Sales Training
Comprehensive customer sales training solutions. Online. Classroom. Workshops. Boot camps style.
Sales Articles - Sales Videos - Sales Podcasts
Free sales training resources from the top sales experts, authors, and trainersLife's Career Curveball
Written By: Kurt Shaver
Total Views: 2657
LinkedIn recently asked me to submit an article for their new “Career Curveball” campaign. I am publishing it in my blog, too, to model the best practice of maximizing content creation efforts.
In 2006, I was a Sales Director for a software company when my company President left to take the CEO position at another software company. I joined him there a few months later as VP of Sales. We grew the revenue 46% in 2 years.
Still, he ended up resigning over differences with the board. Since I was “his guy”, the board asked for my resignation on the same day.
So, there I was after 20 years in tech sales and sales management roles, wondering what I would do next. I had always wanted to be a professional speaker so I took this as my “midlife Opportunity” to shift careers.
I started my own speaking and sales training company in 2008. I spoke and trained on soft skills like:
- Prospecting
- Presenting
- Negotiating
- Closing
Part of my Prospecting training involved using LinkedIn to connect with decision makers. One day in Feb 2011, I was teaching a public seminar of 50 people. The attendees kept wanting to know more about LinkedIn and we were running late. I said, “That’s enough LI, We have to move onto other topics.”
Just then, a hand went up in the back of the room and someone asked” Why don’t you just do an entire workshop on LinkedIn?’
I replied. If I did, how many of you pay to attend it?”
AND EVERY HAND IN THE ROOM WENT UP!
Recognizing the opportunity, I said, “OK, it will take me three months to create the program and I expect you all to be back here in MAY.”
I booked the room for May and begin creating and promoting the workshop.
You know the saying that it’s better to be LUCKY than GOOD?
Well, guess what happened the week before my first LinkedIn workshop? LinkedIn went PUBLIC. It was all over the news and everyone wanted to know more about LinkedIn and how to use it to grow sales…and there I was with my workshop.
It sold out and I’ve been riding the LinkedIn wave ever since.
Did you have a Career Curveball?
