ABC: Always Be Closing, the speech by Alec Baldwin’s character in Glengarry Glen Ross, is certainly energizing and rightly considered one of the greatest movie speeches of all time.
But as powerful as that speech is, it’s hardly uplifting. Let’s look at some speech-worthy quotes that are both energizing and positive for your sales team.
You’d be surprised how much a kind word from a manager or boss can go toward motivating a sales team. If you’re having trouble finding the right words, don’t worry. You can borrow your inspiration.
1. “What differentiates sellers today is their ability to bring fresh ideas.” – Jill Konrath
What’s so great about this quote is that it’s complimentary and prodding at the same time. It seems that many times corporate America frowns on youth, looking at workers of a certain age as inherently lazy or self-centered.
By focusing on how modern sales teams aren’t necessarily hampered by the “we’ve always done it this way” ideology, a team can feel like their position is one of value. They have a unique perspective that they alone can use to further sales, whether that perspective brings in new techniques, people, or tools.
But the quote also contains an inherent challenge. By being in a position to bring fresh ideas, it’s their responsibility to do so.
2. “It’s not about having the right opportunities. It’s about handling the opportunities right.” – Mark Hunter
There will be those who complain about “never having the right opportunities,” and yet there’s always some salesperson with terrible leads who somehow gets all of the sales.
Rather than this being a “Why aren’t you more like your sibling?” kind of complaint, this quote is more about showing someone that there are more opportunities than they think and that they may need new techniques for properly leveraging them.
3. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
In sales, people have to get used to dealing with doors getting slammed in their faces. Whether these doors are figurative or literal, they can hurt. Salespeople will get called terrible names and sales will fall through. All of that can wear on a person.
But nasty words from a prospective client do not need to worm their way in and take root. Additionally, hearing these words from a sales manager or boss tells the salespeople that they are supported by management and have value.
4. “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” – George Addair
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” has become a cliche, but this one hits harder. And it has direction. We move forward, through the things that cause fear, whether they be cold calls, knocking on doors, giving a presentation, or some other milestone in the life of a salesperson.
Only by pushing through the fear will a salesperson come out on the other side and have an accomplishment to show for it.
5. “Refuse to attach a negative meaning to the word ‘no.’ View it as feedback. ‘No’ tells you to change your approach, create more value, or try again later.” – Anthony Iannarino
In sales, one of the most common words you’ll hear is “no.” But why did you get the no? Maybe you approached the potential client at the wrong time for your product to meet their needs.
You and your team might need a more effective sales enablement tool for better strategizing and planning, such as a sales route app or another platform so that there’s no doubling up when reaching out to leads.
More training might be necessary for the team so that the messaging is more dynamic and directed toward their lead’s particular pain points.
Whatever the case, don’t be afraid of a “no.” Be afraid to not learn from it.
