Serving Donuts is Not Sales

Finally, a book about sales that is not a "how to." That''s not to say that the book does not contain tips on how to succeed. There are lots of those and, in this case, realistically written and by someone whose success is unquestionable. But this book is different. It''s a whole new way of looking at sales, as a profession. Question..Lee, why did you decide to write this book?Answer....For me, after all the years in the business of selling or, as I call it, peddling, it was time to ask the question..Why is it that one of the world''s highest paid professions never seems to get the respect it deserves? Those of us who have had the courage to fight the battle (and, it is a definite battle) and have succeeded, live in the best neighborhoods, drive the nicest cars and send our children to the best schools. Yet, the doctors, lawyers, bank presidents who are our neighbors, seem to dismiss what we have done and look down their professional noses at us. To me, it was time to examine this phenomena and try and put some humorous light on it.Question.You say "humorous light." Is it a funny book.Answer...Sales is a fun job if you keep it in its proper perspective. I absolutely tried to put humor in the book. There are lots of parts that even I laugh at no matter how many times I have ready them.Question.Finally, Lee, What about the title? What do donuts have to do with sales?Answer...It all has to do with perception; the perception of whom a salesman is and who should be entitled to call himself or herself a salesman or salesperson. Bottom line, I resent the clerk at the local convenience store claiming that she (or he) SOLD two dozen glazed donuts that morning. And so, the title of the book! This book is going to help those who have the talent and, yes, above all else, the courage to go out and make their living, to build their careers as sales professionals. At the same time, it is going to narrow the field by illustrating clearly why those of you who think sales is easy, are dead wrong.