Tag Archives: Prime Selling Time

Sales Manager Ready to “Stir Up” Some New Business….

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What a day.  Three days off to recoup and relax…..coming in the office this morning strong, focused with tons of energy…..ready for the attack….ready to stir up potential leads.  Took my trace calls out and got them ready.  Took my leads out and got them ready.   Ya hoo, ready to rock in roll!  The soliciting begins.

I promised myself I would learn more about the city that has been taking my rfp’s and convention leads.  So during down time I called a couple of the hotels to inquire, as a client, about rates and meeting space.  I need to know what they are charging so I can find my niche.  I must say, I picked low end and top end hotels to call…..I DID NOT GET ONE PHONE CALL BACK.  Yes, I called from my cell phone and there is no way that they knew who I was.  Can you believe it…not one phone call back.  There’s one niche!  Boy that’s a no brainier!

I found a lead today for 2,000 room nights annually in my area that usually books in the city.  Funny that I was working on her first lead (30 room nights for spring of 2009) and I simply asked one additional question……in a friendly and interested manner…..what other business needs do you have in my market?  I couldn’t imagine that she was sitting on a lead that was worth this many room nights.  Yes I know that is part of qualifying and I should be asking these questions anyway.  But I didn’t think she would have anything else…..now I’m sitting here thinking WHO ELSE?    Could I have missed something?

Maybe it’s time to slow down, think and better prepare prior to my calls.  I’m so busy rushing trying to get in volume calls and hoping that I can turn some around.  So many distractions and things on my mind noting still the office renovations not completed, need to support the revenue needed for the renovation plan, still the blitz this week and Opera Training next week…….all these pressures. 

I have all of these hot leads, great idea’s, plans, goals and I must follow up on what I already have stirred up.  I just can’t seem to get the perfect game plan together thus I flounder.  By the afternoon I was fully cooked and pretty much ready to throw in the towel and call it a day.  

I simply couldn’t be left alone to do the job I love…..selling.  I spent time on billing problems from this past weekend, complaints about this past weekend from my sports group, stupid annoying distractions that I don’t have enough room to note (you can imagine), issues, issues, issues.  Then at 3:00pm my GM came in my office area to tell me that I have to start cleaning the office….we are getting our franchise inspection this Thursday.  I turned and looked at him sincerely and said “it’s prime selling time”. 

Doesn’t he see the fire in my eyes, the will power, drive and desire to be #1.   What is he thinking?  IT’S PRIME SELLING TIME……any good GM will know this.  SET ME FREE!

I don’t mind cleaning and yes, I want the Sales Office to look as nice as it could for our inspection.  But right now at this time it’s prime and if I’m not calling, working and emailing then someone is…..and I don’t like that.

Needless to say, he said he wanted it done so I put a halt on my efforts, took a deep breath, packed up my stuff and started to straighten up.  Now I was fried flounder and definitely ready to just head for home.

Tomorrow I’ll be out on the road in the Corporate Parks dropping off information on the lunch buffet promotion…..the $14.95 lunch plus beverage, tax and tip……the one I must overcome my own personal opinion and must believe in……….yea right.  I’m going to find leads.  At least I’ll be left alone.

Good luck tomorrow! 

I’ll give you feedback on the wonderful lunch buffet blitz.  LOL

Pure Energy

Yes, There is a Sales God….

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YES!  There is a Sales God!  Finally internet.  I think I rocked the world for a moment with my excitment……BUT……  My glory was short lived though when 2 of the Maintenance Staff told me I had to vacate my office for an hour and a half.  WHAT!  Right in the middle of prime selling time.  UNBELIEVABLE.

The military convention coordinators handed me a hat today with their ship name on it.  I wore it most of the day.  I managed to muster many smiles from the staff members.  I kept an eye on the convention all morning until their bus departed for a city tour at 9:30am.  I had until 3pm when they return to focus and get my work done cause you know how those groups are ~ demanding.

Some of those people are so miserable.  I’m being very attentative to them but still there are some that just are plain old grumpy!  I have learned not to take it personally and target on the happy people. But please, those old men flirting has got to stop.  Yuck!

In Staff Meeting we were informed of all of the improvements that are in the works.  Pretty exciting.  I am hoping that all of these things really happen.  I know that I will need to kick it up to close on more sales because we will need more revenue for the improvements.  So although I’m sitting here typing, my inner mind is going crazy with where to find group business for 2008 that will impact the sales.

I received a call today from a competitor hotel who is seeking two sales managers.  I know the person well and I believe that we would work well together.  I heard she was a tyrant but I have a knack to get along with everyone….somehow.   I’m curious but mostly not interested. 

The location of this competitor is good and I do compete with them on my SMERFE groups.  Thier property about the same status and brand reconition.  I even know the market some.  I’ve agreed in my mind that I would not even consider it unless it was at least $5 grand more a year in salary.  Possibly maybe better benefits and a decent 401K program.  Only 15 minutes further, it’s an easy ride. 

Sometimes it’s not all about the money.  I have everything I need material wise and I consider my SMERFE position “on the job training” because I am learning to master one segment.  Most properties were smaller so I had to put effort in for all the segments.  I always felt I was missing opportunities in all of them since I never had time to master one.  Anyway, I will check on the salary but I don’t think that even that will move me out of my hotel.  I’m having to much fun with all of these great challenges…….I must be nuts.

We start picking up business in September.  It’s going to get crazy around here soon.  I’m hoping that they get the new staff training properly and quickley.  I see a lot of new faces every day and people that I thought were pretty friendly fired.  They ~ the new management team ~ are setting a strong productive structure so the calling out, insobordination and stupid crap stops.  Yep, it is stopping full force and I’m glad.  The staff is shocked. 

So far the new people are friendly, eager and want to be helpful.  I’ll tell you that they are hiring, teaching and if the new hire doesn’t pick up in the week, they are released.  Some are making it, some are not.  And if you have an attitude, then don’t even bother to fill out an application.  You wouldn’t be hired.  The new Manager’s are building what I have heard them say “the dream team”.

Another late night but I have my day planned and I’m ready.  Hope you are ready too!

Pure Energy