"I AM NOT A SALES PERSON"

Selling is one of the most scaring subjects and unequivocally one the most challenging endeavours in the world. During a process of recruiting people to partner a company to promote a programme, my colleagues and I were amazed at the number of young, energetic and smart people who said “oh! I would love to BUT I’m not a sales person”. The question the kept running through my mind is “Who is a sales person?” Of course everybody is born with unique skills and abilities so naturally some people would find “selling” relatively easier than others. However, the unpleasant truth is that it is not “selling” per se that is difficult; is it the “FEAR OF REJECTION” that scares people from venturing into anything that looks like selling. The fear of being turned away (over and over again) and even worse their fear of being told things that would bruise ones ego and the possibility that one could go for days, weeks, months or even years without producing any results is also a very frightful.

It is that same fear that prevents people from taking bold steps to achieve their dreams: whether is it proposing to gorgeous woman or getting your dream job or being a successful entrepreneur; It all boils down to ONE THING: your ability to SELL or PERSUADE others to “buy” your ideas/concepts better than the next person. Persuasion is powerful and mysterious. It requires knowledge of the human thinking process, a compassionate understanding of your fellow human beings. What motivates people? And how to bring other peoples train of thoughts onto your track. A critical analysis would reveal that the people or organisations that are considered successful may be so not necessarily because they are the best in what they do buy also because they are the best in convincing people that their brands are the best.

In Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” he makes reference to a meeting he had with a female reporter who got offended and left the meeting because he (Robert) had suggested she should take sales course in order to become a “best-seller”. He draws attention to the fact that the world often refer to “best-selling authors” and not “best-writing authors”. Of course for one to become best in anything, s/he needs to have produced good quality product but after that the product would most likely become like any other without good selling skills. The world is filled with smart and talented, educated and gifted people. We meet them every day, they are all around us. Teachers, tailors, dress makers, medical doctors, accountants, pastors, politicians etc. the sad truth is that talent alone is not enough. Talented people are often one skill away from wealth. And that “selling skill” is the ability to persuade other people to buy their ideas or skills better than the next person.

Unfortunately not too many people are willing to learn this critical skill and therefore fail to realise the full benefit of our skills. Selling is art and a science, with or without the talent people need to master that skill in order to be able to cash in on their God-given talent. If not for anything at all it teaches one how to have FAITH, COURAGE & ENTHUSIASM!!!!

By Winfred Asamoah

CEO

Walsbride