This was the company motto for Wham-O co-founded by Rich Knerr and Spud Melin. Knerr passed away this week at his suburban home in Arcadia, California. He was 82.
Knerr and Melin went into business in 1948 making $2 a day selling sling shots they made out of old orange crates in Knerr’s garage. The name Wham-o came from the sound Melin liked to make every time he fired one of his sling shots.
In 1958, they introduced the whole country to a round plastic hoop that became a national craze. These “Hoola Hoops” selling for .98 cents a piece were purchased by millions. Just as that fad ended they introduced the one that has produced endless hours of fun for my Labrador Retriever Sammy. The Frisbee is still popular today and has morphed into Frisbee Golf, Frisbee Football, and many other games. They also introduced the world to the Slip ‘N Slide, Silly String, and the Super Ball.
What’s all this got to do with Servant Selling? Actually, quite a lot. The fact is, if your not having a great time serving, your service will eventually, if not immediately become sub par. Fun should be a mandatory part of service you offer, regardless of what you sell.
Dee Hock, the man who turned Visa into a One Trillion Dollar company says, “The only serious work that ever occurs is with an incredible amount of laughter. You can count on it. It’s as close to a law of the universe as you can get. Where there is a group of people assembled in serious, somber, ponderous conduct, nothing is happening.”
My experience confirms this. My friend in Charlotte North Carolina, Billy Stegall is one of the most successful sales people and sales trainers I have ever known. Fun is his number one tool. It’s the same with my record busting friend, Earl Estep in Sacramento. My friend Brad Vander Ley from Denver, Colorado regularly starts off a relationship with a new rep by helping them figure out how to make the business fun. They all have different personalities, but they know how to have fun.
If you are serious about serving, selling, and success… lighten up. Have fun. If it’s not fun, you won’t spend the time to be great… and greatness is where all the money is. That’s not to say you won’t take some hard knocks in the business of selling. You will. But I always remember the advice of football coach turned commentator John Madden, “When you get hit hard, the best thing you can do is laugh.” True in football and true in Servant Selling.
SERVICE ORIENTED SELLING
JOIN THE REVOLUTION!
Welcome to "SUCCESSPATH SELLING SERVICE ORIENTED SELLING", a site designed to "Revolutionize Your Approach To Sales and Marketing" . Our goals are to offer ideas and resources that will help you make increasingly high levels of income by offering increasingly high levels of service. This site is for corporate sales and marketing professionals, small business owners who sell, and direct marketers. It is for anyone who is tired of the old, manipulative "me first" and "get all you can" methods. Servant sales people sell their products, services, and themselves with refreshing and sometimes radical "How Can I Serve You?" attitudes and strategies. It is our hope to offer new, contemporary, fresh approaches, integrated with timeless principles that will give your customers "WOW" Experiences". In the process we hope to lead you toward tremendous career success, satisfaction, and significance. Topics we cover include all parts of a sales presentation, time management, creativity, people skills, competition, attitude and more... all from our unique "Servant Selling" perspective.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
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Comments On Coaching and Classes
The Purpose of this letter is to describe the benefits I enjoyed from my coaching experience with Dale Cobb. I had a very specific issue, which I needed help getting over the hump with. Our conversations were very helpful in keeping me on track and getting me to the finish line. I believe that Dale is a keen observer of the human condition and has the ability to reflect back an individuals thoughts and goals as one strives for success. I found the services offered by Dale to be timely and effective. In the future, I am sure I will be presented with challenges that require outside assistance. When that time comes,
I will not hesitate to call on Dale for his fresh bright and insightful guidance.
Thank You,
Joe Sexton
Managing Partner
CFR Executive Search
Chicago, Illinois
Memphis, Tennessee
"Dale has always impressed me with his integrity, marketing insights, compassion and follow through. He thinks outside the box, asks the questions that others fail to ask and has a real heart for training others to be the best they can be. You can count on Dale."
Tim Turner, Owner Turner Strategic
Atlanta, Georgia
“Dale is always the most prepared person in the room. He has the ability to listen and clarify the issue at hand. He is a creative, caring leader. He has always been a joy to work with.”
Beverly Sherman, Owner Creative Connections
Lansing, Michigan
I would like to take the opportunity to offer my recommendation for Dale Cobb. He has the remarkable ability to clearly listen to a problem, understand the issues and suggest a course of action that satisfies the needs of me and my clients. I cannot tell you how many times his advice was precisely what I needed to close a deal or carefully resolve a difficult situation. He is resourceful and creative in his teaching style. Over all he helped me to be more efficient and successful in my career.
It has been an incredible experience for me having you as my coach. As a small business owner I have at times felt isolated and stuck in my own thinking. With your excellent coaching I have been able to expand not only my thinking about existing design practice but about the design and building industry and how I can enlarge my place in it.
Interior Designer
Carmel, California
Dale helped me with exploring perspectives, chunking them down, setting goals, action planning, and overcoming hurdles (professionally and personally). The coaching format has moved me from a dream to implementing an action plan.
Management Consultant
Greenbrae, California
I have found your coaching very helpful. I have been somewhat stuck in my career decisions, but with your understanding and focus I am now moving forward. I am now positive about my direction and the steps I want to take. The coaching has also helped my personal life. I thank you for being there for me now and in the future.
Retired Dentist
Meadow Vista, California
This is one of the most beneficial and rewarding classes I have attended. Thank You.
Comfortable casual feeling....Lots of laughter...Made classes fun and increased learning.
Everything was explained so clearly. I came away from the course having learned a great deal.
Very interesting, I've learned a lot... The material has given me a lot to work with.
I've enjoyed all the sessions and feel I received something from each session to help me be a better person.
I will not hesitate to call on Dale for his fresh bright and insightful guidance.
Thank You,
Joe Sexton
Managing Partner
CFR Executive Search
Chicago, Illinois
“Working with Dale has always been rewarding. Dale has always been on the leading edge developing new ways of marketing his products and services. Always willing to try new approaches and follow through... Always convincing.”
Fred Friday, Director of Operations Fundcraft PublishingMemphis, Tennessee
"Dale has always impressed me with his integrity, marketing insights, compassion and follow through. He thinks outside the box, asks the questions that others fail to ask and has a real heart for training others to be the best they can be. You can count on Dale."
Tim Turner, Owner Turner Strategic
Atlanta, Georgia
“Dale is always the most prepared person in the room. He has the ability to listen and clarify the issue at hand. He is a creative, caring leader. He has always been a joy to work with.”
Beverly Sherman, Owner Creative Connections
Lansing, Michigan
I would like to take the opportunity to offer my recommendation for Dale Cobb. He has the remarkable ability to clearly listen to a problem, understand the issues and suggest a course of action that satisfies the needs of me and my clients. I cannot tell you how many times his advice was precisely what I needed to close a deal or carefully resolve a difficult situation. He is resourceful and creative in his teaching style. Over all he helped me to be more efficient and successful in my career.
Michael Ward
Sacramento, California
It has been an incredible experience for me having you as my coach. As a small business owner I have at times felt isolated and stuck in my own thinking. With your excellent coaching I have been able to expand not only my thinking about existing design practice but about the design and building industry and how I can enlarge my place in it.
Interior Designer
Carmel, California
Dale helped me with exploring perspectives, chunking them down, setting goals, action planning, and overcoming hurdles (professionally and personally). The coaching format has moved me from a dream to implementing an action plan.
Management Consultant
Greenbrae, California
I have found your coaching very helpful. I have been somewhat stuck in my career decisions, but with your understanding and focus I am now moving forward. I am now positive about my direction and the steps I want to take. The coaching has also helped my personal life. I thank you for being there for me now and in the future.
Retired Dentist
Meadow Vista, California
This is one of the most beneficial and rewarding classes I have attended. Thank You.
Comfortable casual feeling....Lots of laughter...Made classes fun and increased learning.
Everything was explained so clearly. I came away from the course having learned a great deal.
Very interesting, I've learned a lot... The material has given me a lot to work with.
I've enjoyed all the sessions and feel I received something from each session to help me be a better person.
Copyright Restrictions and Fair Use
Copyright 2008 Dale Cobb All Rights Reserved
Please feel free to print and use any of the posts for personal growth or for your sales team as long as you prominently display the source. Any attempt to resell the material is strictly prohibited.
Please feel free to print and use any of the posts for personal growth or for your sales team as long as you prominently display the source. Any attempt to resell the material is strictly prohibited.
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