Success in sales is a complicated process. Hundreds of books, seminars and DVDs have been devoted to the subject, focusing on the little nuances that help maximize sales.

But one thing almost all of those training tools assume is that a salesperson actually has something to sell.

No product means a salesperson will struggle to be successful.

That’s the message that local economic developers are starting to mull over as the Natchez Inc., the community’s economic development engine, begins to get itself organized and ready to go out and sell the community.

That requires a good, marketable “product.” In economic development circles, product means land, but not just any land. Good economic development land must be ready to develop — quickly.

The world of business moves at an ever-quickening pace. That means businesses aiming to start or relocate must move quickly. Other communities around the nation and state are ready with sites waiting and the preliminary development work completed.

Natchez and Adams County is woefully lacking when it comes to this kind of preparation. The community has some developable land, but it’s not really ready to sell — at least not to the fast-paced types of businesses operating in today’s economic climate.

Natchez-Adams County is clearly behind other communities in our ability to have our sales force equipped with excellent product to sell.

That needs to change — fast.

Otherwise, we’ll continue to watch the years pass us by and wonder why it is other communities succeed while we wither away.