Last year at this time, I was working with a sales manager of a security integration company that had just gone through some major system and leadership changes. Before these changes, the sales team was humming along and we had built some great processes to help them protect their current customer base while hunting and winning new business – things were good. Well, after three months of changes the sales manager was ready to jump. He didn’t tell me this, but he was showing all the signs.
After one of our weekly strategy calls, I sent him an email and wrote this simple statement: “By the time the Gamecocks have their opening game, your group will be humming again.” (He is an avid South Carolina Gamecock fan.) After I hit the send button, I forgot about it. Three weeks later I was visiting their office and he told one of his sales people: “remember, this will be ok by the first Gamecock kickoff.” He was looking at me smiling as he said it. He later thanked me and said that my email got him on track again.
Even though I love seeing the positive results that our programs deliver, the most satisfaction I receive from my job comes from the little personal things that an outsider can provide that a boss or co-worker can’t always offer. My Highlight Tuesday post is supposed to brag about one of our programs, but I think this story represents just as much about the benefit of working with a third party as the content does. An outside coach can provide a long-term perspective, and with that perspective is able to pick you up out of the weeds and breathe life back into your passion for work. A little too dramatic? Maybe, but the next time you’re stressed about your sales team’s performance think about how great it would be to have someone in your corner to help you keep your enthusiasm and perspective.
If you’re interested in learning more about how we can work together, request a free consultation today.
