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Clifton (r) listens to one band so frequently
that it gets on her boyfriend's nerves |
Name: Chelsey Clifton
Position: Orlando City SC Dir of Premium Sales
Age: 29
Where I’m from: Orlando
Where I call home: Orlando
Focusing on right now: Selling suites at the club’s new stadium in advance of its opening.
Best advice: It’s all about building relationships. Taking the time to get to know people and what is important to them has really helped me in my career. It’s something that requires trust and loyalty and communication, getting to know people on a deeper level. Some people are always trying to make a quick sale, but if you’re trying to really persuade someone, you’ve got to get to know them better.
A must for a new hire: A positive attitude. Someone that’s negative in an organization is like a virus. Also, working in sports is a grind. It’s a lot of hours, so work ethic is a big piece.
Exec I most admire: Orlando City SC President & Founder PHIL RAWLINS. He by far is the most hard-working and dedicated person that I’ve been around. But he’s also a very approachable guy. He really creates a family atmosphere.
Best book I’ve read this year: "Sales Dogs" by BLAIR SINGER. It’s about how sales is the life blood of every business and how to be effective at it. It was given to me by my former boss when I left the Nationals, MIKE SHANE.
First thing in the morning: I usually watch “GOOD MORNING AMERICA” after my workout and walk my dog. I also check MSN for the top news, and then there’s The Skimm, which takes all the headlines that morning and sends you an e-mail.
Talking tech: I’m a Samsung girl. I got rid of Apple a long time ago. I’ve just never been a big fan. Also, I am not a Twitter person or an Instagram person. Being in sales, I’m big on LinkedIn. I’m also slightly obsessed with Pinterest.
Must have music: My number one is MUMFORD & SONS. I listen to their three CDs on repeat to the point where it annoys my boyfriend. He’s like, “Do you ever listen to anything else?”
Food for thought: I am the pickiest eater on the planet: I don’t eat seafood, and I eat very few vegetables. So it’s funny that I love to cook and I like to just change things and put the ingredients in that I like. It’s kind of a challenge. Also, I love to bake. I have a really wicked sweet tooth.
How I unwind: The beach is probably my favorite thing to do on the planet. I love playing with my dog. She’s a seven-month old puppy, and she’s got lots of energy. I love taking her to the dog park. Her name’s Tuukka, after Bruins goalie TUUKKA RASK.
Day in the life: Sitting face to face and getting in front of people is a big deal, because once they can see you and they put a name to the face, you’re more than just a person on the phone. Having face-to-face meetings is hugely important -- be it at their office, your office, over happy hour, coffee, lunch -- and I ask my reps to get out of the office and see people face to face. Another big piece is keeping up with the news. If I see that my company is in the news or something has happened with their business, just shooting them a note and saying, "Hey congratulations," or "I saw this was going on. I hope everything is going well." Just being able to engage with people at other times versus just when you’re asking them for money.
