--- title: How to Not Be the Before Picture | The Sales Blog description: Imagine that you could take a picture of your competitor’s present performance for one of their clients (one of your dream clients). We’ll call this the “before” picture. Then imagine you could take a picture of your performance at one of your best clients that you could use as the “after” picture to show your […] image: https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2014-02-20-at-9_56_15-PM.png --- ### [Now booking SKO meetings for 2026/27! 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We’ll call this the “before” picture. Then imagine you could take a picture of your performance at one of your best clients that you could use as the “after” picture to show your competitor’s client the results you could produce for them. If you like this idea it’s because you recognize that the gap that picture creates might be enough to compel them to entertain changing. It builds dissatisfaction. But what if we reverse this scenario? What if your competitor could take a picture of your mediocre performance at one of your key accounts as the “before” picture and use their best performance for one of their clients as the “after” picture. Your performance right now, as good as it may be, is the “before” picture. Your competitors are working their tails off trying to create a compelling “after” picture. Either you take the initiative to create the “after” picture and help your client create that outcome or someone else will. [Complacency](http://thesalesblog.com/blog/2012/01/08/fear-complacency-your-clients-do/) is the disease. [Initiative](http://thesalesblog.com/blog/2014/02/07/how-to-create-value-by-being-proactive/) is the cure. ###### Tags: [Sales](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/sales) [2014](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/2014) Post by [Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/author/anthony-iannarino) on February 20, 2014 Written and edited by human brains and human hands. ![Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/ai-blog-profile-crop.jpg) Anthony Iannarino is an American writer. He has published daily at [thesalesblog.com](https://www.thesalesblog.com) for more than 14 years, amassing over 5,300 articles and making this platform a destination for salespeople and sales leaders. Anthony is also the author of four best-selling books documenting modern sales methodologies and a fifth book for sales leaders seeking revenue growth. His latest book for an even wider audience is titled, The Negativity Fast: Proven Techniques to Increase Positivity, Reduce Fear, and Boost Success. Anthony speaks to sales organizations worldwide, delivering cutting-edge sales strategies and tactics that work in this ever-evolving B2B landscape. He also provides workshops and seminars. Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn, X or Youtube. You can email Anthony at [iannarino@gmail.com](mailto:iannarino@gmail.com) [Follow me on my website](https://www.thesalesblog.com/anthony-iannarino) [Follow me on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/thesalesblog) [Follow me on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannarino/) [Follow me on Twitter ](http://www.twitter.com/iannarino) [![AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27.jpg?width=400&height=400&name=AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27.jpg)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/authority) [![ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1.jpg?width=318&height=179&name=ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1.jpg)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/free-cold-calling-video) ![salescall-planner-ebook-v3-1-cover (1)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/salescall-planner-ebook-v3-1-cover%20(1).jpg?width=768&height=994&name=salescall-planner-ebook-v3-1-cover%20(1).jpg) ### Free Sales eBook: Sales Call Planner Planning your sales call improves the likelihood of making a successful call, and it demonstrates to your dream client your professionalism. 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What we’re doing right now **is working**, even in this challenging economy. **Would you like some help?** [![Solve for Sales](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/d3a4938b-2008-4a27-8b44-7b2223f6d035.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/d3a4938b-2008-4a27-8b44-7b2223f6d035) ### Join my Weekly Newsletter for Sales Tips Join 100,000+ sales professionals in my weekly newsletter and get my *Guide to Becoming a Sales Hustler* eBook for FREE! --- ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org/", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Anthony Iannarino" }, "dateModified" : "2021-09-17T1:38:31 PM", "datePublished" : "2014-02-20 22:08:37", "description" : "Imagine that you could take a picture of your competitor’s present performance for one of their clients (one of your dream clients). We’ll call this the “before” picture. 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