Is it some sort of secret code where most places have a sales bell by the area where the salespeople are?  While our tech people are kind of removed from where the sales area is, we still hear the damn gong of a bell whenever a big sale is made.  Maybe it’s good morale for those whose life depends on every sale, but for those of use who need to concentrate, it’s simply annoying.  Heck, I’d think that were I a salesguy and I was on the phone giving my sales pitch, I’d be distracted by someone clanging a bell as though it were dinner time on the farm.  Sales guys out there – is the bell truly necessary?  I’m really curious if you see this as a morale-builder or something as useless as a Jump To Conclusions mat?

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While I’m talking about sales, something tweaked me a few weeks ago on my XM NHL channel (204).  They had Gene Simmons on and obviously he was there to plug something.  It turns out to be some trashy site that serves no purpose and has nothing to do with his band.

Now, I understand why he went on XM204; it’s the right demographic Gene is probably targeting.  For white men aged 25-50, if you want to market a tacky website with sexy women, having the lead singer of KISS is right in their wheelhouse in terms of getting attention.

I don’t blame the guy for being a smart businessman in a capitalistic society.  I don’t begrudge him the ability to have unlimited earning potential.  It’s just not really hand in hand with rock and roll.  When every interview you do has at least part of a slimy sales pitch in it, are you truly a musician or are you simply a modern day door-to-door vacuum salesman?  If you’re selling Kiss coffins (which they have), it’s one thing.  Yes, it’s also tacky but you’re extending your brand.  But when you become a slave to hawking anything and everything imaginable, you water down any kind of value your name has for certain products.