Disney characters have always drawn a lot of comparisons with real-life parallels so we decided to ask the question, which Disney characters would make the best salespeople and why?
Below is the short list of the final contenders for Disney characters with the best sales skills which we admit they did not always used with the best intentions! Whilst it is not exhaustive, we hope that you find it at least mildly entertaining!
1. Ursula
The terrifying sea witch from Disney’s classic adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, Ursula would have probably had made an excellent, if frightening, salesperson. After all, she managed to convince a mermaid to give up her voice, not to mention her fins, in exchange for a dubious shot at getting a prince to fall in love with her. Apart from selling the teenaged mermaid on the notion that she could win the prince’s love, Ursula also managed to convince her that she could do it all without benefit of speech. In an unforgettable musical number, Ursula vamps about her cave, her tentacles flowing, belting out the lyrics “You’ve got your looks, your pretty face” with a knowing smirk. Unsurprisingly, Ariel falls for Ursula’s sales tactics hook, line, and sinker, believing that the impossible could come true purely on the strength of the sea witch’s reputation. Indeed, Ursula begins her sales pitch by treating the mermaid to a macabre proof of her own powers, by a garden of withered souls.
2. Rafiki
The Lion King is a tale about coming of age and accepting one’s place in society, however frightening or onerous it might be. When the young lion cub, Simba, is forced to flee into exile thanks to the cunning machinations of his Machiavellian uncle, Scar, he is befriended by Timon and Pumba, a pair of lovable outcasts who become his new family. Simba grows up taking his new friends’ philosophy of Hakuna Matata to heart, living his days in a peaceful blur of contentment and freedom from all responsibilities. So when his father’s old advisor Rafiki turns up to convince Simba to return home, he has a tough job ahead of him. Yet, he manages to bring the truculent young lion around by being persistent and playing to Simba’s own interests, in this case, the preservation of his ancestral kingdom. By appealing to the latent feelings of the young lion to get his way, Rafiki beautifully demonstrates the importance of playing to a person’s emotions when trying to make a successful sale.
3. Scar
Any salesperson knows how important it is to have strong communication skills in order to make a successful sales pitch. And of all the Disney characters ever drawn, Scar, the villainous uncle from The Lion King, certainly draws top honours for his ability to talk others into doing his bidding. From arranging for Simba to amble into the path of a stampede to convincing the hyenas to support his scheme to take control of the pride, Scar always manages to sell his plans successfully to his audience. Indeed, Scar’s rousing rendition of “Be Prepared", when he calls the hyenas to join him in his quest for power, is a perfect example of the character’s highly persuasive communication skills!
4. Mother Gothel
A high level of confidence in what you believe in is one of the keys to being successful in sales. In the growing catalogue of Disney's characters, Mother Gothel, the evil, insecure witch who imprisons Rapunzel in a tower, manages to keep her adopted daughter a prisoner by selling her on the idea that it would be too dangerous to leave. Anyone who has ever dealt with a headstrong teenager knows how impossible it can be to keep a determined seventeen-year-old indoors when they want to be free. However, Mother Gothel is so confident in her assertions that the world outside the tower is too dangerous to explore, that Rapunzel believes her.
Being a successful salesperson essentially comes down to having the right combination of confidence, communication skills, persistence, and a certain amount of nerve! These Disney characters possess all of these traits in spades and with training, perhaps in the art of consultative selling, achieving win-wins and a large dose of customer service, they may have just fitted into the competitive world of modern selling!
Finally, who do you think should have made it into our list, and why?
Happy selling!
Monday 10 November 2014
Which Disney Characters Make the Best Salespeople?
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Friday 7 November 2014
Reap the Benefits of Recruiting Before Christmas
With Halloween and Bonfire night out of the way the lead up to Christmas is amongst us, the latest John Lewis advert is out and Christmas jumpers are on sale. It is a time to plan for the start of 2015 and having new members of your sales team bedded in ready to start with a bang!!!
It is prime time for taking on top sales talent; candidates are now to
looking for their next move in time for the New Year.
The
benefits of recruiting before Christmas for Employers:
· Candidates can engage with other members of the team at a very social time.
· With fewer employers recruiting this side of Christmas, you have access to a full talent pool.
· Less risk of losing your candidate to an alternative offer.
· Having the candidate fully trained up before Christmas gives you a greater chance of a commercial return early on.
· Avoid offering a higher salary when competition is fierce in January.
· It is a quiet time to complete induction & training.
· December is a great month to meet your clients in a more relaxed environment.
· Spend that remaining budget!!
Recruit now and get ahead of the game, beat your competitors to the best
sales talent and take advantage while it is an employers market.
Written by Liam Oakes
Liam is
the Recruitment Office Manager at Aaron Wallis and has been with the company
for 4 years after having a career with the RAF; Liam has helped hundreds of
Sales Professionals secure a new Sales role and ensures that Aaron Wallis runs
smoothly.
Twitter -
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- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/liam-oakes/4b/536/403
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Tuesday 4 November 2014
Just Simply Straightforward Job Searching Tips
Get The Job That You Deserve With These Simple and Straightforward Job Searching Tips
Searching for a
job can be one of the most frustrating experiences a person can go through;
especially in an economy that is still feeling the effects of the recent
recession. Whilst it is once again
becoming a ‘candidates market’ the job market continues to be fierce, with many
candidates vying for the most attractive posts.
Even though the
job market has dramatically improved over the last few years, whether one is a
seasoned professional or a recent graduate, it can still be incredibly
difficult to get hired. By using a defined and directed job search strategy,
job seekers can find positions that they are ideally qualified for, meet their
criteria, and that they stand a good chance of getting.
Map Out Your Plan:
When embarking on a serious job
search, your first step should be figuring out what your personal career goals
are and the types of roles you are truly interested in pursuing. Take some time
to make a list of what your own criteria are when it comes to job description,
growth potential, and compensation. It may help you to download our ‘job search checklist’ as part of this plan.
Establish a time frame for finding a
new job and make a list of achievable goals along that timeline. Start with
polishing up your CV or having a fresh one written for you if it has a number
of years since you applied for a job. Finding
a job can be a bit of a full-time job in itself so determine how much time you are
able to devote daily or weekly to applying for jobs and stick to your schedule.
Keep a careful record of all the
responses you receive and stay organised when it comes to scheduling
interviews. If you are serious about
finding a new role, you will simply have to find the time to attend interviews.
Specialist Recruitment Agencies:
There are thousands of recruitment
agencies out there so channel your energy into one that is right for you. Are
they a specialist or a generalist agency, i.e. are they regularly advertising
the kind of roles that you are looking for and do their consultants have links
to workers in your industry sector within their LinkedIn profiles?
If so, they
will probably have access to a mine of terrific jobs that are not available on
the ‘open market’. Recruiters, including
ourselves, get inundated with applications so make the difference by detailing
in a cover note exactly why you are the ‘stand out candidate’ and detail precisely
what you are looking for in your next role in terms of industry sector, role
types and salary (and indeed if you’re prepared to work for a competitor). Then
recruiters can quickly see whether they have the roles that will be right for
you.
Traditional Networking:
Networking is still one of the best ways
to get a new job, with studies showing that over 50% of all hires are made
through referrals and recommendations. However, if you are a recent graduate, or
school leaver, you may not yet have this 'work-network' so start with your University
alumni association or career office. Speak to friends and family members and
even your old teachers about any jobs they might know of in your field of
interest.
Social Media Networking:
Use your social media accounts to
highlight your career accomplishments and goals, especially on sites like
LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, all of which are routinely used by recruiters to
announce job openings and scout for potential candidates. If you are unemployed
or your current boss knows that you are hunting for a new job, it is alright to
mention that you are actively looking for a new position in your status, and
can help drive more interest your way from hiring managers.
Regularly update your LinkedIn profile as
this will signal to recruiters that you are proactively looking. Whilst managing your social networks remember
to ensure that they show you in your very best light!
Direct Your Energies:
The old-fashioned techniques of cold calling
for jobs can still be a very effective way to find job openings in sales. What better way to experience your sales prowess
than to actually pitch yourself in to gain an interview!
However, it is important to make sure
that you are directing your energies towards companies in which you are
seriously interested and know something about. Take the time to research
companies in your industry and make a list of those that appeal to you, both
for what they do and how well you think you might fit in. Make the call to the hiring managers, send an
updated CV and write a short bullet pointed cover letter, which specifies why
you are particularly interested in their company and why you would be a good
fit for them.
Follow Up:
Whether you approached
the company proactively or responded to an advertised opening, make sure to
follow up with the human resources department or hiring manager, either by
phone or email.
Let them know
why you are interested in the job and briefly re-iterate your skills. Hiring
managers often sift through hundreds of CV's a week and taking a few minutes to
check in on the status of your application will go a long way towards making
you stand out from the crowd.
The job hunt can
certainly be a frustrating experience, but by employing the right strategy, you
can make your search that much more successful and rewarding. Perseverance is
also essential – don’t give up if it takes a bit of time. Finding the right job
is simply a matter of patience, research, and following a solid plan.
Finally:
We’re in the
process of overhauling our Career Tools section for candidates in preparation for 2015. Why
not take a look at it for more career advice that has been specifically written
for sales professionals.
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Saturday 1 November 2014
How to Dress for Success at a Sales Interview
Let’s face it – interviews are a nerve-wracking experience at any time, with candidates being judged not just by what they say but also based on their
appearance.
The general rule of thumb is
to dress in a manner that is professional, conservative, and appropriate to
your prospective work environment then no one can make ‘gut judgements’ on you
based simply upon appearance.
● Corporate Sales:
Working in corporate sales requires a
somewhat more formal version of business attire than a retail or call centre
sales job would require. Employees who work in such settings often come into
contact with clients and suppliers and will sometimes work in an office setting
alongside senior management staff. Therefore,
the most appropriate attire for a job interview for this type of sales position
includes dark suits with light shirts, dark ties, and formal shoes for men.
Women should also dress conservatively, in dark two-piece business suits with a
colour coordinated or neutral blouse and wear minimal jewellery. Any body art
should be covered up and both men and women should present an overall
well-groomed appearance.
● Telesales and Call Centre Sales:
Many applicants for sales positions
at call centres or telesales jobs make the mistake of dressing too casually for
their interview. However, despite the somewhat more informal work setting of
most call centres, candidates for such sales positions still need to make a
good impression on prospective employers. While applicants need not wear
business suits to their interviews, they must still present a neat,
professional experience. Personally, I
would recommend still wearing a suit if you own one; if not trousers/skirt and
a smart shirt/blouse. Then none can make
judgements based upon the logo of your top or the brand of your chosen
trainers. Jewellery and make-up should
still be kept to a minimum, and all facial piercings and tattoos should be
concealed.
● Retail Sales:
Working on the sales floor of a
retail outlet is a far different cry from working in corporate or telephone
sales. Sales people are always in direct contact with the customers and have to
maintain a professional appearance at all times that is in keeping with the
tone and ambiance of the store. For instance, a sales assistant at Harvey
Nichols will typically be required to dress on trend with the department
they are looking to represent. In contrast
if the interview is with a more traditional department store, you should dress more formally. What you should wear to a
retail sales job therefore depends almost entirely on what type of company you
are applying to work at. For instance, a
woman who wears no make-up for a sales job at a cosmetics store has little
chance of being hired. Conversely, dressing in a manner that is overly fashion
forward might not be the best move if you are interviewing for a job at a
traditional department store.
If you are completely dumbfounded as to what
to wear to your interview, take some time to research how employees at the
company usually dress, either in person or by contacting someone in the HR
department and simply ask what is acceptable/preferred.
Some stores, such as John Lewis, also have a
formal dress code which can help applicants narrow down their choices. Whatever
outfit you choose to wear, it is important to make sure that your clothes are
clean, pressed, and in good repair, and that you wear your clothes with
confidence – after all, it is one trait that all good hiring managers are
looking for.
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Friday 31 October 2014
10 Reasons Why Freddy Krueger Would Make a Deadly Business Development Manager…
With Halloween upon us most people will be out at a party or “Trick or
Treating” but there is one man who could make a killing as a Business Development Manager, his name is Freddy Krueger…
Here are 10 reasons why we at Aaron
Wallis would love to have a candidate with the new business skills of
Freddy Krueger on our books!
- Fast Pace: He Never Sleeps
- Persistent: He Doesn't Take No for an Answer
- Networking: Great at Finding New Clients
- Resilient: Can Overcome Any Objection
- Tenacity: He’s Really Persistent Once He Gets His Claws into It
- Fearless: Unafraid To Knock On Any Door
- Appearance: A Real Sharp Dresser
- Goal-Oriented: He Follows His Dreams
- Determined: A Never Say Die Attitude
- Robust: He’s At Home in a Boiler Room Environment
Written by Liam Oakes
Liam is
the Recruitment Office Manager at Aaron Wallis and has been with the company
for 4 years after having a career with the RAF; Liam has helped hundreds of
Sales Professionals secure a new Sales role and ensures that Aaron Wallis runs
smoothly.
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Five Great Tips for Telephone Interviews
Telephone interviews may seem very casual
and are often brief, but they are the first chance you have to make a personal
impression on a potential employer, and as such, often represent a crucial
first step on your road to a new job.
Preparing
for a telephone interview is as important as preparing for a face-to-face
interview, and there are certain steps you can take to ensure that your
telephone interview goes smoothly.
Time It Right:
Time It Right:
Employers often give candidates a
little leeway when it comes to choosing a time for a phone interview. Pick a
time that will work for you, when you can speak with the interviewer without
any interruptions. A phone interview is serious business and you need to be
able to give your full attention to the interviewer when they call. If your
interview is with a company based in another time zone, make sure that you
coordinate your clocks – it is easy to miss a phone meeting because of a time
difference issue. Give yourself enough time before the interview to compose
yourself and go over your notes – your interview will go much better if you are
not feeling rushed or flustered.
Choose your Venue Carefully:
Choose your Venue Carefully:
It is always best to take a phone
interview in an environment that makes you feel comfortable, which is most
often your home. However, it is important to ensure that you have a quiet room
to take the interview in and that any external sounds, such as the voices of
children, room-mates, or pets are kept to a bare minimum. Never use the interview
as a time to simultaneously eat a meal, do the chores, or listen to music – a
phone interview must always be conducted in a calm, quiet atmosphere, without
any noises that might distract you or the interviewer. The same advice applies when preparing for a Skype interview but be also aware of what is around you and can be seen by the interviewer on their screen!
Prepare Thoroughly:
Prepare Thoroughly:
A phone interview can last anywhere
from a few minutes to an hour or more depending on the interviewer’s interest
in you, and you need to be ready to answer all of the same questions that you
would in a face-to-face interview. It is a good idea to keep a copy of your CV
and work history to hand as well as any notes you might have about the company.
Also write out a list of the questions you might want to ask the recruiter and
the answers to common
interview questions such as what your long term career goals are. A brief
list of all your most relevant work experience and professional skills is also
a good written reference to have handy.
Practice :
Practice :
Take the time to practice for a phone
interview with family or friends in the same way you would practice for a face
to face interview, but make sure that you practice over the phone. Try to make
a recording of your practice sessions so that you can listen to it later and
work to eliminate any unconscious errors in the responses you make, such as
pausing too long before making an answer or saying “um” and “ah” repetitively.
Take it Seriously:
Take it Seriously:
Your performance during a phone
interview could mean all the difference between being offered a job or passed
over for another candidate. When the interviewer calls, it is important to stay
focused, listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions, and make sound
replies. Speak in a professional and courteous tone, and take care not to
interrupt the interviewer or broach personal subjects. After the interview,
send the interviewer a follow-up email, thanking them for the opportunity to
speak with them and re-iterating your interest in the position.
Even if you don’t have a phone interview scheduled, it is
always a good idea to be prepared. With all the means employers use to find candidates
these days, from specialist sales recruitment agencies to social media to job
boards, you could find yourself called up for an interview before you know it.
By following the tips above and making sure you are always ready, you stand a very good chance of getting one step closer to landing a new job.
By following the tips above and making sure you are always ready, you stand a very good chance of getting one step closer to landing a new job.
Tuesday 21 October 2014
Presenting a Professional Image on Social Networks
Social media has become a key player for both candidates and
employers/recruiters in 2014. While it
is great for candidates to seek new opportunities and find out more about the
companies they are interested in, it is also a tool used every day by potential
employers and recruiters so be sure to present a professional image on all
social media.
A recent Social
Recruiting Survey completed by Jobvite shows that 93% of recruiters will
review a candidate’s social profile e.g. LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter. 55%
have reconsidered a candidate based on their social profile, with 61% of those
reconsiderations being negative.
Here are some key points to help you prevent sabotaging your next job
prospect:
Profile
Picture
Your profile picture is probably the most important part of your social
profile when it comes to employers, it is the first thing they see when the
land on your profile, choose something respectable and make a good first
impression.
Build a
Strong LinkedIn Account
Most employers will search for you on LinkedIn and will want to see that
it matches up to your CV; they want to see your professional credentials so
keep on top of it and show yourself in the best possible light.
Take
Control of Your Privacy Settings
Adjusting your privacy settings allows you to control who can see what
on your profile, you can hide certain photos and statuses for just friends and
stop potential employers viewing the ‘ibiza 12’ album.
Multiple
Accounts
If you’re comfortable with social networks and use it every day it may
be worth setting up a professional profile as well as a personal profile, keep
your professional profile open for everyone to see and your personal account
for friends.
About Me
Keep your bio professional, we all have a friend on Facebook that says
they work as ‘a penguin picker upper’; avoid putting things in your bio that
might put an employer off and be truthful.
While an employer will never make a decision solely on your social
profile it could be the difference in getting the job or not.
For further career advice go to http://www.aaronwallis.co.uk/career_tools.aspx
Written by Liam Oakes
Liam is the Recruitment Office
Manager at Aaron Wallis and has been with the company for 4 years after having
a career with the RAF; Liam has helped hundreds of Sales Professionals secure a
new Sales role and ensures that Aaron Wallis runs smoothly.
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Wednesday 11 June 2014
Happiness in Work & Looking for a new Role – Sales Survey 2014
Aaron
Wallis has recently undertaken the largest sales survey of its type which
explores changing trends within the industry as well as a powerful insight into
the minds of sales professionals.
With
62 questions answered by 726 completely anonymous sales professionals we have
captured some impressive results helping us promote professional sales, raise
awareness and gain a firmer understanding on how to succeed in sales teams.
To
receive a full free copy of the 2014 UK Sales Survey please follow this link – 2014
UK Sales Survey Report
It is a well-known saying that if you love your
job, you won’t have to work a day in your life. One of the essential
ingredients to achieving a happy working life is to actually enjoy your job but
that is hardly ever the case. When the interviewer asks the potential client
whether the job is all about the money, they’re obviously going to say no
although their mind is screaming yes! It seems that the majority, 7 out of 10
sales professionals, are content, happy are very happy with their chosen career
which is great to see.
- 15% opted
for number 1 as they weren’t happy at work
- 13% chose
option 2 as they were somewhat happy at work
- 23%
selected 3 as they were their work.
However;
- 27%
elected 4 as they felt happy at work and;
- 20% felt 5
was suitable as they felt very happy at work
Either sales professionals are lying about being
happy at work or they genuinely do enjoy their work. In my experience of interviewing about 600
sales professionals a year I find that nearly all, despite the obvious
occasional frustration, are happy.
Stating back to the previous statistics, 19% of
the workers had been at their existing job for less than one year so perhaps the
honeymoon period for their work is still there. However different things appeal
to different sales professionals when looking for a new role so we asked what
would be the top priority that sales professionals would look for when looking
for a new role:
Just 4% wanted a better mentor to help improve
their skills and direction whereas 8% looked for a better commission scheme and
17% looked for the company’s reputation. 7% saw it as achieving a greater
challenge, 4% wanted greater stability and 8% wanted the change for a more
improved work-life balance. Whilst 1% wanted more recognition for their work, a
tremendous 23% saw it as an opportunity to progress and develop their career.
Only 1% looked for a job closer to home, 13% wanted a higher basic salary and
another 1% wanted a job with improved benefits. 9% felt this wasn’t applicable
to them and 3% felt they had other necessities to look out for when they looked
for a job. In conclusion, it appears that people are willing to better
themselves to climb up that successful ladder and to get a better name and
reputation for themselves.
Subsequently, having a good rapport with your
boss can improve your mood and make your work-life happier and easier to cope
with.
When asked what the relationship was like
between the Sales Manager and the sales employee, the participants disclosed
their honest answers to reveal that:
- 20% felt
their relationship with their lines manager was excellent, which allowed
them to speak easily with their supervisor or feeling at ease
- 34% perceived
their relationship to be good with their line manager in the sales team
- 16% considered
their relationship to be average
- 3% felt
their relationship was below average, creating an unpleasant atmosphere in
the workplace
- 4% thought
it was poor
- 23% felt
the question was not applicable
Written
by Liam Oakes
Liam is the Office Manager at Aaron Wallis and has
been with the company for 3 years after having a career with the RAF; Liam has
helped hundreds of Sales Professionals secure a new Sales role and ensures that
Aaron Wallis runs smoothly.
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