I’m wrapping up my first full week at my new job. A new company for the first time in 15 years. A fresh start. I feel like I’ve made an easy transition, and sure there are still things that get my nerves going. I mean I am in sales after all. And I’ve never even been in a sales role until now. There are moments where imposter syndrome takes over, but then I remember that I’m a natural. Plus, for the past three years I’ve managed sales people. Partnering with this same territory. The same but different. I know what I’m doing but I don’t. Its comfortable but it isn’t. I used to only call the most escalated, furious clients. Or the ones that refused to sign their paperwork, just to see if I could have them move forward. It feels like I learned the harder role first, my route is like a zig zag. I also like to remind myself we all have no clue where we’re going.
So in true sales person fashion this morning I wrote a post it note to myself, try not to gag. Scared money won’t make money. And I know what you’re thinking, I’m really not just a sleazy salesperson. I would only do the right thing for the client, and I’m selling them a service. Something they need to run their business. The whole reason I left my last company was because they were more and more jeopardizing ethics in front of my eyes and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. But where I am now it is so night and day, I am confident that the business will be in good hands. I have faith in what I’m selling. So there’s no reason to be scared, and if you’re in sales you have to tell yourself that every morning. You cannot go into a phone call with any semblance of uncertainty in your tone. You have to be confident when you are not, you have to be vulnerable when you don’t have the answer. You have to be authentic and genuine. You have to be an actor. You have to build relationships from scratch. You have to empathize with the individual business. You have to navigate the waters on the other end with your competitors. It’s difficult. And it can be scary. I remember when I first decided to move over to sales every single person I worked with or who knew me in my personal life told me not to do it. But I did it anyway. What was the worst that could happen? I hated it? Best case, I made good money?
I guess the point is is that I’m not a typical “sales person”. I’m not the wolf on wall street. I’m not an asshole. I was an analyst, I’ve managed operations. I’ve managed sales. I want to fully understand the business. And I think a lot of people miss the fact that you can’t hate sales if you like where you work. Thats literally all any of this is made up of. Without clients you’d be out of a job. Its the foundation, the root of it all. So if you ever want to build your own you gotta learn how it works from the ground up. I guess in my case I went all over the place, but you can understand what I mean. I just don’t understand how so many people have an internal hatred for a piece of the business that is driving growth for the company.
This hatred for sales may not be everywhere, and maybe just from my experience. But it takes a skill, and it’s a useful one at that. All you need to do is conquer your fear and go after it.
The Girl Without A Face 