A discussion about sales, sales tips and advice, and about those who land the deal

A great quote from Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic fame, courtesy of the magazine Business 2.0:

"I turn people down with extreme difficulty sometimes, because the people I'm saying no to are people I don't want to discourage. And it should be difficult. Saying no shouldn't be an easy thing to do, and you have to be good at it. I often used to dodge doing it myself, and hide behind other people and delegate it, but if you're the boss, that isn't the right thing to do.

"I remember when I was a 15-year-old asking Vanessa Redgrave or James Baldwin for an interview, and the fact that they took the time to respond meant an enormous amount to me. It inspired me. So it's extremely important to respond to people, and to give them encouragement if you're a leader. And if you're actually turning people down, if you must say no, whether it's for a job or a promotion or an idea they're proposing to you, take the time to do it yourself."

There are obvious applications here if you own a business, but what about if you're an up-and-coming sales pro?  Simple: When you have bad news about an order or a promised delivery time, and the customer needs to know, tell them yourself.  Don't leave it up to the service guys or the customer service department...be professional, and interact with your customers personally.

Great quote from a great business leader...think about how it applies to you and your professional life.