Solutions not Problems

One of the best Managers I had early in my career was Bob Jones my Sales Director at Homepride Foods in the 1980’s. He was a kind and gentle man but with a presence and wisdom that was almost tangible. He had answers but they did not come from him without work.

I remember early in my relationship with Bob going into his office and asking him for an answer to a problem that I knew he could provide for me.

“See that In Tray?” he said to me. “That is full of my challenges today. I don’t pay you to bring me more problems. I pay you to sort out solutions. If you honestly can’t decide on which solution, then we can have a chat about which of them might be best”.

I left his office with my tail between my legs but soon realised what a valuable lesson he had taught me. “Think for yourself!” Bob was saying. I haven’t stopped doing so since then and I am eternally grateful to Bob and his message ever since.

With a number of clients, I still see Directors and Senior Managers making this mistake of providing solutions rather than asking their staff “What do you think we should do?”. Obviously, if you give your staff the answers, they will keep on coming to you and not develop.

Are you giving out answers to your Management Team like treats to a pet or are you making them think about the options and getting them to come up with realistic and costed solutions?

  • Great opportunities

    Helping you grow

    For over 16 years, JMR Sales & Consultancy has been offering help to businesses which are struggling to grow in line with expectations. We offer a discreet resource to support business owners in reaching their aspirations by understanding your markets, your products, your people and your culture.

    JMR Sales has a long list of satisfied customers across industries as diverse as High Street Retailing, Automotive, Catering, Recruitment and Hotels.

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  • Decades of experience

    JMR Sales & Consultancy use their expertise in Sales Consultancy and Strategic Development to support Managing Directors, Sales Directors and Business Managers or Owners to solve a wide range of challenges their company can face.

    Offering short to mid term contracts, JMR Sales & Consultancy can offer a fresh pair of eyes to a failing sales plan; coach an under-achieving sales team and offer support as a Business Coach.

  • Speaking Profile

    “People are always interested in ways to generate Sales and as someone who has spent all their career in this area, there are a number of Universal principles I have learned and am happy to share with a wider audience."

    Some of the topics I am used to presenting include:

    • 6 Reasons why most Sales Teams Underperform
    • The ABC of Sales – Leveraging your Brand Equity
    • Customer Service – How it can become a sustainable point of difference, whatever your business.

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    Client Testimonials

    • “Jonathan has been a great help to me recently. He has been out on several field visits, given constructive criticism but more importantly given me useful tips, tatics and tools and how to implement them to add value to my customers and developing business opportunities with them. Since working with JMR I have also recommended Jonathan to a friend's business with a £25million turnover. Jonathan is now working with the Sales force there now!”

      Darren Whiteside - Contracts Manager North

    • Jonathan quickly gets under the skin of an organisation, the offerings, the people and the clients. He combined his wealth of sales and people experience, coaching, mentoring and training with a huge amount of flexibility to bring out the best of everyone. Jonathan gave me confidence in my sales abilities, refining my approach over a period of time. Our business growth in the last six months is due to Jonathan's substantial input. He is warm, genuine and funny and an absolute pleasure to work with.

      Jude Jennison - Author & Conference and Motivational Speaker

    • I had a mentoring session with Jonathan that set the scene for a major, much-needed change for me in my working and business activities. He was honest, upfront and said those things that I didn't want to hear. He then checked in on me a month later, keeping me to account. I now have more time, the right focus and love what I do even more with results that reflect all of that. Thank you Jonathan.

      Kerrie Dorman - Founder of the ABM and Head Mentor at Sinclair Dorman

Get in touch


0121 355 6611


07785 928518


jonathan@jmrsales.co.uk

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