Everyone is a Salesperson: Unearthing Your Hidden Sales Experience.

When most of us think about salespeople, we often imagine the quintessential, suit-clad professionals, pitching products with an artful ease. But, have you ever stopped to ponder, "Hey, I've sold things before... without even realizing it!"?

You see, whether you're a molecular biologist, a genetic counselor, a medical Laboratory scientist, a pharmaceutical researcher, or even a Medical Doctor, there's a good chance you've made a 'sales pitch' at some point in your life. Don't believe me? Let’s dive into some seemingly mundane activities that translate into bona fide sales experiences.

1. Recommending a Movie or Restaurant: Ever had to convince a friend to watch that New Nollywood Blockbuster movie or try out a new local joint? The passionate way you explained the intricate plot twists, or boasted about the mouth-watering dishes? That's sales. You identified your audience's needs (a fun evening out) and pitched a solution (a fantastic movie or dining experience).

2. Job Interviews: Think about it. An interview is all about selling yourself. You present your skills, your experiences, and your value proposition. You might highlight how you once solved a challenging lab issue or contributed to a breakthrough research paper. By the end of the interview, you're hoping the interviewer 'buys' into you by offering you the job.

3. Group Projects & Collaborations: Remember that time you had a vision for a research project or an experimental procedure, and you had to get your colleagues on board? You were selling an idea. By presenting the benefits and addressing any apprehensions, you essentially closed the deal when everyone nodded in agreement.

4. Teaching or Tutoring: Life Science professionals often have to explain complex concepts, whether it’s to students, patients, or even peers. If you’ve ever had to simplify and present information in a digestible way to gain understanding or acceptance, you were selling. The 'product'? Knowledge. The 'customer'? Your audience.

Now, you might chuckle and say, "Well, that doesn't count. That's not real sales." But the core of sales is about influencing decisions, solving problems, and making genuine connections. And in many ways, that's what you've been doing all along.

For our life science professionals apprehensive about diving into the sales aspect of their roles, remember this: The foundational skills are already within you. It's about harnessing those everyday experiences, molding them to fit the sales narrative, and having faith in your innate ability to connect, communicate, and convince.

The next time you feel like you can't do sales, recall those moments from your daily life when you've 'sold' without even realizing it. Let those memories bolster your confidence.

And always be sure of one thing: We all have sales experience. You just need to articulate and accept it.

Happy selling!