In 30 seconds
The quote “Everybody lives by selling something,” attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson, emphasizes that everyone constantly engages in selling, whether products, ideas, or themselves. In a business context, all employees contribute to promoting their company, from salespeople to those in marketing, customer service, and representing the brand. This extends to internal departments as well, like Audit & Risk and Diversity & Inclusion. In our personal life, we continuously sell ourselves in job interviews, first dates, and social interactions. Successful selling relies on psychology and empathy, understanding customers’ needs and motivations. Mastering ethical selling empowers individuals and fuels opportunity, prosperity, and job creation.
In 2 minutes
‘Everybody lives by selling something’
This quote, attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson, suggests that everyone is always selling something, whether it be a product, service, idea, or even themselves. It highlights the practical importance of sales in our daily lives and the importance of effective persuasion and communication.
In a Business Context: In the business world, this quote takes on a more literal meaning. Salespeople are the obvious example of those who live by selling something, but the quote applies to all employees in a company. Everyone is responsible for promoting the company’s products or services in some way, whether it be through marketing, customer service, or simply representing the brand in a positive light.
However, this also extends beyond the sales team into other departments inside businesses that have various stakeholders they need to engage and work with. Take for instance work we are doing currently with internal teams including Audit & Risk, Diversity & Inclusion, Business Consulting, and People & Culture. Their ability to practice value-based sales practices, including persuasion and influencing are vital skill sets for the success of these internal functions too.
In a Personal Context: In our personal lives, we are constantly selling ourselves to others. Whether it be in a job interview, a first date, or even just meeting new people, we are always trying to make a good impression and persuade others to like us or support our ideas. There is real skill and craft in doing this well; however, no one is taught the capability of selling in school or more broadly. Imagine if people were given this skill set from the start, how different and more effective human interactions would be.
The Psychology of Successful Selling
Successful selling requires more than just a good product or pitch. The role of psychology and persuasion cannot be overlooked.
To sell successfully, it’s important to understand the customer’s needs, wants, and motivations. This requires active listening, effective questioning, and empathy. By putting yourself in the customer’s shoes and understanding their situation, you can curate and tailor your solution to their specific needs and increase the likelihood of a sale because it has been properly calibrated and curated.
Selling is the vehicle that allows opportunity to flourish and people to prosper and almost anyone can learn how to master the skills of ethical selling. Knowing how to sell is empowering, it gives people choice, opportunity, jobs.
Remember, everybody lives by selling something.
Stories from the field
I FOUND THE FS!!!
I had a business case presentation this afternoon to take a pilot client to full roll out and I opened with WWW. The Director and Head of Retail paused, looked at each other and then spoke openly for the next 10 minutes while I took notes.
At the risk of turning it into TLDR, the result is a $84K deal being drawn up and a full roll out before Christmas.
Thanks for your session, wisdom and concepts – came at a perfect time for me and definitely is already being put to good use and helping me shut up and listen.
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