For years, sales people – in particular men – have been caricatured in TV shows. Think Arthur Daley in Minder and Swiss Toni in The Fast Show.
It’s always been a bit of fun, looking back at the unscrupulous tactics of sales professional of yesteryears.
Today we’ve moved far beyond such shenanigans and yet, some of the traits of these showroom showboaters and forecourt fantasists still exist.
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So what skills should you nurture and what characteristics should you lose to stop yourself from becoming a sales stereotype?
The Motor Mouth
As the name suggests this salesperson just won’t stop talking. If it’s not about the wonderful product they’re trying to sell, it’s all about them, their last holiday, their new cat . . .
Yes, it’s cool to discuss the merits of a new car, computer or cooker, but the clue is in the word discuss: this involves listening, as well as talking, to find out what a customer actually needs and wants.
It’s a cliché, but it’s true: “You have two ears and one mouth so you can spend more time listening.”
The Pressure Cooker
Always about to blow off steam, racing around everywhere and, essentially, feeling and passing on immense stress, the pressure cooker is never switched off.
While feeling the edge can be productive in chasing sales, going over it is not.
Rather than bombarding cold prospects and worrying about call-backs, be patient.
A little research into prospective clients goes a long way, while harnessing modern technology – podcasts, video links and social media – means you don’t have to chase your tail around town.
The Invisibility Cloak
Now you see them, now you don’t. There’s nothing more frustrating for a customer than having to chase a salesperson who promises the world one second then disappears off their radar the next.
There’s a thin line between being attentive and being pushy, but, taking care of business means having the passion and patience to work with customers – being visible, even if this is over the course of weeks or months.
The Cash-Out Kid
Going for the quick buck might seem a smart way to accumulate sales and hit targets, but being motivated purely by cash returns and promising anything for a commission can easily backfire.
On the other hand, considerate and caring sales professionals take pride in sourcing ways to create added value for their customers – while at the same time creating longer-term and sustainable income for their company.
Ditch the dated stereotypes and find a genuine role among modern Sales professionals with a new vacancy from s1jobs.