This week the active conversation topic was “Do you fit the mold?” The question brought back not so fond remembrances of when I was expected to “behave as a typical female” relayed by some corporate salesmen who didn’t believe a woman could sell, and by my then friends who more traditionally believed “a woman’s place is in the home”.
I never fit the mold because early on I learned to stand up for who I am and to compete where required. I smiled thinking, “When you fit the mold, you become moldy.” Moldy in this case refers to becoming stale.
Live as you
Following a script, conducting business or even living your life the same as everyone else, will bring you little recognition or reward. It’s when you step out to take calculated risk, try your hand at a venture that sounds exciting, and continue to learn that you begin to find true reward. You soon recognize the real you versus how others wish you to remain.
When you are at a stage of your life ready to move on and become the person you are destined to be, this is the point where you truly begin to develop your brand. Confidence to go forth and strike your fortune is usually the make it or break it aspect of your new venture. Usually confidence is the first area one needs to build upon. The second is to forego any notion of giving up. My favorite saying is, “When you give up you will never know what was just around the corner.”
The third phase is now that you know what you desire in your career or business, you must prioritize which idea to implement first. Just as you broke the mold for doing what you desire, you must also analyze what everyone else is doing.
Ask yourself:
• How can I put a different spin on what’s being done?
• Of all the ideas out there, what is missing that I may contribute?
• What are the best techniques for communicating what I have to offer?
Dedication, trial and error, and perseverance are the keywords for implementing the answers to those questions. Going it alone is very, very difficult – I can tell you that first hand. What did help was investing in coaching on an annual basis.
However, I didn’t begin to truly thrive until I learned to collaborate and help promote others whom I admire. Once this level of activity was reached, ideas began to multiply and business grew at a more rapid rate. Along with it came brand development.
Others recognized the speed with which my colleagues and I are able to adapt, implement and move forward. They repeatedly ask how we do it.
Therefore, Valeri Bocage, Sharon Hooper and I once again combined forces to create the Entrepreneur’s Business Retreat in the Sonoma Wine Country May 4-7. Everything we learned about moving from obstacles to success; dreaming, believing and achieving; how to utilize all media; and earning a returning and referring clientele will be taught. My colleagues and I are committed to helping you further develop your brand and success.
For the Agenda and to Register, please visit: http://bitly.com/SmoothSaleBizRretreat or call us today at (800) 704-1499.
Author:
Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, LLC authored the International Best-Selling book, “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results” and “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews”. She provides team sales training, private coaching and highly acclaimed keynotes for conferences.
