In a conversation with a friend of mine recently, he asked me how sales was relevant for my major. When trying to give him an answer I realized that the principles and values we learn during sales are applicable to most jobs and positions out there! Think for example how relevant honesty and good communication is – not matter what the position; we need to be able to communicate effectively and honestly with people in order to earn trust, cultivate relationships and get through life happily. Furthermore learning how to share our ideas effectively is something that can be applied (and should be) by anyone: when someone asks you what your dreams, aspirations are; or what you are working on – sales has taught me how it is important to be able to summarize things and be quick about getting to the point. Learning about the different types of personalities and how is best to communicate with someone with a different personality was also very important and very helpful. This really helped with realizing how I can sometimes be insensitive with people of different personalities and how it is important to treat them.
One final important lesson I learned – is how important it is to prove peoples false perceptions and stereotypes wrong. Most people (as Prof. Sweet mentioned time and time again in class) – view sales and salesmen as a bad profession. However it is important to stand out and prove to people that even in a poorly viewed profession (no matter what it is) one can be ethical, smart, understanding and a real joy to work with.
Learning these lessons has been something I am incredibly thankful for!
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