Marvin Montgomery – Big Benefits of being a Proactive Employee

I had the chance recently to get to know Marvin Montgomery, a local author, sales trainer and motivational speaker. I asked him some questions about how people can be more proactive where they work, trying to learn how people can get a leg up on other employees by being more positive and more valuable.

You have been helping businesses for a lot of years, tell me about your background.

Marv: I grew up in New Castle, PA and I delivered newspapers, member of Cub Scouts & Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement and President of our 12^th Grade Class. I also worked on Saturdays and during the Summer on my Grandfathers Rubbish business. While going to school and college at Robert Morris in Pittsburg my first real sales exposure was at Jack Gerson’s Jewelry Store in New Castle. That’s where I learned the proper way to sell. After getting drafted and spending two years in the Army our family moved to Cleveland. I interviewed for an entry level position at JB Robinson Jewelers and was hired on the spot because of my previous experience in the industry. Because of the culture of training and developing their people I was able to quickly move up through the ranks of the company. Sales, Assist manger, Manager, Training Specialist and final position was training Director for our 95 locations around the country. When the company was purchased by Kay Jewelers in 1987 Larry Robinson started a consulting firm and I was asked to join him as VP. That’s where my training & consulting began outside of the Jewelry industry. In 1990 Larry went back into the Jewelry business and I started my own company in 1990. My focus has always been to change the negative perception that everyone has of sales people by training them to become Trusted Advisors. People buy from people who they know, like and trust. Celebrating 27 years on my own this year but well over 30 plus years of sales experience.

Why should employees care about the success of the place they work?

Marv: I believe that caring starts with truly enjoying what you do. If you enjoy it will show and the company will be successful. Secondly they need to feel that they are providing value to the end user of the product or service they are providing. It’s really a circle. If they are successful the company is and if the company is then they are.

What are some common mistakes employees make that might hurt where they work?

Marv: Here are the most common I see.