Be a winner!

A few years ago, I wrote about the Sales Academy Awards. It really pays to win: box office sales increase by 15%, and award-winning actors experience a 20% increase in their earning power.

In sales, winning and losing counts big-time: you can either bring business in and close deals or you can’t. But winning takes a lot of work. The inside sales market is rapidly heating up, and there are lots of open opportunities at every level — from individual contributor to management level. I get approached often by people who want to move up – especially at the individual contributor level. They complain about not having a good territory, having a toxic manager, and being frustrated with the lack of marketing support they receive. They are discouraged, restless, and barely putting in the bare minimum to keep their jobs.

This is the wrong approach for a three reasons:

1. You must be “best at” in your job before being considered for any step up.
2. Your reputation lasts longer than the jobs you have. Leave clean tracks, be remembered in a good light.
3. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side!

Today is the last day of the month. Go out there and make something happen!