One of the most important
skills you need to develop as sales professionals is your ability to build meaningful,
mutually beneficial relationships and real connection with people who matter. Dare
to take inventory of your current relationships right now. Are the
relationships you have, supporting or retarding your sales efforts? The higher
the calibre of people you are connected with, the greater will be your level of
sales achievement in the future.
Connect with the right People
The number one selling skill,
which has always been the prime factor, which predicted how successful any
sales person will be, is measured by their ability to network effectively, connect
with the right people, build mutually beneficial partnerships and then get them
to know, like and trust them. No matter how great your product or service may
be, it is your ability to network, build mutually beneficial relationships and
connect with the right people, which will support and drive your sales success.
Connecting with the right people, looking for ways to support them, and eliminate
challenges from their lives or businesses, is your gateway to unlock sales
success and become a sales superstar.
Becoming an Effective Networker
If you truly want to
become a sales super star, it is time to lose your fear about networking and to
immerse yourself in the crucial process of connecting with the right people. As
you hone and master your skills as a successful networker, and relationship
builder, you are setting the foundation for creating meaningful mutually
beneficial relationships with people who matter and who can help you to make a
real difference in your life.
Be Authentic
The secret to becoming an
effective networker is to be authentic and to allow your real self to show.
Pretending to be something you are not is a sure fire way to fail at
networking. People will see right through your façade and they will never get
to know, like or trust you. The only way to build connection with people is to
never pretend or try to be someone or something you are not. Commit to be
completely authentic and always be on the lookout for ways in which you can
assist fellow networkers. The easiest way to build connection with people is to
have an abundant mentality and to help them to connect with someone else who
can support them. As Zig Ziglar so eloquently said, “The more people you can
help to get what they want, the more people will help you to get what you
want”.
Identify the Right People
Learning the art of effective
networking to help you drive your sales success, is about connecting with the
right people, who can make a real difference in your life. Always have an open
mind and never allow anyone to intimidate you. Yes, it is true that the very
people, who you need to connect with, often seem larger than life. They even seem
scary, imposing and too powerful to even approach. The truths is that behind
the façade of fancy press releases and elaborate packaging, lies a normal,
sensitive, frail, hopeful and generous human being, who is flawed just like you.
They are Real Just Like you
The challenge we face
when we want to approach people, who we believe are of high stature, is that
all we see is the façade, which is created around them, not the real person
underneath. I have had the honour of meeting a number of so-called celebrities
or super achievers. After the first few seconds of meeting them, they appear as
just normal people. Yes, these people may have achieved great things and they
most certainly have amazing personal philosophies, which they can share about
the wisdom they have gained along the path to their success, but they are still
just people wrestling with the same frailties we do.
Remember that people are
just flesh and blood, ignore the packaging that has been bestowed on them by
their press agents or how society has built them up as heroes and see them for
what they are. Human beings that have fears, hopes and unfulfilled desires and
needs, just like everyone else. Each of the so-called super achievers is merely
a normal person, who has pulled the trigger, taken action and become
successful. They are you in a few years’ time, after you have connected with
them, built mutually beneficial relationships, which support your sales success
and become a super achiever yourself. Allow your fear to evaporate and remove
your tendency to hesitate when you want to reach out to network with any one
and I mean anyone and you will gradually build the sales success you deserve
and desire.
Hey Andrew,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your article on effective networking. In my experience, however, networking is a long term process and it is more about farming than hunting. It should definitely be part of one's marketing strategy. www.jacquesdevilliers.com