After I decided to make a career in sales, I set out to discover all the ‘secrets' of becoming a good 
salesman...the best salesman...After all, coming in second did not excite me...!!!
Looking back on a relatively successful career (as determined not by my standards, but by industry peers), there were several rules of thumb that I seemed to constantly rely upon, and that I wish to share with those in the Real Estate industry, as well as our public servants, our politicians, who are charged with our NATIONAL SECURITY...
It's amazing how the rules of successful salesmanship also apply to running a government...
Here goes:
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE: This is the foundational stone upon which all other attempts at success must be built...This must be sincere, and not simply a PR ploy...General Motors discovered the truth of this when their product quality no longer was the industry standard...No shell games here...GM's ‘commitment to excellence' became mere ‘lip service'...TRUTH and HONESTY are the hallmarks of this first rule of thumb...
KNOW YOUR COMPETITION: If you wish to become the best at what you do, you need to examine closely your competition, know what makes them tick, know how they think, know their shortcomings, their strengths and their vulnerabilities...THEN...
NEVER BAD MOUTH YOUR COMPETITION: Here's where many stumble...In not bad mouthing your competitors, you are not saying that you will not exploit their weaknesses...there is a difference...If you know the weaknesses or shortcomings of your competition, you'll know wherein your own strengths and emphases must be placed to be most effective...!!!
CLOSE THE DEAL: Be sure that your targeted prospects know you want their business...Don't be afraid to ask for the business...bluntly, matter of factly, earnestly, positively, forcefully, yet GENTLY AND CONFIDENTLY...!!!
ALWAYS SAY THANK YOU: Never take anything for granted...No one owes you a living, and in the end, perseverance always pays, and your sphere of influence, your SOI, and future referrals, hence further business, depend on CONSISTENCY...!!!
Now, these are just five simple tips to make you a better salesman, but more than that, I wrote this post in the midst of the groundswell of public opinion surrounding the building of the mosque close to ground zero in New York...
Although public opinion is clearly on the side of denying the right to build such a monument at this particular location, many politicians, including our President, are in favor of its construction...These politicians are like Ostriches who bury their heads in the sand, refusing to acknowledge the facts of history and the obvious...ignoring the pleas of millions, and writing these pleas off as coming from misguided and intolerant citizens...
It may be true that the Muslim religion is currently being led by a handful of radical extremists, but it is also true that for many years now, this type of militant behavior has been taught and has existed and has been tolerated by Muslims worldwide, either actively, or by their silence and refusal to disagree with inhumane policies, thus passively assenting to Jihad-type ideology and the spread of such teachings...
No, I am not in favor of burning Qurans...I have read it myself and clearly understand that it is far from the Christian message, and thus THE TRUTH...BUT...
If others take the time to diligently study this ideology, and analyze it critically and fairly, then the Quran itself will serve as a testament to FALSEHOOD...!!!
If we are to know our competition in sales, how much more important is it to know our enemy in the sphere of worldwide threats to freedom, The American Way, true toleration, and real Peace On Earth...
And not only to KNOW, but to PROPERLY RESPOND...!!!
Enlighten our minds and hearts Oh God...that we may worthily proclaim your Good News...!!!
