The document discusses the advantages of a career in sales. It states that a career in sales teaches important interpersonal and communication skills, including how to present arguments clearly and ensure the intended message is understood. It also notes that successful leaders in business are essentially salespeople, selling their ideas, strategies, or manifestos. Finally, it emphasizes that sales teams are extremely valuable to organizations, as without sales there would be nothing for other teams like administration or production to handle.

1. Advantages of a Career in Selling.
Like most people I arrived in sales more by fate than design. However I am
totally convinced that I would never had made it to Director level and now
Chairman of several very large public sector organisations, had it not been for
the many years I spent in sales. A career in sales teaches you many things,
how to hone your interpersonal skills, how to talk to people comfortably - at
their own level, from the shop floor worker to the company director. It teaches
you how to define a confidence in yourself, and how to present an argument
or an opinion clearly and succinctly. But most importantly it teaches you how
to ensure that the message you are trying to get across - is actually the same
message that the intended recipient hears. I remember listening to an
interview with Richard Branson some time ago when he was asked how he
would describe himself e.g. and entrepreneur?, a Captain of Industry ?, a
business man? ... to which he replied that he would describe himself as a
salesman, why? Because every time he finds himself talking to others he is
always 'selling' the benefits of the Virgin brand. Truth is, all successful
leaders in business or any walk of life are sales people, its just that the
product changes. Politicians sell manifestos, Chairmen sell ideas and
strategies, teachers sell knowledge ... at the end of the day it is all about
ensuring that your product/idea/manifesto is clearly understood and accepted
by the listener.
I do feel passionately about the sales function in business and recognize it as
being the companys most valuable and (potentially) most expensive asset. As
such it requires careful handling / mentoring / developing and of course –
rewarding, if it is to function properly. I tend to see sales people as the front
line troops – they’re the ones who create the impression your clients’ have of
your company, they can make or destroy your organisational reputation in a
flash – such is their value.
Remember if the sales team doesn’t sell – then the admin team have nothing
to admin – the production team have nothing to produce and the shareholders
have nothing to share!
A career is sales is a wonderful ambition, and successful sales people are a
tremendous asset to their organisation.
Sean Hogan