Yes this is an interesting dilemma!

It is a generally known perception that selling is a dishonest job as sales people only try to sell a product to a customer, even if the product is not needed by the customer and at any cost to the customer. Most sales books and sales training introduces sales ‘tactics’ that help sales people to ‘sell’ at any cost.

On the other hand it is a known fact that everyone is a salesman from the little child to the grandfather, from the housewife to the corporate executive, from film star to sportsman and from the politician to the priest. They all sell ideas, they sell their value, they sell all the time.

So does it mean everyone is dishonest? The answer is a clear ‘NO’. In fact my belief is that we don’t sell, we help people to buy. We don’t sell, we provide information for people to make the right decision, we don’t sell, we help others become more successful.

It is with attitude in mind that I decided to title my second book [an improved new edit of the first book]; A better way to sell – Mastery of Sales through Mastery of Self. Click here for more details of the book.

My belief is that we need to have the sole intention of adding value to others, we need have the sole intention of helping others to grow, we need to have the sole intention of building high quality trusting relationships. If we approach all aspects of life, including our selling role, with this mind-set it will ensure success.

I would go to the extent of suggesting that, if our product does not suit the customers need, we need to be honest enough to tell so to the customer. Even go to the extent of suggesting a competitor product to the customer. Yes we may lose a sale, but we win trust. Yes we may lose some revenue, but we build relationships. Yes we may miss achieving short-term targets but we will build our personal brand as a ‘trusted advisor’.

So why not try the better way to sell. You may lose some short-term sales, short-term rewards and short-term success. But we will surely win long-term success and happiness, not only on this lifetime, but in the life to come, as we receive favour in the eyes of the higher power, the final judge, the CEO of the universe.

If you are inspired by this blog post, please follow my blog, explore my website, read my book or attend my events.