I just got off the phone with a dear friend.
We were brainstorming together on ideas, comparing notes on what was happening in our businesses, discussing our struggles and what we felt we could improve on.
It's something we do every 30 days.
And I get off the phone feeling inspired, supported and full of energy from all the laughing!I just love her!
Want to know something fabulous and strange? She's also my competitor.
Do You Think Competitor Is A Swear-Word?
You may hear the word COMPETITOR and think the sharks are circling for a kill...
- Ugh!
- Nasty!
- "They are sucking the money from my bank account"
- "They steal my customers"
Uh-Oh. You've fallen into a trap I see many women fall into.
Do You Think The Competition is Your Enemy?
Years ago I worked at a local weekly newspaper and I was the only woman sales rep. The company was expanding the sales team and hired another woman. I thought " Excellent!! Finally someone I can work with and sell more with!" Was I deluded. On her first day, she walked up to me, extended her hand without a smile and said...
"So - are you ready for a little healthy competition?"
For her I was the enemy that she intended on beating. She had fallen into a stereotypical way of thinking and it cost her BIG. How?
- I wouldn't let her aggressive ways get to me and it made her look ridiculous.
- She lost the opportunity to have my big brain on her side.
- I kicked her butt in sales so bad she eventually became speechless.
Lady - Grow A Competitor Into A Friend!
Over the years, I have had many fabulous strategic alliances and friendships with people you would consider the "competition". Sometimes they were salespeople I worked with, or other media I sold against, or now - as an entrepreneur - other sales experts.
Every now and then someone wanted to bully their way into my world - however - I have no time for small-time thinkers.
Flick.
I focus my time on growing relationships with people I like, trust and admire - and where I know we can help each other grow to new levels. And so should you.
Of course you won't align yourself with a competitor who is a jerk - or someone who is an unethical piece of work.
The good news is that MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT LIKE THAT!
One Thing I Know For Sure - You're Your Own Worst Enemy
If you're worried about kicking sand in the sand box at your competitor - you won't be able to see the opportunities that are surrounding you!
My Diva Dare?
Contact at least one competitor who you feel would be a great strategic alliance - maybe they have a product line you don't have and you can send them customers etc.
Think of how you can help each other to GROW larger than you ever could on your own. Be creative and for goodness sake - quit thinking SMALL.
So there.
Related Articles
Yikes! Did I Shave My Legs for This?
By: Kim Duke | 01/09/2007 | Sales
What little details in your sales/business/marketing have you missed lately darling?
The Horrid Habit of Women in Sales
By: Kim Duke | 01/09/2007 | Sales
Want to Know What Your Horrid Little Habit is? Perfectionism!
Crumbling Like a Cookie When "closing" the Deal?
By: Kim Duke | 06/10/2007 | Sales
Remember Lady - Being In Sales Is About Asking For The Dough!
How to Create a Meaty Client Promotion!
By: Kim Duke | 06/10/2007 | Sales
What could YOU offer to your clients in the next few months that would entice and encourage them to spend more (or even buy from you the first time?)
Consultative Selling And Developing A Winning Attitude
By: Rufus Shinra | 12/02/2008 | Management
Consultative selling is a Customer focused method of delivering the exact solutions our Customers are looking for. Consultative selling is about effective communication, asking questions, and finding the results your Customer wants. You must be the expert, your Customers' guide in exploring all aspects of their problem so you can...
3 Expert Sales Tips
By: Omar Martin | 25/04/2008 | Internet
If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me "How can I make more sales?" Well, lets just say, I would have a heck of a lot of nickels! The fact is the answer is different for everyone. I would have to look at your product and analyze your entire process to tell you exactly where the problem is. Lucky for you, there are a few secrets I can share with you to increase your sales right off the bat.
Selling Online
By: Omar Martin | 28/04/2008 | Internet
Here's 3 simple things you can do to increase your sales regardless of what you sell or where you sell, Internet, face to face, telemarketing, whatever... It doesn't matter. This stuff works everywhere and if you're not doing it your just missing the boat!
Fatal Sales Mistake Number 2: Stop Winging It!
By: Drew Laughlin | 22/09/2006 | Business
Fatal Mistake No. 2 is "Winging It." When presenting to a prospect, how many times have you not really known much about his business or not really known what you're going to say or what road you're going to take the prospect down? This is a huge error salespeople make far too often.
I know because I've been there.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Sales Articles
Cutting Edge Business Card Printing
By: John Mahoney | 21/08/2008
Business card printing is not new in the corporate world. It has been a long-running business with very little advancements through the years.
Tips for Purchasing a Suit
By: Mejo John | 21/08/2008
Advice float from any nook and corner, and every fashion designer or a fashion expert would advice you on the matter of a suit. They would say that it is essential that every man has atleast one nice suit. You never can estimate when you would require a good suit for a wedding or for a business meet where formal attire is a must.
Sales - a Dirty Word
By: Patrick E Cavanaugh | 20/08/2008
Salesperson - a pushy, loud and arrogant hand shaking backslapper. Right?
How Much Does it Cost? Estimating
By: Patrick E Cavanaugh | 20/08/2008
Nobody wants to work for nothing, but many painter do when they don't charge for all the things that are part of each job. If you intend to do a complete job, and your customer is asking for a complete job, then you should be charging for a complete job. Leave something off of the estimate and you are working for nothing.
How to Estimate a Paint Job - or It's not Guess Work
By: Patrick E Cavanaugh | 20/08/2008
You can do all things correctly; but, if you mess up here, you can get hurt. It's not rocket science to estimate a paint job. It's actually fairly easy. I have seen everything in the way of paint job estimates, from something scribbled on a torn off sheet of scrap paper to ones like mine which are broken down into each room, and within each room, the individual elements.
Work for Free
By: Patrick E Cavanaugh | 20/08/2008
I always felt crappy after having a sales call and spilling my guts, telling a customer everything I knew about the job, spending hours talking about product knowledge, techniques and such.
People Search Tools: People Search by Phone
By: Apolie Turtz | 20/08/2008
Locating someone whom you haven’t had contact for years can be very hard. And sometimes without anyone to help you, you can’t probably do it alone and contacting other people could be too time-consuming and still you will not be sure with the results. Hiring a private investigator can be an effortless action but paying an expensive service when there is a cheaper method can be impractical. You have to allot a large amount only to hire an investigator when you can do it simply online.
It can be
Job Costing
By: Patrick E Cavanaugh | 20/08/2008
Job costing is a technique for evaluating performance on individual jobs. It is also a way to maintain historical data, to use to estimate future work. The calculation of costs on a job by job basis helps to take our financial temperature. How is this crew doing? How are we doing on this type of work?
More from Kim Duke
The Most Refreshing Tip for Dealing With Sales Rejection
By: Kim Duke | 11/06/2008 | Sales
So.
You've met with the client. Provided a proposal. Asked when they wanted follow-up. You felt the meeting went well and secretly you were counting the dollars and where you were going to spend them.
And then you've...
Called, e-mailed, Called, e-mailed, Called, e-mailed, Called, e-mailed, Called, e-mailed, Called, e-mailed, Called, e-mailed, Called, e-mailed, Called, e-mailed (deep breath!) until you're blue in the face??
And NO ONE is getting back to you?
Are You Suffering From This Rainy Day Sales Mistake
By: Kim Duke | 11/06/2008 | Sales
Many Sales People Live Too Much In The Moment
Yes - I know we're taught by the self-help gurus to "live in today." But when it comes to business and especially to selling, that is the kiss of death.
I see it all the time.
People get excited when they close a big sale and then promptly throw all caution to the wind and spend every cent. Sometimes they even do it ahead of time (before the sale is even closed)...and that is a recipe for disaster sister.
Are You Saying This Magical Phrase to Your Customers
By: Kim Duke | 11/06/2008 | Sales
She pronounces my name as "Keeeeem" and is not only a talented hair stylist; she is also a talented musician who plays the viola and piano.
We always have the best conversations. As she was cutting my hair, we were discussing selling. Maria said:
"Keeeem - I don't sell - I offer change."
Here's me, with wet hair, wearing the black rubber cape and I yelled "I need a pen to write that down
A Ridiculously Easy Way to Increase Sales
By: Kim Duke | 11/06/2008 | Sales
My mom has a fabulous expression you're going to love.
She believes if you want to make life a little more interesting then you need to ...
"Stir The Pot"
So What Does Stir The Pot Mean?
I'm sure you've had this happen. (in fact - you may be experiencing it at this very moment)
You've been busy. Or distracted. Or focusing on something else (whatever that may be).
And during your "mental absence" your sales have slowed down -in fact, there's nothing simmering at all.
And you're starting to
How to Create a Meaty Client Promotion!
By: Kim Duke | 06/10/2007 | Sales
What could YOU offer to your clients in the next few months that would entice and encourage them to spend more (or even buy from you the first time?)
Crumbling Like a Cookie When "closing" the Deal?
By: Kim Duke | 06/10/2007 | Sales
Remember Lady - Being In Sales Is About Asking For The Dough!
The Horrid Habit of Women in Sales
By: Kim Duke | 01/09/2007 | Sales
Want to Know What Your Horrid Little Habit is? Perfectionism!
Yikes! Did I Shave My Legs for This?
By: Kim Duke | 01/09/2007 | Sales
What little details in your sales/business/marketing have you missed lately darling?
Business 
