A childhood launch into sales

The following question was asked of me on Quora:

What was your first sales experience?

Jeannette Marshall, Sales pro; business dev't; sales leadership

Answered just now

What a great question! Reminiscence of my childhood that was blessed in many ways, yet showed me that I really wanted something bad enough I had to be resourceful.

My family had a planned vacation to Cyprus and I really wanted a snorkel set to allow me to explore the Mediterranean ocean beneath me. Imagine, I was a kid stationed in Germany and items like this were not in the base PX (store).

Sales mission:  My idea launched: operation paperback! My mom was an avid reader and gave me full access to selling any of her paperbacks. First I set up a command post on weekends at the community center with all the paperbacks for sale. When people asked how the money was going to be used, I explained that it was to buy a snorkel set for a family vacation. (NOTE: Objective)

In the evening, I would pack up the books and go door-to-door in the community, inviting people to purchase the books. (NOTE: Action)

Outcome: I got the snorkel set and a sales career was born.

Objective. Really. Sales is about having an objective or target that you must attain. How you go about achieving your objective is vast and varied, dependent upon innovative thinking and tenacity. When you tie in your objective with what you want to accomplish, it makes the motivation much easier.

Enthusiasm. If you are excited about the end result, what you are selling, the benefits you bring, it is much easier to be convincing to entice others to buy.

If you would like me to answer your specific sales or social media question, just go to Quora and ask away!  Alternatively, I will respond from comments.

Abandon Canada?

CREDIT: Graeme MacKay

The following is a response from a question I was asked to answer on Quora:

I’m sorry that you had to even ask the question: it bespoke a fear. Never good in any situation.

If Canada were allowed to deport a Canadian citizen, I think many Canadians would come up with someone they’d like to deport: Justin Beiber high on many lists.

Your husband wants to be heard. So you listen.
If you get a chance, perhaps ask him what country he is comparing Canada to?

People lose their jobs all over the world. I assure you, it is not a regional specialty. In my city, we’re dependent upon oil, and that’s the risk we take if we’re employed in that industry that likes to dip and peak at various times.

Perhaps your husband doesn’t like his career choice? Maybe it’s time to go back to school and do what he really wants to do or always wanted to learn.
I’m not sure whether even other Provinces in Canada have them, but in Alberta, the provincial government does have means to support those wanting to change careers.


Perhaps you live in the city where housing or rent is much more expensive than in the rural areas.
It’s only a hunch, but with the fast pace of Amazon expansion, he could get in the food or agricultural business. With the world’s population continuously expanding and borders bulging, food is something that will always be in demand. Restaurants tend to be risky and finance averse (lenders are wary).

Finally, take your husband to a Remembrance Day service on November 11th - it is a time we honor those who have fought on our behalf and the world to be a better place for Canadians. It is a Saturday. No excuses.

I’d almost guarantee that he’ll feel more proud of being a Canadian and appreciate a coffee at Tim Horton’s afterwards to ask him what he’d rather do or where he’d rather be.

Why do sales professionals use email?

The following was my answer on Quora:

Follow up. Follow Up. Follow UP.

Thank you Monica for asking me to answer this question.

Let’s assume that the sales professional and the client or prospect have exchanged business cards. On said business cards is the email address.

Let’s consider what sort of emails a sales professional would send:

1. Thank them for the connection. Short sweet, to the point. (Reminds them that you connected).
2. After a meeting: you send an email with bullets on

• What was discussed.
• What actions each party promised to make.
• Confirm follow up actions you will take or information you promised.
• Confirm next steps: when you will follow up and how?
• Schedule a meeting
• Reinforce the mutual benefit to be gained with focus on the reader.

Almost all top sales professionals would not rely solely on email. It is another touch point. It is not a license to spam.

A savvy sales pro would think of it as a form of keeping in touch but stays on topic.

Close the email with the next step: usually promised in person.

Email shows the ability to stay true to one’s word.

Email can be used to provide information or articles the reader expressed interest in.

CRMs (Customer Relationship Management) tools have email features that allow sales pros to track the relationship, record notes, follow up when promised. They also indicate the last time you touched base. Act accordingly.

If the recipient responds, even with a simple “thank you” it would indicate you are not lost in the SPAM folder.

The recipient will usually respond with agreement on next steps.

They may respond with a referral to someone else in their buy cycle. Leverage that name, cc the referrer as acknowledgement that you did act on their recommendation. Then refrain from including them in every other communication.

Email invitations to events, open houses, etc.

From the beginning, a sales pro can establish the rules of engagement. What sort of information they are interested in (i.e. sales, announcements)

People are adverse to unsolicited email, keep that in mind.

REMEMBER: email should never replace face to face communications.