Rolling!  Lights, camera, terror.

My first automotive sales manager videoed me doing vehicle presentations and it took me from a knock kneed novice to a top presenter in record time.  For the first time I knew what I looked like when I was presenting.  It turned out that when I was nervous I tended to not only smooth my clothes but grab them and hold the edge of my shirt in a bunch.  Hilarious. Unless it’s you.

Here’s the key.  I only had to see myself do that once.  I fixed it immediately.

Take out your cell or your flip and have someone video you during roleplay.  Make it a short one doing any phase of customer interaction.  

Turn the sound off.  Watch it.  Let’s look for some very basic items.

Stance:

How much room do you take up?  Take a bit more.  When thinking about “customer service” and “I’ll starve if I don’t please you and sell you something” many novice saleseople make themselves smaller.

Stand with your feet firm on the ground 12 to 18 inches apart.  Stand on both feet evenly, don’t rock or sway, or worse twist a little side to side. Lean BACK.  Shoulders up, chin up.  Do I sound like your Mom?

She was right.  Stand tall and firm to take the authority you’ll need to advise and close.

Face to Face, or Side to Side?

Women talk face to face.   That face to face, eye to eye is how they know you are listening.  Make sure you cue to her that you are listening to her or you are done.

Men stand side to side or offset.   If men go face to face there’s a reason and they will be bumping chests and throwing down pretty soon.   Stand and sit off set to them.

Sitting Stance:

Keep both feet on the floor again.  Lean back, not forward.  When you write, make sure your back is straight and you are not bent over the page. I've seen people write close enough to eat off the worksheet.  If you can offset at your desk by placing any papers in a triangulated position instead of between you that is also an advantage.

Top 5 Things Instantly Corrected by Video Training

Submissive standing posture
Awkward Writing Posture
Unusual Mannerisms
Hands in Pockets
Fearful or Introverted Posture when Presenting proposals and asking for decisions

Video yourself – it could be worth a deal today.