Are You A Shredding Rock Star?

Even though I have tried my best to avoid them, the Charlie Sheen stories in the news lately are getting funnier and funnier.

I find it crazy and somewhat hilarious that he refers to himself as a “rock star,” even though he is NOT! Anyone who gives himself a compliment like this is never again taken seriously. I wonder how the people who know him well perceive him?

Unfortunately, most people think of themselves as a rock stars but don’t have the talent to back it up.

This immediately got me thinking about how we, as sales professionals and business owners, are perceived by our clients, partners and community and how we view ourselves. Do you refer to yourself as the “best,” the “most secure,” the “industry expert,” a shredding rock star? Or do your clients say these things about you?

Do you constantly give your company and yourself compliments (bragging)? Or is it your customers who are complimenting you and your company (testimonials)?

How are you perceived personally and professionally? When your clients and prospects think of you and your company, what comes to mind? Do you have the talent to back up the title of shredding rock star?

Who are the shredding rock stars? Well, here are some common characteristics:

•    They are a person of value.
•    They give a speech every chance they get.
•    They write articles all the time.
•    They conduct lunch and learns.
•    They give referrals constantly without keeping score.
•    Their message is not a sales message—it applies to 100 percent of their market.
•    They help with required training of their clients’ employees. (See the available National Association for Information Destruction video.)
•    They help write clients’ required information protection policies. 
•    They help their clients profit more.
•    They take headaches and hassles away from their clients.
•    Most rock stars have several “adoring fans” or “groupies,” otherwise known as loyal clients. 

We can say we are rock stars all day long (as Charlie Sheen does), but unless we have several testimonials from our clients stating that fact, they are just empty words. Find out today how you are perceived by your clients and get rocking!

Ray Barry is vice president of Total Product Destruction and president of Total Training Services, which operates The Shred School in Spartanburg, S.C. He has trained more than 220 companies in the document destruction industry to grow their businesses. Previously, he was part of a shredding company that was named twice in Inc. magazine as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in America. Barry can be contacted at raybarry@totaltrainingservices.com or at 864-699-8417.