Selling skills most important asset

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© experts@experts-visions.com http://www.experts-visions.com
The company to-go for providing added value to your business
WWhhaatt EEvveerryy MMaannaaggeerr SShhoouulldd
LLeeaarrnn FFrroomm SSaalleess
‘The beauty of selling is that you learn under fire, which
naturally accelerates the learning process. There truly is no
better way to learn how business really works’
Business is all about customers and selling. That’s why every manager and
executive should be a salesperson once in his career. The skills and lessons are
indispensible and difficult to learn any other way.
If you manage engineers, marketing, operations, or customer service; you’re still a
salesperson. You sell every day. You don’t just sell products and services; you sell
your projects, budget, ideas, and capabilities. And your customers aren’t just the
paying kind; they include everybody you interface with.
I spent years in operations within international companies, even took a step back
from a management career to learn the skills. It was the best career move I ever
made. I learned some critical lessons along the way; here are five:
1. Shut up and listen. Nothing you’ve ever read or learned is nearly as important
as what the person across from you is about to say … if you just shut up and
listen. When you talk first, you lock yourself into a position or path. But if you
listen, you gain far more information.
2. Problems create opportunities. Remembering famous Coke Quote ‘Our people
don’t see Coca-Cola, they see where Coca-Cola is not’… Your biggest and
best opportunities to make a difference will always be when things go wrong.
How you respond in time of crisis, when somebody needs you, is a window into
your true capability. And that spells opportunity if you rise to the occasion.
3. It’s all about relationships. There are no companies or businesses, just people.
Business is all about individuals and their interrelationships. When things go
wrong, that’s the glue that holds everything together. There’s no such thing as a
self-sustaining business.
4. Your customer always does come first. Whatever you have going on, whatever
you expect to accomplish on any given day, when somebody, anybody comes to
you with a problem, help them first. Remember: you have way more customers
than you think.

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© experts@experts-visions.com http://www.experts-visions.com
The company to-go for providing added value to your business
5. Understand motives. When you think about what you’re going to say or do, you
miss an opportunity to make a difference. If, on the other hand, you ask, “how
can I help you,” or ask yourself “what’s in it for her,” you’ll be in a far better
position to help … and recognize opportunities.