The fact of the matter is, everyone is in sales.
It could be in the traditional sense of the idea, and you have a solid product or service that you would like someone to buy from you. It could be that you have ideas, which when capitalized or back by investors could really be effective. It could be that you have been wanting a promotion and more compensation. It could be that you want your children to grow up and be your legacy in a positive and impactive way.
In all these situations, sales is required.
If you are a student, parent, teacher, musician, actor, doctor, manager or maybe doing nothing for work, you are still a salesperson. Selling does not necessarily have to involve the exchange of money. In fact, people sell something to others every single day, they may not even realize they are selling or have even ever heard of a selling process.
Parents sell values and wisdom to their children
Teachers sell knowledge and learning to students
Doctors sell skill, advice and comfort to patients
Actors sell entertainment to the audience
The fact is, to build your company and your brand, everyone needs to sell. At least, gracefully persuade.
I’ve heard people say “I’m not a salesperson”. They are when they want something bad enough. Kids are really good salespeople, sometimes better negotiators. When your people are out and about, they are representing you and your organization and here’s the most sobering thing I can tell leaders. Your people are a reflection of you.
From this perspective to build brand try these tips:
Teach and train every staff member that they are salespeople
Make sales a good word in your company and not a dirty one
Expose all staff to the same sales training your sales department gets
In your role-plays (yes, you should be doing them) involve all staff in the role plays, after all when non-sales staff deal with customers, it’s not a “dry-run”.
Institute a 4-part belief system into your company:
Why do you believe in the company?
Why do you believe in our products and services?
Why do you believe the customer is better off with our company?
Why do you believe in yourself?
The answers to these questions are going to be the basis of how you and your people are going to represent your company.