Selling to live.

 

 

It was around 6:45 AM on 30^th of July when I arrived at the Bhopal Junction railway station, was with 6 other batchmates, all going back to start our third semester commencing the next day. Tired as hell of the long 21 hour travel, I was looking forward for a taxi to drop us to IISERB.

 Selling, by many, is considered an art. I witnessed that art just after I got out of the railway station, demonstrated by passenger hungry taxi/autorickshaw drivers, even though I saw a few flaws in the way they were selling, but it was just great situation to be in for a sales and marketing enthusiast like me. The prices they quoted initially were surely much higher than the face value of the service we could get from OLA/UBER. I kept listening and consequently negotiation with them, started becoming more interesting with time.

 It was also quite humbling for me as I could, hear the hunger in their voice, see the sleep in their partly dark circled, red eyes, feel the desperation for some business they needed to put food on their table for their families, these men, were clearly trying their best to provide for their families. They were selling to live.

One of the moments I realised that I am privileged and should not waste the chance I have which they didn’t.

The only price I was gonna ride with them was in the neighbourhood 300 Rupees a vehicle one way to the campus, which none of them could match. The only reason I quoted that price was because that was what OLA would charge us, that too for a cab, which we went with anyways at the last.

 (classic Devil in Disguise by Elvis Presley plays)

 
Selling is an art that requires finesse and skill to master. Just like a painter carefully selects colours and brushstrokes, a successful salesperson crafts compelling pitches and understands their customers' needs. The art lies in striking a balance between persuasion and genuine connection. It involves empathizing with buyers, actively listening, and tailoring solutions that resonate. A skilled salesperson possesses charisma, confidence, and adaptability to navigate diverse situations. The canvas for this art is the marketplace, where emotions, trust, and communication intertwine. Honing this art can turn ordinary transactions into harmonious exchanges, building lasting relationships between customers and sellers alike.

 In this art, timing and intuition play vital roles. A salesperson must know when to assert themselves and when to step back, respecting the buyer's decision-making process. Just as an artist finds inspiration from various sources, a salesperson draws on product knowledge, market trends, and customer feedback to enhance their pitch.

 Authenticity is the essence of this art. Like an actor immerses themselves in a character, a salesperson must believe in the value of their offerings and convey this passion genuinely. Honesty and integrity build the foundation of trust, essential for repeat business and referrals.

 

 

(Hall of Fame by The Script blasting as I write this)

 

 

When it comes to sales and marketing, one of the people I really admire is Steve Jobs, who had magical marketing and sales skills.

 

One of Jobs' greatest strengths as a salesperson was his unwavering belief in his products. He had a deep passion for technology and design, and he infused that enthusiasm into every product launch. Whether it was the revolutionary iPhone or the sleek MacBook, Jobs would meticulously rehearse his presentations to perfection, ensuring that every detail was delivered with flair and precision.

 Jobs also understood the importance of simplicity and elegance in selling. He famously said, "Simple can be harder than complex; you have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple." This philosophy was evident not only in Apple's product designs but also in his sales pitches. Jobs had a unique ability to distill complex technological concepts into simple, relatable terms that resonated with consumers.

Its now 1518 hours as I write this line with We Own It blasting in my ears, a song that I cherish, from a movie that I love.

As I finish this piece of writing, an epiphany kicked in that I could potentially write more and more stuff which you would see in further blogs.

I need tea.

Bye.