I need to put this somewhere - work related

[callmehales]

::hugs:: ::and wine::

don't freak out!! chances are this dude knows the nature of your job, and won't be all "dang, nata really doesn't know her shit". he's gonna be all "dang, look at her making something out of nothing!".

[harleysnhorses]

ugh!! Hugs and lots of wine for you!! All you can is do your best that you already do and hang in there!

[aak0517]

First- breathe... and big hugs!

Try not to stress... when I had sales responsibility years ago before I got into HR- I got to a point where I had to be at peace with the fact that I was at the mercy of my client's schedules, they weren't at mine. It feels like you've busted your ass to work this out, but if things cancel or fall through there's not much you can do to change that. Maybe keep trying to drum up another appointment?

At the end of the day- if you end up with only two, then just make the best of them and have them be super kickass. I'm sure you're a shark at your job, so just go in there and show them how you kick so much ass with your customers and hopefully in the end, that outweighs the number of appointments you had.

Sorry if that advice isn't helpful...

[glw]

I'm sorry


Disclaimer: I'm not in sales or anything similar. Could you pose the appointment scheduling & cancelling as a question/area of improvement to your shadower? Like, ask for input on the best times to schedule, tips for getting people to keep their appointments, etc.? That way you are "owning" the fact that you may not have as many meetings as would be ideal but making it obvious that you're working hard and want to improve in that area?

*hugs*

[jm1211]

Hugs!
You've done all you can do. Maybe use this as an opportunity to discuss ways they can help you meet the sales numbers that have been set. We had an outside firm do performance analysis at our company and in many places we were able to use those shadowing sessions as teaching moments for both sides.

Hang in there!

[bimbi284]

If I could, I would totally pretend to be a new client and be totes obsessed and impressed with your presentation, and then buy all the things!

I'm sorry you're stressed, it's only one day. I like glw's idea of pointing at things you already know are areas for improvement if you've got them.

[veruca5839]

Ugh, that sounds so stressful. Hang in there!

[aqualuv]

((HUGS)) Maybe you can have a yummy coffe/tea/hot chocolate in the morning before your meeting to make you smile. Then knock em dead! I'm sure you will do well. And as other posters have said this trainer has to know how hard sales is period.

[thejackpot]

To make this board related wear the outfit that makes you feel the most dynamic! Rock the hell out of it and let that confidence shine through during your tasks.

Beyond that, good luck. I hope that it goes better than you think.

[Deleted]

Nata you will be fine.

I am in sales. It can be hard. You are at the mercy of your clients. It happens.

Have they discussed who will be taking the lead tomorrow? I am guessing you right? My biggest thing when meeting with clients is getting the client to feel comfortable. This usually only comes about with having some small talk first. Do you know anything about the clients you are meeting up with?

Confidence is also key. The more confident you are the more relaxed the situation will be. I go into every client meeting with the attitude like I already have the contract signed - I basically just need to explain to them why they made a great decision.


Think about some great wins you have had and how you got them. Focus on that.


Maybe suggest some cold calling if you don't have all of the appointments you need. OR some extra time to sit with this guy and learn more about his strategy.

[mrspost08]

Oh yuck!!!! Big hugs!!!! You're going to do fabulous tomorrow!

[Deleted]

Nov 19, 2014 14:48:32 GMT -5 @natariru said:

Nov 19, 2014 14:29:06 GMT -5 @lazerus24 said:

Nata you will be fine.

I am in sales. It can be hard. You are at the mercy of your clients. It happens.

Have they discussed who will be taking the lead tomorrow? I am guessing you right? My biggest thing when meeting with clients is getting the client to feel comfortable. This usually only comes about with having some small talk first. Do you know anything about the clients you are meeting up with?

Confidence is also key. The more confident you are the more relaxed the situation will be. I go into every client meeting with the attitude like I already have the contract signed - I basically just need to explain to them why they made a great decision.


Think about some great wins you have had and how you got them. Focus on that.


Maybe suggest some cold calling if you don't have all of the appointments you need. OR some extra time to sit with this guy and learn more about his strategy.

Thanks Laz.

I'm the one taking the lead. The two appts I have tomorrow are my two largest opps for 2015. I already have some sort of relationship with them so that should be good.

I'm really hoping I get some time to sit w this guy before the appts instead of just jumping into a meeting with 2 extra people eyeballing my every move.

That sounds really uncomfortable. Even if you don't get designated time outside of the appt to sit make some small talk. Is it going to be in an office or somewhere else? I love lunch appts. I am the queen of taking my clients out to lunch or breakfast. 

Maybe you can bring some coffee?? Do you present products?


Just trying to brainstorm with you.

[lindsaymg]

I LOATHE being shadowed. I feel like everything happens to not work that day and the shadower never gets my best. It is like the universe knows you are being shadowed and what can go wrong will go wrong.

This would really stress me out. Sorry friend and hang in there!

[xokell2]

That sounds horrific, being scrutinized is daunting. You're likable, personable and sweet. I don't doubt for a minute that you'll knock the customers socks off. You've totally got this.

[Deleted]

You got this.


Let us know how it goes!

[Deleted]

You are going to do great. I like pps idea of using it as an opportunity to pick this persons brain and really learn from it. You are already amazing and will rock this.

[woowoo]

I'm an S&B lurker but I had to chime in because I've been in your EXACT shoes several times. I work remotely and occasionally my boss or a regional will out of the blue decide to join me on sales calls and the pressure to A) set appts during peak times and B) have them be quality appts is tremendous, especially when you're used to being a top producer.

I've learned that we put more pressure on ourselves than necessary. Just try your best to nail down a few minutes with them before your appts so you can set expectations for the appts and give them your plan...you don't want them to side track your call and not allow you to accomplish your goals. Don't allow your appt to turn into a fluff appointment just because they are there - use this opportunity to your advantage!

Good luck!

[kris356]

No advice but virtual hugs. You will rock it, just try to breath, I know way easier said than done, I spent a year in a job that I felt like that every.single.day.

[callmehales]

Nov 19, 2014 16:44:58 GMT -5 @natariru said:

Nov 19, 2014 16:19:31 GMT -5 woowoo said:

I'm an S&B lurker but I had to chime in because I've been in your EXACT shoes several times. I work remotely and occasionally my boss or a regional will out of the blue decide to join me on sales calls and the pressure to A) set appts during peak times and B) have them be quality appts is tremendous, especially when you're used to being a top producer.

I've learned that we put more pressure on ourselves than necessary. Just try your best to nail down a few minutes with them before your appts so you can set expectations for the appts and give them your plan...you don't want them to side track your call and not allow you to accomplish your goals. Don't allow your appt to turn into a fluff appointment just because they are there - use this opportunity to your advantage!

Good luck!

Thank you, you are absolutely right about the pressure. I get that a lot of times my manager or the RVP has to join me on the road to fulfill part of their own job responsibilities, but it's SO ANNOYING.

I have sent my manager an email bulleting everything I know about the customer, their needs, my plan of action & expectations for the meeting.

But get this! She calls me to say that she hasn't heard from the trainer. Has no idea where he's staying, where I'm picking him up, what his expectations are, etc. "I know as much as you do." And tells me that he's aggressive. FAB. She ended the call with "it's going to be fine. You are great at rolling with it! (um no, I pretend to be then don't sleep, lol) Maybe it'll just be the two of us! Do your homework about your customers & come up w great questions that will move a sale forward!" Ok lady.

I'm going to drug myself to sleep tonight.

sounds like he's an asshole.

[kris356]

I agree with callmehales, I think "agressive" is code for asshole.

[frannyr]

Deep breathes. You know your job and how to present, you got this. Practice and put on your happy face. It's just a day. And in the end a job is just a job.

I work in the Sales Department and occasionally have to be part of the team doing BIG client finalist presentations. Sometimes our Regional VP and my boss's boss are there. And I practice and nail it every time.

[memenee]

Nothing to add that hasn't already been said, but will say I'm looking forward to hearing tomorrow night how you kicked ass. Annnnnnd....... looking forward to all your drinky-drunky tequila-fueled posts that will follow! Cause drunk nata posts are fun!

[fiddles]

Nov 19, 2014 13:47:13 GMT -5 callmehales said:

::hugs:: ::and wine::

don't freak out!! chances are this dude knows the nature of your job, and won't be all "dang, nata really doesn't know her shit". he's gonna be all "dang, look at her making something out of nothing!".

Couldn't say it better. Sending good vibes your way

Sent from my SM-G900T using proboards

[carylee07]

Sending you good, strong, salesy, successful thoughts! It all sounds stressful to me, but I know that you will be fabulous!

[tugsgirl]

Nov 20, 2014 0:22:11 GMT -5 carylee07 said:

Sending you good, strong, salesy, successful thoughts! It all sounds stressful to me, but I know that you will be fabulous!

Good luck today.....not that you need it!!.

[busybodyk]

Thinking of you today. Hope everything turns out great!

[Deleted]

Nov 20, 2014 10:08:17 GMT -5 @natariru said:

Thanks everyone! My boss is on her way and as of now, hasn't heard from this trainer dude. It'll probably just be the two of us!

Let's hope!


I almost texted you this morning - I was thinking about you!


Good luck - you will do great!

[bethaboo]

I hope everything goes okay!

This is not on the same level at all, but last year was my first year full-time teaching. I was five months' pregnant so moving into the exclusively-rocking-leggings portion of pregnancy so I was in yoga capris and bum-covering tunic. One of my classes had earned a movie and hot chocolate party so my other classes were playing math games. During a particularly rowdy end to a game, my principal and her boss walked in to my room as a surprise observation. I was so nervous that my stomach hurt. Luckily, when I apologized to my principal, she said they hadn't noticed my outfit and were impressed with my use of a game and ability to transition from the crazy to calm.

All of that to say that what you think is going to be bad might end up being something impressive to the trainer and your supervisor. I'm sure your ability to make the sale will shine through.

[ilovedpp]

You will rock it, hang in there girl!

[mrsguz]

You'll rock it!!! Good luck!