It's a late night for me just like many other nights. While I was walking our dog, a little light snow began to fall here in Highlands, NJ. At this time of year, along with not much traffic I can hear the rumble of the waves that are peppering the beach. Sometimes it's times it's nights like these that I get to remember about how good things are and how fortunate I've been through out the years.
A little more than ten years ago the copier company that I worked for was bought by Stratix Systems. Coming from a small dealership and having access to the decision makers didn't make things easy in the beginning. I was not used to having a sales manager, was not used to towing a straight line and had to get used to a new comp plan.
I didn't run like the three other sales people did when the Century was bought. I stayed because something told me that was the right thing to do. There were some difficult times, times when I wanted to leave, however I looked back at my-self and thought, is that what I do when things are tough? I run? I also thought that maybe just maybe it was the curmudgeon in me that did not want to change. I've always knew that change is good, but sometimes it is hard to break the old you.
Thus, I stayed and made changes that I'm really happy with. I thought I'd like to give the shout out to Stratix and let them and others know that change is good and you can change if you want to.
1) I truly enjoy the people I work with, I know I can be a little tough at times but it's because I want us all to succeed. Some peeps I've worked with for twenty years and some only a few years. I enjoy the relationships that we've built over the years and the new ones that will be forged.
2) I love the fact that we invest in a demo fleet. At any time I can have access to most of our copiers and can score placing a copier in a clients office for a demo.
3) I believe I can still help Stratix company grow, even at my advanced age. I still have ideas, still passionate about the industry and still passionate for Stratix to grow and grow. Who knows maybe one day I'll be doing the training for all of the new reps. I know they'll be thinking look at that old fart, WTF does he know. Yes, grasshopper you have much to learn in the "art" of sales.
4) Helping others. I enjoying sharing my knowledge of sales, the industry and the hardware. Thus, the reason for the Print4Pay Hotel (share our knowledge). What I enjoy the most is helping someone and then seeing them succeed with the information I provided the, I would not give this up for the world.
5) Believe it or not, I still have something to prove. Probably not to others but to me. I can't stand being second best. Ricky stated "If you're not first you're last". Boy do I hate being last! I've got 39 years in and hoping for at least another for or 5 more to add.
6) I still enjoy selling, especially when it comes to copiers. Yes, it's not as easy as it used to be, but isn't that a good thing? You become more creative, think out of the box and find new ways to present, demo and engage. Plus, I still get a charge when I receive an order. All orders are awesome big or small because I know the support after the sale will enable lifetime client relationships.
7) Ah, number 7 the BIG ONE. I've found this so easy to write tonight. I guess when you're passionate about someone, something or some company the words just seem to flow endlessly will the fingers move across the keyboard.
My VP of Sales is an incredible! I think he's been with us for six or seven years now. It was a little shaky at the start. Which was probably most my fault, however he believed in me and gave me enough rope to do what I do best. So, believing in someone is good, it breeds that bond of trust in each other. Forming excellent relationships needs the foundation of trust. If and when I retire I will miss the chats, the tips, the lunches, and the laughs. Tim, if you're reading this I'm not gone yet, and hoping for many more years of working with you.
There it is. Got it out there and hope that many others P4P'ers can be as happy as I am with where I work and the peeps I work with.
-=Good Selling=-
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