Many people liken a great salesman – a man or woman who can quickly adapt to any situation – to chameleons, a class of lizards of which some have the ability to change their coloring for camouflage purposes.
A more fascinating and impressive creature that is stellar at adapting is the octopus, which can change not only its color but its texture as well. Watch the video below for this phenomenon.
Just as octopi have to adapt to their surroundings to survive, salespeople must adapt not only to different personalities but also to a variety of situations in order to thrive.
In honor of the remarkable octopus and its eight arms, here are eight other types of professions/traits that a great salesperson must channel to be the best at their jobs.
1. Be A Journalist
One thing journalists are known for is their investigative reporting and drive to get to the bottom of things. It takes persistence, curiosity, and discipline to discover why certain things happened.
Just as journalists consistently dig deeper to find answers, so too must salespeople. To be a great salesman, you must dig and dig and dig, constantly asking questions of your current and prospective clients. If you’re not getting the desired information, try phrasing the question in another way or coming back to it later in the conversation.
2. Be A Psychologist
Listening – it cannot be emphasized enough. A very important aspect of a psychologist’s job is listening to patients.
A great salesman understand the value of staying silent. By shutting your mouth, you could learn some remarkable things such as:
- Another problem that your company could help solve
- Upcoming changes within your prospect’s company that could affect their purchasing processes
- The name of a new lead
And the list goes on. Don’t get so caught up in sharing what you’re selling that you forget to listen.
3. Be A Matchmaker
Matchmakers introduce people that have similar interests and goals. Great salespeople do the same thing when networking.
Whether it’s connecting a client to another vendor or introducing two people with similar aspirations, helping people solve their problems will pay dividends in the future. Great salespeople know this and are always looking for new ways to lend a helping hand.
4. Be A Student
The best salespeople know that they are never done learning. They relish the thought of discovering new techniques and improving their skills.
This desire to grow is one of the things that propels a great salesman to be remarkable and stay remarkable. The second they are content with their knowledge is the second they will no longer be at the top.
5. Be A Teacher
Teachers work extremely hard. Besides countless hours of planning, curriculum writing, and teaching, they also have the ability to articulate lessons in a way that others can understand.
Both of these traits – possessing the discipline to work hard and the ability to eloquently communicate – are must-haves for any great salesman.
A good sales pitch starts with the introduction to the product/service. If it goes well, the prospect becomes a client. But the job isn’t done after the sale. The best salespeople know they have to follow up and continue educating the customer about the product/service as well as new offerings.
6. Be A Long-term Investor
Long-term investors are interested in the end game. Even though hot, new investment opportunities may be tempting, they are more concerned with how things will play out in the long run.
Just as long-term investors value the big picture, great salesmen understand that they are investing in their future when they develop long-lasting relationships instead of focusing on a short-term, one-time sale.
7. Be A Parent
When raising children, most parents learn the value of patience. For example, parents must be patient while their children learn how to do the simple things in life such as walk or ride a bike. Letting a child stumble or work things out on its own may be difficult to watch, but it’s the right thing to do.
Great salespeople understand that patience like this can help seal the deal. If a client shows any indication of needing time to sort through details, great salespeople can close the deal just by waiting patiently and diligently following up when appropriate. Irritating a prospect by pushing too hard, too fast often damages the relationship, which results in losing the sale.
8. Be A Skydiver
Sometimes you have to step outside of your comfort zone, whether that’s speaking in front of a large group or learning a new software program. A great salesman forges ahead when he hits obstacles and sees it as an opportunity to grow.
Be courageous. Be fearless. Be an octopi-salesperson.
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What other types of professionals do you think great salespeople need to channel to be the best at their job?
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