HOW TO GET A SALES MENTOR

By Larry Happiday

An aspiring sales man has the absence of professional role-models as the greatest issue to contend with. The problem is compounded by the bourgeoning of sales and distribution as a result of globalization and consumerism making all sorts of goods available for sale. Mentoring bridges gaps; reduces learning curves and increasing output in a short time. Mentoring could turn the most hopeless into the best if it is handled with care and if harnessed with love. The problem of getting a sponsor has never been seen as a business challenge until the emergence of The Global-Mentors.
Now we know that it is possible to get Ben Carson or Mary Kay as a mentor. Indeed all over the world, the Mary Kay model is being replicated. So how can a rural suburban folk in the nether parts of Nigeria, Kenya or Lesotho become a protégé of Odumegwu or even Bill Gates? Take the case of Jose Vergara cited below as an exmple, he studied, copied and became great..


VERGARA, JOSE
Vergara, Jose
A Spanish painter, was born at Valencia in 1726. He displayed fine artistic powers at an early age. He adopted the style of the prints of Spagnoletto, and studied the works of Coypel and Paolo de Matteis. He painted many portraits and numerous pictures for the churches of Valencia and neighboring cities, in oil, fresco, and distemper. The most noted of his paintings are the Conception of the Virgin, in the Convent of San Francisco, at Valencia; and Telemachus and Mentor, in the Academy of San Ferdinando. (from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. )

1. Study.
2. Research
3. Technology
4. Books
5. Direct Encounter/ mentoring
6. Workshops/ Seminars



Study: an aspiring protégé should be studious. To benefit most from the mentor, he needs to be versed with the popular view of the mentor and seek ways to appropriate those good sides to his professional selling. Being studious requires making out the time to think, analyse and synthesize the current of new information that he is able to obtain concerning his subject matter
Research: the he should research to find out if there are other people with similar views and where they differ. This helps him to clarify and clear mental clogs that could hamper harmonious relationships. The areas of research include: the strengths and weaknesses of the mentor, the accomplishments and failures of the mentor and what people say about him. The result of this research will help to reduce expectations, provide a realistic model of mentoring encounter and give the protégé the benefit of knowing whether there are issues he must avoid in his relationship with the mentor such as: religious views, sexual preferences, philosophical opinions that may not be helpful etc.
Technology: in the area of technology there are a few that need to be mentioned. Compact discs, PM3 & 4s, videos and DVDs and tapes are some of the popular media that have helped to provide access to prominent men and women of great accomplishment. The internet has also provided a forum for people to get so much information in matter of minutes and so should be utilized to the full. Get information about any body or anything is as easy as googling the name or the question.
Books: Since the invention of the book, no other invention has affected the way we communicate, educate and train. Books contain information on virtually any subject on earth. Like the internet, books can contain nearly every information that man needs. The problem with books is volume and accessibility. Fortunately, the great salesmen of our time have found that they can further their views and knowledge through writing well thought books. The result is that any one can become a distant protégé of any one merely by reading their books.
Workshops / Seminars: the greatest salesmen are delighted to walk the seminar circuits teaching and mentoring. So every available opportunity should be utilized to further your knowledge and performance. They provide an opportunity to ask questions directly from the mentor and even give access to follow-up encounters if the needs arise.

Direct Encounter/ Mentoring: This is the most gratifying mentoring process but it is also the most cumbersome. To get any one to be your mentor approach him. There are issues with contact-mentors but it is worth the while once the initial hiccups are taken care of.

In all determination to scale the hurdles will bring fulfillment.