If you are in sales there is a difference between making friends with every client and selling your product and service and you should know this already but in case you do not, let us discuss this for a moment shall we? First off a salesperson must never forget why they are there; you are in front of the customer to see if they are interested and to close a sale if they are. Yes, you need to understand where your customer is coming from and therefore you must indeed work to get to know them and build a relationship, as well so they know you are a straight shooter, a problem solver and that you are working for them, as well as the sale. In other words they need to know you care and will service them. If you do not intend to give good service, do not believe in your product, wish to manipulate people or care about those you do business with, then get out of sales, you really belong in another profession. Maybe you could be a lawyer, scoundrel or really ugly corrupt politician? Yah! Because I sure as heck do not wish to give you any of my 27-years of experience or advice to help you screw people, there are already too many salesman out there giving sales a bad name. Now then you need to keep your sales calls on a professional level and get to know your clients, but not set out to purposely make them all your friends. It is okay to become friends, but remember you both know why you are really there right? Consider this in 2006. |
