Have you wondered to yourself, ‘what the heck am I doing in sales?’ It has to be one of the toughest jobs around.
Think about this……
You have frustrated customers that bark and bark at you. You get out of a customer meeting, only to be greeted by a spate of messages from other customers about billing issues, lost business, complaints and deadlines.
When you get back to the ‘safe’ abode of the office, you have people on your back about other deadlines – whether it’s your boss, marketing or the service department. Or perhaps you are the one chasing up deadlines. Don’t you just love it when people let you down?!?! It can become very lonely – and very frustrating!!
What about making budget? The targets go up all the time – faster than a government’s broken promises. And when you make target, you often have to argue about the actual commission you should be paid.
It can really feel like the whole world is against you.You might have said, ‘does anybody love me?’ Many sales people have shared their angst and loneliness to me. How can this be? The very people who bring in the revenue are often the most frustrated and misunderstood in the company.
These depressing descriptions have lead many sales people to slip into survival mode and ‘play the game’ on their terms. Have you ever found yourself asking these questions?
1) What is the minimum I need to do to keep my job?
2) How much money do I want to earn this year? (regardless of where the target is)
3) Is there a better job out there?
At this point, I don’t sound like the world’s best recruiting officer for a sales career. However, let me throw a few things out there about the benefits of a sales career. Opportunities that will see you grow in your career – and personal life. After all, even Superman had his critics!!
- You are empowered to represent an organisation, and in your very hands is all the power and capability of that company. Your boss has no power over what you say and do with the customer. They are not there. This makes you highly autonomous. Use this power for good, not evil!!
- You will make friends, and connections, for life – both personal and business relationships. I know people who have met their marriage partners.
- You learn the power of influence and also relationship building. How good is it meeting new people, turning around ‘psychopathic’ customers, and winning business? It’s the same feeling that Luke Skywalker had when he turned around Darth ‘Daddy’ Vader.
- You will learn about other organisations and industries. This only builds your value stack for your next job / career.
- There is freedom and flexibility that you will never get in other roles.
- There is no better feeling than when a customer signs over a deal that effectively says, ‘I trust you, I believe in you and I want you to help my business.’
- Nothing is made until it is sold. No matter what the finance department, the marketeers or the operations dudes say, YOU are the person who brings in the revenue. You hunt the hairy mammoth and feed the tribe. Puff up that chest. You are vitally important to the company!!
- You will have a lot of fun doing it. There are some lows, but there are some great highs. And unlike Marion Jones’ euphoria in winning Olympic Gold, you don’t need steroids to do it.
- Your career can go anywhere! If you keep learning the craft of professional, ethical selling – you will have highly effective people-skills, leadership and influencing qualities, and a can-do attitude. Plus – that’s right – there’s more – you will gain experience and ‘know-how’ across a range of industries. Wow!!
I hope that convinces you of the benefits of a sales career. I have been doing it for over 25 years and love every bit of it. I get excited just writing about it. Then again, I get excited about country music too!!
So what’s the takeout?
Take responsibility for your career. Plan it.
Execute the plan. Use your super powers.
Work out what development you are receiving in your current role that will help with your next. If your current role isn’t cutting it for you – get out while you still can!! Run, Forrest, run!! Be proactive – otherwise, you will let other people determine your well-being, your growth and your career.
A sales career does not have to be a nightmare! It can be a dream job – but you have to make it happen.
Go forth and conquer!!!
Shane Bywater has worked in highly successful roles for over twenty-five years, in sales, service, product management, leadership and learning and development functions.