Entrepreneurs are used to taking on multiple roles. In addition to being the brains behind their companies, they have to play the role of the financier, creative, marketer, leader, and every other position essential to making their company succeed. Despite this, many entrepreneurs fail to consider the most important role of all: the salesperson. Though some fail to see the connection between sales and startup success, the two are intrinsically connected. With experience in sales, entrepreneurs can learn the following:
1. Learn How to Promote
Many entrepreneurs are under the impression that having a killer idea is the key to kick-starting a successful business. However, successful entrepreneurship goes far beyond just one idea. Central to creating a profitable company is knowing how to promote your company to any and everyone. Entrepreneurs that have sales experience are able to evangelize their companies to anyone that will listen.
Cyrus Baseghi shares that salespeople are able to promote and sell as if their jobs depend on it, which is something that every entrepreneur must do as well. Salespeople understand that the key to making a sale is to plant the seed for the client-company relationship whenever possible. With this in mind, sales-minded entrepreneurs will always work to attract new customers and clients, regardless of where they are or who they’re talking to. While every conversation may not lead to a sale, this ability to network in this way is the mark of a highly successful entrepreneur.
2. Develop a Customer-Centric Mindset
In addition to always being open to a sale, entrepreneurs with a background in sales tend to have a customer-focused mindset. Regardless of what your business sells or who your target audience is, having a deep understanding and knowledge of all of your prospective customers is essential to making a profit. The better entrepreneurs know their customers, the more likely they are to close a sale and to form long-term relationships with their customers.
Far too many entrepreneurs buy into the idea that their customers will come to them if they simply promote their product or services. The reality is that entrepreneurs, like salespeople, need to know as much as possible about the types of customers that they hope to sell to. With well-developed and highly detailed buyer personas, you’ll have a better idea of who you are selling to, making it easier for you to attract the right people.
3. Learn to Accept Rejection
Rejection is a part of life that salespeople are intimately familiar with. Salespeople, regardless of what items they are selling, have to face rejection on a regular basis. Though the constant “No’s” are disappointing, they’re easier to deal with if you’ve grown so accustomed to hearing it. Cyrus Baseghi shares that the key lesson that salespeople learn through rejection is that even if they are turned down countless times, they’ll always be able to find someone that will be interested in what they’re selling.
Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, are often too close to their companies that they take the slightest rejection to heart. The entrepreneurs that learn to steel themselves against failure are able to get up and try again each time they get turned down. This type of fearlessness is the difference between an entrepreneur that gives up and the business owner that relentlessly pursues their goals.
4. Become a Better Leader
As entrepreneurs are the founders of their companies, they have to take a leadership role when working with others. When many entrepreneurs are just starting out they’re able to run their newly-formed companies by themselves. However, the moment they need to hire help, things can become more challenging.
The most effective leaders often have some sort of sales experience. As the act of selling is essentially influencing buyers to take the desired action, tapping into a sales mindset will take an entrepreneur to the next level. With a history of effective salesmanship, entrepreneurs are better able to head up their teams and take control of their companies.
5. Find Funding Faster
Entrepreneurs rely heavily on funding. Whether they’re just starting out or hoping to expand their companies, entrepreneurs regularly have to approach investors to ask for financial support. However, entrepreneurs with little to no experience in sales often fail to acquire the funds they need when working with investors.
Alternatively, salespeople already know how to paint a product or service as attractively as possible. With this skill set, a salesperson-turned-entrepreneur can sell their dream to any investor that will listen. While not everyone may respond positively, sales-minded people will never quit until they connect with an investor that believes in their dream just as much as they do.
Successful entrepreneurs are able to tap into every skillset and fill whatever role they need to make their company successful. Keep this information in mind as you tap into the power of sales to make your company as profitable as possible.
