I originally published this post on my other blog in June, 2011. Enjoy.

I recently read a comment by Pete Caputa that went something like “…some people use learning as a substitute for doing….” Today, I was reading a LinkedIn discussion between two business owners who were members of a LinkedIn affinity group for their industry. They were talking about growing sales. The conversation was happening in a group that’s primarily made up of people in their industry. In other words, it was more “learning” and talking without “doing”.

I agree that we have to know how to do what we get paid for. I understand that we need to keep informed to be leading edge, but at some point you have to (don’t be frightened) stop talking to the competition and (brace yourself) HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH A PROSPECT!

Five ideas that might help – 

Quit some of your industry groups and associations. Joins some of the groups and associations that your customers join.

Quit hanging around with people in your industry all the time. Go where your customers hang out.

Quit talking to people that have the same problems and issues that you do. Start talking to people that have problems and issues that you can fix.

Quit talking to people that have the same problems and issues that you do. Start talking to people that can help you fix problems and issues that you have.

Read that again. It’s not a duplicate.

Quit stalling and procrastinating. “A journey of 1,000 miles must begin with a single step.“

It’s not rocket science. It’s sales. Take the first step.