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Scout with a Plan to Increase Sales

Written by: Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Article Overview: Remember the old scouts of the West? These folks went ahead to make sure the trail was safe. Have you considered embracing this role to increase sales?

Scout with a Plan to Increase Sales

A scout is someone who listens or hears ahead of the main force. From yesterday to today, a scout listens for obstacles whether they are animals, vegetables or minerals. By taking this action of scouting ahead of mapping the potential obstacles, the main body was able to "work smarter not harder" when it came to handling future events.

Salespersons also have the opportunity to be their own scouts. Unfortunately, as the authors of It's Not the Big that Eat the Small, But the Fast that It's the Slow, executives spend less than 15 minutes a day focused on scouting the future. The tasks of yesterday and today interfere with the ability to listen or hear the future.

So how those who are in the position of selling truly embrace this role of scout as they think about their future? Maybe the answer lies in the word map. Before the invention of GPS, having a map was standard operating procedure for anyone traveling by a car or even walking in a large zoo or amusement park.

You can use a map or what I prefer call My Action Plan as the scout for your future personal, professional or organizational success. This MAP has these key areas:

• Purpose Statement
• Values Statement
• Vision Statement
• Mission Statement for the next year
• Key Performance Indicators
• Written goals in these 8 growth areas:
• Time Management
• Productivity
• Revenue
• Personal Life Balance
• Continuous Learning
• Self Leadership (sales skills)

Additionally, you will need to make an appointment with yourself to allow you time to scout for future obstacles. By investing a minimum of 60 minutes each week that is less than 10 minutes a day, you can embrace this role of scout. Then you can begin to take control of your sales future instead of allowing the Weasel Forces of Life take control. These forces are somewhat hidden, but if you hear the any of the following words:

• Would Of
• Could Of
• Should Of
• Think
• Maybe
• Try
• Might
• Yeah but
• Hope

You now are aware and have a better opportunity to become a victor instead of becoming a victim to these forces. Only you know if becoming your own scout would have meaning for you. And that is another power choice each and everyone of us make every day when we awaken to either embrace the opportunities within each day or reject them.

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Article Tags: 60 minutes, amusement park, continuous learning, future events, growth areas, invention, key areas, key performance indicators, li li, life balance, obstacles, organizational success, personal life, purpose statement, scout, self leadership, standard operating procedure, time management, vision statement, weasel



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