Bless all the Sales folks

The economy just gets tougher each day. Not sure when it will find its bottom. Being in sales at such a time, is the most challenging. How do you expect someone to give you business, when he or she is fighting for survival.

It is all very easy to say " Keep your chin up and try", but when day after day you feel disappointment and see no hope in the future, it is very difficult to do that.

There are funding freezes everywhere, and no one wants to give business. The decision makers keep changing(In some cases they lose their jobs). Your champions in the account are being moved around. It is extremely difficult times man.

I guess having said all that, there is no other choice but to "keep your chin up" :-). Keep meeting people, and taking proposals. That is what is your job. If proposals fail, it is Ok. Keep trying.

Any tips to sell to clients doing bad (filed for bankruptcy etc), are most welcome. How do you keep your sales job from being lost? How do you maintain your sanity, under such circumstances, when your pipeline is dried out? How do you wake up and stay enthusiastic about work? Incentives - Anyways under the present circumstances they are taking a battering. Getting paid and keeping the job, is good enough.

Another quandary is: Travel budgets are tightened in such times, but you got to travel and meet people(whoever gives a meeting that is). The tight economy has given people myriad excuses to throw your way, not to give you business.

I hope Sales managers show some consideration to their team members in such circumstances(I know it is difficult). Some humanity would be required in this process.

I have rambled on enough for the day. Will return later.