Gift Rep Sandy

The saying “Time is money” is especially true for sales reps!  Anywhere you can save time in one aspect of your business leaves more time to make sales.  Listed here are a few of tips to help you save time and money in your business:

1.    Stay with family and friends whenever and wherever possible.  Motel costs can add up in a hurry.  Staying with family or friends saves you money, and also gives you a local contact person to help with directions, store referrals and familiarity with your territory.

2.    When possible, pack quick snacks to eat on the road.  Packing snack foods such as trail mix, granola bars, nuts or jerky are a good source of energy food when you don’t have time to stop for lunch.  (Ever gotten that last minute phone call rescheduling an appointment right during your lunch time?)  Packing a cooler with a good supply of water or your favorite canned beverage is also a good money and time saving trick.

3.    Prepack your suitcase with a complete set of products you use daily. Include a pre-packed set of make-up and toiletries, refillable shampoo or lotion bottles, vitamins, pain killer and any products you use on a daily or weekly basis.

4.    Keep maps of your territory in your vehicle.  Packing a general state or region map along with detail maps of the larger metropolitan area are can save a time when trying to locate potential buyers.  I found using maps is MUCH MORE effective then asking a local resident for directions who can ultimately give you bad directions and tell you, “You can’t miss it!”

5.    Keep a detailed customer and vendor contact list handy.  If you use Microsoft Access for your database, you can easily sort and print out lists by sales route.  Using printed lists with complete contact information saves time and aids your memory when contacting or visiting your customers.  No more embarrassing moments trying to remember the buyer’s name!

You will learn plenty more time saving tricks along the way as your continue to work your business.