https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2019/08/12/10-tried-and-true-sales-tactics-and-why-they-work-so-well/
I searched the internet for the best sales tips. I found several articles that gave ten or fifteen best pieces of advice. I picked the one linked below, 10 Tried and True Sales Tactics, to see which ones that have worked on me, and one I found interesting.
Here are the ten tactics:
- Ask the right questions
- Focus on customer goals
- Add real value
- Speak the truth
- Maintain your integrity
- Educate your customer
- Don’t talk, just listen
- Be Authentic
- Make sure to follow through
- Show, don’t tell
In class we have talked about nearly all of these tactics. Ones that I have experience before that I have been particularly receptive of are showing and not telling, focusing on customer goals, and making sure to follow through. There was a time where I was considering whether or not to sign up for pretty expensive baseball training. I was on the edge going into the “free session” but then the owner had me go through some drills, took some video, and made some suggestions. He also focused on where I wanted to be with skill wise in baseball. Finally, he sent a plan of what I would be doing to attain my goals. I signed up for the program.
One of the most interesting to me is maintaining your integrity. As a Christian, this is especially important to me. Sales is an area of life that can be dishonest. We see this in everyday business, like a devious car salesman, but it also can be in large-scale sales settings, like using a bribe to make a multi-million dollar sale. Other forms of dishonest sales are false advertising and plans that have hidden fees. James 1:26 says, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” Christians are held to a higher standard because if we are dishonest, it is like spitting in religions face. Often times people have a bad image of Christianity because of hypocrisy. Christians have the duty to be honest in the marketplace even when no one else is.
yoderew24 
francesallen 
Jonnojr
I would agree with what you have said. I would like to add on that only educating and not talking about yourself a little or how you build trust will make it so that you loose the customer. You are wanting to create a relationship with the person you are selling to because if they trust you for their needs they will call or contact you when they are in need of something and they know you are reliable and can get it for them. You may not sell the most the first time however if they are able to see that you can help them in other ways down the line they will use those.
I agree that you must be honest in the workplace as a reflection of Christian values. I resonated with the sales tactic “show don’t tell” as your product should speak for itself in quality if it is something worth selling.
Jack, I enjoy the way you connected the sales tactics to your personal experience. Your example with the baseball training is a great view of how focusing on customer goals, showing rather than telling, and following through can lead to success. It also highlights the importance of maintaining trust in sales. As you pointed out, dishonesty can have a huge impact on the reputation of both businesses and individuals, especially in a faith context.