Pulling the ripcord

After 18 years in Frontline Mental Health Services, I handed in my notice today. This is the career I went to college for and this is what I have felt called to do by my higher power up until the last few years.

It's been a brutal few years in mental health and it is negatively impacting my ability to be a son, husband, and father. I'm walking away.

The day after Labor Day I start a career in sales for an electric motor repair and replacement company taking their Western territory in a 50 mile radius around Charlotte. I have never been a Salesman and I am way outside of my experience. However I'm excited and I'm at peace with my decision.

I've been a better husband and father since making this decision than I have been able to be in a long time. I finally feel calm again and centered in today. Yes it's a pay cut, yes it's a great big old flaming ball of unknown, but it sits right in my gut and that's my barometer of what God wants for me.

Wish me luck. I just emailed my resignation letter.

I think you'll be great at it! 

For the 50 mile radius, driving your own car or company car?  

In reply to John Welsh :

They are giving me a company truck and gas card.

Best of luck! Based on your description, you certainly made the right choice!!

You're going to do great things, my friend!  You've got a problem-solving mind and a knack for storytelling.

Congrats and good luck!

I can imagine the last couple of years have been especially rough on mental health workers.  Good luck in your new career! 

Remember in sales its best to sell the customer what they want, not what they need.   A hard thing for us technical folks to do sometimes.  Example:  You work for a chevy dealership.  In walks a woman dragging three kids. she wants to buy a Corvette.  Don't try to sell her the Tahoe she really needs, sell her the Corvette.

I tried sales for about 4 years.  It is a great gig if the product you are selling is great and you believe in it.  If the product is second rate or worse, don't sacrifice your morals trying to push it, move on.

With your past record of dedication to helping people, and tech skills, you'll do good.

John Welsh said:

I think you'll be great at it! 

For the 50 mile radius, driving your own car or company car?  

I want to re-emphasize this. I think you'll be great at it too.

Plus, the transportation is worth real $$ when comparing salaries so maybe not as much of a cut as you think.

The fact that you're mechanically inclined will be a huge asset in motor repair and replacement, we get involved a fair amount in HVAC land as you may imagine so I have some familiarity. 

I was brought into sales from the field, no doubt there will be a learning curve.  Be a good listener, under-promise and over-deliver and always carry a tape measure (and measure twice).  Good luck, I think you'll pick things up quickly and will enjoy the variety.  A positive can do attitude will get you a long way.

Sales changed my life. The check I got at the end of my first full year was as much as I made the entire year before that in my non-sales job. 

-There are a million different sales jobs. If this one doesn't work out, just move on to another one. 

-It can be mentally very difficult. You have a unique background in this area, but please don't ignore the signs of burnout/depression

-As soon as you get some experience under your belt move on to a better selling environment. The pay, work/life balance will be much, much better in software sales.

Good luck!

Thanks, everyone. I don't think im make a mistake, but its good to know y'all think I'll do well. Lessens some fear there. 

Keep the tips coming! Selling motors is going to be way different than talking folk out of suicide. 

I can see you doing quite well in sales. Best of luck on this new path Michael!

My sales tip from a person that buys that kind of stuff. Show up, be a decent guy and not a snake oil salesman. If I have a problem call me back and help me. That will earn that sale and you will be the first call when my next problem shows up. I also find that people want to buy from someone they like and find interesting, your hobbies will take you a long way in the industries you are going to be serving. Customers will be like oh yeah it's Michael, he is building this sick stock car with some old Dodge body and paints his trucks in his driveway...

Congratulations on the new gig. I am sure you will do awesome.

You'll do great! I just did the opposite. After 20 years of sales, I stepped back into the operations side. Got to take the path that feels the best for you and yours. You'll rock it.

My one advice any new sales guys is to build the relationship. If you are the guy that doesn't call for for months and then just shows up you are not going to be successful. If you are the guy that stops in every time you are in the area and gets that established loop going, you'll be fine. People buy the people as much as the product especially in B2B sales. So be the person that they want to call and want to work with not the person they have to work with. 

I've been in sales and sales management most of my career. As noted above, simply returning calls will put you at the head of the class. It's hard to believe but a lot of sales people don't even do that. Also, never be afraid to answer a question with "I don't know but I'll go find out and report back." Then go find the answer and report back. Your credibility will go up immensely. 

when you introduce yourself, *always* let people know you modify cars.  customers will have more confidence in you right off the bat if they know you choose to solve technical problems in your spare time.  and don't be afraid to drive one of your projects to a sales call.

Michael your willingness to help and listen gleaned from your years of counseling others will be of immense help to you in sales.  As others have already stated, people buy from people they respect and trust.  come in, listen to what your prospects want, ask questions to both clarify and show your understanding of their issues, and present your solutions.  You won't always win but you will get the opportunity to come back in.  Something that you need to remember is not to mix up rejection of your solution or proposal with rejection of YOU.    As a long time straight commission sales guy of industrial equipment please reach out if I can be of help.  You got my number!

dyintorace said:

simply returning calls will put you at the head of the class. It's hard to believe but a lot of sales people don't even do that

This - the basics go a long way.  This is so common in sales - people don't answer the cell phone.

1. People do not like to be "sold to".  They do not like the high pressure or scuzziness of slick salespeople.

2. People like to buy stuff and make purchases.  Look at our materialistic society and all the storage facilities and what we all own.

3. Your job is to educate the customer and help them make their purchase.  In industrial sales and I would guess motors they are going to buy what they need from somebody.  Whoever makes it easiest will be the one they call all the time.  

I agree with Angry on driving a project vehicle to a customer site *IF* it will help-maintenance, engineering, mechanical types.  On the flip side I've gotten crap from some people, mainly Purchasing types, for doing so in the past.  They believe they could get a lower price if I worked for free.  Know your audience is always helpful. 

dyintorace said:

 Also, never be afraid to answer a question with "I don't know but I'll go find out and report back." Then go find the answer and report back. Your credibility will go up immensely. 

This, so much this!   I have used that exact line with the new guys I've been mentoring having heard it from one of my mentors years ago.

Thanks y'all. Way more informative than any class i could take!

11GTCS said:

dyintorace said:

 Also, never be afraid to answer a question with "I don't know but I'll go find out and report back." Then go find the answer and report back. Your credibility will go up immensely. 

This, so much this!   I have used that exact line with the new guys I've been mentoring having heard it from one of my mentors years ago.

Adding to this, if the answer is proving difficult, an "I'm still looking into this" note is also a good idea.

It takes some stones to jump like that. Super happy for you and I hope it works out the way you want it to.