You Don’t Like Being Labeled a Salesperson? Change Your Mindset!
By Michael J Griffin
6-minute read
If I could jettison all my responsibilities and just “sell” I would be very happy as I enjoy being a salesperson and have no reservations as being labeled as one! In my decades in Asia, I have found the word “salesperson, salesman, saleswoman” can carry a low image. Some companies are even calling salespeople as “marketing executives” or other fancy misnomers to make up for this perceived low image job.
I have got news for you - Sales is an honorable profession. Sales can be a very lucrative profession with many salespeople making a higher income than their sales managers. Look and behold – B2B customers are paid and responsible to meet salespeople!
I have always viewed my sales profession from a positive perspective. Let’s look at the eleven honorable “labels” you wear in the profession of sales.
Salespeople are Businesspeople. We are entrepreneurs and risk takers who are in the business of providing solutions to customer problems and make money doing it.
Salespeople are Navigators. Remember the customer is always the pilot and we are the navigator. We proactively guide customers to Win3 mutually beneficial decisions: a win for the customer, a win for you, and a win for your company.
Salespeople are Change Agents. Our job is influencing customers to change for mutual success. Getting people to change is not easy, but we as successful salespeople are good at it because we believe our products and services change the customer and the world for the better!
Salespeople are Champions. Our job is tough. We can take pressure. We achieve tangible targets and goals. We directly generate revenue and company as well as client growth. We are champions……..go and play the Queen song right now to remind yourself you champion success! We are the Champions….!
Salespeople are Problem Solvers. We are paid to be inquisitive, intuitive, and interested in solving customers’ problems with our creativity and experience employing products and services for customer success.
Salespeople are Great Communicators. Successful salespeople communicate very well. They can attentively listen, ask insightful questions, and are fluent in the complex skill of persuasion. The skills we learn in selling are so useful in life circumstances.
Salespeople are Collaborators. Customers want to deal with salespeople who collaborate, not push the sale. Collaborators are able to build trust and rapport with customers that results in open discussion and decisions that lead to solid solutions the customer believes in.
Salespeople are Evangelists. Big idea: If you truly believe in your product or service and can demonstrate how it supports/helps solve customer problems you become your product/service’s biggest fan. Work for a company that has a product/service you believe in!
Salespeople are Multipliers. Salespeople who navigate customers to win3 solutions create ripple effects of success that multiply not only inside the customer organization but in their own company. The ripple effect of our sales success multiplies revenue, profit, productivity, loyalty and future opportunities for both you and your customer.
Salespeople are Team Players. The days of the “lone ranger” salesperson are long gone. Successful salespeople must be self-starters but even more important, they must be team-workers who can motivate and persuade teams of people consisting of different personalities and needs to cooperate to close the deal. Remember these teams are in your own organization as well as the buying and user committees of your customers. “Teamwork Makes the Deal Work” is the mantra of successful salespeople.
Salespeople are Advisors. Gold standard salespeople are “trusted advisors” for the decision makers in their customer organizations. Salespeople who achieve this pinnacle of selling are trusted for their integrity and expertise by the CXO suite. They are not afraid but tactful in giving customers advice to support customer success. Being proactive in giving advice leads again to win3 decisions. Customers know and believe that can depend on salespeople who give good solid advice.
Wow! What an honor it is to be a salesperson. We change the world with our skill, relationships and solutions. Reframe your self-image as a salesperson and live a career that is fun, interesting and provides consistent opportunities for learning and success.
Make 2023 your best sales year yet!
Michael J Griffin
CEO and Founder of ELAvate
A Proud Global Salesperson