happening. Failure always occurs where 1 and 3 are not happening. I know...DUH...but, simple models are best.

Dux · Post by **Dux** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:59 pm

TomFurman wrote:Check with Batboy

TerryB · Post by **TerryB** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:08 pm

Kazuya Mishima wrote:Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, and Tom Hopkins. Hard to go wrong with these in terms of developing the communication skills and "presence" necessary for successful personal selling.

For climbing through the ranks...leadership is where it's at. Leaders get more responsibilities, get promotions and get to fuck the prom queen...followers get the leavings.

World's simplest leadership model that will guide you to shepherding of the common flock, and attainment of Master of the Universe status:

1. Set clear goals and expectations for your people.
2. Give your people the tools they need to do their job.
3. Provide feedback so that they know how they are doing.
4. Take time to coach and mentor your people for ever increasing results (and to replace you...easier for you to get promoted if your higher ups believe you have succession in place).
5. Hold them accountable for results, and teach them that they are responsible for their own success (hard for most people to do to others, and the reason they never become leaders and rise among the flock...takes balls).

Number 1 and number 3 in the above list comprise the "Pentagon Model". Evidently, they spent millions of our tax dollars studying leadership, and found that success always exists where 1 and 3 are happening. Failure always occurs where 1 and 3 are not happening. I know...DUH...but, simple models are best.

Are you even employed?

Turdacious · Post by **Turdacious** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:19 pm

Kazuya Mishima wrote:Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy

+1. Throw in some Napolean Lie-Hill too.

Kazuya Mishima · Post by **Kazuya Mishima** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:31 pm

protobuilder wrote:
Kazuya Mishima wrote:Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, and Tom Hopkins. Hard to go wrong with these in terms of developing the communication skills and "presence" necessary for successful personal selling.

For climbing through the ranks...leadership is where it's at. Leaders get more responsibilities, get promotions and get to fuck the prom queen...followers get the leavings.

World's simplest leadership model that will guide you to shepherding of the common flock, and attainment of Master of the Universe status:

1. Set clear goals and expectations for your people.
2. Give your people the tools they need to do their job.
3. Provide feedback so that they know how they are doing.
4. Take time to coach and mentor your people for ever increasing results (and to replace you...easier for you to get promoted if your higher ups believe you have succession in place).
5. Hold them accountable for results, and teach them that they are responsible for their own success (hard for most people to do to others, and the reason they never become leaders and rise among the flock...takes balls).

Number 1 and number 3 in the above list comprise the "Pentagon Model". Evidently, they spent millions of our tax dollars studying leadership, and found that success always exists where 1 and 3 are happening. Failure always occurs where 1 and 3 are not happening. I know...DUH...but, simple models are best.
Are you even employed?

I own a blueberry farm.

Alfred_E._Neuman · Post by **Alfred_E._Neuman** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:14 pm

Thanks Tom, I'll definitely give batboy a holler.

Grandpa's Spells wrote: What does a successful career in the cycling industry consist of? Are you talking about running a bike shop, being a manufacturer's rep, training/coaching clients?

Business to consumer (B2C) sales is very different from B2B (business to business) sales. It helps to start with the end in mind.

From my experience there are 2 ways to make a decent career in cycling. First is to manage a shop. This usually entails selling, managing the other sales staff, and inventory. Everyone I've known that makes real money has moved into B2B sales as a rep. But the traveling involved in being a regional sales rep covering a territory is a no-go. So I need to concentrate on either working my way to up full fledged manager for a retail shop or working on site for a manufacturer.

Mickey O'neil · Post by **Mickey O'neil** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:54 pm

What happened with engineering?

Alfred_E._Neuman · Post by **Alfred_E._Neuman** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 10:09 pm

Mickey O'neil wrote:What happened with engineering?

It's been so long since I've been involved in the industry that I'm not sure I could ever get another job in the field.

I'd have to go back to school to even begin to pick that career back up.

Yes I Have Balls · Post by **Yes I Have Balls** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 10:38 pm

protobuilder wrote:
Kazuya Mishima wrote:Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, and Tom Hopkins. Hard to go wrong with these in terms of developing the communication skills and "presence" necessary for successful personal selling.

For climbing through the ranks...leadership is where it's at. Leaders get more responsibilities, get promotions and get to fuck the prom queen...followers get the leavings.

World's simplest leadership model that will guide you to shepherding of the common flock, and attainment of Master of the Universe status:

1. Set clear goals and expectations for your people.
2. Give your people the tools they need to do their job.
3. Provide feedback so that they know how they are doing.
4. Take time to coach and mentor your people for ever increasing results (and to replace you...easier for you to get promoted if your higher ups believe you have succession in place).
5. Hold them accountable for results, and teach them that they are responsible for their own success (hard for most people to do to others, and the reason they never become leaders and rise among the flock...takes balls).

Number 1 and number 3 in the above list comprise the "Pentagon Model". Evidently, they spent millions of our tax dollars studying leadership, and found that success always exists where 1 and 3 are happening. Failure always occurs where 1 and 3 are not happening. I know...DUH...but, simple models are best.
Are you even employed?

More than not, likely. But, he did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Batboy2/75 · Post by **Batboy2/75** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 11:53 pm

Grandpa's Spells wrote:
Alfred_E._Neuman wrote:If I'm going to ever have a real career in the cycling industry I'm going to have to move up into management. Even being the service department manager isn't going to cut it long term. To do this I need to get better at sales and learn management techniques.
What does a successful career in the cycling industry consist of? Are you talking about running a bike shop, being a manufacturer's rep, training/coaching clients?

Business to consumer (B2C) sales is very different from B2B (business to business) sales. It helps to start with the end in mind.

Neuman,

Feel free to PM me and we'll talk, or PM each other, about this. Troy is correct, B2B is much differnt than B2C. Not to mention, there are a lot of positions that are called "sales" that should instead be called public relations.

Either way, in 30 minutes or so I can point you towards some resources that are "universal" that can get you on the way.

BB

Alfred_E._Neuman · Post by **Alfred_E._Neuman** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 12:57 am

Thanks man. I'll definitely be sending you a PM with some specific areas I'm looking to improve.

Protobuilder · Post by **Protobuilder** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 1:59 am

Kazuya Mishima wrote:Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, and Tom Hopkins. Hard to go wrong with these in terms of developing the communication skills and "presence" necessary for successful personal selling.

For climbing through the ranks...leadership is where it's at. Leaders get more responsibilities, get promotions and get to fuck the prom queen...followers get the leavings.

World's simplest leadership model that will guide you to shepherding of the common flock, and attainment of Master of the Universe status:

1. Set clear goals and expectations for your people.
2. Give your people the tools they need to do their job.
3. Provide feedback so that they know how they are doing.
4. Take time to coach and mentor your people for ever increasing results (and to replace you...easier for you to get promoted if your higher ups believe you have succession in place).
5. Hold them accountable for results, and teach them that they are responsible for their own success (hard for most people to do to others, and the reason they never become leaders and rise among the flock...takes balls).

Number 1 and number 3 in the above list comprise the "Pentagon Model". Evidently, they spent millions of our tax dollars studying leadership, and found that success always exists where 1 and 3 are happening. Failure always occurs where 1 and 3 are not happening. I know...DUH...but, simple models are best.

What kind of knife should I carry?

TomFurman · Post by **TomFurman** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 2:37 am

BTW.. as corny as Tom Hopkins seems... I learned LOADS listening to him in my brief health club sales career. He's solid, basic and reassuring.

The Nightman · Post by **The Nightman** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 3:35 am

I'd replace the word management with leadership.

Why can't you open your own shop?

IGX

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