Art of sales - The way I see it !
I am connected with sales, when I say this I'm not exaggerating because I started my career as a sales executive . After my Graduation I worked for a Paiggio dealer at my home town. Later I did a Tele-Marketing Job. Now when I think about it, these two experiences have oriented me to take Marketing as my area of specialization. So its all connected..!
For me selling is actually
- solving a problem for the customer
- Being responsible for that Solution
As simple as they sound , the reality is its complex. Its not that easy to solve or rather to identify a problem from a customer. Because for identifying a problem you need to know the customer.
what that person wants, what that person expects from you , what that person would provide to accomplish it !
so what are you supposed to do to understand that problem.simple you just need to talk from your heart.Just don't be someone who is there to sell the product. Be a guide , Be someone who is there to help that person. And the minute when that customer understands it that's when you get a happy customer than a normal customer.
When I first started to sell products , I always felt to close the target numbers rather than to understand the person at the other end .Because I just wanted to survive out in the market.If you don't get your numbers, then you will into a hell lot of trouble. I still remember the humongous load of explanations and excuses that I had to give to my superiors for my bad performance. But that was in the initial days which I guess most would have gone through.
But the interesting part of sales is that ,the results are dynamic.
One day it might not work in favor for you but in the other you might even close a huge deal. That's what makes selling a intimidating Art !
Its not easy because its easy , but not easy to perfect !
Getting confused ? Selling is actually simple if you have great Interpersonal skills , good personality, a warm smile and yes a fair communication skill. Most important would be to have a heart to take a serious "NO" as an answer.
Always respect a "NO", because if you do so,in future that "NO" can turn into a "YES". if you don't forget to give your visiting card and warm smile in return.
Normally everyone just skips that last part. But don't ! Because it might not be your day today but who knows what's waiting for you in the next ? that's what a sales person always gotta do , Expect things to happen in your favor ! It wont kill you.
Now for the second part "Being responsible for the solution" - if you fail to do that you will definitely be in the customers bad book! Selling doesn't end when you seal that deal , it doesn't end when you give a product to a customer, it doesn't end when you get a happy customer , it doesn't end when you get a satisfied customer.!
It about getting a delighted customer and that level of blissfulness should be like ever for the customer. when ever that individual think about you , the product or brand he/she purchased the single most feeling should be "excitement".
If you leave a customer excited for a very longtime, that's when the customer is going to surprise you too.
Yes , its not always the sales person who is surprising the customer , it happens the other way around too.Simple , the customer will support you by giving"references". The best possible ticket for a comfortable selling for any sales person. Now that will help you in your career graph and moreover the credibility as an individual. What ever I mentioned is something which I have learned from my very small exposure. There's a lot out there in the market about selling and marketing which I am always excited to learn.
Hope you enjoy reading this , and forgive me if there is any contradiction from the selling principles. Because its just the way I see "Sales as an Art".