Hey BTB, just wanted to say thanks for the "trip down memory lane" into my own past. Spent a dozen or so years of my own in Industrial Products Sales and training in the 80's and 90's, and then another 10 or so in heavy construction project management and subcontracting. Bottled water? No wonder your style shows the tell-tale signs of a life of long days and weeks of never giving up. Hat tip to you.
I remember when my new sales reps would comment on how I (or someone else) was so "lucky" to get such and such sale or client. LOL, to me that was an invite to pick them up at 4 or 4:30 AM and show them how to create luck for about 12 or 14 hours.
Newbs (and some of us old farts too) should save this thread and come back to it from time to time as a reminder:
1) This stuff we do isn't that hard. Mind numbing and confusing at times yes, but not hard. What people like BTB, some others on this board, and myself have done in the past, well, that stuff was hard. Been said before by many here and will be said again by many, but so true.
2) Your raise will become effective when you become effective. And that is a really cool thing to have that opportunity in this f 'ed up business climate we are living in.
3) No matter if it is CL, CPA, dog training videos, or even selling rocket science stuff, or whatever, be the best you can and overdeliver, then reap and guard the rewards as they come. They will come. Adjust and regroup, but never ever give up. Just give it more.
Anyway, just my two cents of validation and thanks. As my business grows to need your services, there will be almost no question except how much and how do I need to pay. But I guess I kind of knew that all along.