Feedback from the Secrets of Top Sales Professionals Conference

"People buy people, not products" - these were the words from top sales advisor of Old Mutual, Gideon du Plessis on Day One of the conference. Ten top sales secrets were shared by Du Plessis whose many accolades include the Old Mutual Chairman's prize, awarded every year to the top Financial Advisor in Southern Africa, based on volume and quality of production, which he has won consecutively for the past 20 years. "I didn't achieve these awards, me and my team did." Gideon has worked for 110 days per year only for the past 16 years and believes that sales people should make personal contact with clients, visit at least six people per day, every day, and educate themselves properly.

Independent business owner, Kevin Harris from Amway, motivated aspirational sales people by telling them what it took to be successful. "I simply showed the business plan 1200 times - 900 people said no and only 300 signed up. Out of those 300 only 35 were serious and in the end only 11 of those 35 made me a millionaire."

General sales manager of Virgin Active, Marieta Venter, said: "Pick the best sales people in the world or train them to be the best." All the speakers agreed that personal interest in clients; personal visits and building long-term relationships are key success factors, which goes to show that people support people and not products or services as Du Plessis put it.

On Day Two Peter Masemola, a consultant at Hewlett Packard, put a different spin on sales when he made the statement: "Don't think global and act local. Think local!" Masemola gave insight into the pitfalls, challenges and keys to success in dealing with and selling to Government. This, coming from an international company was surprising, but according to Peter interest from international companies will follow once you get it right locally.

Some of the powerful and more controversial input came from Managing Director of Electrolux Home Products, Jon Cardosa Lopes, when he said: "When I started at Electrolux I retrenched all my sales staff because they did not understand my sales strategy and we were not moving in the same direction." Marieta Venter from Virgin Active contradicted this when she said: "Train your sales team to be the best."

"This conference gave me insights, techniques and motivation to keep on improving my skills, knowledge and client relationship building," said Deidre O'Neill from Make it Happen Promotions.

Top 300 will be back next year with fresh input to ensure that the conference delivers a helpful and sought-after annual event to the sales industry.

For more information on Top 300 and the product offerings call 021- 423 6550 or email .