POLITICALLY INCORRECT: THAT'S CORRECT

For the last ten years, there has been a revolution among society, based on making harsh and acid judgement of people's behaviors, preferences and opinions, which was started maybe by "baby boomers" and was quickly followed by herds of easily manipulated people who thought it was their duty to decide and make an undisputed call on what is "Politically Correct".

Due to this  absurd and very easy to follow "group policy" (criticize everyone without contempt because they don't fit into the politically correct suit) it is now normal that the vast majority of people will choose words very carefully so they won't "offend" anyone, try to stay away from sensitive issues and will prefer to stay shut rather than speak up and say what's on their minds.

So, it is now frowned upon when someone says  things just the way they are, taking away all the normal B.S. and saving people lots of valuable time by going right to the point, even if it hurts. God forbid you are a straight talking, direct and blunt individual when stating a point of view, because you may  be labeled a "rebel", a relentless ignorant, even an anarchist in the worst case scenario.

But you know what?..Aren´t we all tired of hipocrisy?..aren't we exhausted of sugar coating every piece of mind you want to say to some of those annoying creatures of God you come across with every day?..wouldn't that be great to just say what you think and let the world find a way to deal with it?.

So anytime I find someone who is ready and fearless of saying things like they are, happy for developing a thick skin and not easily shocked or shattered by other people's verbal artillery, I smile and try to make friends with this kind of people. Because they keep me OUT OF THE DARK.

Because not everything is so serious, because sometimes it is Ok to take a joke and laugh at ourselves.Because if by any chance we may belong to some minority, it doesn't mean we have to be treated with extreme care or as a feather. We have to roll with the punches and have some fun, make the best out of everything. Have you seen kids in action,at school or in the park?..Boy!, those kids can be mean and cruel and blunt with each other. And yet, they laugh about it and GO ON WITH THEIR LIVES.

I prefer bluntness to hipocresy. I prefer brutal truth than playing stupid time games to get to the truth. I prefer to treat everybody equally and make no distinction of race, sexual orientation, religion or prefered football team. You know why? because I dont give a damn about their preferences, as long as they don't step directly into my interests. For example, Tiger Woods had to apologize to the whole wide world because of his behavior out of the golf course. WHY??...He shouldn't have done that. At least, I don't accept his apology because I don't need it nor deserve it!!. It is NOT MY GOD DAMN BUSINESS!. As long as he is not doing our wives or girlfriends, let him do whatever the heck he wants. His wife will charge him for it , big time!. And basically, for all I care, I just wish to see him playing again, because that's how I met the guy, because I saw him playing golf on TV, I didn't meet him at any stripjoint or any restaurant filled with fine waitresses. I just saw him play and that's all I need to see from him.

And finally,  I find it childish and very stupid to be offended all the time because somebody said this or that, or because my teacher looked at me funny, or my friend's colleague said a word that is "forbidden" (What about this crazyness with forbidden words?, what the fuck is that?...Can someone forbid others to speak their minds?...Not in our free America, maybe in some crazy regimen countries, but not here).We have to live and let live at some point in time, you know?..:and we have to be strong and define some character. Instead of  whining about everything all the time, why don´t we shake up and go out in the world and behave like a grown up with a pair? (This applies to both male or female, you know it does and you know this is only a figure of speech, so before you sue me...breath deeply...one more time... it passed already..see?...easy, right?). 

Now, I will go out, live more and bitch less about the world. I will say it like it is and very probably I won't apologize for that.  Let's not move from politically correct to "Sissyland Correct". There is a fine fine line, and we should erase it as quick as possible. For the sake of a better, simpler, true and plain, happy world.

Aureliano García 

GUEST BLOGGER: KELLEY ROBERTSON

Today, my guest blogger program begins!!. I never expected to be so lucky and start with an outstanding blogger, public speaker, professional sales trainer, author and one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter!. Kelley Robertson (@fearlesselling on Twitter ) was more than enthusiastic in participating on Rant-A-Touille, and completely in line with the whole idea of blogging (sharing knowledge and spreading ideas) he accepted to be posted here!

OK, but...Who is Kelley Robertson? Here is a brief Bio that may give you an idea of why am I so honored to have him as my first guest:

Kelley Robertson, President of the Robertson Training Group, is a professional speaker and trainer on sales, negotiating, and employee motivation. He is also the author of “Stop,Ask & Listen – Proven Sales Techniques to Turn Browsers into Buyers.” You can find his articles on his blog Fearless Selling, a great source for sales reading material that will rock your mind!. For information on his programs, visit his website at www.RobertsonTrainingGroup.com. Receive a FREE copy of “100 Ways to Increase Your Sales” by subscribing to his 59-Second Tip, a free weekly e-zine available at his website. You can also contact Kelley at 905-633-7750 or email him directly.

Kelley, thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge with us. I think the  title of your post is self explanatory, thanks for letting me use it on this blog.

To all Rant-A-Touille readers, please feel free to comment and rant about this article. Your opinion is highly appreciated.

Best regards

The Power of Partnering

“Get the sale at any cost.”

“Make more calls.”

“Tell them what they want to hear.”

Sales professionals in virtually every industry are under tremendous pressure to close sales. It is not

uncommon for them to hear comments similar to ones above from their sales manager, supervisor, or

boss. But this approach does not create trust with customers and does not encourage repeat business or

a lasting relationship.

A more effective approach is to develop a partnering relationship with your clients. This means working

with them to help them achieve their goals and objectives. Simple in theory, this strategy requires a

completely different approach. Here’s what I mean.

In the majority of sales meetings, the sales person looks for ways to position his or her product/service so

that the prospect will buy it. However, a partnering approach means putting your goals and objective

aside. It means focusing 100% of your attention on your customer. It requires a self-less mindset because

there are situations when the best solution is not yours. In fact, it may mean telling your customer to

contact a competitor. I experienced this just a few days before writing this article. A subscriber to my ezine

contacted me about delivering a particular service. Although I may have been able to help her, I

knew someone who could better meet her requirements. It was mentally difficult, but I made the decision

to refer her to my competition.

Partnering also means that you provide exceptional follow-up to ensure that your customer is completely

satisfied with their purchase. This does not mean you make just the obligatory follow-up call. It means you

explore their actual use of your product and/or service and help them maximize its full potential.

A client of mine was experiencing less than favorable results after implementing a new program into their

business. We scheduled a follow-up meeting with the management team, because as the vendor, I knew

that the answers lay in the execution of the program. During the meeting we explored several ways to

improve their results and one of the solutions required me to provide additional follow-up. Although I could

have charged this client for my time, I knew that it made good business sense to absorb the cost of this

follow-up because my primary objective was to help my client achieve the best results possible.

Subsequent meetings indicated that this investment was worth it as my client began discussing how we

could take this initiative to the next level.

The challenge with this concept is that most sales people want some form of instant gratification. But this

approach does not offer a direct or immediate payoff for the sales person. However, from a business

perspective, it makes good sense.

It is also important to note that you don’t necessarily have to give away this additional service. A few

sales trainers I know (including myself) incorporate telephone coaching into their proposals. They charge

for this service but they position it as a way for the company to improve their results. They demonstrate

how this additional investment will drive more dollars to their clients’ bottom line. Ultimately, your goal

should be helping your customers and clients improve their business results. Here are a few points to

consider.

1. Focus on their goals and objective instead of your personal agenda (closing the sale). If

necessary, recommend another supplier or vendor who offers the exact product/service your

client needs.

2. Follow-up. Contact your customer and talk to them after they have made their purchase. Ask

them if they are getting the desired results. If they aren’t, look for ways to help them maximize

their results. Offer additional support. Give them extra resources. Help them get the best results

possible.

3. Incorporate a systemized process into your sales pitch or proposals. People will pay for extras

providing they see that value that is brought to their organization.

4. Send information to your customers on a regular basis without being asked. I like to send articles

that are relevant to my clients on a regular basis. This demonstrates that I am looking out for their

interests, rather than my own. I prefer to send articles written by other people, not just the ones I

write.

Zig Ziglar once stated, “You can get anything you want in life if you just help enough other people get

what they want.” When you help your customers achieve their goals and objectives you become more

than a supplier or vendor. You become a preferred partner. And this will prevent your competition from

overtaking you in the marketplace.

Create a checklist of the additional services you can offer to your clients to help them achieve their goals.

Helping your customers reach their objectives will help you increase your profits.

One word of caution…this is a process, not a quick fix. This strategy does take time to generate a return.

However, it is well worth the investment.

© Copyright 2005 Kelley Robertson, All rights reserved.

HUNGRY? YOU ARE HIRED!

Let's suppose that you have a GREAT product. Linked to this product, you also deliver outstanding service and consistent, genuine follow up for your customers. You have an indisputable reputation in the market and innovation is a constant in your marketing strategy for development and growth.

In a nutshell, you have what it takes to attack the market and hit it hard!.

However, normally our success depends almost entirely on the sales efforts performed out in the field. I don't think a product will sell itself: selling requires building trust and developing a solid relationship with every customer we approach every day. "People buy people, then they buy products" is such a true sales statement!.

I have spent most of my working life on the sales field. Now, I have moved into the product creation and development area, but I still love the sales field and I am passionate about it (I always will). Therefore, when I see a great product fail because the LACK OF HUNGER of a sales force, it just makes me feel chills crawiling up my spine.

A great product in the hands of a lousy salesforce will turn to mud. Sometimes, shitty products in the hands of passionate salespeople will sell positively, at least for one time only , but a sale will be made, that's for sure.

It is a capital sin in the sales field to destroy a great product because the sales team is all fed up with self complacency, with a minimum effort culture and with laziness or what may be worse, fed up with fear.

I think that when we are hiring people to conform a fantastic sales team, we need to find the hunger in their eyes and in their heart. I don't mean food hunger (altough it also helps sometimes), but hunger to be different, to over-deliver everytime, hunger to win, to be perceived as a true sales professional. Hunger to become a better person, to earn more money and to deliver high quality service experiences to our customers. People with hunger to serve in order to receive the benefits of an everlasting sales relationship with a customer.

Don't hire them if you see they are all fed up with false pride, with myths or with old and stupid sales vices. Don't hire them if you see they are filled up to their guts on mediocrity, excuses for underperforming and  indiference for the products they sell or the accounts they are supposed to service.

In sales: The Hungrier, the Better.

Hungry?---Hired!

Aureliano García

WEATHER VANE OR LIGHTHOUSE?

People without an opinion just pisses me off. I can´t spend a lot of time around a herd of sheep. It is pointless, useless and boring beyond belief.

People without an opinion on important matters just don't add value to other people's lives.Specially my life.

But even people without an opinion have something I respect.They are CONSISTENT. All the time you will find that empty look in their eyes, mirroring their brains. We will not ask for their opinion and we´ll feel glad we     didn´t. And so will they. Consistently dumb. Consistently stupid. But no surprises there. That's a good thing.

The most dangerous kind of people are what I call the "weather vane" people. They always have an opinion, it is never the same, it is always borrowed from someone else and always consistent with their best interest at the time they vomit it in front of a group.

"Weather vane" people move according to what people near them say, to what their new boss says, to what TV says. They live as a parasit of other people's functioning brains. They can go from black to white in a second, as long as this movement will save their sorry asses from danger, from looking stupid (they do, anyway), from losing their strangely and very questioned "earned" position. They will bite you, hard, if you aren't wise enough to detect them.

I prefer the "lighthouse" kind of people. Those who have strong and well formed ideas and are willing to defend them. Yeah, I know what you are thinking: Aren't the permanently unopinioned some kind of "lighthouse" people?. Mmm...Maybe. But a very useless lighthouse I may say. Perhaps a lighthouse on an eternally lit planet or island. Totally pointless.

The "lighthouse" people I refer to, are those who will always be trusted because they are coherent, strong and intelligent. Wise opinioned and witty are words that may be frequently used to describe them. Great Coaches. Outstanding Leaders. Brave characters. A lighthouse will always show the right way, even when the worst storms and the fierce waves of stupidity smash ruthlessly against them. At the end, the waves will settle, but the light will remain strong and standing.

Lighthouses will always defeat the weather vanes. It is a natural law. Going round and round will end up in wearout. Standing strong will always end up in greatness.

So please, cut the bullshit. Be a lighthouse and take some heat. ¿Aren't you alive?...Stand strong!