Jeff Heaton’s Post

Having played competitive sports for 18 years and been in sales for almost 20, I’m continually struck by the uncanny similarities between the two. Both arenas are rife with highs and lows, victories and defeats. It’s crucial to maintain balance, never getting too high on the wins or too low on the losses. I’ve always said that in sports, I hated losing more than I loved winning, and the same sentiment holds true in sales. Salesmanship demands diligent effort to cultivate a robust pipeline, master the intricacies of the solution or product being sold, and consistently deliver results month after month. In sports, it’s all about relentless practice to ensure readiness for game day, absorbing knowledge and perfecting skills to the best of your ability, and racking up wins until the season draws to a close, only to restart the cycle anew. Sales professionals and athletes share several similarities in their pursuit of success. Both require a relentless drive to excel and achieve their goals, often facing intense competition along the way. Just as athletes train rigorously to enhance their performance, sales professionals continuously refine their skills through practice and experience. Both professions demand resilience in the face of setbacks, with the ability to bounce back from losses and failures. Additionally, success in sales, like in sports, often hinges on effective teamwork and collaboration, whether it’s within a sales team or with clients and partners. Both sales professionals and athletes must also possess strong communication skills to effectively convey their message and persuade others. Sound familiar? It’s remarkable how the two domains mirror each other, isn’t it? From day one, I knew I belonged in sales. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of putting in the hard work and seeing your name flash on the scoreboard when you emerge victorious. The allure of relentless effort and the ability to control one’s destiny drew me in. When my playing days ended, I found solace in still finding a way to win on a scoreboard in sales. While success in sales can stem from various backgrounds, give me someone who’s weathered the grind, who knows what it takes to win, and I’ll guarantee their success in sales 9 oit of 10 times. From the great Jason Kelce, “Hungry Dogs Run Faster!” I’d love to hear your thoughts and whether you share this perspective. Let’s discuss! #sales #athlete #autofinance #leadership #grind

Back in high school I played baseball to make my mom proud! Francie Bussing look how proud you were!! 💙 All kidding aside, I loved baseball because of the camaraderie, the thrill of victory (especially when it came down to the final inning), the rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, & that you could fail 70% of the time as a hitter and still be considered great. Playing baseball from a young age through the end of high school was a truly formative season of my life (pun intended) but I ended up going pro in something other than sports. Tech sales. I went from pitching baseballs to pitching software. From failing 70% at the plate to failing 70% on the phone (& still being a success). From my teammates rooting me on with a chance to hit a walk off in the bottom of the 9th to my sales team hanging around late in the office rooting me on to bring in a last minute deal that would help us hit our collective revenue target. Sports & tech sales are performance arts with many parallels. They are both arenas where the ability to visualize & define clear goals, embrace a competitive spirt, be gritty, work with a team, & courageously shoot your shot and swing for the fences all come together to build champions. I couldn't be more excited to be interviewing JR Butler (who Kyle York had spoke so highly of) on his journey from hockey player, to tech seller, to CRO, to launching Shift Group where he is turning elite athletes into elite sellers! If you want to get fired up about sports, tech sales, & unleashing your potential then we'll look forward to seeing you there! We'll be going LIVE Thursday at 5 pm Central & I'll post the RSVP link tomorrow! Happy Selling & Happy Living, Chris #techsales #saassales #careerpath #salescareer

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Lionel Messi now earns close to $60 million per year playing ⚽ for Inter Miami. That's 113x the average salary of an MLS player. Lamar Jackson makes $52 million per year playing 🏈 , 18x the average salary of an NFL player. Premiere athletes give their teams a real chance to win each time they take the field, and that fills seats. A full stadium means millions more in concession sales, jerseys, parking, and more. The same phenomenon is emerging in professional sales. The impact players of the future aren't pounding the phones as SDR's. They're YouTubers building followings, weighing in on their industries with insights and solutions, and in the process, commanding attention. A prized commodity in 2024. Those who have the attention of a large following give their teams a chance to win every game. What does that mean for how sales teams are constructed and compensated in the years ahead? Huge pay packages for thought leaders who's insights align with a particular brand or platform? Probably. A free-agent culture absent of any real loyalty to any particular company? Perhaps. Giant armies of Account Executives working their own pipelines, all with quota achievements within 10-20% of one another? Probably not. If you're an AE today, your long-term career play is obvious. If you're a company leader, perhaps not as clear. Some of the most successful sports franchises over the past couple of decades have hedged against expensive free-agent culture through player development. They build player development complexes, have massive international scouting operations. They build from within. In the same way, companies should be encouraging early-career employees to develop their own personal brands through content. Providing resources, training them how to do it. Not just sharing the company's latest social media post, but to think for themselves, understand their audiences, and how to engage. #Sales #SalesJobs #TechJobs #TechSales #b2bsales #b2bmarketing #SalesLeadership #B2Bsoftware

How the average sports sales person thinks about their career vs. the top 1% of our industry: Average sports sales person: - Focuses on hitting call numbers - Doesn’t ask for help on appointments - Thinks they have it all figured out - "That's not my job" - Oh no... not another pipeline review -Operates from a scarcity mindset The top 1%: - Focuses on setting appointments - Asks top performers to go on appointments with them - Knows they can always learn something new - Where else can I step up? - Are excited for feedback on their business -Operates from an abundant mindset We are going to have to work regardless. Why not push to be a part of the 1%? You can watch the clock all day. Or you can watch your career take off. Your call. ✌️ #LinkedInSports #SportsBiz #Sales

📣 From the Rink to the Sales Floor: Lessons I've learned from a Hockey Goalie 🏒🥅 As a former hockey goalie, I've come to realize that the skills and mindset required to defend the net are remarkably similar to those needed to excel in the field of sales. Here are a few key lessons that have stuck with me and how they translate to achieving success in sales: Focus and Preparation: Just like in hockey, preparation is everything in sales. A goalie needs to study the opposing team's tactics, anticipate their moves, and be ready for anything. In sales, knowing your client, understanding their pain points, and preparing your pitch are crucial to closing deals. Resilience and Adaptability: No matter how many goals get past you, a good goalie shakes it off and stays focused on the next shot. Similarly, in sales, rejection is part of the game. The key is to remain resilient, learn from each experience, and adapt your approach. Teamwork and Communication: A goalie isn't just a last line of defense; we are leaders, communicating with teammates and directing the play. In sales, collaboration and clear communication with your team can make all the difference in reaching your targets and delivering value to your clients. Quick Decision-Making: On the ice, decisions are made in split seconds, left right back! The puck can go anywhere as it leaves the shooter's stick. In sales, it is vital to think on your feet, respond to objections, and seize opportunities as they arise. Staying Calm Under Pressure: High-pressure situations are a given for both goalies and sales professionals. Keeping a cool head and maintaining composure allows you to make better decisions and perform at your best. Whether on the ice or the Sales floor, the principles of hard work, dedication, and a winning mindset are universal. Embracing these lessons has not only helped me guard the net but also achieve my goals in the dynamic world of sales. What parallels have you found between your passions and your profession? Let's connect and share insights! A shout-out to Bob for winning the Cup this year. ( Pictured) #Sales #Hockey #GoalieMindset #SalesSuccess #Resilience #Teamwork

Being a good hockey player is excellent training for sales.. Look where the puck is going Get there first Set up the play And, either pass or score. It's not so different in the world of sales, and truly most of business. Knowing where the conversation is headed is key. Just like in hockey, your preparation is your due diligence and research. If the play doesn't go as expected, you pivot and head in a different direction. Work with your teammates. Get them involved. Don’t hog the puck, er, conversation. The ability to anticipate and adapt is the winning strategy. In both areas, success is about staying agile, reading the signs, and being one step ahead. If you’re interested in becoming more effective at the game of sales, we should chat. Looking for individuals interested in increasing their sales effectives, and are keen to join our sales success community. I’m Adrian and I don’t play hockey😁 #salestraining #salescoaching #saleseffectiveness

Hiring Managers - I've looked at the most successful sales people I've placed. This is what the majority have in common... Sports people Anyone who saw the Tennis French Open saw this quote in the stadium last weekend: "Victory belongs to the most tenacious” - Roland Garros. If you follow Gary Neville on LinkedIn, you may have read his post. In it, he talked about what Sir Alex Ferguson used to say. “You have a choice everyday. Work as hard as you can and never give in. That's your choice. Accountability for your own attitude". Sports people are high achievers. They are disciplined and train hard. So, it’s natural that if they chose a sales career, they'd likely excel. They already have the right mindset. This is nothing new. Still, it's a good reminder. When you're selecting candidates to interview for a sales role, focus on the sports people. It will be clear on the CV. If this isn't something you already do, try this in the future and let me know how you get on!

Culture: A Sales Team Perspective 🌟🏒 In the world of sales, success often mirrors the dynamism of a hockey team (I'm Canadian so a hockey reference is fitting, you can replace with your preferred sport team) rather than the traditional idea of a family. Here's why: 🥅 Performance is Key: Like in hockey, a sales team should embrace a performance-driven culture. In hockey, players consistently strive to earn and maintain their spot on the team through hard work and skill. Similarly, in sales, it's about continually proving your value and contributing to the team's success. 🏆 Competition Breeds Excellence: Just as hockey players compete for goals, a sales team thrives on healthy competition. It's this competitive spirit that fosters innovation, encourages personal growth, and drives the team toward achieving and surpassing targets. 🤝 Support and Collaboration: Much like a hockey team, a sales team is at its best when everyone collaborates and supports one another. Each member plays a vital role, and together they create a winning strategy. However, unlike a family where roles might be fixed, in a sales team, positions are earned through hard work and dedication. 🚀 Continuous Improvement: In hockey, players train relentlessly to improve their skills. Likewise, in sales, ongoing training and skill development are crucial. Embracing a growth mindset and continuously honing skills is essential for individual and team success. 🌟 Earn Your Spot: Unlike a family where a spot is given, in a sales team, you have to work hard to keep your place. It's about demonstrating your worth, consistently contributing, and adapting to the ever-evolving challenges. The analogy between a sales team and a hockey team underscores the importance of merit, dedication, and constant improvement. Let's foster a culture that amalgamates the best of both worlds – the camaraderie and support of a team, with the drive and determination of a competitive sport. #SalesTeam #Culture #HockeyTeam #Performance #Competition #Collaboration #ContinuousImprovement #SuccessMindset

#hiring Vice President of Sales, Greenville, United States, fulltime #jobs #jobseekers #careers #Greenvillejobs #SouthCarolinajobs #ExecutivePositions Apply: https://lnkd.in/ebn47uCc About:The Greenville Drive, founded in 2006, is the Minor League Baseball High A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, a relationship that has been in place since 2005. Before the team relocated to Greenville, the team played in Columbia, SC as the Capital City Bombers. The Drive play at Fluor Field in Downtown Greenville - a mini replica of iconic Fenway Park - complete with its own "Green Monster" and manual scoreboard in left field.In its inaugural season in 2006, the Drive received Ballpark of the Year recognition, beating out all other newly constructed stadiums across minor league and professional sports. In2008, the Drive's stadium was officially renamed "Fluor Field" after the Drive announced a naming rights agreement with Fluor Corporation, a global leader in engineering and construction.Each year Fluor Field hosts 66 Greenville Drive baseball games, amateur baseball games, and over 120 private and community events. Private and community events are hosted under the year round West End Events brand. Fluor Field hosts the community's highest profile events including Artisphere, Euphoria, Upstate Veterans' Salute Concert, Kringle Holiday Village, and many others. The Drive's contributions to Minor League Baseball and, more specifically, the Greenville and Upstate communities, were recognized by being awarded the John H. Johnson Award in November 2017. This award, given to only one Minor League Baseball team each year, is considered the highest organizational achievement in Minor League Baseball, and is based on community commitment, operational excellence, and overall franchise stability. POSITION SUMMARYThe Drive is seeking a Vice President of Sales. The sales function is one of the most critical aspects of the organization's business, growing in importance each year.The Vice President of Sales will utilize a relationship-based selling approach to grow sales for the organization and its event brand, while leading and developing a dynamic and high-performing sales team. As a "contagious leader", the VP of Sales will motivate, coach, and develop a team of Directors, Event Managers, Sales Account Executives, and Inside Sales Representatives. This individual will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team, working closely with the President, General Manager, and VP of Finance and Administration to build and execute long-term organizational strategy, and will report directly to the President.The ideal candidate will be action oriented, passionate, self-motivated, have excellent leadership ability, and will embody the organization's passion for community and relationships. This person will have a proven history of working on strategic growth plans while also maintaining the ability to work at an ex