- NEW: Replays—Insider exclusive recordings of Office Hours sales discussions
- Downloadable prospecting letters
- One killer-good intro letter only the bravest of the brave send out
- A downloadable voicemail script
- 15 on-demand video sales courses
- Archived sales content searchable by sales challenge
Complete Story
09/18/2024
Time, Tasks, and Productivity
Source: Bill Farquharson, The Sales Vault, September 16, 2024
You know, much of what I write about is personal. That is, it’s obviously my point of view but it’s also coming from my experience. Oftentimes I wonder how much is due to my age.
This is one of those sales tips.
I find it to be both valuable and necessary to match up certain activities with specific time of day. For example, my “creative” time is almost always in the morning. I have an energy at that time that I don’t have in the afternoon. And again, I’m not certain if that was always true or it’s just true now as I approach 64 years on the planet.
But I think the idea of tasks at specific times of day has nothing to do with your age.
Take sales appointments.
The worst time to meet with a client is right after lunch. During this time, your body is busy digesting food, which can lead to drowsiness. Depending on what you or your client ate, you might find yourself presenting to a sleepy audience—or delivering your pitch with less energy and enthusiasm.
Avoid that.
Late in the day or even late in the week can also be another low energy situation and there are certain sales activities you’re going to want to avoid.
The key to time management is preparation. The key to productivity is timing. You do certain things better at certain times. Maybe it is age driven, but i think all of us would be well served to be aware of our peaks and valleys.
Step back and look at your week as a whole. Then look at your task list. See if you can’t improve your productivity by thinking ahead and planning to take on those tasks more strategically.
Phew! That was exhausting. I might need a nap now.
The Sales Vault, created by Bill Farquharson, is a subscription-based resource and sales community featuring a calendar packed with live workshops, on-demand sales courses, peer-to-peer discussion groups, and 35+ years of sales training content all searchable by sales challenge. Think of it as a sales conference where the seminars and workshops, full of instantly applicable ideas, are ongoing and more programs are added constantly.
2026 Print Week Celebrations
Michigan, you're up! Not registered? It's not too late. During this event, we will recognize the inaugural recipient of the Benjamin Franklin Innovation Award. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Four Points for the night of March 26
Read MoreGMA University
Graphic Media Alliance is excited to expand GMA University with new courses designed to support today’s print workforce. With more than 120 on-demand trainings, this platform helps you onboard new hires faster, cross-train your team with confidence and keep your entire operation sharp. From print fundamentals to sales strategy and beyond, it’s everything you need to build a more versatile workforce. Register today and start exploring!
Read MoreMailpiece Design Professional Certification Course
Join the Detroit PCC for a guided Mail Design Professional (MDP) certification course designed to help successfully navigate the USPS curriculum.
Read MoreEmail Marketing for Print Shops that Drive Reorders
Are you constantly chasing new print jobs while past customers quietly drift away? Many print shops invest heavily in sales outreach but overlook one of their most profitable assets, existing clients.
Read MoreColumbus Will Become Second-Largest Data Center Hub in the Great Lakes Region
About 20% of all the data centers in the U.S. are located in eight states around the Great Lakes. As of 2024, the region had 525 data centers — with another 224 planned by 2030.
Read MoreThe Non-Salesy Sales Call
It's hard not to sound salesy when you are, you know, in sales. In this week's Short Attention Span Sales Tip, Bill Farquharson gives you the words to be effective but not pushy.
Read More
