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Comfortech Idol was an annual event,
HVAC Comfortech, the
industry's largest seminar and showcase. In the past, HVAC salespeople
role-played closing techniques and overcoming objections in front of live
audiences, who then voted on which salesperson did the best job. It was a
“grande” learning experience for all.
This year, at the Tournament of Champions, three
Comfortech Idols from previous years each gave 15-minute presentations that
they loaded with as many of their own unique sales tips as they could fit
during the time allotted. The audience then voted on which Idol provided
the most useful information. The winner was declared Comfortech Idol
Grande Champion.
Three judges, sales trainers Charlie Greer,
Drew Cameron and
Vicki LaPlant then
commented on each of their performances.
Matt
Michel served as emcee.
The
hands-down winner this year was the original Comfortech Idol, Jamie Gerdsen,
who won the first competition in 2003.
Jamie’s win is a real-life “Rocky” story. A scheduling
conflict was to prevent him from attending HVAC Comfortech this year, so
he’d been forced to take a pass on the competition. However, he told me
that if something unforeseeable came up and I really needed him, he’d be
there for me. A lot of people say that, but very few of them actually mean
it.
One of our competitors came down with a serious medical
emergency just two days before the start of Comfortech, and was out of the
competition. I called Jamie and explained the situation to him. Without a
moment’s hesitation, he agreed to reschedule his week, jumped on an airplane
and jetted out to Atlanta to join the contest.
When he arrived, he graciously accepted my thanks, but
told me that, now that he was there, he was in it to win it … and win it
he did. He won by sharing a multitude of quick and easy things our
audience could do to increase their sales.
A synopsis of his presentation will appear in Charlie
Greer's column, Tec Daddy's Corner, in the October and November, 2008
issues of Contracting Business.
You can listen to the entire program on audio CD.
Rollin’ Recording records every event at HVAC Comfortech and puts them all
on a single audio CD. They’re very reasonably priced, and I buy one every
year myself, whether I make an appearance of HVAC Comfortech or not. You
can order one over the telephone by calling
800-798-5468, or by
visiting them on the web at
www.rollinrecording.com.
Where can I read about the previous Comfortech Idols?
Jason Young: Persistence Pays Off: A Chat with an
Idol
John Cameron, Jr.: Comfortech Idol says, "NO PRESSURE!"
Jared Corpon: Lessons
on Closing Learned at Comfortech Idol 2007 |