Sharpen Your Selling Skills

Selling is not a pushy, winner-take-all,

masculine act.

It is an empathy-led, process-driven and

knowledge-intensive discipline.

Because, in the end,

People buy from people.

Source: Sell, The Art, the Science, the Witchcraft- By Subroto Bagchi

I once asked a colleague on the customer service team who had all the qualities to be a great salesperson why he was hesitant to take on a sales role. His response was honest. He felt uncomfortable because he saw selling as an intrusion, something that indicated vested, even hidden, interests. 

My colleague’s response didn’t surprise me. I’ve come across many professionals who don’t view sales and salesmanship as essential to their careers and, as a result, don’t give this vital skill the attention it deserves.

Consider this: Today, if you are a professional in a position that requires you to persuade others to buy into your idea, product, or vision, you need to know how to sell.

Imagine being in a job interview or asking for a raise – you are essentially selling your qualifications for the role.

You present your research findings and make a case for additional funding—you are selling the value of the findings in exchange for financing.

Whenever anyone (including my kids) asks me for advice on gaining experience, I always tell them to take up a sales role. In today’s professional landscape, selling is no longer just a separate profession. It is a fundamental aspect of success in every field and a crucial skill for people at all levels within an organization.