How More of Your Money Becomes Less of Your Money

If your a "high income" sales professional or executive who is earning, or has the potential to earn, more than $150,000 we want your input, comment and dialogue on this post.

If the proposed tax plan introduced by Congressman Charles Rangel is passed, here's what it will mean: The permanent repeal of the AMT tax would cost nearly $800 billion over 10 years. That would be offset by applying a replacement tax of 4% on married couple income above a certain level, not to be less than $200,000. The tax would be 4.6% on income in excess of $500,000, or $250,000 in the case of a single taxpayer.

So what do you think? How do you feel about high income earning sales professionals and executives automatically being taxed an additional 4% as a "reward" for their performance and hard work?

Maybe it's a sign of the times, but when you really think about $150K to $200K in today's world, it simply isn't that much money and doesn't really go that far. Yet, politicians in Washington D.C. believe that the backbone of American commerce (the sales professional) should be penalized for their income level that is achieved as a direct result of and individual work ethic and personal productivity.

People without initiative and without a desire to be paid what they are worth based on their personal performance will have no idea why this is an issue to be concerned over. Politicians can spin it any way they choose; a tax increase is a tax increase. That means less of our money is our money.

Salespeople as Businesspeople #13 - By Brent Patmos

The Salespeople as Businesspeople blog posts will deal specifically with the behaviors, strategies and skill sets that lead to salespeople thinking as businesspeople and achieving advanced levels of sales performance.

Competency #13 - Business Driver: The salesperson as businessperson is recognized as an individual who understands how the client's business produces customer value and measurable results. He/She shows a strong drive to achieve client sales results and successes.

Salespeople as Businesspeople #12 - By Brent Patmos

The Salespeople as Businesspeople blog posts will deal specifically with the behaviors, strategies and skill sets that lead to salespeople thinking as businesspeople and achieving advanced levels of sales performance.

Competency #12 - Trusted Advisor: The salesperson as businessperson is recognized as a trusted advisor to his/her clients and customers. They provide quality sales and business advice. Credibility is assured because they consistently keep commitments and have a strong track record of useful prior advice, guidance and direction throughout the sales process.

Salespeople as Businesspeople #11 - By Brent Patmos

The Salespeople as Businesspeople blog posts will deal specifically with the behaviors, strategies and skill sets that lead to salespeople thinking as businesspeople and achieving advanced levels of sales performance.

Competency #11 - Obvious Expert: The salesperson as businessperson has a depth of product, service, technical and/or key business knowledge that makes them the obvious expert on a given topic. They have the ability to make the knowledge accessible, useful and easy to understand on the part of their client.

Was Lead Paint China's Only Choice for Fisher Price?

The Chinese Manufacturer that was contracted by Fisher Price to manufacturer its product had no choice but to take short cuts and use product processes that were eliminated in the United States in the mid to late 70's.

Chinese manufacturers understand economics and also understand how to make money. As a result, they have no choice but to cut corners and work around specific quality systems such as ISO or TS. That's exactly why Made in the USA means something. Lead paint was just the most recent in a line of corners that Chinese Manufacturers are cutting to make sure that they are, above all else, profitable. With their decision to outsource to China, driven by their own need to remain profitable, Fisher Price put one of the most recognized brands in toys at terminal risk.

It's likely that very few people will ever know the name of the Chinese Manufacturer that was responsible for the lead paint on toys and yet the name and brand of Fisher Price will bear the responsibility, accountability and damage for their decision. China had no choice but to use lead paint. When you manufacture goods at 40% to 60% the cost of domestic manufacturers and you're paying workers pennies on the dollar, it's likely that quality systems and processes aren't the top priority of your manufacturing operation.

China as Top Innovator is Off the Mark

In the Monday, July 23, 2007 edition of the USA Today (Money Section) a sidebar said the following: "One in four Americans think China will beat the United States in the next decade as the world leader in innovation, according to a survey released Sunday by Zogby International. Seventy percent said the government is not doing enough, and nearly two-thirds of the 8,046 respondents said American business isn't promoting innovation enough, either."

China's degree and depth of TRUE innovation is suspect. Let's not forget the numerous manufacturing snafus (from toothpaste to tires) that China has experienced in recent months. What China is is a leader in pirating and patent infringement. China should be recognized less for their manufacturing innovation and more for their repeated bastardizing and commoditizing of American Innovation and markets.

While certain markets and manufacturers may have grown stale, TRUE innovation and ingenuity are alive and well in companies throughout the United States. As we move forward in manufacturing, it's important that American companies direct their sales emphasis less on the low cost provision of Chinese Sourcing and more on the TRUE innovation and value that American companies provide.

Salespeople as Businesspeople #10 - By Brent Patmos

The next 13 blog posts will deal specifically with the behaviors, strategies and skill sets that lead to salespeople thinking as businesspeople and achieving advanced levels of sales performance.

Competency #10 - Inspires Customers: The salesperson as businessperson energizes customers and colleagues and facilitates sales accomplishment by promoting a clear sense of purpose and understanding around the needs and interests of the customer.

Salespeople as Businesspeople #9 - By Brent Patmos

The next 14 blog posts will deal specifically with the behaviors, strategies and skill sets that lead to salespeople thinking as businesspeople and achieving advanced levels of sales performance.

Competency #9 - Providing Direction: The salesperson as businessperson provides their customer with a clear sense of sales direction based on a thorough understanding of their needs and requirements. They organize the necessary resources of their company and navigate through them on behalf of the customer. They place an emphasis on providing feedback internally so that margin is maximized and unnecessary expense is minimized.

Salespeople as Businesspeople #8 - By Brent Patmos

The next 15 blog posts will deal specifically with the behaviors, strategies and skill sets that lead to salespeople thinking as businesspeople and achieving advanced levels of sales performance.

Competency #8 - Financial Competence: The salesperson as businessperson demonstrates financial competence by understanding the financial drivers of their business and their customer's business. They ask purposeful questions about sales targets, expense targets and pricing and margin strategies. The ability for a salesperson to interact at this level demonstrates a confidence and a competence that moves them beyond typical and into the status of trusted advisor.