Is it Time to STOP Saying…

“I’m not in sales”

Have you ever found yourself using this disqualifying phrase?  Either to yourself or to others?  Why did you say it? Were you trying to:

• 

  The Unprofessional Influencer

  Avoid the responsibility for getting others to take action and buy something?

• Admit you lacked the persona to make sales?
• Distance yourself from those unprofessional, commissioned, so-called sales people out there who try to manipulate you to buy more or buy now regardless of our actual needs?

If you’ve been disqualifying yourself as a “sales person”, let me help you to be more realistic.  I believe you must “in sales” in the course of doing your job. I am NOT saying that you need to become that guy in the photo. He’s a poster child for bad sales behavior.  Let me explain further by asking…

What is a “Sale”?

• It’s inducing a transaction.
• The action of selling something.
• Getting someone to buy.

Before you say “That’s not me“, realize there are at least two types of transactions that require a buyer and a seller:

1. Tangible, monetary transactions and
2. Intangible, non-monetary transactions

Consider type #2 and these examples of intangible, non-monetary sales.

• The transfer of knowledge: Teachers and Educators who are responsible for getting their students to learn and apply new insights and skills.
• Influencing Behavior: Health Care workers charged with getting patients to modify their habits or accept treatment.
• Organization and Team Leaders who introduce new initiatives that need buy-in to succeed.
• Socially: Organizing a group of friends to meet for dinner at your favorite restaurant.

This Just In…

Whether your business card has a sales related title or not:

We are all in sales.

We all have occasions when we need to influence the actions of others. As a leader, you’re regularly responsible for getting others to BUY-IN.  How willing are you to embrace this responsibility?  Please stop telling yourself and others that your “not in sales” and start finding ways to be more professional about your developing your ability to inspire others to buy-in.

Trial Close

If you’re now ready to accept the idea that your work requires you to have some form of a sales role by getting others to buy-in, I’d like to thank you for your purchase of this idea.  Please come again.

Now The Up-Sell

For those who want to enhance their non-sales selling skills, here’s my favorite resource.  Daniel Pink’s Book: To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others.   While the title uses the word “sell”, the tag mentions “moving“.  If you have been telling yourself “I’m not is sales”, consider embracing your role as moving others.

The book is available in most medias; paper, Kindle, Nook and Audio. Having discovered numerous nuggets in the book, I personally own both the paper and audio versions.

Full Disclosure

If you click on the book image or title link (above) and buy the book, I get a small commission as an Amazon Associate.  And if you order NOW, you’ll be on your way to becoming a more professional influencer sooner than later.  (wink, wink)

Related

• Your Ideas: Are They Rented or Owned
• Influencing Others: Intention vs. Technique
• Expanding Your Sphere of Influence
• Selling Ice Cubes to Eskimos: Not all it’s cracked up to be

Looking for more valuable business books?

View my Recommended Reads Page