More and more emails are being read on smartphones — or should I say deletedfrom smartphones. Here’s what I mean: Whether it be a Blackberry, an iPhone or a different smartphone model, many people use their smartphones to check email. If your smartphone is like mine, it means only about the first 10 words appear, unless I click on the entire message.

“I’m looking for the owner.” Excuse me, but that is no way to start off a telephone call where you expect the outcome to be an order. Let me tell you more about this phone call so that you can glean as many phone sales tips as possible.

It happened to me again this week. I checked voicemail only to find another message that left no doubt in my mind why I shouldn’t bother returning the phone call, regardless if I would even have a desire to buy what they’re selling.

Are you a salesperson who loathes cold calling? Do you rationalize why you don’t need to do it, all in an attempt to protect your sales motivation and avoid rejection? If so, you are not alone. Good news is that there are tools to help, including a book by Art Sobczak titled Smart Calling: Eliminate the Fear, Failure and Rejection From Cold Calling. This book is a must have. Here is my review:

The first workday of the new year is going to be January 3. That means before we know it, the first month of the new year will quickly be disappearing. I’m not trying to panic anyone, but my point is pretty simple — If we’re all going to achieve our 2011 sales goals and if we are going to keep our sales motivation moving along at a good clip, then it’s important for us to stay focused and determined.