5 Proven Habits of Number One Performers. With Scott Ingram [Episode 505]

Scott Ingram, a practicing salesperson in his day job, and moonlighting as host of the Sales Success Stories Podcast, joins me on this episode.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Scott sees the single biggest challenge facing sales reps as overwhelm, from responsibilities, confusion on tactics and ideas on how to get the job done, and trying to maintain focus in a very noisy environment. Scott has turned off notifications.

Scott began the Sales Success Stories podcast to learn what the very best salespeople do. Superior salespeople are too busy to write books. Sales Success Stories offers a forum to the top sales contributor in an organization.

Scott has learned that the best salespeople believe in the value their solution brings. They believe it is best in class. Scott explains this is through their passion for their solution.

Some sales reps land on the one-in-a-million solution that takes off like crazy. That is a best-in-class case. Competing solutions are also being sold by passionate sales reps, who believe they represent best-in-class, as well.

You have to believe in the value you deliver. Scott says the best reps believe in themselves, and have confidence and trust in their process, and their ability to execute.

Top performers focus on their clients and care deeply about their results. Scott says the conversations smash the stereotype of top performers. They are passionate on helping their clients and building long-term relationships.

Top performers surround themselves with the best, and grow themselves. When they start at an organization, they find the top people for role models of what works. Scott gives an example of one practice. Scott’s podcast is for this purpose.

The broadest theme shared among top performers is they have a deep level of self-awareness, they know their strengths, and they leverage them creatively.

Find your comfort level. Most organizations have a strict program for sales. Highly successful people who stretch the process may be seen as disruptors, not as cultural fits.

Sales is not an assembly line. Bombarding the market more with ineffective calls does not sell. Scott’s most effective SDR guests have been creative, not compliant. Make ‘dials’ more effective, not more numerous.

Top performers orient around goals, and develop habits, routines, and actions to make them happen. They understand that a goal is not enough. Routines support goals. Optimize everything you do.

Habits are routines. Confidence is built on habits of achievement. Instead of spending all your time halfway engaged in activities, do one thing at 100%, finish it, and do the next one. SEAL Jocko Willink said, “Discipline equals freedom.”

U.S. Soldiers are so well trained, and unambiguous about their jobs, that they make the right decisions and take the right initiatives on their own. Andy cites books on WWII by Stephen E. Ambrose. Scott is from a military family.