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Unlearning Is Just As Important As Learning
By Tim Connor | Published  10/17/2006 | Sales - Training | Unrated
Tim Connor

World renowned speaker, trainer and best selling author.

Tim is the President and CEO of Connor Resource Group and Peak Performance Institute. He has been a full time professional speaker, trainer, coach, consultant and best selling author for 33 years. Since 1973 he has given over 4000 presentations in twenty-one countries around the world to a wide variety of audiences.

Each year over 85% of his presentations are return engagements for the same clients on such topics as peak performance management, effective leadership, customer focused sales strategies, personal motivation, value driven customer service and building positive business and personal relationships.

Each year he also facilitates a number of strategic planning events and meetings for many of his clients and presents several public Boot Camps. He is a results oriented business coach and consultant working with a select few clients each year helping them improve their individual and organization performance.

Tim has been a member of the National Speakers Assn. for over 25 years and he is one of only 400 Certified Speaking Professionals in the world, a designation given by the National Speakers Association since 1979.

He is the best selling author of over 60 books including several international best sellers, Soft Sell, The Ancient Scrolls and Your First Year in Sales. Since 1981 his books have sold over 2 million copies and are in 14 languages and sold in 23 countries.

Tim’s international clients range in sales from 5 million to over 50 billion a year and come from a wide variety of industries including; food, manufacturing and distribution, housing and construction, financial services, hospitality, technology and communication, and personal and professional services.

His presentations are filled with insightful and contemporary ideas and are presented in a riveting and entertaining style.

To discuss hiring Tim for your organization, contact him at:

704-895-1230 (Voice) 704-895-1231 (Fax)

 

View all articles by Tim Connor
Unlearning Is Just As Important As Learning
 

Without a doubt learning new skills and developing the right attitudes in sales is vital. Without them it is impossible today to ensure your continued success. Whether these new insights come from a mentor or coach, reading, attending seminars, listening to CD’s or just talking with peers or your manager it is essential to continue to hone your abilities if you want to successfully compete in today’s changing world.

I believe in learning and spending dedicated time each day to the discovery of creative ideas and approaches to sell and service your customers. Successful salespeople know and accept the simple truth that you can’t succeed in today’s world with yesterday’s skills and tactics. You must keep learning.

However, it is also important to continue your unlearning as well. What is unlearning? Here is a simple example.

For years you have believed that selling is only a numbers game, that if you see enough prospects you will make enough sales. I have never believed this philosophy because it implies that it doesn’t really matter who you see as long as you persistently just keep logging more and more sales calls – regardless of the nature or quality of the prospect. Plus, what is enough? However, if you see enough ‘qualified’ prospects you will consistently increase your sales while ensuring repeat and referral business. What needs to be unlearned here? And is it really unlearning or just the replacement of an untrue or outdated skill with a newer and more relevant one? Small point here folks. I like to just call it unlearning.

So what needs to be unlearned? Is it an attitude? A philosophy? A belief? It doesn’t matter what you call it, if it is getting in the way of your success it is time to let it go, unlearn it, and embrace a better and more effective approach or technique.

Why do people hold on to values, beliefs, approaches or sales techniques that are no longer effective? Here are a few reasons.

-They are comfortable for you.

-You don’t have to spend time learning new stuff.

-You can’t admit that your approach, technique or attitude isn’t working any longer.

-You don’t like change.

-You are just stubborn or stupid.

-You are afraid that if you try a new belief or tactic that it might not work.

-You don’t even know that it isn’t working, is no longer true or that there is a better way.

Are you holding on to any out dated attitudes, techniques or beliefs?

Are they getting in the way of your success?

What are your excuses for holding on to this stuff?

If you have been in sales more than five years, I recommend that you carefully evaluate all of your techniques, approaches, attitudes and beliefs to determine which ones are still applicable and which ones need to be thrown in the trash.

Special Sales Boot Camp opportunities:

Tim Connor, CSP is an internationally renowned sales, management and leadership speaker, trainer and best selling author. Since 1981 he has given over 3500 presentations in 21 countries on a variety of sales, management, leadership and relationship topics. He is the best selling author of over 60 books including; Soft Sell, That’s Life, Peace Of Mind, 91 Challenges Managers Face Today and Your First Year In Sales. He can be reached at tim@timconnor.com, 704-895-1230 or visit his website at http://www.timconnor.com

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