Today's Business & Economics Chapter

Simple Selling: Common Sense That Guarantees Your Success (Revised Edition) by Thomas Ray Crowel Get Author Circle Updates. Join Now to receive promotions related to this title and author like special advance previews, sweepstakes, updates and more! terms There are no "secrets" to success! Tom Crowel's book explains five common sense principles that will guarantee your success and guide you through a very successful career. SECTION 1 CHOOSING A SALES CAREER The chief business of the American people is business. Calvin Coolidge, Jan. 17, 1924 Why Sales? So, you need a job, or were just offered one, and you want to find out if a career in sales is right for you. People choose a sales career for a variety of reasons. Whatever the reason, the most basic requirement, which can't be taught, is that you should be a "people person." Because a salesperson interacts with many people, you must like people to succeed. A good sale offers the thrill of a challenge, financial rewards, and, of course, pride in a job well done. Salespeople interact with their customers. Although there are many similarities in people, there are also differences. This makes meeting new customers exciting. Your conversations vary daily. Selling is also a continual learning experience. I like that and so do most salespeople. Selling affords the opportunity to exchange ideas and knowledge. A sales career has an abundance of customers as well as colleagues. A career in sales offers a challenge. The customers are a challenge. They demand the best quality for the least amount of money. Colleagues, on the other hand, offer competition. This is another type of challenge, and of course, good salespeople are always challenging and competing with each other. Setting new sales records, establishing goals, gaining accomplishments, and earning money are all a part of career selling. Since everything is bought or sold, a sales career is financially rewarding. The only limits are those set by the salesperson. In many instances, the sky is the limit. Selling, therefore, is a high income career. I saved one of the best reasons for last: when done honestly, the buyer, as well as the seller, profit. Both benefit. Both enhance their lifestyle. Both profit from the sale. There is always a sense of pride that a customer has after a purchase—for example: buying a car, a home, or any item that fulfills a need or provides comfort. Salespeople also share that sense with them, because both were part of the selling process. Who Sells? Everyone sells. Everything you can imagine is sold—even politics, religion, and relationships. Effective political campaigns are always in need of finances. Candidates and their supporters must sell the voters on the fact that their programs meet the public's needs. The candidate also has to convince the electorate that they can lead and serve. So, as you can see, winning an election and serving the public require the ability to sell yourself. Religious leaders must also convince their congregations of their ability. The church needs money to exist and to operate their programs. In addition, the leaders of all religious groups sell their spiritual messages to their members. Both business and personal relationships need salesmanship to be successful. Both need to find common ground. First, the individuals need to become familiar with each other and get to know one another's interests and preferences. Next, the ability to negotiate and compromise are required. Whatever the relationship, negotiation and compromise are valuable tools. When you think about it, there's a little salesmanship in everyone. Summary Section 1: Choosing a Sales Career A sales career offers: · The challenge of selling your product and competing with your colleagues. · Financial reward: in sales, the amount of money you make is based on your ability to sell your product. · Pride in a job well done: Buyer and seller both benefit from the sale. Everything is bought and sold. Proven sales techniques are used to sell everything—not only goods and services; but also ideas, concepts and ability. A good salesperson must like to talk, listen and learn from customers to be successful. Continues... Get Author Circle Updates. Join Now to receive promotions related to this title and author like special advance previews, sweepstakes, updates and more! terms BookDaily Top Five Thinking, Fast and Slow Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed ... The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Eat to Live: The Amazing Nutrient-Rich Program for Fast ... Business & Investing Top Five The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial ... The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value ... Mindset: The New Psychology of Success That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World ...