Do you listen to podcasts? Podcasts are audio blogs that you can download and listen to on your own time – in the car, on the train, at the gym or walking the dog. Most podcasts are free – and podcasters are usually experts in their field, with great information you can use to build your business.
Etiquette brings about self-confidence and self-assurance.
~ Jacqueline Whitmore, etiquette expert
I recently listened to a podcast on Doubt the Doubts: Business Etiquette by Jacqueline Whitmore. Jacqueline Whitmore is an expert on business etiquette for executives, and she had some great etiquette tips and rules to help every entrepreneur and sales rep achieve #SalesSuccess and build relationships so people want to do business with you.
5 Business Etiquette Keys for Sales Success from Jacqueline Whitmore:
1. People Misusing Technology Builds Barriers: Its not the technology, it’s how people use technology that causes the problem.
• cell phones: keep it off the table. When you have your phone in front of you, it signifies the caller is more important than the person you are with. If you’re expecting an important call, let your client know ahead of times, and take the call away from the table.
• cell yell: don’t raise your voice in public places
2. Networking: When you go to Happy Hours or cocktails, how do you build relationships?
• do your homework: know as much as you can about the event and the attendees before the event
• listen: we tend to do more talking than listening. In the US we aren’t comfortable with silence, so we talk. By listening we learn what our client’s needs are.
3. Dining Etiquette: Basic table manners are needed for doing business with clients over a meal.
• Don’t talk with your mouth full of food.
• Don’t talk about your food likes and dislikes.
• What you order and how you eat sends a message to your dining companion.
4. Dress for Success: what do you wear to work? Casual Fridays led to catastrophe – there are no standards for professions nowadays.
• There is nothing wrong with business casual: but most people don’t know how to put their outfit together.
5. Be mindful: Be mindful of other people’s feelings. Your actions can make your clients feel unimportant.
• Make them feel like they are #1 so they do business with you for life.
A Sales Assassin knows that sales success relies on building relationships. Basic business etiquette and manners are critical to building relationships:
• listen to your client
• demonstrate that the client in front of you is your top priority
• look and act like a professional to instill confidence and build your network
Professionalism and common courtesy are key to building relationships so people want to do business with you.
~ Anthony Caliendo, The Sales Assassin
