Your Ten-Year Selling Plan
Practical ways to build your ten-year selling plan, a clear vision for the seller you want to become.
Long vision guides daily action. Write it down.
10 tips that really help
These ideas come from The Little Red Book of Selling (Jeffrey Gitomer), Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi), Raving Fans (Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles), and everyday practice. The first six help the most. Pick one and try it today.
A long vision guides daily action
Knowing where you want to be in ten years helps you choose well today.
Write it.
Imagine yourself in year ten
Picture your work, your impact and your life.
Describe it.
Choose this year's main focus
One skill at a time works best.
Pick it.
Review quarterly
Staying on track needs regular checks.
Calendar it.
Choose this year's focus
One main skill.
Pick.
A plan guides choices
Long-term thinking.
Start.
Imagine year ten
Vivid picture.
Write.
Write three big goals
Clear.
Draft.
Break them into years
Milestones.
Plan.
Share with a mentor
Accountability.
Ask.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many sales conversations.
“In ten years I want to lead a team.”
“This year I will master referrals.”
“Each quarter I work on one skill.”
“Am I on track?”
“I shared my plan with a mentor.”
“Thank you.”
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
Imagine year ten
Write three big goals
Break them into years
Choose this year’s focus
Review quarterly
Share with a mentor
Review
Further reading
- The Little Red Book of Selling (Jeffrey Gitomer)
- Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi)
- Raving Fans (Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
Keep your place and keep growing
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Start freeThese lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.
More lessons in “Keep Customers and Win Referrals”
Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.
← Previous: Teach Others What You Know
- Why Most Sales Are Lost in the Follow-Up
- Follow Up Within 24 Hours
- The Five-Touch Follow-Up Plan
- Give Value in Every Message
- Use Phone, Email and Messages Together
- Say "I Am Checking In" Better
- Follow Up With a Helpful Link or Idea
- Under-Promise, Over-Deliver
- Respond Faster Than Expected
- Surprise Them With a Small Gift
- Remember Birthdays and Milestones
- Handwritten Notes Still Win
- Make Onboarding Easy
- Fix Problems Before They Notice
- Listen First, Fix Second
- Say Sorry Without Excuses
- Offer a Solution, Not a Speech
- Follow Up After the Fix
- Learn From Every Complaint
- Turn a Bad Review Into a Good Story
- Know When to Escalate
- Review Accounts Every Quarter
- Ask "What Else Could Help?"
- The Gentle Upsell
- Cross-Sell With Care
- Find the Next Department or Branch
- Renewals Without Panic
- Celebrate Customer Anniversaries
- Ask at the Moment of Joy
- A Simple Referral Script
- Give Customers an Easy Way to Share
- Thank Referrers Beautifully
- Referral Partnerships
- Collect Reviews the Right Way
- Build a Personal Brand
- Keep Learning Every Year
- Protect Your Reputation
- Balance Work and Life
- Teach Others What You Know
- Your Ten-Year Selling Plan
