How A Sales Pitch Turned Into An Unlikely Act of Kindness

As he walks over towards the driver's seat, 

Pointing toward the left front door,

"Get in!!!" 

Mike was another common middle-aged, official clad and medium-built gentleman at a shoe-shiner's shed in a busy upmarket business district. Precisely some minutes to mid-day, and judging from his hurried look he must have been rushing to a meeting. A kind soul and modest both in his composure and approach, it didn't take long for him to spot me as I closed in on him and responding when I greeted him. He picks up my business card as I hurriedly explain the product I was intending to sell to him before he disappears (It happens to salespeople all the time). I thought he must have had a vehicle in waiting- maybe a cab or his car. Crazy how we interpret or judge people based on their looks, dressing or such. But I was right on this particular occasion. Whether fate or luck I was to be thrilled by what would happen a few minutes later. Parked adjacent to a mega-store was his dark SUV whose alarm goes off after he gets some ten feet to the vehicle. 

He just said his name while reaching out for his wallet to hand over his business card. A glance at his business card, I realized he was not the most likely prospect to buy the product. Mike didn't have to be kind or interested since he already worked in an industry that relates to the finance industry. He was a sales manager with an insurance multinational company at one of its offices in the country.

Opportunity lost or not, not being turned down meant I was making my moves right. The frequent sales training sessions seemed to have aligned with gods on this very day. How wrong could this turn out??

Worn out and sweat rolling over my cheeks on an intensely hot day, he didn't hogwash me into believing he was going to buy my products.

He told me to get in the car outright, pointing me to the left front seat. 

Upon getting to the seat, I had so many things running on my mind. Mind you, I had never got into a prospects' car unless when the client had requested to fill the application documents at a parking lot.

Then came the words that left me awestruck.

"I have been contacted by the recruiting manager of (a leading FMCG company) and they need a salesperson who can manage their expanding operations"

Without seeking my approval of whether I was interested, he was already revving up heading to the highway (same direction to the location of the aforementioned company headquarters). Up until we hit the highway, he was the one doing the talking. Emotions ran high and for a moment I was lost in my thoughts. Thoughts about what his sight of me- a young, hungry and optimistic human reminded him. Thoughts on why he did not use the most used phrases a majority of prospects use after handing them your business card -"I will give you a call. Thanks".

I remember that look on Mike's face, a yearning, and motive to help. An honest gentleman trying to reach deep within himself as we rode through. Talking about how he started his career as an insurance salesperson, his relentless desire to make his life better, his eventual breakthrough and as they say the rest is history. He didn't struggle at any given moment to recount those memories or showing emotions since he was genuine. Squeezing the steering wheel firmer with his face awash with a GENUINE kindness is what i saw of a man i had met a moment ago. Whatever he saw in me must have been a vivid reminder of his past. It must have been too intense to hold altogether when he knew he would try. He made a point to show real concern. Unsolicited help and support at the most unlikely moment.

If you ask me,

Do stories work? Yes. Do words we speak to other people matter? Yes.

Most importantly, we all are beginners at one time in our lives.

Be kind. Be genuine. Beware of your choice of words.

And that is why I remember Mike. 

He did not buy my products. But he showed what being genuine, kind and human means.

Wondering what happened after our meeting? Whether I got the job or not? The story continues in the next article.

#jamesstories #wewerebeginners #atonetime #bekind #besupportive