For 2009, I'm going to refamiliarize myself with an old friend. Zig Ziglar. As a much younger sales support person (Product Specialist) for the Opex Business Machine Corporation in Moorestown, NJ, I had the privelege of attending one of Zig's signature seminars. I was spellbound! The year was 1991--the same year that Zig's book ZIGLAR ON SELLING hit the bookstores. By 1997, I was National Sales Manager for Western North America for the company.
One of my resolutions for 2009 is was to buy a copy of this book. (Act on your promptings promptly!)
I will read it through once a month for the next twelve months, and you'll see some posts about the book here in the Rain.
- Money is tight, so here's a tip: buy your books on Half.com and save a bundle. My like-new, unmarked hardcover copy, delivered to my office last Wednesday, cost me all of $3.75 plus book rate shipping.
The title for this post came from Chapter 1 of Zig's book. The full chapter title is "You made the right choice! A career in the world's oldest profession."
Do you think you're not a sales professional? You're probably right then, but it's nothing to brag about.
If we're to survive in a market where buyers are uncertain, sellers are angry, and the competition is more aligned with the Madoff's of this world, we'd better become sales professionals.
Mentally disengage your preconceptions of salespeople before reading Ziglar. He's not your average salesman. Consider some of his other published titles, and you'll find yourself attracted to this wonderful author:
- Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World
- Courtship After Marriage
- Confessions of a Grieving Christian
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.
Think of me as your Tucson mortgage expert.
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Mike, thanks for the tip on half.com. Going back to basics and reading is a simple but great idea to improve your business!
Mike- My daughter used to buy and sell her college books on half.com. I did not ever think about using them for regular books:) I thought that a different occupation was the oldest in the world.:) But I guess, even that one, you still had to use sales.
Katerina,
It made me smile too.
David,
You're welcome. You'll love half.com!
Mike in Tucson
You scared me with the oldest occupation. I also had a different idea about it. Thanks for Half.com. Never heard about them, but the price you are quoting is really hard to beat, unless just write the book yourself (LOL)
Wow I will have to check out the link! Thanks and I have heard of him but never have dug in...perhaps I should check it out .
Thanks and have a super day!
Thanks Mike
Tom Davis
Zig is GREAT! Thanks, Mike. I need to add to my library.
Mike, I have read several of Zig's books and yes, half.com is where I buy a lot of my reading material...
~~ Michael
Great Job Mike!
When I went the iphone route I also went the podcast/audio book route. Zig is some of my favorites.
Thanks for your post
Tony
Order-takers will not survive this market, even though they may have thrived in the years of the bubble. Good ol' fashioned selling skills, valuable in all areas of our lives, will separate the survivors from the failures.
I heard interesting news about the potential Citi collapse this morning. Hang on.
Zig is fantastic! Sales is the old profession?... I guess it is.... lol!!!
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Zig Ziglar's book have a wealth of information in them. I've read most of his books over the years. I wasn't aware of Half.com either. Thanks for the link.
Mike- Zig is definitely worthy of a re-read, and thanks for the tip about Half.com! Also, you came up in my Google Alerts for Moorestown...that's where I live right now.
lol. I was thinking prostitution as well. Glad to see you weren't encouraging us in that direction!!!
I like Zig Too. I started listening to him in middle school when a teacher used to play tapes for us in class.
If you are in sales, you need to read Zig. He's one of the best at getting the message across.
Larry,
We're all in sales in one way or another!
Cheri,
What a great teacher you had.
Matt,
You're welcome! OPEX is on Commerce Drive.
Michael,
You'll love half.com
Charles,
The profession you're thinking of involves sales, doesn't it? LOL
Susie,
I went to Bloomberg.com, but couldn't find anything about it this morning. Later.
Margaret,
Right you are!
Tony,
Zig's good, isn't he!
Michael T,
You're already plugged in!
Bruce,
Zig's a worthy addition to your library.
Tom,
You're going to like reading Zig Ziglar.
Jon,
You're really like half.com!
Mike in Tucson
Mike,
I have never read a book by Zig Zigler so maybe 2009 is that time for me to do it and it is affordable with half.com. Thanks for the information.
Zig is good, as is half.com I would also suggest you request the book on freecycle.org. Its amazing what you can find there.
Chad,
You have an interesting blog! Thanks for telling me about www.freecycle.org.
Don,
What?! I'm shocked! LOL
Mike in Tucson
Mike--when I told my mother (who I rarely talk to) that I was becoming a realtor... she actually accused me of joining that oldest profession. She told me she didn't send me through years of college to be a ---um--- well, you know.
Erica,
When I told my Dad that I was going to build houses (with a Masters in Teaching in English) his response was "What kind of a life is that? You'll bang sticks together for a living." I built 350 houses, and still love the smell of sawdust. You made a great choice!
Mike in Tucson
I heard Zig several times throughout my real estate career. He is very inspiring and still @ his age can impart some great words of wisdom. I just heard him in December in Austin. His daughter comes on stage with him and asks him questions and is there to keep him on track. Practicing what he preaches!
Maybe my mother and your father should meet! Looks like we DID make excellent choices.
I was able to see Zig in person last year at an event. They have changed the format with his daughter interviewing him after a fall that has affected his memory. But he was still dynamic and I have some of his tapes. Maybe I need to see if I can transfer them to the computer and listen to them during the day.
Kim,
He's a riveting speaker. Audio files are a great idea!
Erica,
My Dad's long gone, but you're right. We've made good career choices. Thanks for commenting.
Dorie,
It's been a while since I've seen him. I'm sorry to hear about his memory loss.
Mike in Tucson
Hi Mike, I got to see Zig in 2005 at the Success Seminar. I love his stuff. I was getting his email newsletters until I decided to just stop all of them for a while... need to figure out who to set back up. Thanks for the info on half.com.
Doreen,
You're welcome! Half.com is my favorite website for buying books.
Mike in Tucson
Mike ~ Thanks for the information. I love Zig Ziglar and also thanks for the link to half.com. Books are expensive nowadays.