In class today, we talked about the three sales myths and I though they were intriguing. I really paid attention to the first myth, the myth of the blockhead, which represents that anyone can sell and it doesn’t take a genius to become a salesperson. For the longest time, I did not believe in this. When I was in elementary school, I went to work with my dad on Saturdays just for fun. I loved the idea of selling somebody some jewelry because my brother was always naturally very good at it, despite being two years younger than me. I was trying everything. I was asking my dad and his employees for advice on everything: what to say, what to do, even what pieces or brands were really popular at the time so I could show customers. I even had a script that I followed which was similar to how my grandmother used to describe merchandise to customers. Unfortunately, I didn’t make a single sale and my wishes of being a salesman were lost. For the longest time, I was convinced I couldn’t sell water to a man living in the desert. It wasn’t until junior year of high school that I would accept a sales position for Cutco and reenter the sales force. The only problem was I was still having trouble believing I could sell anything. So, I started learning and doing everything I could to know everything about the product. I discovered more proper selling techniques, I familiarized myself with the products and their usability, I spoke with previous Cutco owners, I was doing so much and hadn’t even made my First sale yet. After my first presentation, I was told by my potential customer that they would reach out to me after talking about it. Fortunately, they did get back to me, and after that first sale I felt good. So good that I went on to sell more Cutco then even more Cutco until before I knew it, I had the second highest sales record for a new hire in country in 2020 without even trying. The point is that it doesn’t take someone with 160 IQ or a degree in business to be a good salesperson. It takes a passion for selling and knowing that you are leaving someone off better then when you found them. With that, anyone can sell.
By Jack Henne
BoweryJE22 4 thoughts on “Myth of the Blockhead”
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Great post! You really covered all the bases on this one. The idea that sales people are dumb is deeply ingrained in pop culture and our day to day impression of sales people. In my personal experience I have found the opposite to be true. Sales people often times are some of the most intelligent people I have ever met because they know their products they understand their markets and above all they possess the soft skills necessary to understand fulfill customer pains.
Being around sales all my life I could also see through this myth. It takes an intelligent individual to sell. Everything down to the minute details can make all the difference in a sale or losing a customer. I have seen many people go into a sales experience expecting to be confronted by someone who knows nothing and turns out to be very knowledgeable. Sales is not easy and especially in our world today that everything can be fact checked right in your hand, you need to know what it is you are selling and know it well.
Top salesperson in the country? Not too shabby! That’s very impressive. I also resonated with the blockhead myth. As someone with several sales jobs, if that blockhead deal isn’t a myth? I’m one several times over! I also think its interesting and noteworthy that the sales started coming in once you learned the skills and tactics. It had nothing to do with an innate ability! Great stuff 🙂
That’s a great motivational story. I love the fact that even though you had been discouraged by how things had previously gone in your sales experience, you didn’t let it define you or prevent you from ultimately trying to re-enter sales. It takes time and perseverance which it seems like you found out and were able to harness what you had learned and become a good salesman. Excellent post!