“I don’t want to be in a sales position.” Part One: Introduction to the concept that life is a sales position

“I don’t want to be in a sales position.”

Part One:
Introduction to the concept that life is a sales position

Almost every job requires the ability to sell. We “sell” more often than we think. Reflect on the last job interview you attended, or the last date you went on. What did you do? You talked about yourself and what makes you a good choice as an employee or as a significant other. You “sold” yourself, in a manner of speaking.

When you have an idea that you really want to get across to someone, you must first persuade them that you have a valid idea that is worth their time. You “sell” the idea that you have an idea. Once this is accomplished, you must then “sell” your idea.

 Example:
Season two, Episode seven of the Apprentice with Donald Trump:

The inability to sell an idea resulted in one of the participants being fired.

Trump thoughts: Trump said that Wes did a lousy job as a project manager and that Andy made a horrible mistake by destroying the team's ability to communicate, but he didn't like that Stacy R. did not take any responsibility for her actions and that she was unable to sell her ideas to Wes, adding that you can't just blame the project manager when you are unsuccessful in getting your point across.

Who gets fired: Stacy R. for making too many excuses, not taking responsibility, and for being unable to sell her ideas to the project manager.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Apprentice_%28U.S._season_2%29
                  http://www.nbc.com/nbc/The_Apprentice_2/episode_recap/seven_2.shtml

While this example does pertain to a business related topic, it is a compelling argument to how lack of salesmanship can impact a person’s life, even if their job is not to "sell". Saying that life is a sales position does not mean everyone should be in sales either. Rather, it means some people will not reach maximum advancement in life.  Maximum success is not made by individuals with lesser skill sets incapable of articulating concepts. Success is directly correlated to communicative skills, whether it be by speech, written word, or illustration.

“If you think an idea is really good, then just don’t stop. Go after it. Because some of the greatest ideas were ideas that nobody wanted.” –Donald Trump

Hannah Roberts
HR Department
Rocky Top Marketing Group
Knoxville, TN