Making Rain, October 25th

On July 28th of this year, I published a story called Ordering Dominoes. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s about the joy of having a plan come together and your life falling into place just like… yep, dominoes. Click here if you’d like to read the article in its entirety. https://jenslittleblackbook.com/2021/07/28/ordering-dominoes-july-28th/ In that post I mentioned that I was about to begin conference season, with business travel slated to occupy quite a bit of my time.

I fantasized that as a direct result of my sales and marketing wizardry at these upcoming events I would bring in enough revenue to “make my number” for the year in my first six months on the job and that my boss would be thrilled with my rookie performance. Of course that would mean that I’d helped my division to victory, and hurrah, strike up the band and cue the confetti.

I went on to say that of course life just doesn’t work out the way we hope, imagine or plan… which is news to absolutely no one! But I’m beyond thrilled to tell y’all that in this case, hot damn, it actually happened to me!!! And not only that, it happened exactly the way I wrote it. Magically I got two direct leads from the conference I attended right after that wishful post. And in short order I closed them both.

So to all of my hard-working Business Development Professional pals, committed Sales folk friends, and brilliant Strategic Account associates– feel free to print, copy or paste this message into your boss’s inbox if he/she balks at you for wanting to attend what some might consider a “boondoggle.” Professional gatherings really work if you work them. (I know I’m preaching to the choir here!) Regardless of whether or not you happen to have a little fun in beautiful locales with fabulous food, if you’re surrounded by like-minded individuals also looking to do business, you’re golden. By the way, yes those are actual photos from my super fruitful trip. (Sorry not sorry.)

So here’s what actually happened… after the offsite of dreams, two newly minted referral sources immediately contacted me. (Thanks, guys!) My follow up was swift. I processed the leads, we bid on the opportunities, and just like that (ha!) two closed deals. I am of course minimizing the process as it has been hundreds of back-and-forth emails, strategy sessions, Teams calls, legal documents, revisions, questions and clarifications, grueling conversations, and occasional frustrations all rolled into most of us working non-stop 20-hour days. (And I am not complaining one bit! I truly love it.)

I count myself fortunate to work with such an incredible team of dedicated industry experts. Together we helped make these potential successes huge wins for the company. And hello– I actually manifested this exact scenario with that post?! How cool is that??

So no, I’m not going to walk around with a scepter or get a big head over these terrific victories. Truth be told, I’m hungrier than ever for more business. (Yeah, have we met?) After a slow start to a year in which business in my sector is down by massive percentage points, I’m so happy to be engaged and productive. And I want to keep this momentum going! But what I have learned is that clearly I have to manifest bigger.

So when you’re dreaming, planning, and plotting your next move, remember that your energy, like mine, is truly powerful. Just as Katherine Parker told Tess McGill in the movie Working Girl, “You make it happen.” And Katherine (yes, even with her crutches and bony ass– Tess’s words, not mine!) was right. So friends, get out there and make it happen!