Show me somebody who has the desire to acquire better selling and management skills, who will spend the time to learn those skills, and who will apply those skills, even in lesser amounts, and I will show you a more effective individual.

My journey throughout my life experienced challenges. Haven’t we all had similar experiences? At one point in my life after getting my BA degree from college, completing two majors and three minors, I considered Law school. However, my time in the United States Air Force, Strategic Air Command, coupled with the time I spent getting my BA, required me to take a much-needed break. Earning income became a priority for me.

Eventually, I leaned on one of my minor interests: Computers. In a four-credit course, I wrote a compiler for a higher-level language. With Hexadecimal and all other code, how I got through that four-credit course; well, it was an experience folks.

I was in the computer lab most nights working on that 4-credit course project. However, the girl I dated at the time just would not have it. She wanted to go dancing, and I had no choice in the matter. The front door to the computer lab was locked; she climbed through a window on the ground floor, got me out of the lab, and said I was done for the night. Sometimes you just cannot argue with women. Well, I must admit, back then, it was a fun night—all night!

After graduation, I eventually landed a job within the computer industry, started out in sales, became a training instructor, then promoted to one of two senior instructors in the USA, changed jobs with a promotion, and became a regional product and sales training specialist, tech writer and systems analyst. I was absolutely fascinated with what computers could do, and how it helped make lives so much easier.

In my early days as a Senior Instructor, I trained over 120 doctors in four separate thirteen-week seminars, with every one of the thirty seats occupied in my classroom. You will never know what it is like standing up in a classroom full of doctors and teaching them how to use computers. Let me tell you folks, they will keep you on your toes. You also better be good at your game.

Because of my training experience, I also earned my CSP after my name. What is a CSP? It stands for Certified Speaking Professional. That certification these days is even harder to earn, as there are very few people in the world who hold that certification. And the only hirer certification is a CPAE, Council of Peers Award for Excellence. Where one of the requirements for this highest level of achievement is the writing of a book. One day I may author a book, but right now I have other priorities.

I also spent eight years in the health and wellness industry. I was professionally part of an international network of executives. And I earned the highest status as a Silver Executive. I was one step away from gold status, two from Platinum status in the tri-state area of New York and Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Had the company not changed CEOs and eventually gone out of business, if I achieved Gold, then the company would have bought me a brand-new car of my choice. If achieving Platinum status with one star, the company would have paid for the mortgage on my house. Imagine that!

After spending those 6 years within the computer industry and eight more years in international marketing within the alternative health product industry and building my entertainment brand on the side, I decided—enough with corporate America. Everybody loved what I did on the side building my brand as an entertainer and encouraged me to do it full-time as a professional. Well, I finally listened! And it has been and still is—one of the best decisions I ever made in my entire life.

Having your own business—whatever it may be—and knowing about the tools and programs out there in the world to help you achieve your definition of success—in my opinion, equals Freedom.

Personally, for me, I had also always had an interest in the world of magic. As a form of entertainment, famous magicians like the late Doug Henning and the present David Copperfield always fascinated me. So, I started learning about magic as a hobby. It became a small business of my own for fourteen years.

Then after my involvement dissolved with the international health products company, so many people encouraged me to do magic full time.  So now for almost ten years, I do magic full-time as a professional.  It's so much fun!

It feels great making people happy.  People' reactions to what I can do with close-up magic, mentalism and balloon art are priceless. You have to hear the audio testimonials I have from people from different parts of the world or even see the pictures I have of people holding my balloon creations.  It's amazing!

Without getting too far away from the focus and scope of my website at The Sales Salad, if you have an interest in exploring the possibilities of hiring me as a close-up magician, mentalist and master balloon artist, then please only click the following link if: a) a real opportunity exists in the near to reasonable future; b) you are willing to answer several qualifying questions; and c) you are willing to pay professional rates for my entertainment services.  

Here is the link:  Yes, I want to learn more about your magical entertainment services. 

Now here is a little something I would like to share with you, which I wrote a few years ago, when I attempted to generate sales as a professional speaker. I entitled it: The Art of Influence. It follows:

Most non-productive salespeople today do not take their professions seriously. They just wake up, go to work, and hope somebody they are trying to sell that day will buy from them. Occasionally, they will have a good day. But the overall performance of such salespeople is altogether weak.

By contrast, a highly productive salesperson constantly learns and reviews their craft of selling, human relations, and self-improvement skills. These people spend time thinking about how to become stronger as sales professionals. They soak up everything and anything sales related like a sponge soaking up water.

Strong salespeople take the time to study the features and benefits of their products or services. They know it is important to learn opening, presentation, and closing skills equally. Having strong closing skills is not enough. You need to also have strong opening skills.

You also need to show in your presentation skills how your product or service will solve your potential clients’ problems. Fail on any of these three basic “legs” of selling and you will experience poor results.

Strong salespeople are genuine and professional actors who know the rules of the selling road.  They master their craft.  Just like Tom Cruise experts his craft as an actor, so must strong salespeople master the craft of sales. They constantly think in terms of what is best for their potential client.  And they keep their integrity and credibility as their most valuable possessions.

A strong salesperson knows when they perform their craft well, the money follows their mastery.  They are doctors of their craft.  They most importantly solve people’ problems.  And they even help people help themselves.

The old sales battleground has now been reworked and redefined. The basic rules remain the same, but the introduction of new high-tech variables imposes new dynamics between the company and the customer.  Stay open to learning new skills and build your knowledge or be left behind.  My website here will show you the way.  Are you willing to do the work?

There is no way for even the most confident salesperson to obtain every sale. However, in my professional opinion, there are most definitely ways for every professional salesperson to increase their closing ratio and join the high ranks of the top twenty or top ten in their field of choice.

Fortunately, these skills and methods are available to anyone who is willing to take the time to acquire and apply these various techniques of improvement. The education is out their folks. Are you willing to buckle down and learn these new skills? But those skills are useless unless you execute them because execution trumps learning new skills.

It all starts with your attitude. You want to fly high and increase your altitude in business then start with a close look at your attitude. If you think you cannot do it, then you have already lost. If you keep a positive mental attitude and you are willing to learn and put your time in, then and only then will you experience the fruits of your labors. Money follows Mastery!

I also took a deep dive into decision making at one time in my past. Why? Because I was planning on teaching what I learned from several very credible sources. The Fine Art of Decision Making can amaze you, can help you make progress in life, and can help you save precious time.

But unless an excellent opportunity comes along, and I have the available time to accommodate a sincerely interested party willing to pay me professionally, a decent honorarium for my time, then I would rather spend my time enriching people’ lives with what I do here in affiliate marketing and, of course, making people smile and be amazed with the close-up magic and mentalism that I do.

It feels great when you are solving people’ business problems or challenges and making people happy.

People say: “You must be a Jedi.”  Well, I must admit it: "Yes, I do magic!"

However, as long as my loved ones are happy, know I am doing my best, solving people’ business problems, and keeping people happy, then I know I am doing my part to make a positive difference in life.

Please take loving care of yourself.  That means you also must make time, like I do, to exercise.  Money is important folks, but your health and peace of mind is more important.

It is incredible, after a decent work out, your entire body resets, and you feel great, and you are ready to take on the next challenge in your path to success—as you define it.

Folks, life sometimes is like being on a merry-go-round. You might ride a horse that goes up and down on a pole, while the merry-go-round goes round and round. But every three hundred and sixty degrees you get a chance to reach out and grab a brass ring. Sure, it is not easy to get that brass ring, but when you get it—doesn’t it feel good? And just think of all the goodies you can get when you turn that brass ring in for prizes.  Business, in some ways, is like grabbing that brass ring.

You surely remember those days when you were a child, don’t you?
Well, you are not a child anymore. You are now a Player in the Real World. Ever hear the cliché: “All the world is a stage. We are just actors in it.” Well, it is true!

The proverbial “brass ring” in life is right in front of you now. Are you going to reach out and grab it? Or are you just going to continue going in circles in your life? The choice is yours!

Look at the several articles on this website. Pick the one area which you feel will help you the most. Then come back to the Resources tab on my website and continue your journey.  Focus on learning whatever you can from the offerings. Apply what you have learnt. Execute on the strategies taught to you. That is the key to your success.  I wish upon you to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

May you find peace, magic, sunshine and happiness in your lives.

Douglas Antebi