By Nancy Friedman, Customer Service Keynote Speaker; President, Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training

Not sure who said it, but the old saying, “Nothing happens until someone sells something” stands true.

Being in sales is a privilege; an honor. Making a sale is my personal ‘drug’ of choice. It’s a high that keeps on giving. Sadly there are many folks out there who are negative and I don’t do too well with that mentality. Too hot, too cold, too short, too tall, too fat, too thin – the song goes on.

So without further adieu, here are 6 ways to be a success at failure.

* Avoid contacting existing customers. No matter how long ago they bought from you. Don’t even call or email them a nice note (hmmm, and certainly don’t send a hand written one; that would take too much time) telling them they’re still appreciated. After all, they already bought from you once; they probably don’t need anything else. It’s more fun to struggle and find new prospects, right? Who wants a pushover sale?

* Ignore your customer’s needs. Just tell them what you have – over and over again. If they’re interested they may buy. And by all means, don’t ask any questions. You’re not a detective. If you need to push and probe and get information call the CIA. If you talk long enough someone will buy something.

* Don’t come into the office early or stay late. You’re not working at 7 – 11, right? Let’s face it, you’re on the job 40 hours a week. That’s a big window of opportunity for someone to buy something. And for sure if you stay late or come in early it’ll cut into your personal relaxing time. OMG.

* Come into the office in a foul, bad mood. This way you can share your negative feelings with co-workers and bring them down too. Why should anyone else be content and satisfied when you have a problem? Share the negative. Enough of this happy attitude. And by all means, don’t let anyone try and cheer you up. Heavens, it might work.

* Don’t read anything about sales; you know it all. There couldn’t be anything new out there. Or even a reminder of something you forgot. Just ignore that. Do what you’re doing. Like the saying goes, “If you always do what you’ve always done; you’ll always get what you always got.” No need to make more money.

* Don’t ask for help. EVER. Someone may know something good or more than you and that could make you better. Watch out for that!