Everything I learned about sales I learned from working in a restaurant

Thanks to Jeffery who reminded me that everything I learned about sales I learned from working in a restaurant.

In order to put myself through college (and I can proudly say I graduated without taking out a dime in student loans) I waited tables and bartended. Here’s just a snippet of the lessons I learned:

• Engaging in quality conversations with strangers is the key to being remembered.
• Exceeding expectations is more important than simply meeting them.
• Your income is directly proportionate to your effort and personality.
• Upselling is an effective way to increase your bottom line.
• Getting along with a mix of personalities is an inevitable part of life.
• Put out fires with they are small – ignoring a bad situation only makes it worse.
• Anticipate your client’s needs.
• Thorough product knowledge is key.
• Prepare for objections and have prepared responses.
• Be able to think on your feet.
• Learn to ask for help – your service will suffer if you are stubborn.
• Be honest – if you lie, the customer will always find out.
• Underpromise and overdeliver.
• A smile goes a long way.
• Learn to let go the things that you can’t control.
• Consistently do your best – at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.
• You can’t please everyone – but you can at least try to.
• Treat every client like they are the only one you are working with.
• Be yourself.

***************************************************************************************

Andrea Morris is a marketing coach who specializes in helping visionaries, entrepreneurs, consultants and small businesses use high-ROI strategies to get the right message to the right people. For more information, please visit writeideasmarketing.com