A friend of mine has a successful sales business. He's been in the business for more years than I can count. He has a commitment to moral and ethical standards in his dealings and I have never known him to compromise what he believes in. He enjoys talking personally to his customers, both new and established.

He shared a story with me the other day that was quite amusing. Apparently he hired on a new sales representative. The individual came to my friend's company with a high level education in marketing and sales and an equal level of experience. The new hire expressed a true dedication to the company and believed in the very same characteristics promoted within the company. Excited to have a fresh and energetic sales rep, my friend sent him out to do some cold calls on some promising customers.

My friend said he waited all day to hear back from his protege. At the end of the day, the rep walked in looking quite accomplished. Looking at the rep's demeanor and broad smile, my friend knew certainly there would be some new sales from his new hire.

My friend greets the rep with a firm hand shake and asked eagerly "what do you have for me?".

The sales rep, giddy, answers, "it was a great and successful day".

My friend asks for a report. The rep looks at his new employer in the eye and gloats, "I introduced myself to one contact, left a message with two, and another said he would call me sometime next week!"

"That's it?" my friend not masking his disappointment blurted. "Did anyone place an order, did you give out any quotes, did you sell anything?"

"well, no" answered the new rep.

"I don't understand how you can call that a 'great and successful day'" demanded my friend.

The new rep seemed confused. "I ... ummm.... thought it was, I guess it wasn't?"

My friend asked the trembling employee his technique for winning new customers.

The employee whimpered, "first I just go introduce myself, then the next few visits I might send a card or call the contact, and then when we've had several lunches I"ll introduce the product ..."

"What!" says my friend loudly, not trying to yell, "you didn't even introduce the product when you went out today?"

The man seemed completely beat down by the sup rising turn of events in his boss's office.

My friend then looks down at the rep's lapel. The spot where his name tag had rested and introduced the company's affiliation was missing.

Where is your name tag, son? My friend inquires. Hesitant, the new rep reports he took it off. He doesn't like to scare people off with it. My friend cringes.

"How can you sell our product, if people don't even know who you are?"

Without another word, my friend, waved the new employee out of his office.

Sound familiar? Are we ever like the new sales rep with our faith? Hesitant to even introduce ourselves as Christians until we are comfortable? Never introducing the "product" until we KNOW for certain we won't be rejected?

How disappointed our 'boss' must be with our success in sales.