From the National Football League to Finance with Marques Ogden

Sales is the lifeblood of any business. Whether it's a small startup or a multi-national corporation, the ability to generate revenue is critical to long-term success. But selling is about much more than just transactions and making a sale. It involves a slow developing process of building relationships, creating value for clients, and helping them achieve their financial goals over the long term.  In this episode, Steve talks with Marques Ogden, a former NFL football player, and a three-time best-selling author. Marques attended Howard University and was drafted into the NFL in 2003. He retired after five years to pursue a career in construction and contracting and founded Kayden Premier Enterprises. In 2010, Marques won The African American Subcontractor of the Year Award in Maryland but soon went bankrupt, losing almost two million dollars in 90 days. With hard work and determination, Marques became an inspirational keynote speaker, executive coach, podcast host, and marketing leader. Using his personal story to help business leaders focus on the things that matter, Marques talks about his definition of sales and how to make a sale without making it appear to be one, the four things every leader should know to succeed in any industry, and why authenticity, humility, and vulnerability are important qualities for advisors.   Key Takeaways [02:15] - What life was like for Marques after leaving the NFL. [04:58] - The difference between a visionary buyer and an operational buyer. [08:14] - Marques' definition of sales. [12:11] - How to make a sale without making it appear to be one. [18:36] - The importance of controlling the ego in a relationship. [21:30] - How people can self-assess whether or not they are egocentric. [26:00] - The lessons Marques learned from losing an eight-figure business. [27:39] - The four things every leader should know in order to succeed in any industry. [30:18] - What “sense-making” means in financial advice. [36:18] - Why authenticity, humility, and vulnerability are important qualities for advisors. [40:57] - The driving force behind Marques' work.   Quotes [10:56] - "For financial advisors, master the skillset of sense-making, which means taking difficult, arduous, complex information, making it an easily understood process and applicable to whom you are speaking." ~ Marques Ogden [14:17] - "The art of sales is a slow developing process with a result in mind of you helping each other grow." ~ Marques Ogden [30:00] - "If you want to master being a great financial advisor, be relatable, be innovative, help people through sense-making, and be a master visionary." ~ Marques Ogden   Links  Marques Ogden on LinkedIn Marques Ogden on Twitter Marques Ogden on Instagram Howard University Ray Lewis Ed Reed Fred Taylor Get Authentic with Marques Ogden   Connect with our hosts Steve on LinkedIn Buckingham Strategic Partners   Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Steve on LinkedIn Follow Buckingham Strategic Partners on Twitter   Disclosure For informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as specific investment, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Certain information is based upon third party data which may become outdated or otherwise superseded without notice. Third party information is deemed to be reliable, but its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Some analysis presented is based off current economic information and may become outdated or irrelevant without notice. Individuals should speak with their qualified financial professional based on his or her unique circumstances. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nor any other federal or state agency have approved, determined the accuracy, or confirmed the adequacy of this podcast. © 2022 Buckingham Wealth Partners, LLC. Buckingham Strategic Wealth, LLC and Buckingham Strategic Partners, LLC (collectively, Buckingham Wealth Partners)