So you're salesman of the year. So what? What does it matter? Are you impressed when you see a sign reading "salesman of the year?" You see, I really don't think that a fancy title of your accomplishments really means much unless you're prepared to also divulge how you came to get that award.
What about real estate signs on front lawns that read, "Number 1 Realtor?" What is the criteria for being a number one realtor? That part of the equation has been left out.
If it's an award that you received because you made a lot of money then keep it to yourself. Your customers really don't care that you were a number one realtor or salesman of the year. All your customers care about is that you serve them well, meet their needs and make them more important than your fancy title. In fact, in our thirst to be top dog at something we will go to great lengths to prove that we are the best.
Years ago when I made my living in radio, we would scour the twice annual ratings looking for every opportunity to tout ourselves as number one in some category. Maybe one of the disc jockeys would be number one between 11 AM and noon with men 18 to 34 holding down blue-collar jobs. That demographic could be sold to a potential client who wanted to reach those very customers. But how do you go on the air and say that your number one between 11 AM and noon to 18 to 34-year-old men who hold down blue-collar jobs? What about the people who weren't 18 to 34-year-old men and the people who work holding down blue-collar jobs who just happened to be listening at the time? What about them?
You see, awards don't mean much. In fact, they're getting to mean less. When once upon a time you would celebrate the first, second or third place showing in a race, now celebrations are held for children who receive "participant" ribbons. Everyone gets a prize. Recognition is what people want at work. So employers are tasked to find creative ways to celebrate small achievements.
I don't want to be sold by the number one salesman. I don't want my house sold by the number one Realtor. I don't ask my doctor where he finished in his class. I'm just glad he finished. Besides money is a lousy way of keeping score.
And what if you are salesman of the year two years ago? What happened last year? Really, what have you done for me lately? If you're going to market yourself as the number one salesman this year are US prepared to market yourself as the number three salesman next year?
Announcing that you are number one is really self-serving -- egotistical almost. If it's not an award for service bestowed by your customers, then it really doesn't matter does it? The only thing that matters is that your customers are served well. If it's a rookie salesman who serves better than you, then I suggest allowing the rookie salesman to serve your customers. They will appreciate that he made the relationship about them and not about himself.
Let's keep our eye on the ball and the reason we're really here -- to serve to the best of our abilities.
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1 comment:
You are right most of the time with your article, but being a number 1 realtor in this time of crisis requires being very fast and efficient with a short sale foreclosure. Some people were forced to sell their big house and move to a smaller one. Let's a number 1 realtor trying to sell a big house when you have an economical global crisis behing you:))
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