Are you doing something you are passionate about? If yes, this is a great time to do business. If no, switch to an occupation you are excited about. Being excited about the opportunities in this down economy is one of the central ideas of a recent sales seminar I attended. The presenter, Anthony Miller, is owner of Stepping Stone Solutions. The class was attended by about 25 sales professionals from the mortgage, windows and doors, non-profit, finance, printing, graphics and other industries.

Anthony is clearly passionate about his business and about selling. He is a dynamic presenter, who quickly establishes relationships with his audience. He knows his material by heart and presents it with wit and a big smile. He explained that there are many opportunities for dedicated sales professionals in a down market.

Some of the many ideas in this seminar:

• Weak companies have gone out of business. For instance, 65% of mortgage providers are gone, while the business volume is down only 35%
• Other companies have cut their sales force and marketing budgets. Your competition is not out selling like they used to, creating opportunities for you.
• Those who use creativity and new ideas, talk with their customers, find out what they think, ask how they can help the customers business, those will survive and thrive.
• Ask your thrilled customers for referral sales
• Innovate – A fun brain storming session on how to market a squash, without cooking it, produced surprising ideas: paperweight (Squash your Paper), pencil holder, décor, gift, a ball – a fun session like this could be a catalyst to start a productive brain storming session in any business
• Strategies to overcome cold call reluctance
• Finding referral sources and Guru partners
• Defining your A, B, C and F customers and allocating your time in the right proportions

Anthony’s seminar is highly entertaining, motivating and full of useful ideas. Attendees were engaged and interacted throughout the seminar and at break-out sessions. For upcoming Stepping Stone Solution events or to contact Anthony Miller, please go to www.steppingstonesolutions.com.

Anthony will graduate from the Leadership Portland Class 2009 on June 9.