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What makes a successful Inventor? What separates successful inventors from everyone else? I believe that most successful inventors possess the following characteristics: 1. They are persistent Selling or running a business for a living requires a tremendous amount of persistence. Obstacles loom in front of us on a regular basis. But it’s what you do when faced with these barriers that will determine your level of success. I believe it was Brian Tracy who once said that a person will face the most challenging obstacle just before they achieve their goal. The most successful people in any industry have learned to face the obstacles that get in their way. They look for new solutions. They are tenacious. They refuse to give up. 2. Successful inventors are avid goal setters They know what they want to accomplish and they plan their approach. They make sure their goals are specific, motivational, achievable yet challenging, relevant to their personal situation, and time-framed. They visualize their target, determine how they will achieve their goal, and take action on a daily basis. 3. Great inventors ask quality questions The best inventors ask plenty of quality questions to fully determine their situation and consumer buying needs. They know that the most effective way to present their product is to uncover their customer's goals, objectives, concerns and hesitations. This allows them to effectively discuss the features and benefits of their product that relate the customer. 4. Successful inventors listen Great inventors know that people will tell them everything they need to know if given the right opportunity. They ask questions and listen carefully to the responses, often taking notes and summarizing their understanding of the comments. They have learned that silence is golden. 5. Successful inventors are passionate They love their product/idea and they exude this pride when talking about it. The more passionate you are about your product/idea, the greater the chance you will succeed. The reason for this is simple—when you love what you do you are going to put more effort into your product/idea. When you are passionate about the products or services you sell, your enthusiasm will shine brightly in every conversation. If you aren’t genuinely excited about selling your product, give serious consideration to making a change. You are not doing yourself any favors by continuing to promote/develop something you can’t get excited about. 6. Successful inventors are enthusiastic They are always in a positive mood - even during difficult times - and their enthusiasm is contagious. They seldom talk poorly of the product/idea. When faced with unpleasant or negative situations, they choose to focus on the positive elements instead of allowing themselves to be dragged down. 7. Successful inventors take responsibility for their results They do not blame internal problems, the economy, tough competitors, or anything else if they fail to meet their goals. They know that their actions alone will determine their results and they do what is necessary. 8. Successful inventors work hard Most people want to be successful but they aren’t prepared to work hard to achieve it. Entrepreneurs don’t wait for business to come to them; they go after it. They usually start earlier and work later. They make more calls, prospect more consistently, talk to more people, and give more presentations. 9. Successful inventors show value Today’s business world is more competitive than ever before and most inventors think that price is the only motivating buying factor. Successful inventors recognize that price is a factor in every sale but it is seldom the primary reason someone chooses a particular product or supplier. They know that a well-informed buyer will usually base much of her decision on the value proposition presented by the sales person. They know how to create this value with each customer, prospect, or buyer they encounter. A tool is but the extension of a man's hand, and a machine is but a complex tool. And he that invents a machine augments the power of a man and the well-being of mankind. - Henry Ward Beecher, Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit—Business Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. - Bible, Ecclesiastes (ch. VII, v. 29) The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it. - Harry Emerson Fosdick
This article was posted on January 30, 2006
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