Merry Christmas: Find a Cause

During most of my keynote programs I discuss my three rules to Create a Gourmet Life. In most of my client engagements I also discuss the elements for creating a culture of high performance. In both situations I like to reinforce that there is a need to align the soul of your team to the goals of the organization. This emotional bond of focusing on the soul is critical for creating an environment that drives success. Certainly building emotion is a major objective in leadership, having it and creating it must be a focus for all leaders. (In previous blogs I have discussed “Building Belief.” If you want a copy of that column, send me an email. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). )  While that column discusses how to build belief in your product/service and company, I also believe there needs to be a focus on the greater good.

In my keynote program I show a PowerPoint slide that displays my Hall of Fame where I list people, some I know and some I don’t that have made a difference in others’ lives.  I personally believe the more you contribute to the success of others, the more successful you will be. Getting others to feel good about their professional and personal success is a portion of the job of sales leadership.  On my Hall of Fame list is a man in New Hampshire that takes his guitar to hospice patients and sings to them, another is the man that started Habit for Humanity, or two sisters that started The Love Kitchen that cooks for the homeless or less fortunate and the family that once a year asks their grandchildren to present their ideas as to how their foundation will choose their charity for the year.  How can you bring this idea to your organization?

During your 2013 sales kick off meeting you might bring up the idea of:”How can we impact our community?  It would be a great session where individuals can contribute their ideas, thoughts and actions. The outcome? Assign 3 people to a task force, give them 45 days and ask them to present their ideas to you and then to your company’s management team.  Build a complete action plan where everyone becomes committed, involved and excited.

Getting your team together, working on an on-going community project to improve the world will build team work, morale and improve the good feelings everyone has regarding your company.  This action becomes the bond and feel good element in building a high performance sales team. In our world today, there are many ways to impact your community, your world and your people.  I like to suggest: Start with being a better person…and make the world a better place.

I normally close my keynote with the following 3 words….

And THEN some.

“These 3 little words are the secret to success. They are the difference between average people and top people in most companies. The top people always do what I expected…and then some…

They are thoughtful of others; they are considerate and kind… and then some…

They met their obligations and responsibilities fairly and squarely… and then some…

They are good friends and helpful neighbors.. and then some….They can be counted on in an emergency ... and then some…

I am thankful for people like this, for they make the world move livable. Their spirit of service is summed up on these little words… and then some…

What is your cause for 2013?

Acumen Management Group Ltd. “operationalizes” sales management systems and processes that pull revenue out of the doldrums into the fresh zone. During the past 12 years, our consulting, advisory, and platform services have illuminated, motivated, and rejuvenated the sales efforts for partners throughout North America. His latest book is titled: “Leading High Performance Sales Teams”.

Ken Thoreson provides Keynotes, consulting services and products designed to improve business performance.        .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  http://www.AcumenManagement.com

About the author

Ken Thoreson, Sales Management Guru

Ken Thoreson, Acumen Management president, is a sales leadership professional who helps companies pull sales results out of the doldrums into the fresh zone of predictable revenue. His consulting, advisory, and speaking services have illuminated, motivated, and rejuvenated sales efforts for companies across North America. Find him on facebook at facebook.com/ken.thoreson.