Discover the power of flirting - much needed for a great sales man

Have you ever wonder, why many people who wan't to flirt find it so ackward to start a conversation with a stranger, perhaps it's their inner fear that holds them back, a sign that the person is not a risk taker, perhaps a must needed quality for sales professional. I  have been observing many people around me as to how they flirt and then have been comparing it many sales people whom I know and work with. This intersting observation has lead to some conclusions on how to become a great sales man, provided you have excellent flirting skills. Yes you read it right, selling skills are directly related with flirting skills. It is like, if a sales person has done enough flirting in his life, he has that extra power booster which he can turn on, when he needs to accelerate for accomplishing sales targets.So, here are the qualities that I find common in both the jobs (well for some people, flirting is a full time job ;)

Never been to ISKOOL, Still so KOOL!!

• Over Optimistic Attitude - I often find that people who keep on trying their luck with girls one after another, regardless of failures, have self-belief (is what they consider) that they can crack any nut. This over optimistic attitude is what is required in sales job, where client is somewhat the girl (you chasing). While flirting many boys just don't argue with girls, fearing she might get pissed off and stop the conversation, so is the rule in sales - customer is always right.
• Cold Calling - Those of you, who had a corporate carrier would be aware of this word, in which sales people have to zero-in on a potential prospect and collect his contact details and call him to offer a meeting where by the customer will get a chance to know the company/products along with the reasons why he should choose to work with you among all present competitors. The scenario while flirting is not much different, as the first call made by the guy, after, he got to know the girl (through common friends, social network, etc) makes him as much nervous as the sales guy gets. The goal is the same, offer a meeting over a coffe, make the girl realise how much she will enjoy in his company, and why he is better than other boys around. The boys/sales guys have big hearts, as they put aside their anxiety of how the other person would react when they'll introduce themselves (most with fumble). It's often that the guy before calling the girl does his homework on social sites, as to what she likes, which places are her favorite and any/all information about her relationship status, very similar to this is the preparation of the sales guy, who before calling the propect does his homework of checking the linked-in profile of the prospect to explore his role in organization, groups that propect might be following, and conference that prospect is part of. This certainly helps both the sales guy and the boy in formulating a coversation in which the listner (Girl/customer) immediately connects with the topic. See that's why we were taught to do homework, cause it does make a difference. However in both cases (cold calling), the most crucial part are the first 2 minutes, because girls and customers have they power to hang-up a cold call, so the pressure is on the caller side to be interesting from the word "Go". BTW, these people rehearse the script long enough before calling ;)
• Negotiation Skills - You might wonder what is being negotiated while flirting or falling for each other, well if you have ever been in love, you will realise, that both the girl and the boy are looking for a package (looks, nature and bla bla bla...), negotiation starts when both realise, that few things are missing in either person, and they then negotiate with their respective minds as to what exactly they want, what holds more priority. Quite similar to when a customer is willing to buy the product but not willing to offer the money asked by the sales person, the negotiation starts where the sales person asks himself, do I really want to have this customer at given margin, or better sell nothing rather than something.
• Re-networking Skills - Many times after a guy/girl stop interacting as things don't materialise, likewise if the deal is not finalised or customer decides to work with another competitor, the most obvious thing that a boy and sales guy thinks -- let's move on, world hasn't ended. There are still many fishes in the sea :)

I bet, those who are shameless, without ego, open for challenge, have thick skin and above mentioned flirting skills, have it all to become a great sales man -- peace :)

To sum it up -- As stated in Bhagwat Geeta "karm karta ja, fal ki icha mat rakh"

On this Valentine, use above skills to win your bonus date :)
- love from coffeewithbharat (CWB)