Conventions and Personal Development

I am leaving Saturday for Phoenix -- yes, in July! It is the National Speaker's Association conference and as a member, I decided to invest in my personal development.

During the day I will be listening to programs, attending break-out sessions and networking with my peers. At night I will be working on my client projects. 

Going to this event is always very interesting. Normally, I am giving the keynote or leading a break-out session at a vendor's or association's conference. With WPC going on this week and other industry events, it is important that even with the economic challenges that you may be experiencing and  even if cash flow is critical, attending these kinds of events must be considered a priority.

Learning new things, picking up one or two new ideas and even re-energizing your own mind can help you lead your organization during tough times. You may even gain insights into new sources of revenue that will propel your organizations as the economy begins to recover! "Invest in yourself" are the key words.

In our last blog we mentioned creating a personal development plan for each of your team. As a sales leader you need to have your own plan as well. On our Web site, you will find  a link to our new book (look for the yellow widget)  on sales and sales management. It contains hundreds of ideas that you can use to: 1) challenge your current thinking on sales/leadership and 2) open the minds of your sales team to new and different concepts in selling.

Every salesperson on your team should read it. Really, it's great summertime reading!  If you would like a copy of Acumen’s recommended list of executive books for your library, send me an e-mail.

Ken Thoreson is managing director of the Acumen Management Group Ltd., a North American consulting organization focused on improving sales management functions within growing and transitional organizations internationally. Ken also motivates organizations with enlightening keynotes.

Posted by Ken Thoreson on July 16, 2009 at 11:59 AM