Several times a year, I receive requests from people that want to pick my brain about starting and growing Vector Firm. For the first few years, I didn’t give very good advice. I think I was so flattered by the requests that I didn’t want to discourage anyone or hurt their feelings. Not today. When I get asked today about the idea of quitting one’s job to become a consultant or trainer, I immediately ask this question:
Are you successful in your job because you have game-changing ideas?
Virtually every discussion gravitates to them explaining how they’ve been successful and how they’d like to teach others to do the same. Unfortunately, when I dig just a little bit, I discover that their success came from being diligent in following a process based on old ideas. They’re successful because of diligence. Unfortunately for them, I then explain that consultants are hired for ideas, while employees are hired for diligence.
Ok, let’s forget about the advice for future consultants, but think about what I just shared: most successful sales people and sales leaders are successful without brilliant or creative ideas. They simply wake up every day and diligently follow a process. Pretty boring, huh? Yep, it’s boring, but it’s true.
Yes, you should continue to evolve and implement new methods of honing your craft, but don’t ever forget that the most common trait of all great sales people is diligence.
