Why Sales Isn't For Everyone ??

???? Have you ever watched a movie or TV show featuring a charismatic salesperson, and thought to yourself, "I could do that!"?

?? In this article, I want to share with you my personal experience and why I believe sales is not for everyone, but for those who have the drive, passion, and willingness to learn, it can be an incredibly rewarding career.

Like many people, my first exposure to the world of sales was through popular culture. I was captivated by the exploits of David Jason as 'Delboy' in Only Fools and Horses and Tom Cruise as Jerry Maguire. The glamour and excitement of sealing deals and making connections were irresistible to me.

When I was younger, I was eager to get a head start in the world of sales. I started working part-time in retail sales during my school years, honing my customer service skills and learning about the art of persuasion. However, it wasn't until I began working with my uncle at his abrasive distribution company that I truly found my passion for sales.??

?? My uncle took me under his wing (my role was admin/warehouse) but he showed me the ropes of the industry, taking me on the road to meet with customers and prospects. I watched in awe as he prepared his pitches and worked tirelessly to help his clients. The thrill of the ups and the way in which he never took an 'L' as a reason to give up inspired me and motivated me to pursue a career in sales.

?? My first full-time sales role was a dream come true. I felt like I was living out my childhood fantasy of emulating Delboy from "Only Fools and Horses". I was part of an American franchise business that sold an array of items from a large bag that I carried around each week to a different territory, tasked with selling both B2B and B2C.

The first task of the day was packing up the inventory - the various items that I would be selling that day (everything from sunglasses, headphones, Disney umbrellas, to radios and more. All legitimately sourced I should add!) It was essential to ensure that I had enough products to sell, but not so many that they would weigh me down when carrying around. ????

?? After packing up, it was time for sales training. This was where I learned about the products I would be selling, how to approach potential customers, and how to close a sale. The training was essential in preparing me for the day ahead, and it helped me feel more confident in my abilities.

Next came the sales huddles. These were energetic meetings that took place before we were sent out on our way. Typically ‘Un British’ by design, jumping, shouting, and a lot of high 5’s designed to get us pumped up and motivated for the day ahead. The managers would give us a pep talk, go over the day's targets, and remind us of our objectives. ????

?? Finally, it was time to hit the road. I would be given a target to speak to 300 people that day, and we reminded that when in a territory explore every opportunity and not cherry-pick locations or businesses we thought had higher chances of success. (As it turned out I realised VERY quickly this was the key to success) The largest opportunities were always those that seemed less obvious to everyone else.

Fast forward to now 24 years on, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of sales roles, currently as a chief sales officer Simms International , managing a high-performing sales and marketing team. Each experience has taught me valuable lessons and helped me develop my skills as a sales professional. I’ll save those for another day because in this article I want to discuss why sales isn’t for everyone and why it is important to be deliberately conscious about what it might take to succeed.

?? The truth is, sales is a role that many people fall into or aspire to because of a variety of reasons such as.

1) Its alluring image

2) Easy of entry & accessibility

3) Lack of an alternative career plan

Sales is a career that people can easily fall into or aspire to, often due to the misconception that it's a role where one only needs to have good communication skills and a charming personality. However, those who are truly successful in sales know that it's a highly skilled profession that requires a lot more than just talking. ??

?? Another aspect that often draws people to sales is the ease of entry. Unlike other careers that require extensive education or training, sales roles typically have a lower barrier to entry, allowing individuals to get started quickly. However, this ease of entry can also be a double-edged sword. Without a solid foundation of sales knowledge and skills, it can be difficult to excel in the role or advance to higher-level positions. Additionally, the accessibility of sales roles means that the competition for jobs can be high, making it challenging to stand out in a crowded field.

For me, whilst these reasons might motivate you enough to find a role, you will quickly discover sales is not for you unless you have a genuine passion for sales, and it shows in your enthusiasm, energy, and dedication. For example, in my first sales role whilst my friends were sleeping or still out partying I woke up at 5AM every morning 6 days a week because I loved selling. ??

In this article, we'll explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of sales, the necessary characteristics and skills required for success, and why embracing failure is critical. Additionally, we'll discuss how sales can impact the balance between work and home life and how to navigate these challenges.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Sales

Let's start with the good. Sales can be an incredibly rewarding and lucrative career. When you close a deal, you get the satisfaction of helping a client solve a problem and make their life easier. In addition, many sales jobs offer a high level of autonomy and flexibility, allowing you to set your own schedule and work from virtually anywhere. The potential for high earnings is also a significant attraction, particularly in industries like technology or finance, where commissions can be substantial. Another good aspect of sales is that it's a people-focused industry, where building strong relationships with customers and suppliers is key, and you get to work with and meet incredible people from all walks of life.

The bad, it's not always a bed of roses. Sales can be a tough and stressful profession, particularly when you're working on commission-based compensation plans. Rejection and failure are also inherent parts of the job. You have to be prepared to handle rejection and not take it personally, as it's part of the process. If you're not emotionally resilient and adaptable, sales may not be the right career path for you.

Another challenge in sales is balancing your work and home life. Many sales roles require a significant amount of travel, attending events and meetings outside of normal work hours, and even working on weekends. This can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance, which can have negative impacts on your personal life, including relationships with partners and family members.

The Characteristics and Skills of a Successful Salesperson

To be successful in sales, there are several characteristics and skills that you need to possess. Firstly, you need to have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. You must be able to articulate the value proposition of your product or service clearly and persuasively. You also need to be an active listener, as the most successful salespeople understand that listening is the most critical part of their job. As Roy Bartell said, "Most people think 'selling' is the same as 'talking.' But the most effective salespeople know that listening is the most important part of their job."

Another critical trait is emotional intelligence. Salespeople must be able to read and understand their clients' emotions and respond appropriately. They must also be able to regulate their emotions and not take rejection personally. This ability to empathize and connect with others is what enables salespeople to build strong relationships with their clients.

Other essential skills for sales success include adaptability, resilience, and a growth mindset. You must be able to adapt to new situations, learn from your failures, and bounce back from setbacks. Successful salespeople need to be able to think strategically and adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs. Having a growth mindset means embracing failure as a stepping stone to success and being willing to learn from your mistakes.

Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone to Success

Embracing failure is an essential mindset for any successful salesperson. Failure is inevitable in sales, and it's how you handle failure that determines your success. Successful salespeople view failure as an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. They use it as a stepping stone to success and embrace it as part of the learning process. It takes resilience and a growth mindset to be able to learn from your failures, adapt, and move forward.

Balancing Home and Work Life

Balancing home and work life can be a significant challenge for salespeople, particularly those who travel frequently or attend meetings outside of normal work hours. It's essential to set boundaries and communicate effectively with your family and colleagues. Discussing expectations and scheduling in advance can help you manage your time and ensure that you're present when you need to be.

It's also important to prioritise self-care and make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Whether it's exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones, taking care of yourself will enable you to perform at your best in your professional life.

The Positive Social Aspects of Sales

Sales can also be a highly social and collaborative profession. Building relationships with clients and colleagues is an essential part of the job, and it can be incredibly rewarding. Successful salespeople often have strong networks of contacts and can leverage those relationships to create new opportunities.

However, these social aspects can also lead to challenges in perception from partners at home and non-sales colleagues when it comes to trips and socialising. Often they see the glamorous event and fun side, not the hours of traveling, organising, breaking through comfort zones, and 16-hour+ days. So it's important to communicate openly and honestly with your loved ones and colleagues about this side of sales. Especially with your partner, as often this will conflict with home calendars which can be difficult if you have a young family.

Sales is a Challenging and Rewarding Career

It requires a unique set of skills and characteristics. To be successful, you must be an excellent communicator, an active listener, emotionally intelligent, adaptable, resilient, and have a growth mindset. Embracing failure is also critical for growth and success in sales.

However, sales can also impact your work-life balance, and it's essential to set boundaries and prioritize self-care. The positive social aspects of sales can be incredibly rewarding, but they can also create challenges in perception from others.

Maintaining Integrity and Ethical Standards

Finally, let's talk about the ugly parts of sales. Sales can be a very all-encompassing field, as it touches on many different aspects of business. Salespeople need to be a master of all-encompassing skills, from customer engagement to financial analysis to operations and logistics. Not everyone has the skills or the interest to be able to handle all of these responsibilities.

In addition, sales can be a competitive field, with many salespeople competing for the same customers and deals. This competition can be intense, and it can lead to unethical behaviour and a cutthroat environment. Salespeople need to be able to navigate this competition while maintaining their integrity and ethical standards at all times.

Not Everyone is a Delboy

Not everyone is a Del Boy. Let's be honest, most of us are more like his brother Rodney – we might not have natural-born sales skills, but that's okay! With the right attitude, anyone can learn the art of selling. However, it's also important to recognise that sales isn't for everyone. Just like how not everyone is cut out to be a Trotter, not everyone is cut out to work in sales. But if you do choose to pursue a career in sales, make sure to invest time and effort in honing your skills.

Interested in Exploring a Career in Sales

I encourage you to do your research and learn as much as you can about the industry. Look for opportunities to shadow sales professionals and gain real-world experience. With hard work, dedication, and the right mindset, sales can be an incredibly fulfilling and lucrative career.

Speaking from personal experience my passion and love for sales still burns as bright as it ever did, even after 24 years.

So in the words of Jerry Maguire "Help me help you." Get in contact if you would like any advice or would like to explore sales opportunities Simms International ????????????