I was troubled by the comments by Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., on ABC's "This Week," stating "the reputation of Congress under the Republican leadership is lower than used car salesmen."
I have been in the sales profession all of my adult life. I also train and mentor salespeople – the comments by Murtha are invalid and irresponsible.
I wonder where Mr Murtha purchases his cars? I for one, rely on the expertise of the salesperson to make sure the car I purchase is one that fits my needs. It has probably been a long time since the lofty Murtha had to actually enter a car lot— used instead to a diet of brand new leased vehicles delivered to his door, paid for by his constituants.
Politicians hardly have the reputation of virtuosity. And I believe even in their darkest self—an overstatement by a car salesperson has not caused the pain by the overstatements of politicians.
I went on Mr Murtha’s site to write about this personally. However, Mr Murtha’s site does not accept comments from non-constituents. This is a behavior any sales trainer will drill out of a sales trainee. You don’t just view a contact with the “whats in it for me”—yes, I do not pay your salary right now but it doesn’t mean your comments (made to national media) do not affect people out of your area.
I do have interest in Pennsylvania. I am a PA native, my dad and sister and other family members still live there. My father, retired with General Motors, does not believe the people marketing the products he manufactured for 30 plus years are marketed by shady characters.
Its time for us to put to death these categorizations. The play/movie “Death of a Salesman” is about a fictional character and there are Willie Low- men’s in every walk of life. Most salespeople are on straight commission, the optimists optimist. We head out the door with a smile and dream-- and no base pay or expense account.
Nothing happens until something is sold and the US economy would grind to a halt without the hard working efforts of salespeople. The US Department of Commerce recently stated that American industry has no problem with its production-- its main problem is distribution. Quality salespeople are the key to distribution.
Any politician who believes he or she isn’t in sales is out of touch with reality. I am insulted by this comment and feel anyone in the sales field and auto industry should be as well.
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