Lessons Learned From Our National Pastime

Baseball has been called America’s National Pastime. Whether we are fans or not, we can learn a lot from the game of baseball. Here are some important lessons that baseball teaches us:

Baseball is a simple game.

In baseball, it’s the number of times you reach home safely that counts. Now, that’s simple. Sales success doesn’t require 12 moving parts and a complex system. Oftentimes, we try to complicate life, our sales career, and our relationships. Keep it Simple. In its simplest form, selling is a communication process and successful sales people keep the process simple.

Good things happen when you work hard.

Effort is rewarded in the game of baseball as well as in the game of sales. In baseball, the players are taught to “run out every ground ball.” They are urged to “play all nine innings.” Of the offensive side of the game, players are told “make every at-bat count.” In sales, we are taught that every prospect is a potential customer. Each prospect we meet is important. We should make each sales call count; we should never pass up an opportunity to establish trust and rapport. Make each sales contact meaningful.

Not everyone can win a World Series, but everyone can have a World Series attitude.

Ernie Banks is a great example of this. He is known as “Mr. Cub” for his successful years with the Chicago Cubs. Yet, at one time, Ernie held the record for playing the most games without ever winning a championship. Did that negatively impact his attitude? No! Ernie was known for his positive attitude, his love of the game, and for his favorite expression: “LET’S PLAY TWO!” What a great attitude and what a positive example for all of us. You may not win every sale, but you can have a winner’s attitude.

You can’t steal second if your foot is on first base.

There are no rewards without some risks. We must take chances to gain success. We must move out of our comfort zones and apply for that position; make a call on that tough prospect; meet new people; try new sales techniques; ask those tough questions. 

Learn from these baseball lessons and you’ll increase your chances for sales success.

Now, go sell somebody something!