At a sales conference for all the sales force of a large company, the ‘top dog’, a man who personified success and who’d consistently hit the highest sales figures for the last 15 years, and who earned more money than even the owner of his company, got up to speak.
“I have decided to reveal the secret of my success to one lucky person in this room,” he said. “I have written it down and put it in this white envelope in my hand. However, success has to be earned so I’m going to sell the envelope to the highest bidder. You have my word that it contains the true secret of my success, not only as a salesman, but in life generally”
There was much murmuring in the room and then the bidding started slowly…£5, then £10, soon it was £50, £100, £125, £150, £200, and on it went. Finally one person in the room stood up and said “I need this. £1000. The happy buyer took the envelope back to his room, sat on the bed, took a deep breathe and slowly opened the envelope. Ready to learn the prized secret of success.
What do you think was written on the piece of paper?
Think about it. What comes to mind?
The winner of the auction tore open the envelope, unfolded the piece of paper inside and read the following hand-written words:
The secret to success is…
to ask.
What do you think? What do you need to ask and to who would be something to consider first of all. Sometimes life is far simpler than we make it. Ask that question to someone:
“What do I need to do to go up in this company?”
“Can you tell me what I need to do to get a meeting with you?”
“How can I make changes to make this sale to work for you?”
