Home Business Tips

Three False Beliefs About Being a Salesman

In managing the new home business, the entrepreneur will find that selling is one of his tasks. Transforming into a salesperson may not be a thought relished by some entrepreneurs simply because a considerable portion of the public have a biased view about the salesman. Here are four of the most common false beliefs about being a salesman.

False belief #1:
“Being a salesman is being annoying.” The salesman should be pushy and be constantly on a warpath because of the highly competitive nature of his job. This makes him intolerably forceful towards his clients and against his rivals.

The truth: The successful salesman is a service-oriented person. While closing a sale or getting a commission is an important goal, this is secondary to providing clients with the best deal that the clients can afford. He does not shove his products or services. He finds a way to fulfill the needs of the client. And he will always look for the win-win situation.

False belief #2:
“Being a salesman is being glib.” The salesman should be a glib talker. He should have the talent of talking in circles until the client’s resistance finally crumbles down. This is the usual way to earn money.

The truth: The successful salesman is an attentive listener. The words of a glib talker will always ring false, and the potential clients can sense this utter lack of sincerity. A sincere salesman, on the other hand, carefully listens to his colleagues, to his supervisors or up-lines, and most especially, to his clients. By listening attentively, the salesman can determine how to best serve his clients.

False belief #3:
“Being a salesman is being dispassionate.” The salesman should have a thick hide so that he will be impervious to disappointment caused by rejection. Otherwise, the world of sales will eventually take him to the psychiatrist’s couch.

The truth: The successful salesman is a passionate soul. He feels disappointment but he is wise enough to realize that such rejection is another chance for him to learn and master his trade. A rejection becomes a learning experience. He is also objective enough to see that the “No, thank you” is not an indication of any inferiority of his personality.
These three fatal negative opinions about the salesman are spread by cynical people who did not succeed in the field of selling. Thus, these views may be considered their “sour grapes”. The real truths about being a salesman are completely different. The salesman is a And the entrepreneur must look forward to one of the most exciting aspects of the home business: selling.

Small/Home Business Tips, Sales Essentials 2006-02-10 Home Business Tips