“I’vegot a golden ticket. I’ve got a golden ticket.”
When I say, “goldenticket,” what words pop into your mind?
Willy Wonka?
Chocolate?
Gene Wilder?
Johnny Depp?
Charlie Bucket?
Maybe even JackAlbertson?
And who is RoaldDahl? Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a 1971motion picture based on the 1964 novel, Charlieand the Chocolate Factory, written by Dahl.
The book, the originalmovie, and the newer movie, a darker version with Johnny Depp,Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, are American icons(although the author was British).
The book and moviesfocus around a slightly nutty entrepreneur, a chocolate factory, tinyworkers, and a contest to find one of the five “golden tickets”that were securely wrapped within a Wonka bar. Almost like a lottery,if you found a golden ticket you were rewarded with an all-day tourby Willy Wonka himself of his secret candy factory.
Charlie Bucket, thehero and ideal child, was one of the five winners. The other fourchildren were spoiled brats and as they went on the tour they showedtheir greed or misbehaved in such a way as to be punished orbanished. Charlie Bucket was the winner of the tour and was rewardedwith the entire factory and empire. Not a bad days work.
But there’s much moreto this children’s story. There are lessons to be learned, both insales and in life. Charlie Bucket was an impoverished kid with avision. You may call it a dream – but his vision and belief were sostrong, he made them a reality. He was certain he would get thegolden ticket, in spite of his family doubters.
Here are thelessons. Apply them to your sales life and you will win the gold:
* Go for what youwant with passion. A big part of winning is your drive anddetermination.
* Have the belief.If you don’t believe, silver or bronze will be as far as youcan rise. Gold only goes to the real believers.
* When you get theopportunity you want – be ready. I am amazed at how manyunprepared salespeople there are. It’s easy to identify them. Theyare cold calling and having to submit proposals to win business bybidding.
* Seek the supportof others who want to help you. No one ever succeeds alone.Especially salespeople.
* Smile all thetime. A smile is the most important and valuable item in yourwardrobe. It costs nothing; but it’s worth a fortune. It’s yourimage ahead of your words. It’s warmth and welcome at the sametime.
* Eat chocolatealong the way. There’s something about the universal love ofchocolate. Books have been written about it. It’s comfort food thatwhen offered to others makes them feel at home.
* Ask a lot ofquestions. Questions engage others, create revealing information,and help you discover common interests. I have said that questionsare the heart of the sale – and the gateway to a relationship.
* Be in awe andwonderment at all times. Make your life a series of WOWs.
* Be a goodperson. Self-explanatory.
* Be respectful ofyour family, especially your parents. More self-explanatory.
* Do the rightthing all the time. Most self-explanatory.
* “Nutty” tosome people is “genius” to others. Make your own judgmentsand take actions accordingly.
* Good usuallywins out over evil and spoiled brats. What a relief to know that.And that “they all lived happily ever after.”
* Be willing togive it all up if your ethics and beliefs are compromised. Committo stand and stand up for what you believe in, even if you get thegolden ticket.
* There’s noplace like home, even if it’s populated with pixilated people.Be grateful for what you have at home.
There’s a goldenticket somewhere for you. The secret is: Don’t wait on your couchfor it to arrive. Go out and get it by working for it, and takeadvantage of all the gold it has to offer.
You may not win achocolate factory – but the victory will be sweet.
AUTHORS NOTE: If youdoubt the popularity of the story, try to buy a 1964 first edition ofDahl’s book for less than $2,500.
If you want moreinformation on how to deepen the belief in yourself, go towww.gitomer.com, register if you’re a first-time visitor, and enterthe word BELIEF in the GitBit box.
