They ain't a'gettin' nowhere
And they're losin' their share
Boy, they must've gone crazy out there
Son, they all must be crazy out there
Jerry Jeff Walker - Night Rider's Lament
The last chorus of Jerry Jeff Walker’s 1975 song Night Rider’s Lament may be the perfect summation of both the world and the selling ecosystem we operate in today. I’ve seen enough on the news and in the selling world to know we are making a pretty strong case for the compelling argument that “They must’ve gone crazy out there.”
Is it possible that the songwriter, Michael Burton, had a crystal ball that held the stark reality of the future of the world, and the world of sales, some 40 years later? Probably not, but the song does make a good case for taking the time to reflect on what is taking place and how to keep us calibrated on what is most important and ultimately most fulfilling in life and selling.
You wouldn’t know it, but I’m a part of the less-than-one-percent-club that combines being a music junkie, a believer in cowboy heritage, and a strong proponent for creating unique value for clients. How’s that for a smooth combination? Personal experience has proven that the three intersect more frequently than you might think.