A Practical Application of Sales

A recurring theme discussed in our sales class is the fact that sales is something we cannot escape and therefore is implemented in our everyday lives. Whether we like to think of it or not, everybody is a salesperson, and relationships are built upon exchanges that people may have with one another. Learning how to sell is learning how to communicate effectively. Learning how to sell is learning how to persuade. Learning how to sell is most importantly learning how to listen. All of these components of sales help to reveal how valuable of a skill it is to have.

Whether it be selling a multimillion-dollar piece of real estate to client, or convincing a parent to buy a puppy, we are constantly in a state of communication and persuasion. Before anybody thinks of persuasion in a negative light, it is simply put the conveying of one’s ideas to another. Persuasion can help a person attain a desired end for themselves, but it is very different than coercion or manipulation. We use persuasion a countless number of times a day, so one might argue that it is important to be good at it. That is one of the reasons why studying sales has an immense benefit even outside of the workplace.

However, learning to listen is perhaps one of the most valuable assets that a person can have. The ability to hear another speak, and then effectively interpret what they are saying and converse with them is not only good for business, but it is great for relationships. People are by nature social creatures, so it is pivotal that we know how to dialogue with each other. Yet again, this is an area that the study of sales can help us to improve upon. All in all, there is a massive list of reasons to learn more about sales even if you aren’t a business major.