5 Steps to Achieving the Tele-Prospecting "Zone"

Aaron Rogers and Tom Brady have been there. So have Justin Verlander, LeBron James and Sidney Crosby (when he's not concussed). They've all been in the "zone" at one time or another throughout their careers.

The Zone

The "Zone" is that almost mystical and magical place in time and space where their athletic performance is extraordinarily focused, where they seem to perform with perfect mastery, where their passes, shots and hits simply and utterly boggle the mind. Everything clicks. It's like magic. When the athlete describes the Zone, he or she talks about being swept away, losing track of time, and becoming completely absorbed in the activity.   Some experts have speculated that some athletes (for instance, Wayne Gretzky) can actually see events unfold a second or two before they take place.

Whatever is behind the Zone, the end result is typically astonishing.

The Tele-Prospecting Zone

But here's the thing: the Zone is not just reserved for those in sports.

This place of seemingly effortless productivity and success can be achieved by virtually anyone in any area in life, including tele-prospecting. The trick to achieving a zone-like state is to have a process or method that when applied consistently and with discipline produces superior results.

5 Steps to Reach the Tele-Prospecting Zone

While the results of being in the Zone can be almost mystical, getting in the zone is not so mysterious or profound. There are five steps you can implement that will lead you to the Zone when prospecting or selling:

Step #1: Be Zone Ready

Aaron Rogers does not walk onto the field seconds before the game and start throwing completions. He gets ready for the big game long before that time. Before you pick up the phone and begin dialing, make sure you have your 'master' list of decision makers, their names, numbers, extensions, and e-mails. Like Aaron, do your 'homework' well before you get on the phone so you are game-ready. Have your notes, call guide, job aids - whatever you need- ready to go.

What this does is ensure that you have 'flow.' Flow is that steady, almost rhythmic process of calling that is uninterrupted by stops, pauses and delays. Watch Tom Brady when he's in the Zone. Typically, he goes into a hurry up offense. No major delays. The flow is there. His job is to maintain it. Do the same. Pick up the phone and dial. No answer? No success? Dial again. Don't lose the 'end zone' focus.

Step #2: Create a Zone Friendly Environment

Watch Justin Verlander in the dugout when he's pitching for the Tigers. Watch how closely his fellow Tigers leave him alone. They don't want to distract him and disrupt his concentration.

To be in the Zone you have to stay focused on the task. Find or create a spot to make your calls that is free of distractions and temptations. Turn your back away from your fellow workers to avoid visual distractions. Post a sign called "Zone Calling" outside your office or cubicle that tells everyone that you are not to be disturbed. You're in the zone.

Step #3: Be Zone Wise

Ever watch LeBron James on the court? He has an innate ability to exploit weaknesses in defenses. He makes the most of time and space he is given.

Same thing in tele-prospecting: there are good times to make your prospecting calls and there are not-so-good times. You want to exploit those good times like LeBron exploits his defenders. For instance, the best time to reach higher level decision makers is earlier in the morning or later in the day. To get into the Zone you may have to start calling at 7:30 a.m. or continue calling after 5:30 p.m. You increase your odds of success.The best time to reach your decision makers may vary. Test times. Look for a "Zone Wise" time. Keep track of your results. If you discover a good time, exploit it.

Step #4: Have Goals and Deadlines

You can bet your bottom dollar that Aaron, Tom, Justin, LeBron and Sydney don't start their seasons or their games with "well... I'll do my best and see what happens." Pitchers know what they want to achieve as an ERA. Quarterbacks have ratings stats they would like to achieve because it gives them perspective on where they are and what they must do. Zone-ready athletes are goal oriented.

Give yourself an objective that is meaningful. It's not about the number of dials, it about the number of contacts. If your goal is to reach twenty decision makers, dial until you reach twenty DECISION MAKERS not until you reach your quota of 80 dials set by your manager. If that means fifteen more dials, then make fifteen more dials (Step #4.) If you reach your twenty in less than a day, you're in the Zone, keep dialling. That's when you achieve superior results.

Track your efforts. Track those dials and decision maker contacts. Track the ratio of decision maker contacts to sales or appointments. Track the time that you called to see if there is a better time (Step #3).

Step #5: Just Do It

Nike has it right when they say, "Just Do It." Get in the game. Pick up the phone and dial. Don't stop. Be relentless. Do what it takes. At the height of his game, Sydney Crosby did it all. He skates...all the time... he doesn't dog it. He back checks. He hits. He takes hits and gets up. He fights for position in front of the net. He's tenacious. Sometimes he's chippy. He does it all and he doesn't stop until the game is over. He does not quit.

Go through your master list. Don't stop. Dial. Don't leave messages if there is no answer. If you go through your list in a half an hour, start dialing again. If you haven't reached your target objective, don't quit. It's sometimes grinding and tiring but ... just do it!

Summary

The truth of the matter is that great athletes aren't always in the Zone. Tom Brady sometime throws five interceptions. Verlander sometimes lobs balls that get smacked out of the stadium. Sid the Kid and LeBron have missed easy shots and lost games because of it. You'll have those off days too. That's okay.

The point here is that you go into every call session with a Zone plan. You do everything you can to get into the Zone. You don't hope the Zone shows up. You do everything to make it happen. You are in control. Apply these principles and you'll hit the Zone, not all the time, but some of the time. Either way, you'll be a heck of a lot better off than you were without this process. Just do it.

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