![\"Triumph\"](\"https:\/\/staging-wmplo.xyz\/mark-c-divi5\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/images-21.jpeg\" "\\"Triumph\\"")
Early in my career, I was asked to conduct a pilot. A consultant recommended that my bank experiment with outbound telemarketing and I was selected to lead the effort.<\/p>\nEarly in my career, I was asked to conduct a pilot. A consultant recommended that my bank experiment with outbound telemarketing and I was selected to lead the effort.<\/p>\n
Neither the bank nor I had any experience in selling bank products by phone and management was skeptical that we could make a venture like this profitable.\u00a0 Consequently, I was given just three months to demonstrate it could work.<\/p>\n
By the end of our test period, we discovered that selling bank products by phone was actually a good idea.\u00a0 But because outbound telephone solicitation had such low conversion rates, and also proved quite expensive, I suggested we begin promoting a toll-free number and sell to people who were already attracted to our products and promotions.<\/p>\n
The idea of building a direct response center was entirely new in our industry at that time, and we were immediately successful.\u00a0 In rapid succession, we made virtually every bank product available through our center and drove amazing \u2013 and profitable \u2013 business.<\/p>\n
The bank, of course, was thrilled by all we accomplished, and did something extraordinary to reward it.\u00a0 They sent me on a week-long trip to Switzerland!<\/p>\n
This was my first trip to Europe and it was all exquisitely planned.\u00a0 Along with 29 other managers also being feted, we stayed in a historic hotel, skied in the Alps, traveled into Germany\u2019s Black Forest, feasted on gourmet meals and experienced authentic Swiss culture.\u00a0 It was a trip of a life-time!<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve already jumped to the conclusion that this was the greatest recognition I\u2019ve ever received, you\u2019ll be surprised by what I have to share with you.\u00a0 As wonderful as this trip was, all the indulgences of our seven days there don\u2019t hold a candle to a gesture that cost nothing \u2013 but affected me so deeply it inspired me to perform at even higher levels when I returned to work.<\/p>\n