Wooing Happily!

(5th-anniversary special)

Most of us at OfBusiness has always been in sales. Man 2 Man, B2B, on the ground. As we turn 5, we reminisce about what makes us sell happily. For us, it’s like wooing.

1. Wooing – We strive to make the person across feel that we’re great and hence, he should associate. Some do use their background, some by the story, some by reference. Very few try to impress early through product knowledge.
2. Taking rejections – We don’t win all we woo (so we woo many) and we have a big heart to move on to the next if rejected.
3. Perseverance – Nobody was wooed in a day (else he ain’t woo-worthy), hence we are always at it till he gives in.
4. Negotiation – There is always a time when we have to drive a hard bargain. It’s tough if we’ve been wooing all along. Beg, borrow, steal but a soft bargain ain’t a real sell.
5. Collection – We are B2B and credit. We have to go back to collect. It’s tough if we’ve been wooing all. Beg, borrow, steal but a sell ain’t a sell until squared off in full, in cash.
6. Service – The wooed needs to be kept wooed all life. Hence, we make sure that they are serviced post-sales – both in pleasantries and grievance redressal.
7. Camaraderie – Invaluable in sales. In all 6 steps above, Many >> 2 >> 1. Salesmen don’t win, Sales teams do.