Paragon Sales Solutions founder joins the judging panel for the “Passport to Paradise” awards, celebrating assistants and administrative professionals.
The awards celebrate assistants and administrative professionals. This year’s “Passport to Paradise” ceremony took place at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday 5th September, with 120 guests from the UK, Germany, the USA and South Africa.
So why is a sales trainer judging awards for assistants?
“Because in sales, the assistant is usually the first person you speak to,” said Rob. “Salespeople call them the gatekeeper. I even wrote a chapter with that title. But too many salespeople treat the gatekeeper like a bouncer; someone to get past, trick or go around.
“That’s the wrong way round. A good assistant knows the business better than almost anyone. They know what matters to their boss, what’s a waste of time, and who really makes the decisions.
“Treat them with respect and they’ll often help you. Try to get round them and you’re finished before you’ve started.”
The gatekeeper isn’t the obstacle. You are.
Reading the entries
Rob says the judging was an eye-opener.
“I read about people solving problems nobody else had spotted, running senior leaders’ diaries like clockwork and protecting their organisation’s reputation every single day,” he said.
“Honestly? That’s a lot closer to good selling than most people realise. It’s about understanding people, earning trust and being useful. Every salesperson I train could learn something from the finalists this year.”
Part of a bigger conversation
The judging role follows Rob being awarded a certificate in Ethics in Sales by the Institute of Sales Professionals earlier this month.
“It’s the same point,” said Rob. “How you treat the people in the buying process matters. Not just the decision maker; everyone. It’s the right thing to do, and it also happens to work.”
Rob founded Paragon Sales Solutions in 2018. He’s the author of three sales books, Relationship Selling, The Paragon Mindset and A Month to Improve Your Sales, and his online sales courses have been taken by more than 12,000 learners worldwide. He also hosts the Sales Circle podcast.
“Congratulations to every winner and finalist,” said Rob. “You made the judging very hard work, in the best possible way.”
More about The PA Way is available at thepaway.co.uk.
About Paragon Sales Solutions
Paragon Sales Solutions is an award-winning sales and marketing agency based in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, founded by Rob Spence in 2018. The company provides telemarketing, lead generation, appointment setting, sales training and sales consultancy to B2B businesses in the UK and internationally. Rob Spence is the author of Relationship Selling, The Paragon Mindset and A Month to Improve Your Sales, hosts the Sales Circle podcast, and teaches sales online to more than 12,000 learners worldwide.
Media contact
Rob Spence Managing Director, Paragon Sales Solutions rob@paragonsalessolutions.co.uk 0116 502 3900 7 Leicester Road, Countesthorpe, Leicester LE8 5QU paragonsalessolutions.co.uk