In business, rejection is just part of the game

"How are you getting along?" asked the old-timer of the new sales rep.

"Not so good," came the disgusted reply. "I've been insulted in every place I made a call."

"That's funny," said the old-timer. "I've been on the road 40 years. I've had my samples flung in the street, been tossed downstairs, manhandled by janitors and rolled in the gutter. But insulted -- never!"

We all deal with rejection differently. But if you're in the sales game, you'd better get used to it, because rejection is -- and always will be -- part of business. If it were easy to succeed in sales, everyone would want in. Rejection helps knock out the weak.

In doing my homework before corporate speeches, I often talk to the company's head of sales and ask what skills are necessary for a good sales rep in that industry. Dealing with rejection is always on the list because not everyone can handle all the rejections that are necessary in order to be successful. Too many people just give up. They don't realize that in order to get the yeses, you first must hear the nos.

Here is my advice in dealing with rejection, because Lord knows, I've had plenty over my career:

•Don't take it personally. Remember, the person isn't rejecting you; they're rejecting what you're selling. The sooner you move on, the sooner you'll make another sale.

•Leave the door open. I always thank the person I'm calling on because they took valuable time out of their day to meet or talk with me. I'm grateful because you never know if your paths might cross again.

•Don't anticipate rejection because then you won't even try, let alone give your best effort. Prospects can read defeat in your voice and body language. If you don't believe in what you are selling, how can you expect a prospect to buy it? Keep your confidence up.

•Analyze every failure, but never wallow in one. I always want to know why people say no, and I'm not afraid to ask. Was it me? Was it my product? Price? Think about what you could have done differently. Then record it in your post-call notes. Next time, you'll be better prepared.

•Know your percentages. Unless you're new to sales, you soon realize how many calls you have to make for each sale. Your next sale could be just around the corner. Make that extra call before you call it a day.

•Remember past achievements. How did you feel? This will help ease the rejection of today.

•Consider the market. Real estate agents, mortgage bankers, car dealers and construction companies will all tell you that cycles come and go. That's not a pass to stop working, but rather an opportunity to hone skills and be ready for better times.

•Take a break. If you're feeling down, do something you like -- exercise, read a motivational book, listen to a favorite song. Just don't stay away too long. And never take a break when you're on a hot streak.

Two men wrote a book that had a collection of inspirational stories. They figured it would take about three months to find a publisher. What happened next is as inspirational as any of the stories in their book.

The first publisher they approached said, "NO."

The second said, "NO."

The third said, "NO."

The next 30 publishers said, "NO."

But the 34th said, "YES."

After 33 rejections over three years, that one "YES" launched the spectacular publishing success of "Chicken Soup for the Soul," written and compiled by my good friends Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. The "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series sold more than 30 million copies -- all because Canfield and Hansen had the willingness to fail over and over, but the willpower to keep going until they succeeded.

Mackay's Moral: Don't get dejected if you've been rejected -- get your skills perfected!

Contact Minneapolis businessman and author Harvey Mackay at 612-378-6202 or send e-mail to harvey@mackay.com.