THE UNMOTIVATING MOTIVATIONAL MEETING

I am a firm believer that if you have something to say, get it off your chest, say it! But I am also a believer that there is a time and place for everything.

We have all sat through sales meetings that were supposed to be motivating and uplifting only to have a fellow rep use the meeting as a sounding board for something that just didn’t belong in the meeting forum. I have watched reps commit professional suicide because they couldn’t keep from spewing negative statements during a public forum.

As a sales trainer I have had reps try and take control of training sessions so they could get on a soapbox about a subject that had nothing to do with training and a subject that I personally had no control over.

I understand the frustrations that reps go through everyday dealing with the politics and processes of their companies. I know what it is like to have sales managers that are less than willing to help solve these problems because of fear of their own careers. I know what it is like to have something to say and have no one willing to listen. I know what it is like to listen to managers tell you how GREAT things are when you have issues that no one will address.

None of these things are fun, motivating or right. But they are all real life in the sales world. None of these things should happen. But they happen every day.

It is disillusioning to me to see reps that are so depressed because they have no place to speak their minds and voice their opinions and concerns. But I am more disillusioned when a rep takes every chance they get to speak about things that are just out of line for the purpose of the meeting being held.

Here are a few tips that may save your careers;

1)      Get a private audience with your manager. Don’t make problems public when they are YOUR problems and can be solved between you and your manager.

2)      Keep it on a professional level. State your opinion or problem in a professional way keeping emotions out of it.

3)      Don’t attack. Remember you are having a meeting not a fight. If you are looking for help from your manager keep him or her as your friend not your enemy.

4)      Say it once. There is no reason to keep repeating the same thing over and over. If you said it the right way the first time they will understand what you need and that will do it. Saying it over and over doesn’t help.

5)      Watch your language, there is no room for any foul language. Even if your manager tells you that it is ok, always be the pro and never stoop down to that level.

I know how hard it is for someone who makes their living talking to keep quiet, but sometimes your silence will speak louder than your voice.

Lorin