Embarking on an unforgettable journey to Costa Rica, Amy and I found ourselves immersed in a unique networking event called Surf & Sales. Far from the conventional, this event blended the thrill of riding the waves with insights into the future of sales. By stripping away the traditional conference room and business attire, it opened up an environment for true, bare-bones collaboration. Each morning started with a 2-hour surfing session followed by content, incredible food home cooked by the local Ticas and a lot of fun building relationships with some very special people, now friends!
Join us as we recount our three-day escapade, encountering a diverse group of professionals from Reps to SVP of Sales and CEOs and delving into the dynamic landscape of modern sales strategies.
Day 1: Navigating the Sales Horizon
On the first day, we dove headfirst into discussions on "The Future of Sales and The Seller's Journey." Scott Leese, 6x sales leader and consultant, guided us through the evolving landscape of sales and the shifting preferences of the younger generation. Concepts like Nearbound and Executive Relationship exposed how we navigate connecting with a generation that seems to evade traditional communication methods. It left us all wondering: "How do SDRs and AEs engage a generation that shies away from phone calls and ignores emails?"
Day 2: Unveiling Internal Dynamics
Day two unfolded with insights from Amy's longtime friend, Richard Harris, a Top Sales Trainer and recently new author, who unraveled the intricacies of internal politics in sales. He provided tactics to navigate these politics, transforming them into advantageous tools. Then Scott led another session that delved further into the "5 Fatalities of Sales," equipping us with strategies to scrutinize closed lost deals and enhance the quality of our pipeline.
Day 3: Real-Time Collaboration
A standout session, day three brought us face to face with real-time network support. Participants shared their current challenges, inviting the group's collective wisdom. The power of collaborative problem-solving surfaced, emphasizing the importance of not reinventing the wheel. Personal and business challenges were exchanged and we were left with actionable items to implement upon returning home.
The Final Challenge
The last challenge was to create a video around our Surf & Sales experience. If you’re curious to see Surf & Sales in a quick 1-minute video, click below.
In the wake of this transformative experience, it became evident that the sales landscape is undergoing a profound shift. The mantra of "leaner, longer" is becoming more relevant as the industry moves to rely on automation while minimizing their sales teams. Surf & Sales not only provided a platform for networking but served as a window into the changing sales domain.
Side note and humble brag, Amy and I both learned how to surf, standing up on our first try. Pura vida!
