Monday morning I was thinking about what a slump I was in as far as selling used machinery in 2024.
We’ve got some very interesting opportunities right now to sell or buy equipment on the horizon. Some potential deals have been dragging on for months and a few new ones have recently materialized.
But still, looking at it objectively as far as sales I’ve closed, I’ve produced poor results most of the year. When I get my coffee in the morning I sometimes picture Alec Baldwin yelling at me, “Put that coffee down. Coffee is for closers only.”
But as Monday went by, “opportunities” seemed to be maturing–almost to the point of becoming sales. And some NEW potential deals popped up out of nowhere!
I’m mindful that you can’t know what each day will bring or what serendipity will occur. Great things are possible if you’ve planted the seeds for luck to occur with marketing and long relationships.
I think if I could just bust my slump then I could get some momentum. Get on streak like in baseball, one of the streakiest phenomenons in existence!
Maybe I’m like many of the players on the Chicago Cubs in this disappointing yet once promising season. Most of the Cubs this year hit pathetically the first 3/4 of the season. Then in the last month and a half, they finally remembered how to hit a baseball and teased us a little that they could make the post season.
Could I be like like shortstop Dansby Swanson (minus the $25 million a year contract)? Most of the season he was hovering around a pathetic .200 average, and now somehow he’s in the .240s. Mediocre, but an impressive average to climb to in such a very short time.
For the Cubs’ players the streaks were too late. They have to try again next year.
For me and Graff-Pinkert & Co., as long as we’re still standing, it’s not too late!
Question: What is one of your worst slumps? How did you bust it?
8 Comments
Alec Baldwin yelling at me, “Put that coffee down. Coffee is for closers only.”
It takes 99 no’s to get one yes.
Does it take 99 no’s?
Hope not. Doesn’t sound like a great business!
That reminds me of one of my favorite bits by comedian Patton Oswalt, the Death Bed That Eats People. I used to show it to my writing groups. Is it worse trying 100 times and finally succeeding, even IF the end product is really terrible? When do you cut your losses and change tactics?
3 times in my years of selling I’ve gone 6 months without a sale and 6 months without a paycheck and live to brag about it…
Oy!
I think I’ve had it too easy.
Not that I want what you just described.
Thanks for the empathy. And the help this week!
Nico Hoerner, Cubs second baseman, hit two homers yesterday. Prior to that in 500 plus at bats, he had hit two. I think he will wear the same socks tomorrow.
And I love Kevin Kostner. Bull Durham is my favorite movie of alltime.
Same socks and likely the same underwear? LOL
Those Bull Durham characters are sure more likable than the Glengarry Glenn Ross ones!
This is my opinion, for what it’s worth. I think you’re probably doing a good job. But it’s a lousy economy for manufacturing. Especially in the US. And now, China is doubling down on subsidizing exports in order to get out of an economic slump. The US keeps going further in debt by printing money. This levitates the stock market, making investors feel good. But what about the real economy? The “areas of growth” in the US are mostly connected to government spending. Back to used machines: even if the price is good, the buyer has to put a quite a few dollars into it after the purchase: rigging, wiring, probably something needs to be fixed, tooling, getting labor to operate the machine, floor space. Anotherwords, the cost of ownership. Do they have the sales to justify these expenses? Here is one thought: throw in free transport/rigging (where possible).