Why Selling Skills Are Your Secret Weapon for Career Success!

Now, I get it – when we think of sales, we often think slick-talking individuals in sharp suits, pushing products with a grin. But guess what? Sales isn't just about that anymore. It's about selling ideas, solutions, and, even yourself! Whether you're a salesperson or not, embracing a sales mindset can be a game-changer for your career. And let me tell you why.

I would argue that most people in their careers (unless they are in sales), value their technical skillset, their work rate, or their ability to work in teams well above their ability to sell. My argument is without sales you are doing your career a disservice and hindering your progression.

As a podcast fanatic I am always looking for new and interesting people to listen to. Recently I came across a guy named Brad Lea, he runs Lightspeed VT and is a well renowned individual in the sales training world. What I have taken from him recently is the art of persuasion – whether you're chatting with your team, pitching for new clients, or looking for a promotion, understanding people's needs and showing them how you can deliver is key.

Let’s say you want to incorporate the latest and most advanced software into your business, but you realise that approaching the CEO with a pitch filled with technical jargon and a big old price tag is likely to result in a resounding 'NO'.

The first step is understanding where the business is facing challenges or could benefit from improvement.

Next, determine how the software you wish to implement could address these issues. Craft a compelling, non-technical explanation of how the implementation of Software X would solve the problem and lead to benefits X & Y, all at the cost of X, with significant long-term savings, is essential.

This approach significantly increases your chances of getting the software you want into the business.

Sales is more than that too – it involves networking, mentoring, and leadership. If you're eyeing a promotion, start to mentor colleagues, collaborate, go the extra mile, share company posts on LinkedIn, add insightful comments... BE ENGAGED in your work. By doing so, you increase your chances of being seen as promotion-worthy.

And here's a little insider tip: Don't wait for others to notice your hard work. Keep a detailed log of all the extra work you're doing, so when the time comes, you have an undeniable case for why you're the one for the job.

For me, whether you're pitching a new tech idea, pushing for better workplace processes, or inspiring innovation, selling skills are your secret weapon.

Look, I get it – sales isn't everyone's cup of tea. The fear of rejection and the pressure of presenting ideas can be daunting.

But here's the thing: Sales is all about understanding the needs and desires of the people you're dealing with and tailoring your pitch accordingly. So, if you're eyeing that promotion, why not identify a problem within your business that needs fixing and go solve it? That way, you've got all the ammunition you need to sell your extra value to the company and demand that promotion.

So, whether you're pitching, building relationships, or going for that big promotion, embracing your inner salesperson can take your career to new heights.

Remember, no matter your job title or industry, selling skills are the key to unlocking your full potential.

Why not give it a go?

Rich