Today I look for the silver lining in the design of this bizarre business where every day I live the reality of a great truth I heard long ago, "Successful people get paid on results." Every one of us should spend two years as a car salesman. Or at least try, because most don't make it that far. I've heard it's only 2% of us that make it that far. If you have a different number, I would love to hear it.
Probably just safer, I suppose, to go to work at the local drug store as a cashier making maybe $10/hour?Someone can correct me here too. We will all likely agree that it's not very much. I only raise this as an example because I've recently seen a former salesman make this unfortunate transition.
I suppose I understand it, even though I could never accept the same fate. I'm always willing to climb my way out of the hole I've dug for myself. And these holes are not necessarily bad either. It's just that when you're ready to get out, you stop digging and climb up. The digging is necessary to mine the treasures that lie beneath. The interesting thing I've found today is that sometimes the digging is also just digging. No gold. Only hard work and fitness for future endeavors. This digging is harder because it's more exhausting. Daunting even. Because you know it's necessary, but you hate that you have to accept that and continue to burrow through. The tunnels, though, the ones you carve with your own bare hands, create new and incredibly bright pathways that lead to new, better, and more worthwhile pursuits. It's just that in the short run, there is real sacrifice that brings real pain, fear, and sometimes a little resentment. The strain it puts on your marriage? Forget about it...
So today, I look for that silver lining. And driving to work in my trusty 2009 Lexus Rx 350 on a snowy slick day, I came upon an insight into the digging I did in February. February brought an amazing group of customers who helped create a fascinating batch of
stories. Here's one of them...
Tom M from New Jersey sent me this photo on the last day of the month. A day that is a story all its own. We can save that one for later. Tom is an Uber Black driver in New York and was in need of a hybrid ES 300h that was Black on Black. Unfortunately, the car sold before Tom could make a decision, but in the end, he had many high compliments for my work with him, and along the course of these interactions over a few days, he shot this photo for me of the Freedom Tower in Manhattan. He had been waiting there for my phone call. A generous gesture of gratitude and a reminder for me of why I decided to do this work in the first place. Which, of course, reminds me of something else I heard some time ago that is important to remember...we will be rewarded financially in kind with the number of people for whom we can serve with our ideas, products, and insights.
Today and tomorrow as I have time, I will be posting as many of these stories as I can to the 'happy customers' feed on the blog. Check back if you're interested. And if you're reading this in print, you can find that 'happy customers' feed at the following link:
Click here for car business stories
Until next time, I thank you for being here. I appreciate you reading, and am grateful for your interest.
