Do You Give Recognition To People that Support Your Sales Success?

In the sales environment, we sales people are in a high verbal, communication environment. Sure, customers may reject us, but when we sign that deal, especially that big deal, the high fives and verbal kudos come for a job well done.

Sales people thrive on recognition and praise. So does everyone else in your company. How often do you show your appreciation for those that help you be successful?

The deal you closed had the support of and work of many other key staff. Maybe a customer service person, the secretary, the product specialist, the call center, you sales coach, or your sales colleagues helped you put the sale together to close it.

Secure, positive sales people regularly recognize, affirm or thank those that supported you to move the sale to the close. Sales people recognize three kinds of people that helped you in your daily journey of success:

• The person who exceeded your expectations to serve and made a significant positive difference to help you close the sale.
• The steady performer that you always can rely on to deliver the goods, the service you need to close the sale.
• The one who rarely helps you, doesn’t meet your requirements but for your last sale, actually came through for you.

Make it a habit to recognize these people who support your sales efforts regularly by employing these four simple skill steps of Giving Recognition:

1. Always be on the lookout for situations to recognize and affirm others in your organization. Don’t forget vendors, even the client’s staff who have helped.
2. State specifically what the person did by behavior or attitude that made a positive difference in your sales success.
3. Connect their actions and attitude to the positive impact on you, the customer and organization.
4. Thank the person, and, reward their “Love Language.”

You say “Love Languages,” what’s that? Dr. Gary Chapman has written a book that explains that everyone has a favorite “Love Language,” or how they like to be appreciated, affirmed or loved. The five ways we can recognize and affirm others at work are:

• Words of Affirmation and Recognition
• Acts of Service
• Giving a Gift of Appreciation
• Quality “Hang out” Time
• Physical Touch, like a handshake, a hug

In my family, I have found my wife likes to be appreciated with acts of service, daughter Jade with gifts, daughter Jasmine with quality time, and me with words of affirmation and possibly a hug.

I have found regularly using the skill of Giving Recognition with Love Languages is a powerful, concrete way to show your heartfelt appreciation to those that help you be successful in closing deals, meeting your sales targets.

The first step is determining your own “Love Language.” Why not download the “Love Language Quiz”? Or, go directly to Dr. Gary Chapman’s website here: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/

The second step is to make Giving Recognition a daily habit. Every day, keep your recognition antennas up and affirm or recognize three people every day. Make your world a more positive place by being positive to others who serve, care for and love you.

Have a great positive affirming week be a sales leader that makes a difference!