Selling the Sellable

This guy named Jesse at Buckle introduced himself to me. We talked about professionalism in the market place and taking pride in our job. He told me how once he went to P.F. Changs in Scottsdale and ordered food, a plate that he orders custom, half shrimp and half scallions, however this time it was horrible. He then ordered another plate and it was horrible too, two in a row.

He payed and left and went to the P.F. Changs in Tempe and ordered the same meal. He payed twice to get what he expected, in order to get the best that the restaurant had. He explained to them what happened and they gave him a lot of gift cards because of his efforts and how they were honored in his dedication to them and how he was willing to pay twice for what he wanted.

When he was at Buckle he stood for 15 minutes before anyone helped him then when he asked for help the girl didn't know anything about the products. A few days prior I was at Pac-Sun and they didn't know that a jacket I bought had sleeves that zipped off. The first girl was stunned and asked how did I know the sleeves zipped off, I said, "I looked at it", while I was pointing at it. She yelled to another girl and asked her if she knew that and the other girl was as shocked as the first girl.

People do not have pride in their product, in their jobs. How come?

When I worked in retail as a young guy people would always ask me if I got payed commission because I would push products. I prided myself in becoming an expert at our products. They would be confused that I would push one thing over another and not be getting commission. I told them there are some products we sell that I believe in and some that I don't. Based off their needs, wants, desires, comfort level and money they were willing to spend I would give them the best product that met THEIR needs, not the item that paid me based off my selling skills. It should not take commission selling in order for you to want to know about your products. Just like this picture illustrates, we must make people aware of what we know and want them to know before they are willing to make a decision.
Commission sells vs. non-commission sells changes the attitude and commitment of salesmen. Most people will become experts if they get paid based off their ability to make a sell for a given product. When I was 18 I worked in direct sales for a couple years and my pay was 100% based off my ability to move product. I made $700 in a matter of two days but then could go 2 weeks without anything. In a matter of my first week working there I became an expert in product knowledge of our product. Most people learn the power of product knowledge when their lives and income depend on it.

I am not even talking about methods of selling, how to be a salesman, how to move product or anything, I am simply talking about knowing your product!

So how does this apply to pastors/creatives/leaders? What is your product? What is it that you are pushing? Are you a professional, an expert in your product? If not, why? What is your plan to get someone to be aware of what you believe then move to the decision step?

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I'm Only Liking It As A Friend

Why am I just likin' it when I should be lovin' it?

Us as leaders/pastors/business leaders all have a common goal, selling. We sell our belief system a.k.a. God, our leadership skills, a particular product. On a recent visit to an unnamed fast food restaurant I had a negative experience. First let me start off by saying I have worked many years in retail sells and direct sells. I say that to say my expectations have come by that which I am willing to give.

McDonald's, how much to expect? Maybe too much. Never sauce, no customer service. What should I expect? And for them to right their mistake I get nothing extra in return to want to come back.

Here's the full story, so I ordered my two McDoubles, Small Fry, and 4 Piece Nugget WITH Sweet 'N Sour sauce. I get home and realize that I do not have my sauce. In my frustration I also realize that this is the 3rd time from the same McDonald's that they have done this. I can remember the last time was the same guy. When we got their to order he stood there and looked at us and flat out ignored us, then after we made it very clear we were ready whether he was or not (didn't think he was too busy opening up a box of kids toys). By the time I got back to McDonald's my food was cold. The most the guy at the register could offer me was a couple packets of sauce. Not acceptable by me. I told him I needed new McNuggets since mine were now cold after the 15 minute trip home and back AND sauce. He then proceeded to ask his manager who told him to do it. He then gave me sauces... 5 to be exact for four nuggets, really? I could tell maybe a little sarcasm in that action. Needless to say I prolly won't go back there. The customer service, terrible.

Thoughts/Challenges: When you have a product to sell/service at your church/salvation/etc and a person is not satisfied what is your response? We must remember to always give 110%. Are we listening to people or only hearing part of what they are saying? In our world we need to show/preach/live out love and guarantee.

What would I do?

• Listen/Attention to Details - I would first have listened to the person to hear the small details. What exactly are they wanting. I would not make generalizations and assumptions. I take pleasure in that it is not my responsibility to assume what people want.
  
• Attitude - I would make eye contact. I would realize there is nothing else, short of an emergency, that would be more important than the customer at that moment. I would smile and be positive. I would be polite even if I had a bad day, it's not their fault how my day went.

What would I do if I made a mistake?

• Humility - I would take the higher road. Apologize and take ALL the blame, it is not any other person's fault. If it was another person's fault I would apologize anyways. Humility says, "It's always my fault."
  
• Costumer Satisfaction - I would do anything possible to make that person the happiest person in my mistake. In this simple little mistake I would have given a free drink, possibly upsized the fry or changed a 4 Piece to an 8 Piece and smiled letting them know. If possible I would have given them a coupon ensuring them a return visit.

So leaders/pastors/business leaders here is some thoughts to consider. My issue here is a generalization across the board. We simply do not listen all the time especially to the smaller details. Listen a little more. We also tend to have bad attitudes or maybe more simply complacency. Put a darn smile on and appreciate people and accept them and put aside your attitude for the moment. Walk in humility, own up to mistakes and don't make people feel bad for expecting to get what they want. Then simply satisfy peoples cravings. This doesn't mean bend over backward and let people walk over you but practice what you preach, under promise and over deliver!

Be intentional!

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MADE Week 5

This is week 5 of RMCC's series based off the MTV show Made where Pastor Jeff will be discussing what is our purpose in life. We will be hitting several areas, lifegroups, where real life happens, worship encounters, where we get to experience God, and volunteer teams, where we get to serve the body and people of our community. Join us as I get to coach Cougar McSangston on life and how to get made into what God has him to be.

This week I get to coach Coug in the area of serving. He decides to help me out in making some food for a homeless shelter. Of course there were challenges along the way. Enjoy!

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Chinatown Fresh!

We arer getting to experience Chinatown. This is a very fun place. We split up our team and are shopping. One group waved us into Teariffic, a chinese fingerfood and exteme tea bar... I think without alcohol, just kidding, teenage safe.



LOL Moment:

Brandyn: Shaun, this is good, do you like it?

PShaun: It tastes like b.o. Smells

Brandyn: So do you like it?

PShaun: Oh yeah. I love it.

Brandyn: Wow

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My birthday lunch.

Not a better place to eat for your birthday. Simply amazing.

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