Jon Carson Consulting September 2018

A CEO Who Sells

As CEO or owner of your company, are you spending half of your day selling to or visiting clients?

When I landed my first general manager position, the CEO told me simply, “Now that you have the job, Dave, don’t spend your days with your feet on the desk or looking at the computer screen. Go out and spend half your day selling and meeting customers!” It was good advice, and it helped me lead the successful turnaround of an ailing business in my first try. It’s easy to get caught up in the concept of measuring everything and understanding nothing, but the hard work — the real work — is going out in the street, thanking your current customers, and asking prospects to buy. Too many managers argue, “I’m the one in charge, and I don’t have time for that!” Agreed. You have a lot on your plate. But remember this: NOTHING happens until a sale is made. Look at the photo in my newsletter. It’s a letter I received from the CEO of a bank. I had met him on a flight and gave him a copy of my book and a newsletter. He took the opportunity to write this nice thank-you in return, and guess what? He asked for my business! He didn’t summon his business development director to do it. The CEO asked for my business.

What a great example. Your team is looking for you to lead the way. Don’t hide out in the office looking at numbers all day. Take a good look in the morning, then get out of the office and “make it rain!” What an example you’ll set for your team.

I will do business at Jack’s bank. A CEO who sells will get my attention every time.

Take a

Barbecue Flank Steak Ingredients

BREAK

When you innovate, you've got to

• 1 teaspoon ginger, ground • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced • Juice of 1/2 a lemon • 1 can beef broth

• 1 large flank steak Marinade Ingredients: • 1/2 cup soy sauce • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1 teaspoon dry mustard • A sprinkle of brown sugar

be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts

- larry_ellison_1 73328

Directions

1. Mix marinade ingredients well. 2. Pierce steak. 3. Marinate for 48 hours. 4. Barbecue to your desired doneness. 5. Optional: top with bleu cheese and butter.

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