Q&A WITH MIKE DAWID

Q: Tell us a little about how you got started selling Cutco with Vector.

• I started in 2004 and was referred to the job by a friend.

Q: What were some of the early experiences you had selling Cutco and what were some lessons you learned?

• When I started with Cutco, our office had the All American Scholarship brochures hung all over the walls. As a kid I collected baseball cards, and I saw the All American Scholarship brochure as a way I could get my picture posted all around the company.
• At Year End Banquet, I saw everyone being recognized for annual accomplishments, and I set the goal to win the sword that year (Standard of Excellence in sales), and I went on to achieve my goal.
• I eventually became a District Manager for four years, and I consider that to have been my college education. I learned so much during those years.

Q: Why do you think you did so well your first full year in Cutco?

• I just always showed up and showed up with excitement, drive, and passion.

Q: What do you think is unique and great about you in our business?

• What comes to mind is full transparency. I live the brand at home, at church, and everywhere else.
• To be great, sometimes you have to do things that no one else wants to do.
• I’m intentional about making buying Cutco the best possible experience, and make it fun to buy Cutco and getting it from me.

Q: Let’s talk about some of the other lessons that you can share about promotion and marketing.

• Take the road less traveled.
• Cutco sells itself but it doesn’t buy itself.
• Be yourself because replicas don’t sell for much.
• I was on a plane a few years ago and the man sitting next to me was a CEO and I asked him what were his 3 tips he wished someone had given him when he was just getting started. Here’s what he said:
  • Treat your clients like family because without them, you’re nothing.
  • Service first, sales second.
  • Have fun and be yourself.
• Own the products you sell.
• When something goes wrong, fix it right away. Sometimes relationships are strengthened when you have a chance to fix something that didn’t go right and you exceed the customer’s expectations.  Wow them and they’re much more likely to want to do more business with you at a later date.
• Another thing I do is bring my customers along with me by sharing pictures and stories from the things I do when I’m not working. It’s creates a stronger bond because they get to know me better.
• Don’t be afraid to share your goals with your customers. People buy into you and what you are trying to accomplish.

Q: So now you’re married and you have 2 kids (3rd on the way) and you sell a lot of Cutco. I’m sure a lot of people are wondering, how do you balance work and family?

• I force myself to do goals every year. And not just my business goals.  I do family and faith goals as well and they provide me the motivation I need.
• Be intentional about saying “yes” to things that you want to do and will allow you to maximize your results.
• Fire yourself every night and rehire yourself every morning.
• I have my schedule in a paper calendar and I make sure I communicate my schedule with my wife so she knows what I’m doing.

Q: What are you most excited about in the next 5 years and beyond??

• I’m excited to have my first million dollar year in the next few years and eventually build up a nice book of business that I can let one of my kids take over if that’s something they want to do.