Buy into the Dreamer before the Dream

Simplified Success Strategies

By Bruce Lund, NEXTPERT
Topic: Career Development, Emerging Leaders   www.nextpert.net

The number one skill any professional can have today is the ability to sell something. We are all sales people in some fashion. Whether you realize it or not you are selling people on your ideas every day.

Being able to articulate who you are, what you do, and why you matter is crucial in your development to get from where you are to where you want to be. Begin to intentionally influence others in a positive way and practice the skill of selling on those around you. Whether it’s simply practicing the power of persuasion on those closest to you or trying to close a big deal this hard skill takes practice.

Having the ability to sell something is THE one skill that will make you indispensible in ANY economy. Nothing happens until something is sold. Learn to make your company money and you will never have to worry about job security.

It starts by carrying yourself with confidence. Act like you are somebody and people will treat you like you are. Begin to hone out your message and have a go-to statement that you use in every interaction. Remember, if you control the language you can control the message. Use your knowledge in your area of expertise as a way to influence those around you.

We live in the Age of Association and companies are turning to professionals that have communication skills. More and more companies are resorting back to hiring people with soft skills. Emotional Intelligence is the #1 indicator for success not IQ. Developing your social skills and being able to positively influence others is a key component to selling.

Most NEXTPERTs I work with are front-line employees. This means they are usually the first person potential clients see and meet. It is vital to have face-to-face communication traits that others are naturally attracted to and feel at ease with. Statistics tell us we get 30 seconds to make an impression on someone and if we make a bad first impression it takes 18 positive interactions to make up for it.

Don’t be the person that slips up just once because you never know who might walk into your life.

Answer these three questions to prevent a bad first impression:

How are you carrying yourself every day (confidence)? What are you projecting to the world at all times (body language)? Are you a person with a positive disposition on life (high-energy).

Just think about the people you are naturally attracted to. I think it is a fair assessment that they rank highly in all three of these questions.

Bruce Lund is the Founder & CEO of NEXTPERT, a training service that develops emerging leaders into the BEST of the NEXT! Bruce simplifies Success Strategies for professionals looking to play at a different level through his proven 3-step process. DISCOVER Your Brand. DEVELOP Your Brand. LIVE Your Brand. Every company needs a team of NEXTPERTs working the front-lines aspiring to be great leaders.

"Every day in your current role is an interview for your NEXT!"