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Sales Made Easy 4
If you’ve been reading along, you know we’ve spent the last few weeks discussing my four-word rules for business success. My goal remains simple: I want to give you easy-to-implement tools, tactics, and techniques to improve your business.
Each rule is only four words long because that’s all it takes to make a huge difference when building your brand and business. And because four words are about all my short attention span can handle!
Rule 1 is: “Shut the @#$%!! up.” If you missed it, point your browser HERE.
Rule 2 is: “Take them to lunch.” If you missed that one, point your browser HERE.
Rule 3 is “Uncover The Real Problem.” If you missed that one, point your browser HERE.
Today’s rule might be counterintuitive and might even surprise you, especially if you believe in Sell, Sell, Sell, no matter what. But in all the years I’ve worked with some of the biggest companies in the world, I have found that Rule 4 proves itself true time and time again.
Besides being the key to running a successful business, Rule 4 is also essential in generating continuing sales and a great way to improve the quality of your life.
Sales Made Easy 4
Ready? Four-word Rule 4 is simple:
Don’t work… with Schmucks.
If you’re not familiar with the term, “Schmuck” is a Yiddish word that has entered English slang. Its meaning is generally understood to refer to a foolish or contemptible person, although, in some contexts, it can be a vulgar insult. Still, in its everyday usage, it typically means someone considered stupid or obnoxious rather than being a literal reference to a certain body part.
So Rule 4 is Don’t work with Schmucks.
Simple as that.
Life is too short, and the world is too small for you to spend time building relationships for or with people who make your life miserable. Not only are toxic people unpleasant, but working for folks like that will not result in increased sales, great work, or enviable profits. It’ll simply result in aggravation and frustration.
But it gets worse.
Because working with schmucks will not only keep you from making money and enjoying yourself, they will also destroy the environments they work within. What that means to you is that your unpleasant clients and your unpleasant coworkers and employees will not only ruin the part of your business they are involved in, but they can also damage the parts of your business (and your life) that they’re NOT involved with.
Unfortunately, these toxic types can often look like great potential customers. But even with potential, they are not important enough to keep around.
Instead, they are:
- Unpleasant.
- Unprofitable.
- Ultimately able to destroy parts of your business they’re not even involved with.
Sales Made Easy 4
Remember, only you are living your life. And you get to choose who you spend your time with. Let someone less evolved deal with them. Your time is reserved for people and activities that deserve your attention.
If you look at it this way, Sales Made Easy Rule 4 is a no-brainer.
Don’t work with Schmucks.
Hello Bruce:
I trust this note finds you well. We met at the Diversity Alliance for Science a few years ago. I truly enjoy your columns but Sales Made Easy takes the cake! I’ve practiced your 4 axioms for 18 years with terrific results. #4 is especially powerful because working with the wrong individuals can eviscerate years of hard work / progress. Lastly, I appreciate the simplicity in your presentations. Keep sharing the knowledge.
Regards,
Bob
Hi Bob, I remember our conversations in Newark very well. It’s always great fun to make a presentation to real people instead of just anonymous audiences and you made sure that happened for me at DA4S. Thank you for that and for your very kind words. I’m glad you’re following along and reading my blogs. And I’m even more glad that you took the time to let me know. Thank you.