I’ve heard you can drop a frog into boiling water and the frog will quickly jump out but if you put a frog in water and slowly increase the temperature the frog will
remain in the water even after the water begins to boil. Slowly killing the frog. (Please don’t try this experiment at home!)
So, what does this have to do with Sales and Salespeople?
Much like the frog being put into hot water, if a person is thrown or jumps into sales without the desire to be a sales professional or they realize sales is not for them they will either quit (jump out) or ask to transfer (hop out) to another position.
Most of us will not stay where we are not comfortable or fear survival. Usually, never getting back in sales (the water) again.
But, in most cases, we are in sales because we demonstrated the ability or potential ability to sell early in our sales career. We may have been uncertain and a little scared if we could make a living in sales. However, we were most likely excited and comfortable with our decision. Much like a frog being put in room temperature water.
We probably thought “this water ain’t bad”. (Can you tell I’m from Texas?)
Over the next few years, our skills naturally got better, our income continued to increase, life was good. But, if we were not watchful things slowly began to change. Just like the water temperature slowly increasing and the frog being unaware of the change.
Things are always changing:
- New and better products introduced into the market.
- Innovation happening so quickly we can hardly keep up.
- Strategies that worked in the past aren’t working anymore.
We may begin saying to ourselves “I’m working harder than ever but I seem to be getting nowhere.”
I suspect the frog realizes something isn’t right as the water gets hotter but doesn’t know the reason. “The water was great when I hopped in!”
Is the temperature of the water changing around you?
Let’s not kid ourselves, it doesn’t matter if you are just starting out in sales or a seasoned sales professional change is happening at a quicker pace than ever before.
If you are selling or doing things the same way you did 10 years ago, 1 year ago or even last week you may be falling behind.
Over the next few weeks I plan to dive more deeply into the topic “What can I do to keep from finding myself in boiling water?“
I would like your thoughts.
If you are having struggles growing or keeping your sales up, aware something has changed in your effectiveness as a sales professional and not quite sure what, or would like me to address a particular topic please drop me an email or leave a comment below.
I will try to share your concerns and provide helpful information as we discuss the ever changing sales environment.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
If you would like, please leave a comment below or you can email me at feedback@wewaonthenet.com.
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Now let’s get out there and over-deliver!
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