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What I Learned From the Little Boy Scout in Marketing Technique (Tony Robbins, Eat Your Heart Out)

By
Industry Observer with RETIRED / State License is Inactive Inactive License Oregon

What I learned from the Little Boy Scout

The other day I was doing some grocery shopping and there was a Little Boy Scout who had set up a stand inside the store.  I wouldn't have noticed (gosh, wasn't it the Girl Scouts a few weeks ago) but for the fact that I wanted the smaller shopping carts and was looking around for one.

I observed the Little Boy Scout and color me impressed (what color would that be?!? I picked purple)

What I noticed was very impressive and the epitome of sales technique.  Right there, in a matter of 2 minutes, I saw this Little Boy Scout in action.   Everyone that walked by, and I mean everyone, he would ask "Would you like to buy some chocolate from the Boy Scouts?"

The passerbys would say "No thank you" politely enough and move on; into the store to shop, or out to their cars to leave.

The Little Boy Scout's mother sometimes had to remind her son in hushed voice . . . "Don't forget . . ."

And then, very quickly, the Little Boy Scout would add, "Thank You!  And have a nice day."

He would walk up to the shoppers walking in and out, and engage them.

When they said "No," he kept up his sales pitch with the next shopper.

I was VERY impressed.

I didn't have any cash on me, but told him I would return.

And I did . . . and to my surprise, the once empty table was crowded with people wanting to buy from him!

I had to wait my TURN!

This Little Boy Scout:

  • KEPT ASKING FOR THE BUSINESS
  • Engaged his prospects
  • Walked up DIRECTLY to them
  • Didn't sit down
  • Asked them directly if they wanted to buy what he was selling
  • Had one of his products in his hand
  • Thanked them anyway AND wished them a good day
  • Rinse and repeat

This Little Boy Scout was on his toes . . . he walked up to people, talked to them, had the product all ready to go . . . and was not discouraged when he was told "No thank you."

 

 

Posted by

 

 

Carla Muss-Jacobs has RETIRED effective May 1, 2018

Representing Buyers in the Portland Metro Real Estate Market | Clackamas Multnomah and Washington Counties | Since 1999

Carla Muss-Jacobs, REALTOR®, ABR, CEBA, ePro
Principal Broker/Owner ~~ INACTIVE

Carla Muss-Jacobs' retirement became effective May 1, 2018

Direct: 503-810-7192 

 

All Rights Reserved © 

Kathy Stoltman
Ventura, CA
RETIRED

What a great story Carla. Thanks for sharing it.  Kids can teach us what life was like prior to us getting all the rubbish in our heads over time!

Mar 25, 2013 09:52 AM
John Queenan
CDPE, Nicholas H. Fingelly Real Estate - Sandy Hook, CT

My 9 year old Scout sold the most popcorn in our district. He had over 100 No's. I told him early on what Tom Hopkins used to say - every no gets you closer to the next yes. He started counting the no to yes ratio, calculated how many no's he would need to reach his goal, improved his technique and his pitch, not even minding the no's. He won an ipad for his efforts. Some great life lessons young boys and girls learn in Scouting. Great post.

Mar 25, 2013 10:17 AM
Christine Smith
Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA
Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

What a cute story Carla!

Mar 25, 2013 10:42 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Carla,

That Boy Scout will be a success whatever path he chooses in his life.

Rich

Mar 25, 2013 11:56 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Amazing what we can learn from children, isn't it Carla?  If only we take the time to observe and really listen to them .. they hold real insight and magic for us.  BTW ... that's one beautiful pic in your post ...

Gene

Mar 25, 2013 12:07 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Yes, I love that picture, too.  This is a great story, and what I like most about it is that he tried, learned, adapted and improved

Mar 30, 2013 07:39 PM
Rob Lyszczarz
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited - Westfield, NJ

Carla,  There is no substitue for persistance and determination.  Thanks for sharing, and have a "Happy Easter"  

Mar 30, 2013 07:41 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance
Carla, all sales basics, and that is important to remember when we have ll the fancy tools we use daily; it's just the basics that ultimately will succeed.
Mar 30, 2013 09:24 PM
Roger Stensland
Keller Williams Realty Puget Sound - Maple Valley, WA
Let's Move!

This is the second time today that I found blog posts that I had missed earlier this week by reading a sort of week in review.  Thanks for this service.

Mar 30, 2013 10:10 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

I came over from Patrica featuring your post..love it! Great message and enjoy a blessed Easter Sunday.

Mar 30, 2013 11:40 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

How cute is that, Carla?  I'm assuming that handsome boy scout in your photo is your little scout.  Kids have a way of teaching us even when we're not trying to learn.  8=)  Have a great Easter.

Mar 30, 2013 11:46 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

 

Hey, Carla,

 I included this post in today’s Last Week’s Favorites.  Please drop by and check it out, and don’t eat too many marshmallow bunnies!

 

 

Mar 31, 2013 01:50 AM
Charles Stallions Property Manager
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pace, FL
Pensacola, Pace & Gulf Breeze Property Management

We can learn from even the youngest of salesmen, as we get older we give up as if they are rejecting us.

Mar 31, 2013 02:13 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Thanks for the comments!  My computers is acting weird right now, loading slow so I'm going to wish those a Happy Easter, and yes, that's my little boy scout in the photo some years ago (he's 26 now). 

Mar 31, 2013 05:35 AM
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

Wow, great story...  And to think he was not working on commission nor salary, but doing it for a greater purpose.  Good for him!

Mar 31, 2013 07:24 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

This is great.  I love this.  What an amazing little guy!  He needs to get his real estate license!

Mar 31, 2013 08:56 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

I learned my first selling skill as a Girl Scout selling cookies and calendars.

Mar 31, 2013 10:46 AM
Carmela Jacobs
Carmela Realty - Westlake Village, CA
Ventura Co., Los Angeles Co., CA, & Global Realtor

Carla,

What an inspirational story, the title of the blog caught my attention.  I needed to know what you learned from the little Boy Scout, thanks for sharing. This story goes to show how we can learn from anybody if we are paying attention.

Best,

Apr 01, 2013 01:03 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Good learning experience for him. I was afraid to go door to door to sell those Girl Scout Cookies.  It was scary & half the time when the door opened I forgot what to say.

Apr 01, 2013 04:41 AM
Roger Newton
Roger Newton Real Estate - North Plains, OR

Boy Scouts helps teach boys many lessons that will benefit them in life.  It really is a great program.  I spend a lot of time with my son's troop as an Asst Scout Master, and I know that we help the boys have the tools for success later in life.

Jun 03, 2013 02:54 AM