This is an article about sales as much as it is about challenging the Grand Canyon. I have ventured into the belly of the world wonder seven times. Each time it has been a different experience. The experience of each journey is like a sales experience because, although the journey is similar, it is never the same. I have challenged the Grand Canyon in the heat of summer, cold of winter and beauty of spring and fall. The 21 mile, Rim to Rim, hike offers the greatest experience of what the canyon offers.

Prepare for the Toughest Journey of Your Life
The challenge of the Grand Canyon requires preparation for the worst. The journey must be mapped out and planned, for the best times of hiking in the day. It is critical that you save energy for the return hike out. In the heat of summer, the temperatures can rise beyond 120 degrees and inexperienced hikers die in the canyon. The canyon can be brutal. I know because, on my first trip in 1970, on the last mile stretch I felt like I wasnt going to complete the journey. On my first journey I wasnt prepared and did a lot of things wrong which impeded my rise through the challenges. Although, I finished the journey, I vowed never to experience the same problems again.

This has been the same for me in sales. Each time I start a sales adventure, I use my sales process and follow it like a map to success. The sales journey is always similar, but never the same. If I didnt have my sales process, I could easily vanish in the canyon of lost sales and never come out. Preparing for each sales call is important and makes sense as it does in hiking. Keeping the sales objectives in focus helps us reach goals faster.

Hike With a Guide or Get Lost on the Trail
Hiking with a guide makes sense on the trail. It also makes sense using a guide or business coach in tough sales territory. If you arent familiar with the tough terrain of sales, you can get lost. A guide can show you where to go, what to see and how to get there. This analogy is most appropriate in new markets and business ventures.

Remember Accomplishment, for Inspiration
When you are hiking out of the Grand Canyon, you should never look up to see where you are going unless you want to become depressed. Instead, turn around and look to see where you have come from. This is true in sales as much as it is in hiking. There is a point on Bright Angel Trail when you are on the last mile where it becomes very depressing. The long winding trail seems like it will take forever. If you look back to view a wonder vista of colors, you also see the challenges you have already conquered. This perspective always inspires me to push forward.

It will do the same for you in sales. When you reach the point where there is so much to do, look at what you have accomplished. It will always refresh your soul. Because the sales process is a repeatable journey, you can use the successful experience from one sales adventure to inspire you for the next one.

Steve Martinez

My name is Steve Martinez and I started this business development company to eliminate sales failure. I have spent the last few decades honing my experience as a National Sales Manager, Sales Trainer, Mentor and Author of Selling. This history provides the depth of my experience and value to you as a client in the Business to Business marketplace.

I am proud to say that our innovative sales management strategies are revolutionizing sales for business to business companies. My clients are taught the advantage of building long term profitable relationships using his customized sales action plans. The results are nothing short of magical. Salespeople are able to perform twice, three times and, in some cases, ten times what they used to do before. Sales Managers enjoy the Selling Magic system as they more effectively manage and forecast sales.

I am not new to sales management, technology and sales workflow. I bring 25 years of business management consulting experience. I have been fortunate to have traveled the United States as a National Sales Manager, National Account Executive where I learned the real world lessons of sales. I've also worked for franchise organizations leading sales to a network of over 700 salespeople.

I wish I could say that sales success came easy. It didn't! I had to work at selling and learn the tough lessons. fortunately, this made me stronger and wiser. Through my experience I learned why businesses fail and why salespeople struggle in sales.

I enjoy applying these valuable lessons, focusing on teaching others how to increase sales, become more profitable using technology and following the best practices of Customer Relationship Management.

Our clients tell us, Selling Magic is a logical choice. It provides advanced business development strategies. We are certified members of the Cargill Consulting Group and the Mastermind Consulting Group. Selling Magic delivers sales management and Customer Relationship Building solutions with a suite of consulting services designed to enhance your business.

Steve is an accomplished speaker and writer for business development projects. Sales Automation, Sales Coaching and E-Marketing are his primary projects in business development.

We invite you to discover the Selling Magic approach to sales management and how Selling Magic can help you "out wit, out smart and out last, your competition."