Selling is much more than being in sales
Do you know what I really love about being in "sales"? (...and I wouldn't miss it for a thing!)
One of the great things about selling is how we are constantly confronted with "being good to people". Being good to people is that delicious mixture of service, patience, hard work and perseverance. It's sending out energy - positive vibes. Once sent out, there's always something coming back. Almost every minute of the day you get pretty much instant feedback on how you're doing. Of course it hurts a lot when we fail. But when we succeed, my, it's such a kick!
I remember two particular clients while working with major deals in an international IT company. My peers would tell me how bad these people were and impossible to please - how they would never express a word of appreciation and all that. You get that every once in a while, especially when you persist where others give up. What a fantastic feeling I had when I was able to keep passing on positive energy and then finally see the fruits of it. These two clients have remained till this day among my best business contacts. It seems like whatever I do now, they always have that little extra for me... almost as if I triggered something deep inside them that will never quit.
This struggle "to win the heart and mind of people" - not business per se - is so wonderful. The magic that follows from this communicative struggle is a need for self reflection, self awareness and all the emotions that follow. It makes you feel alive. It's life! This is what I wanted to highlight: I see in "The 3 Energies" a generic application to all aspects of life - self development and lifestyle, a successful marriage, quality of family life, relationships with friends, being a useful member of society etc.
Here's how I picture it in my mind:
It's as if in our deepest self there is a lot of dirt and filth. Our character needs to be "molded", our personality sharpened and our values and perspectives deepened. It's a process; not everything can be improved at once. If all at once, we'd break down. Every so often someone comes along and stirs up a little dirt. If we deal with it, we become a tiny bit more "pure", even though we're hurt in the process. Afterwards we feel better, until someone else comes along and stirs up some more of that muck. Surprised again we confront our weaknesses and patch up once more. And so it goes on... That's life, isn't it? The good thing about it is a steep learning curve. In daily battles like this we grow to mature. I believe sales people are privileged. They can, with a little extra effort, acquire hands-on practice in some of life's most important and challenging areas.
Comments
A sale is a long-term commitment
Terje Kaste
Wednesday 02 January 2008 9:43:35 am
Log in or create a user account to comment.