Sales Tips - Top 10 Listening Habits Give Introverts a Thumbs Up http://ping.fm/2b5d2 Read more!

getting excited about silversea cruise 2 Greek Islands. Talking about it now! for 2010. Read more!

is attending the #mpworld online virtual conference. something like 14K people registered. Read more!

Do u have a topic that u can present? http://tr.im/blitzspeak Promote ur business 2 a wide network of contacts Wed Apr 1 6pm Read more!

my son, computer security consultant, says BRACE for Conficker, attacks Apr 1st; his suggested tool at http://www.eeye.com/ Read more!

answers FAQ sales reluctance questions like: how 2 followup when I'm not sure being rejected, or delays r real? http://tr.im/askpw Read more!

great post @wendygelberg! intervud by Dan Schawbel - Personal Branding Interview - good read 4 introverts http://tr.im/wendyg Read more!

RT @FoxxFiles Ambiversion!!! Is what they call people who show signs of both Extravert and Introvert! Read more!

just finished reading http://tr.im/leeann The Persona - Why We Have One (or More) and What To Do With Yours Read more!

just posted 2 blog Job Search Tip - 3 Ways Introverts Can Plan for Job Interviews: I’ve .. http://tr.im/hWzO Read more!

just posted 2 blog Introvert Tip - Top 3 Ways the Introvert and Extrovert Brains Differ: Intro.. http://tr.im/hEEl Read more!

just posted 2 blog Networking Tip - 5 MORE Social Networking Ways that Benefit Introverts: My .. http://tr.im/hv6t Read more!

just posted 2 blog Networking Tip - Top 4 Ways to Escape from Energy Drain Conversations: Just.. http://tr.im/hsn4 Read more!

just posted 2 blog Sales Training - Top 3 Questions To Decide to Compare or Not to Compare?: M.. http://tr.im/hmdE Read more!

just posted 2 blog Sales Tips – Top 10 Listening Habits Give Introverts Thumbs Up: In my corpo.. http://tr.im/hhk0 Read more!

Revving up Sales for Introverts, Shy and Reluctant

Please subscribe to my new blog at a new location. You'll learn more about both selling and cars! Meet me there: http://www.patricia-weber.com . Read more!

Economy Survival for Introverts and Extroverts Alike

When I received her ezine titled, Upheavals and Downheavals: The Search for Dry Land, it set me on fire with the actions I am already taking during this economic crisis talk. Yes certainly, the financial situation appears real, but it is a lot of talk. Too much talk for me. I'm a follower of Shelle Rose Charvet, Certified Speaking Professional, author of Words That Change Minds and, a true genius with NLP. You will be inspired by her words, regardless of your introvert or extrovert preference:

"Have you ever felt like the dove that left Noah’s Ark in search of dry land only to find more sea than ever and nowhere to land? Or perhaps you have been valiantly resisting the urge to bail out during all the disastrous news because you are determined to avoid buying high and selling low. And just when you were thinking it couldn’t get any worse… " Read more on Shelle's blog.

What's your biggest hurdle to overcome in sales reluctance?
Answer this online survey and get a free gift! Read more!

Sales Training – Daily Recovery Important for Introverts

While autos can go a day or sometimes more for a fill up, introverts who sell will discover accelerated sales results with a daily routine centered on three areas: release techniques, comfortable marketing activities and targeting those activities to identified prospects.

One area to fill up is your own beliefs about what success you want. Most of us, salespeople or not, have beliefs that hold us back from being all we want to be. We have that internal dialogue that is like a noisy clanking engine. “I’m not worthy,” “it doesn’t matter that others are succeeding, I’m different,” or any number of beliefs keep on ticking in our mind. Find a release technique to set your day up for success. Some most effective ones include the Sedona technique, Emotional Freedom Technique, meditation or love letters. It doesn’t matter what technique. What matters is to use one daily.

Another fill up is to identify appropriate marketing activities. What’s appropriate? First, select a mix of activities that satisfy short, medium and long term sales goals. Then, act the ones that you enjoy! The ones that you have more comfort with. Let’s say it’s the fourth quarter of the year and you are quite close to making your sales goal. The priority, the emphasis, would be on short term activities that get you the fastest results. This would include activities like: follow up with all prospects, contact all current clients to cross sell, and asking for referrals from clients. The fourth quarter is not the prime time to be using speaking engagement or article writing to attract new prospects quickly. When you need fast results, select and act on low hanging fruit sales actions. Whatever activities you select, start with activities you like the most to keep your attitude high.

A third fill up activity is to constantly be defining your perfect client. Have you noticed when driving that is you take your eye of the road for just a second or two, you may tend to drift off your lane? Well, when you take your thinking and talking about your perfect customer off in a different direction you tend to drift away from your perfect clients. Part of your daily routine can include a fill up in your mind and talk about just who is your target client. The book, Attracting Perfect Customers: The Power of Strategic Synchronicity, by Stacey Hall and Jan Brogniez, offers a strategic model for this. With clarity on your perfect customer, where ever you are networking, in person and online, your message will be attractive to those you want to hear it. You won’t drift off your lane.

Extroverts tend to be energized by many activities going on at once, and a daily fill up may not be required. But extroverts would still benefit from a routine kind of attitudinal and marketing activity fill up.

If the tendency is more toward introversion, then the three fill ups – releasing negative beliefs, acting on desirable marketing activities and focusing on your target client – are more important on a daily basis.

What's your biggest hurdle to overcome in sales reluctance?
Answer this online survey and get a free gift!
Read more!

Salespeople still sell well in this economy!

The Ferrari salesman who we bought our F430 from is making the news: he continues to sell these exotic sports cars without any problems. Just like we were on the waiting list for 3 years, he's got people on the waiting list now.

So what is the secret to selling such luxury while the market is still in free fall? Go to the eighth paragraph and first sentence.

How can you use this philosophy?

Read more!

100 Days to Sell and Meet 2008 Goals

I'm working through my own prospect list and have a buddy to report to every three days. With 127 names of prospects in the last year, there's people who may want me to call them!

Part of my report will be around Follow-up. Here's a tip - either hire a coach or find someone to be your buddy for the next few weeks. You will be using telephone and in-person whenever feasible for sales follow-up. At least once a week check in with your coach or buddy to report on your results. Make it fun! Reward yourself at certain set goals. When I'm caught up on follow up, my buddy and I are going to lunch together.

While I continue to work on a blueprint for your consideration to Fill Up, Firm Up and Follow-Up, you may be interested in a Teleseminar Extravaganza. Go to http://askpatweber.com for details. Read more!

Reach Your 2008 Sales Goals in the Last 100 Days

This is an unusual year that I don't have my sales goals met! Could it have been those 2 months of being caregiver for my husband during his open heart quintuple bypass surgery and subsequent heart attack? Add to that 2 more months of caregiving for my mother, who had 80 years old had open heart aeortic valve replacement? I've felt like my car's fuel tank on a long trip - full, empty, full and empty again in terms of energy and focus.

My strategy now it to plan out each and every week with a Fill Up, Firm Up and Follow up approach. I plan to offer this as a report to you in the next day or two.

In the meantime I found some no and low cost sales related top tips:

• Top 100 Tips for Lead Management and Sales Success;
• How To Reach Your Year End Goals Even If You Haven't Started On Them;
• and as a dog lover, Top Dog Sales Secrets.
  

Sign up for my ezine with dozens of free reports and you'll get the Year End Fill Up, Firm Up, Followup, End of Year Sales Plan.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey.

Read more!

Selling Like a Dog May Be Introvert Advantage

My dog, Chanel, is awesome. With a petite size tennis ball in her mouth she stands at my office door when she is ready to go out and play. She stands there with eyes on me until I say something like, “Let’s go play!” Many salespeople are mystified about how to get a prospect to listen to them to let alone buy. It’s not a requirement that your prospect be an introvert, known to be better listeners naturally. There are easier ways, as my dog knows, to introduce yourself to a prospect and have them listen.

One dog lesson is, “When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.”

Keep your eyes on the master.

In sales, think of your prospect as your master. Dogs learn their place in a family. Well trained dogs know that they go through a door once their master goes through rather than running ahead without permission. You must focus on prospects instead of yourself through all points in selling. The salesperson who constantly focuses on themselves will lose listening points. No one wants to hear about what you have to say until you say what they want to hear! Just like the dog knowing their place in a family by practicing obedience, as a salesperson consider your place in the sales relationship with a prospect: they come first.

Keep your focus.

Chanel sits at attention with that petite size tennis ball in her month for minutes sometimes. Because she doesn’t bark or whine it can take minute for me to look up at her if I am on a telephone call or writing an article. But her eyes never leave me. Stay focused first on your intention of the result of having someone listen to you and second on your prospect. On a recent coaching call, a client told me they are assessing the ease and less stress when they go to an initial sales call with a more reasonable sales intention. Their focus is to find out more about the prospect and their intention is to get to the next step: for them this is to schedule a follow up call. They are 99% more effective than their previous approach with the intention to get the sale.

Another dog teaching is, “If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.”

Remember what is buried.

Just like Chanel knows where she buries her dog treats and can find them easily at a later time, she also knows her tennis ball in her mouth will get time to play. It’s likely that your prospect doesn’t care to listen to you because you haven’t yet reminded them of what is buried in their mind – possibly a problem they whisked under the carpet, possibly a solution they seek that came and went through their mind. How do you help them to remember? Stay focused throughout a sales conversation on the prospect. Your listening can lead them to finding what is buried, and that can lead to a decision to buy from you.

Dig until you find the treasure.

You would laugh with amazement on how excited Chanel gets when I finally take note of her request. She goes from a statue like stare to romping with glee. If you are in rapport with your prospect while you help them to remember their pain – what is buried; or discover what solution they do want – also buried, then the time will be right for when you can present them with the treasure. Why would you want to rain on their delight by showing them the treasure before they even know what they were digging for?

Is it obvious to you I love the lessons that dogs give us about selling? Your obedience is about paying more attention to learning about the customer than to jumping in to some spiel about yourself. Then your digging about how and what to sell to your prospect will be as easy as it is for a dog.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey.

Read more!

Pat Weber on Jim Blasingame’s radio talk show – except in politics; going negative about ur competition is not good, http://ping.fm/zt9mB Read more!

Getting Back in the Flow: Anything to do with Introvert or Extrovert?

It's been about a week now since I took my mom back home. After her open heart surgery at 80, I wanted to be there to help her and my two single parent sisters. So even after a week of being home and getting back to work, why can't I focus on important business tasks?

Does this have anything to do with introversion or extroversion?

My sense is it, since we process stress differently, that an introvert may go to extreme "I" behaviors during difficult times. Since our brains are hardwired to process through a long path of neuron connections, that seems to make sense.

It also may be a gender specific coping with stress. There's actual physical evidence that there is 1 of 3 hormones released during a stressful situation affecting women longer term.

What do you think? I'm interested!


Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Introvert and Extrovert Alike Experience Shyness

While I'm still in caregiving mode I am finding interesting articles that help to continue to clarify myths and mistaken understanding about introversion.

Here are Ten Ways to Combat Shyness regardless of your energy tendencies. Number six is a natural for introverts!

What do you think?

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

How fast is speed in blogging?

This blog is getting ready to move. I can't fight it anymore because, the new look is already getting picked up. Yikes. This is not comfortable. I mean as an INTJ, with not everything ready, I'm nervous.

Since Google alerts is picking things up as my webmaster gets closer, I decided to go more with the flow.

If you want to see the new look: http://patricia-weber.com

What do you think?

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Top Salespeople Secret Number 6 During a Recession

Watch for a new blog look coming soon!

The USA talk is we’re knee deep in a recession, with rising and not as quick falling gas prices and the feds have just bailed out the infamous mortgage lenders Fannie May and Freddie Mac.

Do NOT get beaten down with all this.

Just a quick review before I get to the sixth thing that top salespeople do to avoid devastating affects:

Top salespeople CHOOSE to be a thermostat of sales results, not a thermometer. A thermometer measures temperature – like you finding your sales go up in a good economy or down in a downturn. A thermostat controls the temperature in your home – like you deciding to take some actions to regulate your own sales results.

Top salespeople choose not to be uncomfortable with a thermometer’s ups and downs. They either repair or replace the malfunction!

The top seven things I’ve found in 32 years of sales and sales management is that top producers don’t fall victim to negative chatter. Instead they: Read more!

Networking for introverts: is it any easier on the internet?

There's FaceBook, LinkedIn, Fastpitchnetworking, ecademy, Naymz, myspace and the number of social and business networking online websites grows daily.

Here's one introverts plan of approach. Javen Ackerman outlines his approach with his top three online networking sites of choice. Then he considers how to make a smoother ride of it your local business community.

What do you think? Are you online at any of the social and business networking sites? I am interested!

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Sales career for introverts?

Chris Berry has an encouraging blog post for introverts considering a sales career,

Should Introverts Consider A Career In Sales.

If you are considering whether to go B2B or B2C, he makes some observations from his personal experience, and as an introvert.

Personally I think as innovative as introverts are we can plan around the downsides of retail sales: time to recharge between customers, purposefully planning our quiet times before and after hours, just a couple of ideas. I love that here is another introvert saying, Go for a sales career!

What do you think? I am interested!

What do you say? You know what I would say!

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Two Qualities for Top Sales Strategies

What would you guess to be at least two qualities to create more relationships and more opportunities?

OK; what would just one quality be?

Well, in Crain's Manchester Business being a good listener is one of them. He too claims that as introverts, or those with more introversion, there's a distinct advantage for this to be more natural.

Whether you are in sales or a small business owner, listening is a people skill to develop.

What do you think? Is he right? Is this yet another skill we tend to let limit our abilities?

What do you say? You know what I would say!

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Introvert Salespeople Have Some Superior Traits All Through Selling

Breanne Potter has many years with administering the MBTI. I was commenting on another post at youngentrepreneur.com and SOMEHOW I found her article with a most relevant comment about introverts in sales.

Read Misconception #6: I found out I’m an Introvert, but I’m in a sales job. I guess I should find a new career, in her "Top 10 Misconceptions about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®."

What do you think? Is she right? Can it be our preferences do not limit our abilities?

What do you say? You know what I would say!

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Elevator Pitch Design for Introverts to Love and Customers Want to Listen

For whatever reasons, I've seen an increase of talk about a salesperson's introduction to potential prospects and connectors. In marketing jargon, this introduction is called the elevator pitch. It takes about 60 seconds and the top salespeople have 15 and 30 second versions as well. When I read some methods or formulas I can tell they come from a "me" focus.

Here's a way that is comfortable for me as an introvert that I am hoping is comfortable for you as well. After all, more interesting introductions can lead to more results in your networking efforts.

It might seem sad to think salespeople have reduced themselves to soundbites like this in doing business. Then again, selling today stretches our communication abilities. For salespeople, particularly for those who are shy or introverts or otherwise reluctant to even make an introduction, an attractive elevator speech is a must have to have to connect in a way that the customer knows whether you are focused on them or yourself.

The six steps to crafting an elevator pitch that is customer-focused are: more...

What do you think? Can you comment below?

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Are introvert jokes really funny?

In my daily searching for all things of interest for introverts who sell, I came across a series of jokes by RJ: Randy's Brew.

Reserving my right to stating my opinion right now.

What do you think? Can you comment below?

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

When Doctor and Nurse Are Not Enough: Patient Advocate to Protect

It's exhausting enough when interacting with many people. Now mix in the additional element in the caregiving role. When Doctor and Nurse Are Not Enough: Patient Advocate to Protect

Would you leave a comment at the article? Read more!

Who says an introvert lack humor?

Do you want to get involved with the USA elections campaign?

If you haven't already decided on your candidate, and who really has, then get caught up now.




GOT Ya! Good one, heh?

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Build Your Business Even Without Your Presence!

Are you ready for the eventuality of being out of your business for some period of time? Listen as Jim Blasingame interviews me about the need for small business owners to think about how things would work if they had to handle an emergency or a longer-term situation, such as a personal or family illness.

Click the link under the heading to the right: Pat is a nationally recognized expert. Listen as Jim and I have fun with a serious topic.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Introverts and their Health

Breanne Potter, MBTI and other assessment consultant, has a poll going.

She asks, Do you find you immune system struggles after an extended period of extroverting? Why not give her your experiences? Or at least read about her findings with the poll.


Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Good News Studies for Introverts says USA Today

Academy of Management Journal, lead author Brad Agle of the University of Pittsburgh found that little need discourage introverts who want to climb the success ladder.

Well-known corporate CEO introverts reads like a Who's Who, starting with Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Charles Schwab, Steven Spielberg and Sara Lee CEO Brenda Barnes.

Read the USA Today article on all the pluses to help you succeed as an introvert.

Tell me, what do you think? Are the studies right? Comment won't you?


Regards,

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

What the World Needs Now is Introverts

Nancy Okerlund is spot on when she says, "... it's my hunch that the world is longing for what introverts naturally have to offer: more reflection, more quiet, a slower pace."

Read her article and tell me, what do you think? Comment won't you?


Regards,

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

One introvert recharging continuously due to health issues

The reason I have been offline for about a month is a series of family health issues; from February 15th to even now. It started with my husband's quadruple bypass, then his heart attack, then my mom's scheduled cataract surgery which is now postponed because of her heart aeortal valve replacement! What a trooper at 80 years old.

As you can imagine there is much extroverting in caregiving, hence, longer than usual plugging into source to recharge and regain energy.

While I continue on this caregiving vain, here is an interesting blog for you to consider to pump up your introvert muscles! Read, It's OK to Just Shut Up.


Regards,

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Top Salespeople recharge their batteries!

Top salespeople take advantage of weekends to recharge. What is your favorite way to get take and use time off?

On weekends my husband and I drive our collector cars. We also always have a date night. And I play ball with our dog more. You don't see selling in that line up do you?

This business coach is considering not even checking email on the weekends.

What do you do to recharge? Do you make your week(weak)ends stronger with some rest and relaxation?

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Top Salespeople recognize a suspect versus a prospect

Suspects is a word I have not heard used in selling for years. It actually still serves to help salespeople.

Do You Make These Mistakes In Sales, illustrates that a suspect and prospect are as different as Rolex is to Timex. They both keep time; the Rolex is going to keep going longer isn’t it?

What do you think? Do you make these mistakes?

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Selling as an introvert - with attitude!

I'm not one who has much interest in celebrities but this article by Mark Edward Lewis, a young Hollywood director, has so much in-your-face about networking it is a must read!

What do you think about his article, How introverts can win at networking events.

I've actually offered getting a drink or something for people for my own energy reprieve but he has a different twist!

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Introvert Salespeople Have the Better Sales Funnel

My premise why introverts naturally sell better has always been because we tend to not want to self-disclose, instead have others disclose themselves.

When salespeople stay focused on the customer, instead of themselves, they naturally attract the best prospects instead of repelling people.

The premise of the BuyCycle Sales Funnel™ by Mark Sellers, puts it all together.

Mark says, "The BuyCycle Funnel™ uses the customer’s buying process to define the funnel stages. This is the most direct path to learning the customer’s buying process for each sale – which is the key to effective selling."

Hmm. Stay customer focused. Sounds familiar.

It's an old idea now repackaging a traditionally flawed system - the sales funnel.

Take a look. What do you think?

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Introvert Salespeople and Sales Acceleration: Think Ferrari

The profession of salesperson, I truly believe, is an overlooked area of enjoyable work that introverts have an unfair advantage. There is still confusion around introversion and that keeps my mission strong.

I have tossed this post over and over in my mind for at least a week. It bothered me. Some may think I am boasting. Then, I thought of one of my best friends comments to me about this limiting belief: stories of personal success support my mission. And here we are.

In this little corner of the world where we are connecting, I want you so much to know that introverts can be successful salespeople. Customers crave some of the traits we bring to the selling and buying relationship. We can be successful in business playing by our rules.

Last week I connected with a terrific new friend, more on that in another post here. We connected with our car interest. He's a BMW man; Marty and I both love our 1933 Packard and F430. Now really, who would not love this gorgeous car? Oh there might be someone I suppose. It makes sense there might be people who don't give a hoot about cars.

Yes; that's me there behind the wheel.

My email exchange was humurous. "Introverts and Ferrari's are an oxymoron," my new friend quipped. He actually made one of my points before I did. For me it's not about the looks the car attracts for an introvert. Goodness it is a magnet for that. It's not this at all for me. I don't really care a hill of beans for the looks we get with it. I'll be driving it for other reasons.

My husband, all out extrovert, loves the looks he gets in my F430. But he really loves more than that! He and are are together on some of this: I love putting the pedal to the floor, feeling the car take a turn, wishing I could crank it up to 100 mph like it can do so easily, dream about our plans for next year and trailering it to a race track now being built in Virginia to just let it ride, and the quietness inside; it is so much power and somehow, quiet. Amazing.

Introvert right? Somehow quiet but powerful. Quiet means quiet.

And guess what? In my want to support my suspicions about why a car like a Ferrari for us, there is anecdotal evidence. You'll love finding out how a Ferrari can accelerate your sales.

And, we, introverts are quite the revered in the Ferrari racing circle. Jean Dodt, who my husband knew the name immediately on my finding, Jean went from Ferrari team boss to president of Ferrari and admires a group of Scandanavian Ferrari drivers who are, yes, introvert for the most part.

My friends. We can accelerate our sales. So, rev your engines, the real inside you.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Introverts and Extroverts Be Who You are!

Let's not make ourselves powerless by trying to be someone who we are not! Introverts and extroverts be who you are.

A recent online article, Face-to-Face Networking for the Introvert: Tips for Success, had me up to “you can still act extroverted.”

This implies that there is something wrong with networking as an introvert. I must take the opposite thought - being an introvert in sales and sales management for 30 years.

Face to face introverts can bring so much more to networking: we are naturally better listeners; we are naturally more interested in learning about others than talking about ourselves; we tend to prepare in advance for even things like - networking.

These are traits that many people crave: to be listened to, to be able to talk about ourselves, to be prepared.

Introverts stay the course; just adjust your sails.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Saleswomen (and men) find life balance in 7 Turns of the Wheel

The life wheel. You've heard of it right? It's a wonderful tool to get a clear idea of what areas of your life are in or out of balance.

One of my local newspapers asked me to write an article about how an introvert can get balanced. I widened the focus to anyone, introvert and extrovert.: it was published twice, not just once. Guess someone must have have needed another rolling of the wheel.

If you want to find out more, read,
Help finding a smoother path in life.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey.
Read more!

Selling With Sales Momentum the Way Top Performers Do

As I am working on my continuing podcast messages, and thinking about building sales momentum, here's an idea that you WANT to read about.

It's about the best time to make sales calls. And has nothing to do with the day of the week.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Top Salespeople are sick and tired of recession talk

I almost got sucked into the vortex of media negativity. The news from television and radio is driving me crazy! But I am over it! Listen here ...
Or download now.

This one gives tip two of Top Producers Top 7 Secrets During a Recession or Down Economy - flex marketing muscles you love.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Intovert Salespeople Help Extrovert Customers Buy

Do introverts, extroverts attract? In sales, as in personal relationships, I think they do.

If you are a salesperson who is an introvert, you are likely not spending any substantial time at networking events, are you?

Now, as some of your prospects are extroverts, then they just might be at those networking events that you are not at to meet them.

Regardless of whether you are selling as an introvert or extrovert, what is your favorite way to find your prospective customers?

I'd love to include your idea, with credit (name and website or email) in my monthly ezine where over 3,000 people who sell, and the list is growing everyday, will see it.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Best salespeople traits

What do you think about a current article reprint of a 2007 article appearing in the sales career section of The Wall Street Journal? It's titled, Want to Work on Commission? Make Sure You Have a Nest Egg.

And, if you are an introvert like me, can I trust you to let the writer know, point number one by a sales manager he interviewed, "just ain't so!"


Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Economic downturn calls for better small business systems

Whether you are just getting started in business, are a salesperson or have fallen victim to misguided thinking that could stall your business results during all this R word (recession) talk, Sandye Linnetz, Systems Goddess, Process Prodigy talks about:
Systemizing Your Business: HOW DO I GET STARTED? PART 1

Three critical ways to think about the structure of your business - small, medium or big business. Just in time if the R word is leading you astray.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Top salespeople don't think recession

It's official by my husband's doctor - he can start driving again this Saturday! Now that I'm losing my job as chauffer, I'm back to planning my work. After all, my schedule will once again be my own. And that got me to thinking about this part of current events:

Are we headed for a recession in 2008 or not? Larry Summers, the former US Treasury secretary said our economy is… “currently in recession.” Tammy Erickson, Harvard Business has stated, “Now we may be headed into a recession. If so, it will be the second in more than fifteen years.” Then the other side, Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, recently downplayed talk of a recession. Dr. Charlie Hall, Texas A&M University, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, asks and answers, “So, why not a recession in 2008? Because the economy remains fundamentally strong.”

Just talk on its own of a possible recession affects all business. Sales organizations will either miss or grab opportunities for increased revenues regardless of the economy.

Starting March 20, Thursday, I'm planning a series of podcasts to address how top salespeople behave during all this kind of talk, real or not. The Top 7 Top Producers Secrets During a Down Economy: What to Do and Not to Do During Recession Talk. First in summary; then in detail. In my 30 years of selling, the key thing that ever affected my sales to slide --- listening to other about how bad things are during a recession.

Wake up! This is not a top salesperson's mindset.

At blogtalkradio, I'll even be interviewing my husband , successful entrepreneur and now Executive VP back in corporate after selling his business of 30 years, about his take on selling in a recession. Real or not.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Top salespeople take consistent actions

My schedule is still not completely my own since my husband's bypass surgery just three and a half weeks ago.

I do have podcasts planned.

There are several more articles on my to-do list.

Right now while I am still enjoying being with Marty recovering from his quadruple bypass surgery, I've got a regular chauffer duty.

However, I am getting caught up on some emails and audios. The Intentional Prosperity System Blog commented on how to change your life quickly, with an everyday focus on what you want being a must. The content is quite relevant to top salespeople actions.

Since I regularly exercise, I totally related to this metaphor. The idea works particularly well for the sales reluctant who want to be top sales performers:

For example, if you change around ("Don’t do the same thing in the same place everyday.") your prospecting and follow-up activities, then soon enough you are in a productivity routine ("Turn your consistency into a game you’re playing and winning.") and getting more sales results!


Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Sidetrack to sales success not too easily

It takes just two values I have hire than contributing my gifts to others to take me away from my work: my family and my health.

In the three weeks I have been gone it's because my husband had to have a redo of his 1996 quintuple bypass. That is my family and my health although more my husband's health. Redo's of heart bypasses are difficult. His was more complicated on top of that.

This morning as I chauffer him around in week two of his 6 weeks of no driving or sitting in a car seat with an airbag. I'll ask him just how much I can reveal.

In the meantime, I am gifting you one of my messages from a product you can get for free:

Claim all $247 worth of reports and recordings at http://introvertscansucceedatsales.com/ Go there now: http://introvertscansucceedatsales.com/

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Podcast: Top Salespeople Know The Sales Process Secret

Patricia Weber, Sales Accelerator Coach with a specialty of introverts and shy, answers a survey respondent's question, "Is there only ONE right sales process?" Listen as Pat gives the secret that top salespeople know.

Listen now with the play button,or,Download Podcast Here

Contribute your answers to the ongoing sales reluctance survey :
Click Here to contribute your answers to the survey Read more!

Niche to End World Hunger

We aren't just one thing. Like you are getting to know me as the Sales Reluctance Coach. I am more than this label and if we are going to know, like and trust each other, from time to time I want you to know something more.

In connecting with people on on of my online discussion groups I met Steve Mistretta a volunteer for The Food For Everyone Foundation

Visit his "lens" and find out how this team of three he is on is carrying out a mission to end world hunger with teaching people in impoverished areas how to grow sustainable gardens which will yield five to ten times more than traditional gardening methods.

There are many ways to contribute and in addition there is even an affiliate program. Wow. Big mission that keeps on giving.

Patricia Weber Read more!

Top salespeople focus first on the customer and THIS helps

Here's a unique strategy to sales management, an article at Boston.com, that almost guarantees your focus stay on the customer. My take is that if the customer knows this, it positively increases the relationship.

Signing off with my coach’s suggestion for my new tagline:

Patricia Weber
Sales Accelerator Coach
Move with Lightning Speed to Exceptional Selling (or something like this)
One tool to get extraordinary results for top sales producers:
Claim your GIFT ACCOUNT.
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Sales Reluctance Like Baggage?

Daniel Sitter uses a fabulous metaphor about "Baggage" in hurting a salesperson's sales efforts.

Read about it on Daniel's blog.

If you are a salesperson or independent professional or small business owner who sells, you'll want to know what baggage to leave behind and what to take with you.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Reluctance Coach
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey. Read more!

Is your sales follow-up imposing on your prospects?

Because the online survey revealed that 80% of salespeople, independent professionals and small business owners who sell say they either find their follow-up a hit or miss process, or, feel like they bother people, here's something the sales reluctance coach would say: What is that all about?

Let's say you get a golden referral to your most perfect client.

You have the first meeting and the conversation goes seamlessly. Your prospect says they are interested, they think your product or service will do what they need and they want time to think it over.

You leave with knowing your follow-up is critical.

Darn!

You forgot to ask, "When would be a good time to talk next?"

You regret that and then you don't follow-up. You feel like you are bothering this - most perfect client.

There's some kind of belief you might have about follow-up that keeps you from following up. It's something to explore.

First, your prospect wants you to get back with them. Have you considered a nice handwritten, "thank you for meeting with me," kind of note?

Second, were you listening for more than buying signs? Were you listening to build your relationship by staying in touch with a phone call or email about something of interest?

Sales follow-up is not an imposition when your product or service does what your prospect wants or needs. You have an obligation to follow-up.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Reluctance Coach
What is the area of sales of your greatest reluctance?
Take this survey. Read more!

Do you know about the Small Business Advocate community?

Every Sunday I get a copy of Jim Blasingame's newsletter telling about recognized small business experts who he is interviewing on his radio show.

He IS the Small Business Advocate:

Listen to my recent interview with Jim Blasingame (on the Small Business Advocate show).

Patricia Weber
The Sales Reluctance Coach
What is the area of sales of your greatest reluctance?
Take this survey. Read more!

Taking the COLD Out of Cold Calling

My online friend and associate, Wendy Weiss, The Queen of Cold Calling, has a terrific program coming up. She is going to discuss cold calling and how she helps entrepreneurs, business owners and sales professionals – just like you – prospect fearlessly and schedule more new business appointments in less time.

The Cold Calling Free Preview Call is on February 5, 2008.

Prospecting is perhaps the most important skill that entrepreneurs, business owners and sales professionals must master to be truly successful. Let’s face it, without customers you don’t have a business, and without prospecting, you don’t have customers!

In this day and age there are certainly many avenues that one can take to reach prospects. No other avenue, however, is as powerful as the one-on-one, personal, direct connection that you can make with a prospect by having a great telephone conversation.

Outsmart and Outsell the Competition

On the telephone, you can instantly build rapport, gather information, show your expertise and move your sales process forward, all of this while your competition is still trying to get in the door.

Many people, however, struggle with prospecting by phone. The reality is that prospecting can be difficult, but it doesn’t need to be. The good news is that cold calling is a communication skill, and like any communication skill, it can be learned and improved upon. In working with my clients, many of them have practiced new skills and are thrilled to see their results change.

If you struggle with prospecting, you too can see amazing change and terrific improvement in your ability to connect with multiple new prospects on a personal level, and have them agree to sit down and have a further conversation with you.

The Cold Calling Free Preview Call is on February 5, 2008 and details can be found here:
http://www.profcs.com/app/?Clk=2250829

Don’t wait. This preview call is guaranteed to help, right now, regardless of your sales experience or background.

To your success!

Pat Weber
http://www.prostrategies.com
FREE Report: 6 Secrets to Sales Success for Introverts!
Through JAN 31 2008:
Get 2008 Calendar with Top 52 Coaching Thoughts! Read more!

Selling Yourself Your Way Gets the Best Sales Results

If you have been on any of my teleclasses, you know I'm a big proponent that there is no one method, no one right process and no one and only way to sell.

Salespeople's best bet is to be sure how they sell fits them and their customer.

Take a look at this article which purports a "CDC process to selling: collect, discard and create."

Patricia Weber
The Sales Reluctance Coach
What is the area of sales of your greatest reluctance?
Take this survey. Read more!

2008 Sales Reluctance Survey Findings Revealed

The five categories in the sales reluctance survey I mentioned focused on: 1) networking events, 2) losing a sale, 3) delivering a proposal or presentation, 4) follow-up and 5) sales slumps.

Here's one of the problems uncovered about networking:

Do you go to networking events without meeting the right, and enough people, like 31.4% of people I’ve surveyed say they do.

But take one step back.

Before you can put effective networking conversations in place, your beliefs about the sales process have to support you in that same direction. It's techniques that allow you to make the value connection without feeling so self-conscious so that then the relationship will develop naturally from there.

Here's a networking strategy to loosen that straight jacket of sales reluctance:

Networking is one marketing strategy that finds you leads and connections. But how often do you go to a network event and have your energy sizzle out for you before you get what you intended to? I bet you've even experienced times when you wanted to turn around before you even arrived! The attitudes, behaviors and emotional methods that work need to be within your comfort zone so that you become energized about going to your next networking event. Really.

My Special Tip For Your Next Event.

First, here's one of my favorite techniques when you do go to a networking event.

Most sales training or even sales coaches might tell you to go to an event and meet as many people as possible. Talk with and get business cards from everyone you can. Then follow up with everyone to find out about your next step.

Whew, I'm exhausted just saying that as an idea.

Here's a little peek at what I know that you can do that you likely aren't already. Or else why would you be so held in the grips of sales reluctance?

So here's a strategy for the sales reluctant:

• Plan to go to an event.
• Decide in advance how many people or even who you want to meet.
• You might even want to ask a friend at the event to introduce you to just those people.
• Get only these people's business cards.
• Ask people to write their birthday on the back of their card – month and day only!
• If other people ask you for your card, give them only if you decide you intuitively know there is some worthwhile connection.
• Then, within two days, systematize your follow up with people and invite them to your next step to connect after the event. Also, use your system to send them a birthday card when it rolls around.

I'm headed to a local networking event this evening and I'll be both doing this myself and thinking that you might be out doing the same.

Listen.

Everyone loves to know you remember their birthday. Here's a great tip I stumbled on to make your telephone do JUST that for you!

Is this networking for the "right people", people you want to meet strategy more doable? Is it within your reach?

Give it a try and let me know how it works for you.

Pat Weber, America's Sales Reluctance Coach
Specializing for Introverts and Shy
http://www.prostrategies.com
Shy? Introvert? Reluctant about any part of the sales process?
Custom TIPAMONTH Marketing is an easy solution!
http://www.remembergreetingcards.com/easyfollowup test drive an account.

PS You can still take the sales reluctance survey! Read more!

Lucky people are more extroverted?

I came across this website The Luck Factor.

As you read the premise of this article, again there is an underlying misconception as so often happens with introversion versus extroversion.

What I DO agree with is the statement that to have more chance encounters turn into lucky opportunities means you have to be somewhat of a "social magnet."

Would you agree? I mean if you are a social butterfly, you will simply increase the number of your encounters.

But, here is where I part ways: "Social magnets attract others because they exhibit behaviors that other people find attractive and inviting, namely eye contact, smiling and open body language."

People think I AM an extrovert because I listen, with my eye contact, and I always wear a smile because - I am happy!

You can have "namely eye contact," and be more of an introvert.

Check out the Make Your Luck at The Luck Factor.

So how can we as people with sales reluctance make our own luck with less chance encounters? Isn't that the question?

Patricia Weber
The Sales Reluctance Coach
Specialty in Introverts and Shy Read more!

Sales reluctance turns into sales disappointments

I mentioned a survey in the Here's to Ringing in a Great 2008 post! The survey is giving me excellent information to continue to learn what sales reluctance problems my customers want to shake off. I work with independent professionals and sales people and small business owners who sell.

It's NOT surprising that 36% of those who responded said, "I am queasy about thinking about being at one."

Come on! I'm an INTJ who sells and attends these events. Most of the time I make it through about an hour of balancing food, drink (mine's usually water) and a semi-conscious conversation from another party.

There's a most surprising let-down around networking. A sales disappointment that I don't often experience.

It's a sales problem that must be addressed because as much as I dislike them - networking events work for me! I get leads, connections and sometimes clients.

The finding that I will be posting some bull-eyes tips for: "I attend them [networking events] but I don't meet the right people." That was mentioned 50% of the 12 "other" problems with networking.

Wow.

Let your sales hat soak that in.

Then come back once I've noodled it around a bit.

Patricia Weber
Sales Reluctance Coach with Specialty of Introverts and Shy

PS: I've posted my very first online video. No; not ready for PrimeTime or You Tube. We will get to finally meet though if we have not already. So take the survey now that is going to open even your selling eyes... Click Here to Take Survey. Read more!

A Happy Introvert Day!

Now it's official! Someone proclaimed A Happy Introvert Day.

As you start the New Year with celebration, consider Diane Cameron's idea. And I'm not referring to her statement about Howard Dean.

What idea intrigues me is claiming a A Happy Introvert Day. It's of course, perfect timing.

And why wouldn't be?

As introverts we usually think and plan before we dare make such a bold declaration.

What do you think? Can we just claim January 2nd as Introvert Day?

Do we even want to? Wouldn't it mean some kind of party to go to or can we make our own "party" rules?

Hope you celebrate a great 2008 EVERYDAY.


Pat Weber, America's #1 Sales Reluctance Coach
Specialty of Introverts and Shy
Shy? Introvert? Reluctant about any part of the sales process?
Just one tool for follow up that gets results for the reluctant salesperson:
http://www.remembergreetingcards.com/easyfollowup and get a GIFT ACCOUNT. Read more!

Here's to Ringing In a Great 2008

Wishing you every happiness this Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year.

Do you hate to sell, or get energized by cold calling?

What is your natural tendency when it comes to networking, schmoozing and sales?

How do you feel about giving a presentation or delivering a proposal?

Do you ever find yourself saying, "Oh I'm not a salesperson I am [fill in the blank with what title you give yourself.]"

Take a moment to get honest with yourself when you answer a quick survey waiting for you.

And, to let you know how grateful I am for your answers, there are three gifts waiting for you to claim.

First you get: a written report. Easy Steps to Shatter Your Sales Reluctance And Boost Your Business.

Second, you get an audio or the same report.

And third, you can attend a complimentary three part teleseries! HURRY! The series starts January 3rd, 2008.

Yes!

You can have all these valuable bonus gifts for less than two minutes of your time.

Just answer the 2 minute survey ... Click Here to Take Survey

The Survey is Anonymous!

Your answers will also help with the blogging information you get in 2008. More relevant, more focused and as always... right on point.

Regards,

Patricia Weber
Sales Reluctance Coach with Specialty of Introverts and Shy

PS: I've posted my very first online video. No; not ready for PrimeTime or You Tube. We will get to finally meet though if we have not already. So take the survey now ... Click Here to Take Survey. Read more!

Merry Christmas!

And happy holiday whatever you celebrate.

Are you like me this time of year? Sending cards? Thinking and planning for next year? Decluttering to keep energy high?

I just released this last week first to my ezine subscribers. A 2008 Calendar of 52 Coaching Thoughts. Subscribers on my email list always get gifts like this before a general announcement.

It's a 2008 Calendar of 52 of the Most Powerful Coaching Thoughts to help you each and every week with your focus, clarity and actions. You can either print out the year, or print out a month at a time or heck, just open it up to ponder the questions of the month.

Some of my favorite questions are, in no particular order:

-If you could wipe the slate clean for next year, what would you do?
-What is a better way to reach your goal that no one else is doing?
-How is where you are right now just perfect?
-What are you tolerating?
-What is life asking you to do differently?
-What would it be like right now if you could wave a magic wand?

The 2008 Calendar of 52 Coaching Thoughts available for download:
1) requires NO payment information,
2) requires no promo code,
3) you can forward the link for others to download,
4) needs to be completed in entirety (name, address) for you to be directed to the download page
5) requires you press the button "continue to payment information" so that you will
6) get an email with the link to download it later!

Yes; it is INVALUABLE because these are actual coaching questions that can help you get clear, get focused and get going. Every week of the year.

Go get yours now if you have not already. It's easy, it's quick, there is no payment information required, no codes.

You're just a click away.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Reluctance Coach! Read more!

Intoverts and Extroverts on Even Ground with Self-Confidence

I have an ecourse on Self-Confidence. Actually one that is for men and women and one for women only.

When I was researching certain pieces of the lessons, I found a clarification between self-esteem and self-confidence:

Self-esteem is how you think and feel about yourself. It is how YOU perceive you.

Self-confidence is a belief in yourself and abilities. You can have different levels of self-confidence in different areas of your life.

You may have already understood the difference. But knowing this difference, you will possibly find 9 Steps to Unshakeable Confidence by 9 Steps by Dr Jill Ammon-Wexler more meaningful. What I like most about the article is that it puts introverts and extroverts on even ground with self-confidence.

Sign up to receive a FREE Report, FREE ezine and FREE Teleclasses from Pat Weber - America’s #1 Coach for Introverts, Shy and Reluctant People Who Sell at http://www.prostrategies.com.

Uncover your personality and #1 selling strategy with quick assessment tools at
http://www.prostrategies.com/free/Type_Assess.php Read more!

Introverts and Balance in Business Networking

If you are an introvert like me, belonging to more than one organization for networking, you want to balance your energy and time. Everyone though wants a balance of give and take in resources, contacts, or clients. This keeps you in a steady flow of receiving. But in particular as an introvert and a salesperson, what are some ways to achieve this balance?

1) In a structured or unstructured event, when you connect with a number of contacts or connections for your specific networking purpose, you take don’t you? You take away something of value for yourself. Do you follow-up with those contacts? Don’t leave it up to them. You can do it easily enough without much extroverting. You can use something like I do, sendoutcards.

2) Do you follow-up with something they want from you? If you can, be on the giving end early in whatever way you can no matter how small. Your reputation will grow to be a connector. Giving is fairly easy for an introvert easy on because of our wanting to have close, but few connections.

3) If you belong to the association or organization participate on a committee. Even if there is one specific thing you know you can contribute for a committee, let someone know what you can do. Yes; you balance your membership with giving.

4) You may have some specific comments for the facilitator of an event to know that it was worthwhile. After all, you got a positive return on your time and energy didn’t you? Pick up the telephone or email that person to thank them.

5) You meet someone you know would be a valuable connector for you. Another take. Balance by talking for a few minutes to build rapport, with an exchange of cards and then move on. As an introvert I love being free to move on and recharge.

6) You got a referral you asked for. Now what do you give back? It’s quite appropriate to write a handwritten note or give a small gift to appreciate the person who opened the door for you.

7) If you always take but are short to give, you will find yourself not reaping all you can. If you always give but do not take, you will find yourself on the short end and maybe resentful. Stay in balance to stay in the flow of networking.

It’s a studied fact that when you balance give and take, you reap more than you would than if you just take. Reflect on how your networking balances give and take. Then act to either be or maintain balance.

Sign up to receive a FREE Report, FREE ezine and FREE Teleclasses from Pat Weber - America’s #1 Coach for Introverts, Shy and Reluctant People Who Sell at http://www.prostrategies.com.

Uncover your personality and #1 selling strategy with quick assessment tools at
http://www.prostrategies.com/free/Type_Assess.php Read more!

Intoverts Can't Lead? NO WAY!

INTJ is my Myers Briggs assessment for at least 20 years. Really. In that time I have: lead a sales organization of about 30 salespeople as sales manager; as president lead a women's business owner association with 150 members; as VP of Membership for another women's organization took the lead to get a directory online and I could literally bore you with these leadership roles.

I was reading Introverts versus Extroverts in which the author implies that only extroverts lead. Oh, there is one sentence eluding to that there are introverts who lead, "Some will lead in a realm that will be readily recognized, others will lead in their own quiet way."

I know I wasn't quiet in any sense of the word. Gee. I can remember one of my outside salespeople gifting me with contractor boots and note about "Kick Butt."

I think there are some cases that this is true that an introvert WOULD lead in an unassuming way. But to say that extroverts are going to be recognized as leaders and introverts will lead but not necessarily be known by doing - it's just not true.

What do you think?

Sign up to receive a FREE Report, FREE ezine and FREE Teleclasses from Pat Weber - America’s #1 Coach for Introverts, Shy and Reluctant People Who Sell at http://www.prostrategies.com.

Uncover your personality and #1 selling strategy with quick assessment tools at http://www.prostrategies.com/free/Type_Assess. Read more!

Self-Talk to Sales Success for Introverts

As introverts we spend a good deal of time in our own heads. Do you listen to your self-talk? What is your self-talk saying? How is your self-talk serving you? If your self-talk is more negative, and sounds like a snake’s rattle, it will scare you off from moving forward. This is poisonous thinking for people who are salespeople.

Most of us have reoccurring thought patterns which we repeat over and over again. Research shows that these repetitive thoughts create a neural pathway in our brain. If you have heard the term ‘limiting beliefs’, then you know it is negative self-talk over time that does this to your brain. The good news is that you can change the pathway.

Having a positive outlook and self-talk is a must have for salespeople. Yet, how is this possible if you are in a slump, just lost a customer or find yourself reluctant to even follow-up? How do you move away from the snake’s rattle?

Negative self-talk affects your emotions, which in turn affects your actions, and in the end can limit your sales performance.

Listen to yourself. Have you ever said something like “I don’t have what it takes”, “I didn’t deserve that sale anyway”, or “Why can’t I succeed?” The first part to change that neural pathway and shake off the snakes rattle is to recognize what you are saying to yourself, in particular what you say repeatedly.

Change your focus. Have an opposite and positive affirmation to replace the negative. Replace the thought “I don’t have what it takes,” with “I’m learning what works.” Instead of saying “I didn’t deserve that sale,” rephrase it to “I can learn from that experience.” The key is to say something to yourself that moves you in a more positive direction.

Challenge your thinking. You might want to ask yourself, “Is this thought beneficial to me now? What is underlying this negativity? How is it helping me? Or is it?” You want to be easy with yourself yet challenge the relevancy and benefit of such thinking.

James Lane Allen (1849 –1925), an American novelist, is credited with saying, “You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” You could reframe Allen’s quotation with “Your sales results today, are where your thoughts today have brought you. Your sales results will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” Where do you want your sales results to be?

Put It Into Action:
- What one thought, one self-talk phrase, can you identify right now which you believe is the most negative one for you?

- What one thing can you plan do to when you next hear this negative self-talk? (Hint: Decide on an action that moves you to the total opposite thought.)

- Once you have a more positive thought in place of this working in your self-talk, what will that mean for you? Stay focused on this benefit for you.

Want more ideas for being the best introvert in business you can be?

Sign up to receive a FREE Report, FREE ezine and FREE Teleclasses from Pat Weber - America’s #1 Coach for Introverts, Shy and Reluctant People Who Sell at http://www.prostrategies.com.

Uncover your personality and #1 selling strategy with quick assessment tools at http://www.prostrategies.com/free/Type_Assess. Read more!

Car hobbies have little to nothing to do with introversion or extroversion

I am not certain that all things can be termed introvert or extrovert preference. In particular my hobby, with my husband, of cars. Collectors can have dozens or even a hundred cars. We're not collectors but we are enthusiasts owning our two daily drivers, our classic and our sports car.

We are now attending our fifth car show this year. I believe my observation for five years, dozens of shows, and hundreds of car owners, has no anecdotal evidence to me of there being a preference to more extroverts or introverts.

You either have a car interest or you don't.

What do you think?

And if you are an introvert who sells, come over to my website at http://www.prostrategies.com and sign up for my report and ezine. Read more!

Sales Results Group for Introverts Like A Library

As a sales coach for introverts, shy and reluctant, I know that at times I find it worthwhile to work with a small group of other like-minded coaches to help me through any business dilemmas. With this is mind, the Sales Results Group is born.

The Sales Results Group is designed to be like a library, a safe place to explore and learn. You add to sales skills and knowledge, refine what you have already with the support of an expert, and you are required to take action week to week.

If you already have a foundation for sales and marketing, but want more results, more easily and more often, this is the program for you.

The Sales Results Group is for Salespeople, Independent Professionals and Small Business Owners who sell, who want to get to your sales goals sooner, not later. It is for people who want an environment that gives you additional skills information that you may not already have and moves you more quickly to your goals.

The Sales Results Group is for you if...

• Your sales attitude is mostly positive about wanting to help customers to buy from you.
• You have the basic understanding of the selling and buying process.
• You have prospects that are moving along the marketing channel to a point of making a decision.
• You have a good idea of the high priority activities of selling.
• You know have best customers who buy from you.
• You don’t think of yourself as a salesperson.
• You claim there’s not enough time to prospect AND follow up.

You can learn more about it at my website. Read more!

Where are you along the introversion and extroversion continuum?

This month I have done more extroverting that I normally do so needless to say, I am exhausted. Yesterday I was invited to be a guest speaker in a local Chamber of Commerce networking group.

Let me pose the same question to you as I did to them: knowing that we ALL do introverting and extroverting all day long, can you identify some of your favorite activities of either type?

Not surprising to me, however to the group it was, once they got going, light bulbs began to come on!

Yes; many people like reading - on the introvert side of the continuum. On this side are also activities like contemplating, planning, preparing, meditating, gardening, having lunch alone, listening to relaxing music at a low volume, and listening.

I believe that listening is more toward the middle of this "doing" continuum.

And then the extroverting actions are more like hosting a party, lunching with friends, happy hour events, networking events, speaking or in public, going to a party.

Most people, once they understand the continuum, can identify their preferences of "doing" and then have more understanding of what gives them energy.

What other activities do YOU like doing and which side of the continuum would you list in on? Read more!

2007 Networker of the Year is One of Two Recognized Twice in 28 Years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Patricia Weber
Professional Strategies Inc
757-870-1953
pweber@prostrategies.com

May 29, 2007

2007 Networker of the Year is One of Two Recognized Twice in 28 Years

Download this Press Release as a PDF Document

WILLIAMSBURG, VA: Patricia Weber of Williamsburg was recognized with the 2007 Peninsula Women’s Network (PWN), Networker of the Year Award. PWN of Hampton, Virginia, is the longest continuously operating women's network in the country. Its first meeting was in May 1979.

Weber is only the second member in its 28 years to receive this award twice. Weber has been on the board since 2004 serving as VP of Membership twice, leading the organization into technology with it’s member only website, is a contributing staff writer to the newsletter and facilitates annual teleclasses for the members on use of their website.

Weber, America’s #1 Sales Coach for Introverts, owner and founder of Professional Strategies Inc, concentrates her business on coaching salespeople, independent professionals who sell and small business owners, primarily introverts.

The Networker of the Year is selected from the members, currently 178, in recognition of outstanding service to PWN. It acknowledges that Weber contributed her time, talent and energy to helping connect people with people throughout the community.

“It’s a privilege to have this recognition. When I consider the friendships I have in the network, the award is second place. That’s the introvert in me! I love helping where and how I can because it’s what this network is about,” says Weber.

Patricia Weber, America’s #1 Sales Coach for Introverts, has been serving clients around the world since 1990. The company offers a wide array of professional development services including business coaching and critical soft skills training for the public and private sector. For more information, visit www.prostrategies.com or call 757-870-1953.

### Read more!

More comfortable, confident sales approach for introverts

Can you answer any of these questions, “yes?”

- Are you uncomfortable with selling?
- Does marketing at a networking event make you queasy?
- Do you procrastinate with follow-up, just a little?
- Are you nervous or ill-at-ease when speaking in front of people?
- Is your impression of a successful salesperson one of a hand-shaking, smooth talker?
- Do you think you have to be a high-energy extrovert to have the sales success you want?

What if you could go through your day with a focus and comfort on your highest sales priorities that are natural for you?

How good would you feel to no longer have those self-doubts and nagging habits that keep you from your sales goals?

What if there were a way to boost your sales and have more energy than ever at the end of a day?

If you visit my website, you'll find out how to sell with more confidence and more easily.
Read more!

Additional Introvert’s Communiqué in the Workplace

Here are another six thoughts on perceptions of introverts in the workplace:

I don’t always socialize during networking or other social events.
TRUTH I prefer in-depth conversation and find little value in chitchat.

When I start dragging at social events people call me a party pooper.
TRUTH I need time alone to reenergize and recharge.

I come across intense.
TRUTH I’m probably using my strong ability to focus and concentrate.

It seems like I’m a loner or territorial.
TRUTH Time and space to myself is energizing.

You think I don’t like people.
TRUTH I am self-reflective, even around others.

I can be uncomfortable with change.
TRUTH I prefer a thoughtful, creative approach to changes.

There are certainly more than these and the first six posted. What's important to me it seems is that we work toward clearning up this misperceptions. Read more!

How did we give people this impression?

Today I was a guest at a BNI meeting - Business Networking International. My membership expired in my own chapter and I decided not to rejoin for a third year. Suddenly now I am being invited to other chapters as a guest. I must have been getting too comfortable with my own chapter because I either never noticed this or somehow the misperception about introverts continues!

A Mary Kay director asked me, "what kind of work do you do?" I told her I help introverts, shy and reluctant who sell so they can boost their confidence, their prospects and their business. While HER first reaction was, "Wow. How do you do that?" a man standing by put his arm around a friend of his, with his eyes cast down and a monotone voice he quipped, "Oh then please help me." Then he giggled like a school boy.

It may have been a misinterpretation but to me clearly, he was portraying a withdrawn and likely boring person.

Do you get the connection of what I saw?

How do you react to something like that? I'm asking before I tell you how I responded. Read more!

An Introvert’s Communiqué in the Workplace

Here are some top perceptions of introverts in the workplace and the corresponding truth to them:

I don’t always speak immediately in meetings.
TRUTH I usually think before I respond or speak.

Brainstorming or bouncing ideas around aloud does not excite me.
TRUTH I prefer to use analysis and thinking to come up with solutions.

I don’t share personal information easily.
TRUTH I prefer to share private thoughts with friends.

I seem unfriendly or quiet.
TRUTH I communicate best one-to-one and listen easily.

I appear uneasy meeting new people, and making friends.
TRUTH I can be very self-confident in front of an audience.

I prefer to work on my own rather than do group work.
TRUTH I work well with others, especially one-to-one relationships.

“It is actually healthy to be an introvert. The only unhealthy part of it is denying your true self and trying to disguise yourself as an extrovert.” psychologist Linda K. Silverman, 2001 Read more!