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Sales and Sales Leadership Lessons from Lou Piniella and the Umpire

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Last night on the MLB Network, I heard Don Denkinger, a former major league baseball umpire, tell a very funny story about former Yankee player and current Cubs manager Lou Piniella.

The pitch came across the plate and Denkinger called strike one.

Piniella thought the pitch was low, turned, and asked, "where was that pitch at?"

Denkinger responded, "Lou, don't you know that you can't end a question with a preposition?"

Piniella steamed for a moment and called time out.  "OK, where was that pitch at, ass hole?"

There are some great sales and sales leadership lessons embedded in this funny story.  Can you extract any of them?

I'll identify the winners later this week.

(c) Copyright 2009 Dave Kurlan

Posted by Dave Kurlan on Tue, Jun 23, 2009 @ 05:55 AM

COMMENTS

After it is over, ask why 
 
Customeres will say anything to keep from telling you the real reason 
 
When they do, re-state the question in a different manner 
 

posted on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 6:44 AM by Rick Cayer


Before you take a shot at a prospect, call a time out.

posted on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 11:59 AM by Rick Roberge


Reminds me of Rocky's story at training last week. A prospect told him he wouldn't buy because he spelled a word wrong and he wasn't sure he wanted to work with someone who didn't pay closer attention to details. He told the prospect he was confusing selling skills with spelling skills, and if he had to explain the difference to him he's not sure he could but he was quite sure that these were mutually exclusive. The prospect bought!

posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 6:28 PM by Doug Wick


Never respond emotionally.  
 
Asking the right question is often the secret to help others discover their own answer.  
 
The tone is which you communicate has more power than your words.  
 
In the art of war, it is effective to distract your opponent in order to execute your major purpose.  
Lou may have been trying to get the umpire to lose focus on the call and favor the rest.  
 
 
Don't bite the hand that feeds you.  
 
The reason your prospect asks a question is more important than any answer you can give.  
 
Focus on what you can control. 
 
Never take the bait, unless you know the hook is harmless.

posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 7:29 PM by Rocky LaGrone


Not many sales would be made if all sales people had an attitude...No matter if you call a strike...make a pitch...or give an English lesson...leave the attitude at home along with the foul mouth.....

posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 9:07 AM by Rick's Mom


Lou 'Thank God you left St. Pete' 
 
Piniela. Biggest hype manager that ever put on a uniform...Kinda like the guy in the office who goes around throwing F-BOMBS at his co-workers... everybody is sick of it but what can they do.

posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 11:44 AM by Chubby Davis


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