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08/05/2005 - Report from the Big Red Wine Drinkers
Elan Learns about Selling |
ELAN LEARNS ABOUT SELLING One of my customers has a delightful grandson named Elan, one of the featured artists whose work is on display in my shop. He is a great kid, and he likes to help me. When I first met him last summer, he helped me break down cardboard boxes for recycling. Yesterday I asked him to help me do some selling and he was intrigued. I was managing both stores for an hour, working with customers at the Gourmet Lady www.gourmetlady.com, something that happens occasionally, and I wasn't sure that I would notice if any customers popped into The Wine Place. I asked Elan to help me by letting me know if he saw any customers to come in, and to tell them I'd be with them in a few minutes. Soon he bustled in, very efficient, "there's customers in the store." I peered in and noticed friendly faces there that would find Elan charming as I do. So I told Elan to help me sell them lots of wine. "Whatever wine they are looking at, tell them THIS IS REALLY GOOD WINE and then say, THERE IS A CASE DISCOUNT." He does so and I hear great laughter. Next Elan decides on his own that some of the people walking by on the sidewalk need some encouragement. He runs out and stops a group of four and asks, "Are you going to Wine Place? There's LOTS AND LOTS of really great wine there!!" They come in a start shopping and have made the assumption this child is a relative of mine. "No, he's my new sales and marketing manager." I'm so lucky to have a self-motivated sales manager, even if he is only 8 years old. |