Numerous different sales models and processes can be applied when trying to nail down a new customer or establish a relationship with a previous one. The Sandler Submarine is a timeless process that many older salesmen have adapted and personally developed. As a college student who doesn’t sell, can the Sandler Submarine Sales process still be used and molded to a non-selling standpoint?
Bonding Rapport:
Building rapport is crucial for every college student, whether that is close with friends, establishing a community around yourself, or for future employment opportunities. Being good at this is a crucial advantage for a student, no matter what major and career one is pursuing.
Upfront Contract:
Setting expectations for both yourself and the people around is very advantageous. Being able to discuss and agree upon roles, deadlines, and responsibilities, with your respective ‘team’ upfront to ensure everyone is on the same page, plays a big part in the step of this process.
Pain:
Identify challenges or problems within your academic, extracurricular activities, or the community that surrounds you. This could potentially involve recognizing areas where you struggle or where there are opportunities for improvement, and thus implementing change.
Budget:
Assess your resources, including time, energy, and finances. As a college student, this is crucial. Determine how you can allocate your resources effectively to address your challenges or pursue your goals.
Decision:
Evaluating different courses of action to address your identified challenges or goals is a difference-maker. Then, making informed decisions based on your priorities, values, and available resources, is next up on the checklist, efficiently doing so.
Fulfillment:
Taking action to implement your decisions is the final physical stage of this ‘non-sales’ process. This could involve studying more effectively, seeking assistance from professors or tutors, or participating in relevant extracurriculars or activities (OB, Frat or Sorority, Certain Society, Varsity Sport).
Post-sell:
After securing an opportunity, a student needs to follow up and nurture relationships for prospective opportunities. Staying in touch with mentors, friends, or connections, and seeking feedback for continuous improvement is a solid way to develop quickly in school.
Even though the Sandler Submarine is a sales process, the application of this process in the sense of a college student acknowledges fundamental steps to ensure success while away from ‘the known’ of home. By applying the principles of the Sandler Submarine in this way, you (a student) can navigate academic and personal challenges more effectively, making informed decisions, and cultivating valuable relationships within your academic and professional/workplace communities in and after college.
BoweryJE22
Great post. Its crucial to have a rounded understanding of sales and non-sales selling, even just as a college student. There is so much hidden value in seeing interactions in daily life through this lens.
I didn’t think about applying the Sandler submarine to non-sales selling. Now that I think back, all of the really good friendships I’ve had followed this formula at the beginning. This is a very good article for those who need help figuring out why sales helps in all aspects of your life.
This is a great model that I think is beneficial for keeping your sales process both organized and efficient. I think the post-sale step is especially important as it’s oftentimes overlooked and/or not thought about. Technically the “hard part” of earning the sale is over, however it’s still crucial to follow up and pay attention to that customer/client relationship.
This is a great sales process that is both efficient and detailed. I believe that following up after the sale is crucial in maintaining relationships but also making new connections. This was very intuitive, good work!