One of the things business leaders need most is a break from their business. When we take a break from the fast pace, overwhelm and daily routine we can come back feeling energized with fresh ideas.
One of the things I do to get away from my business and get a fresh perspective is watch TED Talks. The famous nonprofit, TED Talks, first embraced the stage in the 1980’s with a simple vision: Share ideas worth spreading. They are, THE perfect resource to watch when you need to be inspired, enriched and motivated by great ideas.
I am fortune to get to spend a whole day watching them this week. For the past couple of years, I have been volunteering my time to the, University of Nevada Reno’s, TEDx event. It’s an inspiring day where I with each talk I get to let my mind wander and ponder each topic.
I wanted to share a little of that with you so I’ve put together four TED Talks, that may inspire you to think about your sales and business in a different light.
Try something new for 30 days by, Matt Cutts:
I love this video! The idea is simple, try something new for the next 30 days. This video is perfect to get you out of a rut and lift your spirits.
I often meet with companies where sales were flourishing, but eventually they reached a point where the sale wasn’t as easy. Oddly, they continued to approach the same types of prospects, with the same approach, using the same process.
Changing what you’ve always done can be difficult, yet if you give yourself the chance to make one small change, to the way you approach your business, you might be able to do something you never thought you could do.
The Puzzle of Motivation by Dan Pink
Dan Pink makes a case for entrepreneurs to rethink their business. There’s a disconnect between, “What science knows, and what business does.”
He makes three strong points:
- Those 20th century rewards, those motivators we think are a natural part of business, do work, but only in a surprisingly narrow band of circumstances.
- Those if-then rewards often destroy creativity.
- The secret to high performance isn’t rewards and punishments, but that unseen intrinsic drive — the drive to do things for their own sake.
Dan Pink breaks down motivational factors that will help you develop, positive sales habits. With almost 12 million views, this video is a must watch.
How great leaders inspire action by Simon Sinek
If you haven’t read Simon Sinek’s book, Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, I highly recommend adding it to your list.
Here’s an excerpt from his presentation:
“People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. The goal is not to do business with everybody who needs what you have. The goal is to do business with people who believe what you believe.”
Think of it this way – the selling doesn’t start until you suspect a need. How would you come to suspect a need? By getting to know the person, their company, their goals, their culture, etc. You get there by asking questions and listening.
Once they say they are interested, you can learn more and educate them. Versus, right off the bat, telling them the features and benefits of your product, pitching them and/or doing a demo, then wondering why they didn’t buy. Your passion for helping them find a solution to their core problem or problems, is the key to ramping up your sales in an exciting way.
The Tribes We Lead by Seth Godin
Seth argues, “That we are living through and are right at the key moment of a change in the way ideas are created and spread and implemented.”
We are in a time where power and change is created through leading. Seth Godin’s TED Talk, is based around the idea of ‘tribes’. Tribes are about, “Leading and connecting people and ideas.” Challenge the status quo, develop a culture, connect people, and go out there and find your tribe!
Now that I’ve shared my top four TED Talks, share yours. I want to know which ones drive you forward and what ideas are worth spreading for you. Enjoy.
P.S. The videos from TEDx University of Nevada can be viewed at www.tedxuniversityofnevada.com
Alice is nationally known for her expertise in elevating sales to increase valuation for companies with a B2B complex sale that have exceptional growth potential. She’s originally, from the widely known Miller Heiman Group. Spending her time strategizing with CEOs and their leadership teams to build the strategies that find new business and grow existing accounts is her passion. Her clients love her spirit and the way she energizes their sales organization.
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