Turns out ppl are NOT as busy as they say.

So a few years ago I made a really intentional effort to make sure work and life were more balanced.....cuz I realized that was kinda important.


one big thing was to have a 1 hour lunch break every day and ending work at 4.30. everyday.


"but Tennis, what about all those meetings that get set at those times???"


"what about all those demos???"


"what about those west coast folks???"


Turns out, ppl are MUCH more flexible than they appear to be.


ALSO, it turns out that if that demo has to be pushed one week because of it,........its not the end of the world.



Also with less time to work, i tend to be more proactive.


So i guess this is your sign to make your calendar work for you with more intention.


Anyone else done this???

๐Ÿ‘‘ Sales Strategy
๐Ÿ™ Mental Wellness
๐Ÿ’†โ€โ™‚ Mindset
20
Sunbunny31
Politicker
6
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
Everything here dies off after about 2 PM Pacific.

So I start earlier, and don't feel bad about peeling off in the early afternoon.

I also make sure to leave the computer and have an actual sit down lunch away from electronics. It's a small thing, but has made a world of difference.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
5
๐ŸฆŠ
I preach disconnected breaks like a sob ๐Ÿคฃ
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
i forget you work from home right? this makes it easier to peel off in the early afternoon.

i remember my AE roles that were in office.....we would SNEAK out at 4:30 like we were kids skipping school ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
LOL, yes, remote. I manage my own calendar and schedule. I like starting early - 7 am my time is standard, but I'll hop on calls/demos at 6 am if needed. Then I do admin stuff in the afternoon once the emails/scheduled calls die down and just stop when it makes sense and I'm done. Sometimes that's 2, sometimes that's 4. It just depends. But yes, much easier from home.
butwhy
Politicker
3
Solutions Engineer
I haven't been successful at defending it, but considering that my new job is 9 hours straight of meeting to meeting - I am going to have to try it again. Really want to carve out Thursdays for a lunch boxing class.
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
what has prevented you from defending it?
butwhy
Politicker
1
Solutions Engineer
Right now, because I am new, I feel the need to "prove myself" and be integrated into my accounts. I have an insane amount of accounts in my territories and I have my first QBR coming up next month and layoffs going on. The chaos elmo makes me feel like that hour is a luxury I cannot afford right now.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
oh man yeah well i TOTALLY get that. you are probably making the right move haha.
punishedlad
Tycoon
2
Business Development Team Lead
Oh yeah, man. I'm really productive in short bursts and need small breaks throughout the day. Millennial attention span, I guess.
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
2
Enterprise AE
I'm usually wide open on Fridays after lunch and my wife is like wtf.

I sell things, people typically don't want to jump on a "discovery call" at 2pm on a Friday to end their week - and if it's closing I can easily take that call from the golf course.

This is one of the main reasons I think I want to stay an IC forever vs a manager. Because I know there's reps out there that need help qualifying or trouble shooting something at 330pm on a Friday...
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
this is such a legit reason! The time flexibility as an IC is unmatched!
SaaSsy
Politicker
2
AE
Love this! I donโ€™t necessarily set time frames for days but I used to always take zoom meetings during vacations. Obviously Iโ€™ll still do it for huge deals but I definitely made myself stop and truly unplug - nothing changed in terms of attainment, just yeah, maybe those deals push a little out. Gotta find balance wherever you can!
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
1
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
The Tech 20 is real. Might become a full 40 with all of the fat cutting, but it has been nice.
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
hahaha the Tech 20??? I have never heard that before.
Hoopnip
Politicker
1
Commercial AE
This is hilarious. Where did this saying come from ? Havenโ€™t worked a Friday past Noon ( or before ) since quarantine hit.
detectivegibbles
Politicker
1
Sales Director
Any company with great leadership that values you as a person first wouldn't have any problem with any of this assuming you are producing.

And if you're not producing, ask for help and leadership should be willing to jump in.
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Most of my sales/selling is โ€œrun really fast and then waitโ€. So I tend to let the prospect dictate things and if they want to meet late or early, I will conform to their schedule. The exception is Sundays. Thatโ€™s my day of rest.
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
you take calls on Saturday's??
Pachacuti
Politicker
0
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
If I have to, yes.
I dealt with Japan years ago and often had Saturday calls.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
dang. thats rough! haha
ChickenWings
Opinionated
1
Tom Callahan's Son
This helps.

I seriously considered not driving my wife to the airport next week so I could take a demo.

Didnโ€™t feel right.

Sent dude an invite for another day marked โ€œtentativeโ€ with no excuse.

Either his interest is as real as he says or notโ€ฆbut I wonโ€™t leave my wife hanging.
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
You know a great way to make sure they still show up? TELL them why.

Tell them you are taking your wife to the airport. Ppl actually appreciate it when you are real.

I did this the other week. I had a BIG meeting with a few senior leaders at a top account. We shceduked the meeting over top a family activity i had planned.

Instead of making my family suffer i just told the team โ€œhey i made a mistake with scheduling i have x going on. Letโ€™s keep the meeting but Iโ€™ll have to punt a few minutes early.โ€

The meeting happened it was a success and no one was mad.
Why?
Because we have all done it.
salesboi22
Politicker
1
Head of Growth
lol yeah sounds like you're just going out of your way to hurt yourself here. It's not your prospects fault you didn't block your calendar out. Blocking it out ahead of time would be best, telling your prospect why is second best. Doing what you did is near the bottom lol.
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
wait....you mean not making a mistake is better??? haha of course! blocking my calendar in advance is OF COURSE the best option.

but what Im trying to say is that when you are just honest with ppl and take blame ppl normally dont beat you up for it.
salesboi22
Politicker
1
Head of Growth
I 100% agree with you, I was replying to ChickenWings. Giving no reason is just so dumb
ChickenWings
Opinionated
1
Tom Callahan's Son
Hold up, letโ€™s clear this one up. I left details out.

Not an inbound effort.

Confirmed interest, not a time.

I knew this guy typically gets free later in the week in the afternoon.

He didnโ€™t request shit and blew off the calendly linkโ€ฆ.so I decided to send a tentative invite.

The time of said invite was earlier in the week than I intended, but he didnโ€™t know that.

โ€ฆthen he accepted the invite

salesboi22
Politicker
1
Head of Growth
Trying to decide whether to continue doubling down on being a dick, or just saying you do you bb. Haha, sounds like it was fine. I think more context is always good. Carry on sellers
ChickenWings
Opinionated
1
Tom Callahan's Son
Go for it.

I'll admit to posing the comment like an idiot, but what went down in reality went smoothly.

Whatcha got? No offense taken.

Unless you're just suggesting more context at all times. Valid, usually. Often times C-Suite doesn't need to know backstory unless it interrupts the convo at hand.
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Saw this post on linkedin, are you the same person???
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
HA! thats funny. no im not, since i did not post about this on linked in.
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
I do exactly the same. With some small exceptions here and there.
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
yes, there will always be exceptions. That was a big shift for me though, letting them be EXCEPTIONS not something that happens all the time.
kelvin26
Fire Starter
-1
administrative manager
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
what is up with this spam?

@Gasty
Gasty
Notable Contributor
0
War Room Community Manager
Apparently this person did it on a bunch of posts, yesterday. He was banned for life yesterday itself. Cheers!
3

Is it just me or do your fluffy pets too want pop in to say hi to your prospects?

Discussion
7
12

What do you say to prospects who say they are interested but busy right now?

Question
20