Podcast — AoS #18: Apprentice Winner to Successful Businessman with Joe Valente
Joe explains the keys to success in sales and business from winning The Apprentice to starting his own company, ImpraGas.
This podcast is an excellent listen for anyone who:
- Believes that anything is possible with vision and persistence.
- Wants to learn what’s the latest updates from The Apprentice star.
- Wants to learn Joe’s 3-step success philosophy.
- Desires to build strong, mission-driven teams.
- Wants to learn how to deal with negativity.
In this episode of The Art of Sales Podcast, we chat with Joseph Valente, winner of BBC’s The Apprentice and Founder of ImpraGas, about what it’s like to go from being expelled from the classroom to sitting in the billionaire boardroom.
(1:25) Joe discusses what it was like to win BBC’s The Apprentice and work with billionaire Lord Sugar
- What it was like to win the apprentice.
- Behind the scenes after winning… what it’s like in the business aspects of working with Lord Sugar.
- What led to the split between Joe and Lord Sugar and what this means for the future.
(11:00) Joe’s 3 step success philosophy
- Create, maintain, and continue to grow.
- If you’re not doing the hard work to protect what you’ve built, it will fall apart. Always strive to achieve more.
- The mentality that has led Joe to success.
(14:10) How Joe got into sales
- Even when Joe was young, he was selling candies and sweets and such.
- How Joe learned to build a sales environment, create strong teams and set metrics that matter.
(22:25) Communication and vision are the keys to building strong culture
- All salespeople want to feel inspired and want to feel like they have ownership over their careers.
- How leaders can set the tone, clearly communicate the goals and lead from the front towards success.
- Understanding what metrics to focus on and measure.
(27:55) Handling bad reviews and complaints
- What should a business do when it receives bad reviews?
- The importance of quick, timely follow-up.
- Why “giving in” or giving discounts is not a good idea.
- How to overcome negativity.
(35:20) Sales bells, whiteboards and competitions?
- Methods of incetivizing, engaging and motivating salespeople.
- How to use competitiveness in a fun way.
- What really works?
- If you’re not measuring and motivating along the way, you hit the end of the month and it’s too late to ensure everyone hits targets.
- People want to know “what’s in it for me if I exceed targets?”
(41:10) Lightning round
- What’s the most fun Joe has ever had in a sales office and why?
- What makes great sales teams great?
- What motivates Joe in life?
- What does Joe love about sales?
- What is Joe’s biggest takeaway from this podcast?
Background
Joseph Valente was the winner of BBC’s The Apprentice in 2015 and subsequently founded ImpraGas. He is the authour of Expelled From The Classroom To Billionaire Boardroom.
Joe’s vision for ImpraGas is simple: to become the UK’s leading boiler specialists by delivering an outstanding service that focuses on quality, reliability, honesty, value for money, and high quality workmanship.
In 2017, the company tripled total sales to just over £2million.
The company culture is strong and the team is focused on achieving big things and most importantly providing a 5 star customer service experience.
Joe’s goal is for ImpraGas to offer nationwide coverage within the next five years, including London.
Connect with Joe:
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