Salespeople learn and laugh from Jeffrey Gitomer seminar

“Cats are the best lesson in persistence—they know they’ll win. What’s your cat’s closing ratio?”

“Don’t add value—add passion!”

“If your fear is getting in the way of sales, you’re not afraid, you’re just unprepared.”

These sales insights and many more drew chuckles, laughs and nods at Jeffrey Gitomer’s sales seminar at the Dearborn Ritz-Carlton October 13. The event, sponsored by Michigan Retailers Association and Crain’s Detroit Business, drew more than 600 people from all types of businesses.

His primary message was to build relationships as a means of increasing sales, since people like to buy from friends and trusted advisors.

Many know of Gitomer from his syndicated columns, his many best-selling books or his e-newsletter, but his biggest fans believe seeing him in person is best.

“If every sales manager would be like Jeffrey on a regular basis, we’d all be selling more,” said one attendee.

Many in the audience had not heard him speak in person but were there on the recommendation of a colleague.

“I like how he’s taking what salespeople do every day and turning it on its head,” said Leah Seymours, of CFI Medical Solutions in Fenton. “He challenges the everyday approaches people take to sales and takes a fresh look.”