What’s your goal in 2011? A trick to make it happen.

by Rusty Bishop, PhD.

2011 is already flying by. Hopefully, you are out there selling products to scientists that will make their lives better and research stronger.

Like most companies, here at Red Funnel, we made laundry list of resolutions and business goals. This year, I plan on actually following through using a method that has worked like a champ for me in 2010, the all-mighty Post-It Note.

The Sales Bible

On the recommendation of good friend I recently read the The Sales Bible by Jeffrey Gitomer. I must say it is an impressive read and, I highly recommend it. Gitomer is little over the top with his bravado and “you’re terrible at selling” comments, but his techniques are highly tested and proven, if you can get over the bravado.

I highly recommend the chapters on Overcoming Objections and Networking! Extremely useful for us “sales folks”. In fact, if you travel for sales, the AudioBook Version is great for planes and driving with your iPad or iPod.

The Post-It Note Trick

One of the tricks outlined in the book is to write your goal or resolution on a Post-It Note and put in on your bathroom mirror, so you see it every morning. When you reach the goal or complete the resolution, you move the Post-It note to different part of your house.

At first, I was skeptical, but there is something amazing about reading that goal every morning and evening. It really focuses you. The longer its on the mirror the more it angers you and nags at you.

Until you do something about it…

…then it gets fun trying to get that dang thing off of there (sure you could just take it off, but thats even more depressing trust me!).

I really had to put some numbers on the note to make it work.

For example, “Excercise More” did nothing. But “Run 5 Miles Without Stopping” was effective.

Give it try. It’s fun and productive.

Goals

So what are your sales or marketing goals in 2011?

Better traffic?

Crushing your numbers in Q1, so you can take the rest of the year off?

Treating your customers well, so they buy from you again?

Regardless of the goal, the Post-It Note method may help you reach it!

Have a great 2011! I can’t wait, can you?

The author doesn’t sell things to scientists, and his wife thinks the Post-It Notes trick is little crazy.  You can catch the next article by following the Red Funnel on Twitter or by subscribing to our newsletter.

Rusty

Rusty’s expertise rests in his ability to apply his Scientific Experience to the Marketing and Sales Funnel. Something we call the Red Funnel. He has developed a deep understanding of the web and the toolset needed to analyze websites as well as sales and marketing tactics both online and in the field.