Even the most experienced sales people can take a page from the book of other professionals. When it comes to making a sales call or negotiation, seeing how others handle similar situations can make all the difference.
- Teachers: Teachers must be prepared before walking into the classroom and they must know exactly what they want to accomplish in the allotted time. The teacher's thoughts and plan are organized so that the plan can be accomplished.
- Lawyers: Lawyers prepare briefs before entering the courtroom and come ready with a list of questions. The better prepared the lawyer is before the case, the better the client's chances of winning.
- Professional athlete: No professional athlete shows up before game day without extensive knowledge of the game, the plays, and the arena. This amount of familiarity provides the player with confidence which gives him a competitive edge.
- Military Special Forces: From the Navy Seals to the Army Rangers, these elite forces practice certain combat situations over and over again until they become procedures with which they are fully familiar. Like the professional athlete, the moves soon become automatic and competitive confidence soon follows.
The lesson? Prepare, prepare, prepare. Look to others for inspiration and work to incorporate their wisdom into every plan you make.