Everyone loves persistence, but no one loves a pest.  So, how do you remain persistent without becoming like Bill Murray’s character in the movie “What about Bob”?  Well, it takes one word. Most people don’t have it, but the ones that do go onto untold heights. The secret word is passion.

Most sales happen after the fifth sales call, but most salespeople quit after two.  This is because the rep doesn’t want to slip into the “pain in the ass” category.   A good salesman wants to be a resource, an advisor, a confidant…anything but a pest.

When we think of persistence, we like to think of this famous quote….”I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”–Michael Jordan.   Here is a guy unafraid of defeat and at the same time in pursuit of being the absolute best. 

That is where the key lies–Persistence combined with passion is an extremely powerful force.  When you weave passion into the tapestry, people know you believe in what you are doing.  This is when you go from “pest” to professional.

Learn everything you can about your product or service, your industry, your trade, but most importantly, your client.  A salesmen with passion, desire, and drive can change the world.  Look at Michael Jordan or Steve Jobs–They did.