By Leona Bently
During our class last Friday afternoon, our guest speaker Evan Lowe talked a lot about the importance of connections in selling. Upon looking back over my notes from his talk, I noticed he brought up how important networking is not just once or twice, but seven times. While we have heard many guest speakers talk about how “knowing a guy” is the quickest route to success, contemplating connections in the established sales industry is somewhat strange. Think about it: when you dream up a sales situation, you don’t generally think about selling to people you know. Sure, if you’re selling in a startup you may ask your friends to buy your product first, but in an already established company you are generally selling to strangers. After all of our talk about trying to strike up conversations, telling stories, asking questions, and making selling personal, everything seemed to harmonize when Mr. Lowe started talking about connections. When you connect with a person who you’re selling to, they will fight for your side instead of either brushing you off or fighting against you. Blogger Eunice Webster has synthesized this idea in her post Stop Selling and Start Making Friends. Since many of us are already great at making new friends, I find this concept to be highly encouraging and super simple to those of us heading into a new phase of professionalism in our lives. So be encouraged, don’t be afraid, make new friends, and sell some stuff while you’re at it!
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This is so neat, Leona! I hadn’t even noticed how many times networking but clearly it is key to finding success in the business world. Mr. Lowe is yet another good reminder of how much networking is absolutely vital to college students and young professionals today. Thanks for sharing!
I think the entrepreneurship department is so great in this area because of their constant alumni involvement and willingness to help! Mr. Lowe went to Grove City the same time as my dad, and we were able to connect because of it. Who knows what that connection, or the many others I have made in my time here, will result in years down the road? These are the kind of people that want to see you succeed, especially if you become their friend! 🙂
Networking is huge. I feel like connections are a huge part of becoming successful. Plus, if you genuinely meet the people you work with, I think you could enjoy what you do more.
It’s true just how important networking can be! My most promising job prospect right now is a connection through Mr. Sweet. The person I interviewed with just happened to also know Evan Addams, who had spoken in our class this year and introduced me to a few other GCC alumni. It turns out all these people know each other and having met with all of them, even just for coffee, only furthered my connections and credibility as a good student and salesperson! Networking is everything!!
You’re correct in saying that the best connections are the ones in which are made personal. Through making a connection through meaningful conversation, they will be more likely to remember that connection and help you in your career in the future.