2 Keys to Successful Sales
There are times in which we feel will pressure to put on our “professional face.” Sometimes it’s caused by pressure to keep up our own social image, but it’s more likely to be caused by an unspoken pressure from society to conform to its expectations. Either way, we need to learn how to connect with others in a way that blends being both professional and personal.
There’s a form of professionalism that entails certain politics, calculated statements, and luxury goods – it’s an artificial process. Feigning cordiality for the sake of personal gain is painful to watch. Business is easier when a charade is no longer needed. People love courtesy, but they want to connect with someone who seems real, has a sense of humor, and talks about familiar topics.
When a professional life is consistent with one’s personal life, we then find contentment. Playing a game of charades brings an insecurity that lingers in the background – a subtle fear of being found out. If being appreciative, sincere, and respectful is a regular practice - then we’re on the right track. Watch how someone treats those who can’t be of benefit to him or her and you can learn a lot about their character.
Additionally, putting on a “business face” in order to make a deal work is an act that causes our own self-respect to eventually flake. The difference between acting like a gentleman and actually being a gentleman is a world of difference. Becoming who we want to be saves us the trouble of guessing who we want others to think we are. Even the best “professional performance” could be negatively received. An ego dependent upon the public opinion is like a bottle tossed about in the ocean.
Secondly, being genuinely attentive to the needs and wellbeing of others will sell much better than any technical details we may know about any product or service. I don’t know everything there is to know about photography, but I simply serve and cater to the needs of my client, and the satisfaction rate has been a consistent 100%.
I recently went to a nice fitness center within my city. The salesman there was talking quickly through all the details and benefits of the gym and how great it was. My wife and I didn’t have much opportunity to ask any questions. Since I was primarily interested in joining the club, the salesman felt I had already been sold in getting a membership, so he suggested to my wife that she join as well. She told him honestly, “I’m pregnant,” and he just said, “oh yeah?” in a dismissive manner.
He didn’t care about us, he didn’t care about her pregnancy – he only cared about how much money he could make from us, and we could feel it. There’s nothing wrong with sales – it’s a job and people need to make money. Some customers enjoy being sold to, as well. However, the art of within actually caring about the client, and giving them what they need rather than what you want them to have. When a customer has what they need, then they feel happy. That’s what keeps people coming back to a business that respects their customers. It may not always financially pay well in the short-term, but it pays in the long run.
Doing sales isn’t complicated, but the love of money distorts the business. There’s nothing wrong with profit, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of those who expect quality service.
For further related reading, please check out: Work Shouldn’t Feel Like Work.
