Two Weeks In ...

It has been a long time since I have written anything for others to read. I miss it, and I don't. Getting something out of my head is good, but it is weird to put it out for public consumption.

Thankfully, with the many miles put on over the years comes considerably less concern about appearances. Appearances are for actors. I don't have enough time to look or sound a particular way to impress whomever. I only have time to be who I am.

Being a terrible liar also hurts my modern-day image-building capabilities.

OK, so enough of the intro. You may have asked what I am two weeks into? You also may not give a rip, which begs the question, why are you still reading, but that's for another time ...

I am two weeks into a new selling opportunity. A lot happens in the first two weeks of a new job. First, there is the assessment of whether I should have left my other company for this one. The answer is yes.

My previous company will do very well because there are very good, and very smart people there. There is a vision, and there is passion. And the product is strong.

So, why did I leave? It's a simple equation: if the seller does not have passion around the product (or, as in my case, is not wired for it), then the fit is wrong. The company isn't bad. The person isn't wrong. The fit is just off. It happens. Life is too short to force a square peg into the round hole.

Now, here I am, two weeks into my new position, and I am breathing clean air. I clearly understand the product and its value in the marketplace. I have experience and network in the industry. I don't have to learn an entirely new area of business that I never worked in a prior role. I can concentrate on the value I can bring to potential customers. Simply put, I get it.

Also, the company has a tremendous initial vibe/feel to it. The people have been welcoming, accommodating, and supportive. Leadership is confident and focused. The product is robust, meets a growing market need, and is road mapped for great things.

So, why am I writing this? Because as a sales professional, most people assume I am focused only on money. Hey, I want to make a living as much as the next person. But in sales, at least for this sales pro, it is about fit. The money follows because people are solving problems, doing better at their jobs, and helping move the needle in their business because of partnering with my company and me. Oh, and yes, I truly understand what I am selling—another simple equation.

Two weeks in, it looks very promising.