What are your thoughts about salespeople?

What is the public’s perception of salespeople? Ever tell people you sell for a living? How do they respond? If we were to interview people on a busy street corner and ask them what they think of salespeople, what would they say?

Chances are the responses would be less than flattering. Why is that? Here are some possible reasons.

• They are not prepared.
• They are self-serving.
• They are in a hurry.
• Talking too much and not listening.
• Not selling what customers need or want.
• Pitching things. Caring only about the short term.
• Overpromising and underdelivering.
• They do not follow up.
• They are not genuinely curious about customers or what they need.
• Being pushy or refusing to accept “No.”
• They think they know everything and rely on assumptions. No one knows everything.

Did we miss anything? Most everyone on this email list works with customers in one form or another, and here is a hot take: if you work with customers, you are in sales!

Perhaps there is another question we should ask: Have you ever worked with a salesperson whom you liked, respected, and enjoyed? Why? I bet they did the opposite of what is on this list.

How would your prospects and customers answer this question about you?