Bad Sales Seminars and

By: Brent Patmos

The Wall Street Journal published an article earlier this week detailing what happens when good people, with great ideas and great reputations connect with people and companies that are looking to make a buck.

A very high profile idea creator, author and financial "guru" had worked (licensed) with a " sales training company" to certify individuals in the delivery and administration of his processes and methods. This is a common practice for individuals looking to franchise or distribute their intellectual property be it sales or other content.

Unfortunately for him, the "training company" is now under investigation for mis-representation, false statements of guarantees and numerous other offenses. The WSJ Article specifically said that the investigation centered on the company licensed to administer and not on the individual, but damage has certainly been done in both cases.

Selling product and other offerings is an accepted practice throughout the sales seminar industry. This is the way that participants can take the ideas and insights they learned away with them for future use and reference.

The best individuals and companies conducting/associated with seminars (sales or otherwise) make the purchase of product offerings an appropriate option at the participant's choosing. These highly credible and reputable providers don't make false, unsubstantiated or enlarged statements of expected return or results.

Beware of bad sales opportunities! There's something wrong when you're attending a seminar for free, or a nominal fee, and then the pitch comes to buy the entire "guarantee your success program" for some outrageous amount of money at the back of the room.

Some of the most significant and relevant seminars being offered charge the most money at registration. The reason; serious attendees will recognize the value and potential return of the content and are willing to pay for it. All of the support materials and product offerings are included because the creator knows that the real key to success comes in the application of the content for which the participant has paid.