Just because you’re at work, does that mean you’re working?
Over my many years in the copier business I’ve seen many copier sales people come to work. And I guess that’s sort of an accomplishment because they at least showed up.
I’ve also encountered many sales people who don’t know how to work. I’m thinking their comprehension of work is that they showed up, made a few calls, knocked on a few doors, took a late lunch and then knocked on a few more doors close to home. These sales people were happy that they sold 2 or 3 systems a month!! When the heck did that become acceptable in our industry?
I get it. There have been times when I didn’t have the drive or the ambition to put in a day’s work. But those days are few and far between.
At one point in my life I didn’t know how to work. At 16, I was hanging out in downtown Iselin, nothing to do but to get into trouble. One evening I was approached by a person in his twenties and asked if I wanted to make a few bucks unloading a produce truck. Okay, since I didn’t have any money and I liked having money, I went to work that evening. I ended up staying at that job for almost five years.
I can’t tell you how many times I was told to get my hands out of my pockets, we don’t pay you to think and there is always something to do when you’re at work. After many months of being verbally abused (that was OK in the seventies), I learned that in order to keep my job, I needed to think for myself and find things to do. Thus, when I finished a task I didn’t run to the owners and ask “what should I do next?” I learned to think for myself and find a task that would keep me busy. From pushing a broom in the warehouse, making room in the dumpster, feeding the guard dog and picking up his poop. This is what I did to earn a buck.
College was not an option for me. I was not a fan of school. However, I was a BIG fan of making money. Today, I attribute my success to the owners of the produce company who pushed me, yelled at me (gave me a thicker skin) and taught me how to work.
Today, when I’ve completed the follow up calls, finished the quotes and replied to the emails, it’s automatic that I turn to prospecting. Whether it’s phone calls, emails or LinkedIn, prospecting never ends. There is always something to do!
Which got me to thinking: why are there so many slackers? When did the mentality begin that just showing up meant that you are working?
Even though I’m not a manager (I was a Dealer Principal once), I get POd when I’m busting my butt, making the calls, setting the appointments, researching data, closing the deals and then watch others muddle their way through a day or work.
You know what? I guess what it comes down to is that I don’t want to be average. I don’t want to be like everyone else. I need and want to excel. Don’t you?
