Judging Before Knowing is Never Right

I spent this weekend in San Diego with several gift basket gals and have to say that it was so enlightening and wonderful.  I have spent the last several years working hard to bring resources, support and collaboration to this industry and to spend time with people that I know via the internet and phone was lovely.  It truly was.

As many of you know, there was/is a tiny group of individuals who have worked hard at judging me without knowing me and today, I had an amazing turning point.  I never really understood what "their" issue was with me and was so hurt.  It's terrible to be judged by someone you've never met or even had a conversation with but yet judging was their #1 priority.  Today, I was enlightened as to the judgement and have to say that I feel better that I understand it but it doesn't make it right.

My turning point today was to realize that if "they" don't have the decency to validate rumors, get to know me or give me a chance, then honestly - they don't deserve to take up any of my valuable mind space and I sure as hell am not going to allow them to make me feel less than I am.  It's that simple.

Purely Genuine Appreciation

There isn't a day that goes by where I'm not grateful for the support I receive personally and professionally.  However, I used to forget to say thank you and it was a few years ago when I met Stacey Vulakh and Melissa Stacey when I realized that I needed to say thank you more often.  Anytime I used to do something for either of them - small or big, I'd get a thank you note in the mail from them.  A handwritten thank you note - not a "Send Out Card" or an email, a note with postage on it.  Unbelievable!  I mean who has the time or energy to sit down, write a thank you card, address it, put postage on it and put it in the mail?  I do.

Now, I make time to do the little things in my life that matter so much to others.  I make the time.

A New Day and a HUGE Turning Point

Two weeks ago, I was notified by Cisco that my position was being "eliminated".  I knew it was coming but it was still hard to be called into the office and to listen to the words.  I started at Cisco when I was 29 years old and here I am, for the first time in my life, unemployed.  My emotions have been running very high the last few weeks.  The day they told me, I was past the point of emotional.  I drove off the campus and cried the whole way home and when I pulled up to my house, there was my husband standing in the driveway waiting for me and we're so emotionally attached, he was already crying with me.  It was a day of complete and total disappointment, sadness and devastation.  The following days was sad, then angry.  Angry that I had put in so many years of pure dedication working 50-60 hour weeks and my "elimination" was just so easy.  I left for Ohio the next day and was dreading come home because I knew it was reality time - I wasn't on vacation, I was without a job.

And then, my friend Sarah wrote on my Facebook page, "They already took 12 years of your life. Why give them one more week???" And, I quickly realized how right she was.

We got back from Ohio the following Monday and what has happened since then was past amazing.  After taking a few days to realize that this is my new temporary life, I cleaned out my home office, bought a new laptop, re-organized myself completely and realized that I'm Debbie Quintana - nothing is going to stop me from what I want to do.  It is on. 

Finding the Right Partners

If you asked me for one of the biggest lessons I've learned, I'll tell you that its all about my relationships and the people I know.  I have learned so much about people over the last ten years.  It's been a rough learning experience but now, I can honestly say that the relationships I have personally and professionally are the right ones.  I feel strongly that anyone that is close to me needs to be upfront, unassuming and honest, and when I say honest - I mean it.  While I know its not easy, I am one that appreciates people calling it like it is...for me, its just the way it needs to be.

I would seriously take a look at your cache of friends and make a decision who your close friends (personal and professional) are and ensure you have a 100% open and honest relationship them.  It's ok to have acquaintances but its not ok to confide and expect to have tight relationships with everyone.  It's those expectations that will get you in trouble.


It's really that simple.

The Sales Flip: A Much Needed Turning Point

It was about two years ago when I closed a huge deal with a very large sports organization.  The gifting needs they had spanned over three full pages of explanations including new hire gifts, gifts for visitors, congratulatory gifts, birthday, get well, new baby - you name it, it was on that three page spread.   It took me over six months to get the business and upon the final award to Gourmet Gifts, I asked them why they chose me.

The main purchasing agent responded very quickly, "The answer to your question is simple Ms. Quintana.  You took the time to understand our needs and you delivered exactly what we told you we wanted.  Many other companies came in here and told us about how great they were and tried to sell us what they offer.  You asked the right questions and delivered accordingly."

Wow.  Ok wait.  What exactly did I do right?  I flipped the sales call.  Instead of going in with a presentation about me, my company and what I have to offer, I gave them a short introduction and then used the rest of my time with them to ask the right questions.  It's like having the answers to the test before taking it.

The Sales Flip is a concept I created immediately after that experience and I've been using it ever since and almost every single time I got on a high level sales call, it works.   It was a huge turning point for me.  I had been taught to sell strong, put pressure, don't accept no - you've heard it all.  In today's economy and relationship building atmosphere, people will appreciate you valuing their time by listening.

Download The Sales Flip article that was in the June edition of Trends and Tips Gift Basket Magazine and give it a try.  You just never know - you might have your own turning point.