The
longer I sat at the intersection the more uncomfortable I became. There was a
"gentleman" sitting on the curb with a bundle of clothing, a rolled sleeping bag
an umbrella and a sign that read "Homeless and Starving Please Help."
My first instinct was to toss a few dollars out the window as I drove by, and assume he
would buy a burger and soda for lunch. And as I sat there waiting for the light to turn
green, I remembered that the road approaching the intersection in which he was sitting had
six or seven businesses with "Help Wanted" signs. People were hiring, why
couldn't this supposed beggar just go get a job.
I mean if I were hiring, I'd consider a well dressed prospect if they had the skills that
met my criteria. And I observed that this clean-shaven beggar was extremely well dressed
in late fashion clothing and new athletic shoes. He wore designer sunshades and sported a
high-end watch.
Since when did street drifters wear expensive wristwatches? His sleeping bag was tightly
rolled and his bundle of clothing was neatly folded and stacked on a newspaper so as not
to attract unnecessary dust from the pavement.
And I wondered what sign company had made the bright yellow sign he held with contrasting
tall green letters. It was obviously not a homemade sign but one with commercial appeal.
A closer look showed that the supposed pauper was sitting on a small stool that appeared
to be wrought iron with decorative feet. And it occurred to me that the stool would be
exceptionally heavy to lug around if one was in fact a vagabond and homeless.
My deep and unforgiving opinion is that if you are going to succeed in life, you have to
be convincing enough as a salesperson to close the deal of the moment.
Whether you're selling a product, service or yourself, if you're not credible, you won't
get far. Just like the well-groomed, fancy looking beggar who didn't elicit enough
sympathy from me to even earn a couple of lousy bucks.
What are you selling?
You do realize don't you, that we're all in sales? Some of us are selling for companies
and we call it a day job, while others of us are out night clubbing looking for a new
partner. Some of us are selling our spouses on the need for home improvement. We're all
selling something to somebody, most of the time.
What are you selling?
Do you look the part? Is your sales pitch cohesive with your image and props?
Is your message compelling enough to stop a passing car?
Is your attitude so persuasive that if I didn't need your product or service five minutes
ago and we met, right now, I couldn't live another five without it?
All too often, we sit metaphorically on the roadside of life aimlessly waiting for cars to
drive by and give us a hand out...and most of the time; we've done nothing to
"earn" the respect of our prospect.
Ask your family and friends if you are believable. Work on your credibility, your
convincibility, your attitude and your persuasion...Without it, the cars will just cruise
on by.
Angela Brown © 2004,
Angela@WordsofWellness.com |
