Yogi Berra was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. In his 21 seasons, he racked up 18 All-Star selections, 10 World Series championships and 3 MVP trophies. That kind of dominance just doesn’t happen anymore. Add on the fact that he was a part of the Normandy Invasion, and the guy is a true American hero. He played through the golden age of baseball and lived a great life. But nowadays Berra is best known for his incredible quotes and as the inspiration for this guy, er bear.
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What can sales learn from the great Yogi Berra? Good question. A lot, actually. Obviously his quotes aren’t from Glengarry Glen Ross, but when you seriously consider them, they’re perfect for your sales team.
Here are some of my favorites, plus tips on boosting your sales morale by taking Yogi’s lead!
You can observe a lot by just watching.
This one’s easy. Every sales team can improve in one way or another; no one’s perfect. Spend time on training and brainstorming sessions. New hires: learn from those around you and pay close attention to what makes the best the best. Hmm, I guess this is a lot like baseball.
It ain’t over till it’s over.
No such thing as a bad month. More often than not, your sales are determined by your effort. So if you have the time, spend it wisely and hustle until the fat lady sings. The end of the month is the best time for sales, so make it count. It’s best to not get yourself in the bind of needing end-of-month sales, but if you’re there, put in the extra time and hit your goals. No excuses. It ain’t over till it’s over.
Congratulations. I knew the record would stand until it was broken.
Sales records are meant to be broken. If they’re not, then you’re not growing as a team or as a company. Goals and records are there for a reason. Don’t expect to reach the mountaintop and retire—the nature of the business means there’s more mountain to climb. If a colleague bests your number, congratulate them and be happy; you have a new goal to break.
Slump? I ain’t in no slump… I just ain’t hitting.
Don’t let low numbers get you down. You’re in charge of your own sales destiny, so there are no slumps. Just keep hustling and eventually you’ll get back into your groove. It’s a numbers game, and it always evens out.
Rest in peace, Yogi Berra.
“A lot of guys go, ‘Hey, Yog, say a Yogi-ism.’ I tell ’em, ‘I don’t know any.’ They want me to make one up. I don’t make ’em up. I don’t even know when I say it. They’re the truth. And it is the truth. I don’t know.”
