When Sales Works and Helps Someone

In my new role, I’ve called a number of businesses in an effort to see if they’d find our product helpful. Although the person on the other end of the line can be a bit apprehensive at first, when my coworker has visited he’s come back with great notes, about how the client is excited to use our services.

This all got me thinking about what I used to think of sales and a post I wrote a while back on how good salesmen (and women) are not the enemy. I believe a good salesman is not one that pushes beyond what they should. I’m talking about salesmen that have a valuable product and genuinely want to see clients thrive through purchasing or using their product. After all most business are created to solve a problem.

There’s always going to be exceptions, from a pushy salesman who makes you feel obligated to buy from him, or the clerk, who convinces you that you need all the bells and whistles associated with the product even if you really don’t.

But there are good ones, the ones who ask about the struggles you have with your current solution to a problem, or perhaps those who want to inform you that there’s a better way to do something and they’ve got a more cost-effective solution anyway.

A good salesman is one that doesn’t always succeed at bringing in a sale. That’s because it means there getting good information for the customers and in that case realizing that the fit isn’t there and that they don’t want to waste anyone’s time. The thing is they don’t have to regret the contact point, because then both parties will be better informed for the future and cross each other off their lists. Subsequently, they’ll each be one “no” closer to a better solution or a “yes” so to speak.

That said, good salesmen do make a lot of deals, as one learns to prospect and qualify leads you learn who to contact, what to say, and how you can help on a case by case basis.

So here’s to the good salesmen, and the great products you share with your prospects!