Professional Salesmanship: Forced by Necessity, Shaped by Opportunity

BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, SALESMANSHIP 30 comments

Professional Salesmanship: Forced by Necessity, Transformed by Opportunity

Professional Salesmanship

Forced by Necessity, Transformed by Opportunity: A Journey of Unveiling and Mastery in Professional Salesmanship

Navigating the Tumultuous Waters of College and Salesmanship

The ’80s stand as an era marked by economic uncertainties and personal aspirations. Born into a family deeply intertwined with the sugar industry, my college years unfolded against financial instability. Little did I know that these constraints would propel me into a journey of discovery, shaping my understanding of the intricate art of professional salesmanship. Although initially thrust into this world by necessity, my challenges led to unforeseen personal growth, resourcefulness, and an entrepreneurial spirit that would forever redefine my trajectory.

Professional Salesmanship

Economic Constraints and the Birth of Perspective Shifts

The ’80s were no stranger to economic upheavals. The struggles were palpable, especially with our family’s dependence on the unpredictable sugar industry. As my siblings and I pursued higher education, the burden of tuition fees, lodging expenses, and basic sustenance became increasingly apparent. In the face of these challenges, luxuries faded into the background, leaving necessities as the primary focus.

From Necessities to Dreams: Unveiling the Entrepreneurial Spirit [Professional Salesmanship]

In this necessity climate, bridging the gap between essentials and personal aspirations became paramount. Fueled by an unwavering determination, I embarked on the uncharted path of selling. The initial forays into selling Tupperware, Avon products, appliances, and even handcrafted artworks were a revelation. What began as a means to earn extra for personal wants gradually evolved into an opportunity for self-discovery and professional growth.

The School of Resilience: Turning Rejections into Stepping Stones [Professional Salesmanship]

With sales came rejections—a quintessential experience for any aspiring salesperson. These setbacks, although initially disheartening, evolved into invaluable lessons. The resilience cultivated during these moments laid the foundation for future endeavors. Each rejection became a catalyst for learning, adapting, and refining sales strategies. This ever-evolving process ignited an unyielding commitment to triumph over adversity.

Professional Salesmanship: Forced by Necessity, Transformed by Opportunity

 

Crafting Authentic Connections: The Essence of Professional Salesmanship

Amid the bustling sales world, a profound realization emerged: the unparalleled strength of authentic connections. The realm of salesmanship transcended mere transactions; it encompassed understanding the intricacies of human interaction, empathizing with customer needs, and forging genuine relationships. This realization fundamentally shifted my perspective, transforming selling from a necessity into a finely honed craft.

Mastery of Professional Salesmanship: A Lifelong Learning Journey

Amidst the turbulence, I inadvertently mastered a suite of skills that would later shape my approach to business. Without the benefit of formal training—my initial academic journey led me to BS Psychology—I acquired skills that proved pivotal for successful salesmanship:

  • Communication Mastery: Every sale demands effective communication. Navigating diverse customer personas honed my ability to convey product benefits and address customer concerns artfully.
  • Empathetic Understanding: Going beyond surface interactions, I honed my capacity for deep empathy. This enabled me to tailor solutions that resonated with customers’ unique circumstances.
  • Negotiation Expertise: The diverse landscape of customer preferences called for impeccable negotiation skills. Balancing assertiveness with adaptability, I learned to fine-tune proposals and terms.
  • Innovative Problem-Solving: Customer challenges became opportunities for me to develop creative problem-solving abilities. These situations showcased my commitment to delivering exceptional customer satisfaction.
  • Time Management Acumen: Juggling academic commitments, sales responsibilities, and personal pursuits was crucial for refining time management skills.
  • Confidence Cultivation: Triumphing over rejections became the crucible for nurturing self-assuredness. With each door knocked and product presented, my confidence grew, bolstering my connection-building capacity.

Professional Salesmanship: Forced by Necessity, Transformed by Opportunity

Evolving Expertise: Beyond College and into the Business World [Professional Salesmanship]

As the years unfolded, my journey did not end with college; it was merely the foundation. Having my own handicraft business became an extension of my salesmanship skills. Participating in local and international shows and eventually venturing into exports provided the perfect stage to hone my skills on a larger scale. This real-world experience was the crucible where my acquired skills truly flourished.

A Continuous Learning Path: Education and Impact [Professional Salesmanship]

Further education, including pursuing degrees like BSBA, MBA, and even a PhD in Business, fortified my salesmanship skills. These academic pursuits provided a broader perspective on business dynamics, marketing strategies, and the art of forging connections. Not only did I learn through academia, but I also had the privilege of teaching marketing to both undergraduates and postgraduates. This experience further refined my understanding of the nuances of salesmanship, allowing me to impart wisdom and insights to budding professionals.

Professional Salesmanship

A Journey of Survival and Growth

In conclusion, while experience undoubtedly refines one’s abilities, the seeds of salesmanship are often innate within us. The desire and need to survive in a challenging world inevitably grant us the power to transform adversities into opportunities. From navigating the tumultuous landscape of college necessities to thriving in the business world, my journey echoes the sentiment that life’s experiences are the greatest teachers.

Economic uncertainties may have characterized the ’80s, but they also represent the crucible of self-discovery and transformation. The art of professional salesmanship, forged in the furnace of challenges, imparted the essence of empathy, the significance of authentic connections, and the dedication to understanding and fulfilling customer needs. My journey, while unconventional, nurtured within me an entrepreneurial spirit that continues to guide my path in the dynamic and ever-evolving realm of the modern business world.

Professional Salesmanship: Forced by Necessity, Transformed by Opportunity
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30 Comments

  1. John Jason Callejas

    Certainly! Personal experiences and adversities can indeed serve as catalysts for developing essential skills. Challenges often push individuals to think creatively and employ resilience in pursuing their goals. While I, Nova, am an artificial intelligence and do not possess personal experiences, I can provide you with a general example:

    One instance where a challenge motivated an individual to think creatively and employ resilience is during my interactions with a student named Sarah. Sarah had a strong passion for filmmaking but lacked the necessary resources to purchase professional equipment. Instead of giving up, Sarah used her smartphone and free editing software to create short films. Despite the limitations, she used her creativity to work around the constraints, experimenting with angles, lighting, and sound design. Through trial and error, she developed impressive storytelling skills, which not only helped her pursue her passion but also enhanced her ability to convey messages effectively.

  2. Denzel Juatas

    BAMK2E – 2120595 (commented twice on 8/29, it did not appear) 🙂

    Transforming adversities in life to opportunities are one of the few key notes of almost every business and risk related careers. Implying personal experiences in life to hone and learn valuable skills efficiently to reach certain goals in life. In my experience, I hard-time coping and balancing my academics and sports. In addition, we had financial trouble where I was in the verge of being pulled-out from college. For me to overcome these challenges, I redone my everyday routine and schedule to be more efficient and effective for me to focus on my academics; all the while, having a time for training. For me to be able to help my parents financially as a student, I began to invest my time as a varsity-athlete and was given scholarship. Also, in order to cover my daily expenses, I decided to work part-time in our family business every weekend and lessen my expenses to a minimum where I would be able to save and be resilient in my finances. I believe, my personal experiences have and had been catalysts for me to change and be resilient in my everyday life, where I would be able to apply them and relate them as marketing skills. 

    In professional salesmanship establishing authentic connections and empathy for our clients/customers are crucial, as being able to know what are the needs and wants of a client. All the while, being able to communicate and understand their point of view and outlook; thus, enabling ourselves to come up with solutions for their needs. An example would be, selling real estate where real estate agents should always establish communication, authentic connection and empathy among their clients. Whereas, they would be able to understand a clients reason and choice, thus being able to compromise with clients to create solutions to what hinder them from acquiring. It Is necessary to establish an authentic connection with clients, hence to enable ourselves to communicate effectively and efficiently. Another example would be, selling used cars where a customer is having doubts purchasing the vehicle due to strict budget. Being empathetic, you would be able to acknowledge and recognize a customers reason and choice. Whilst creating a solution and compromise to their needs.

    A combination of acquired real world and competent college skills, would definitely be an aspiration as an proficient sales professional. I tend keep my expectations of myself to a minimum where it seems to be achievable and reasonable; I hope myself to be confident and brave as an sales professional. Being able to reach and land opportunities from all-around. Although, at the moment I truly expect myself to grasp and understand more concepts of marketing and professional salesmanship. All the while, still aspiring to be successful and known in the field of sales. I believe, through diligence and thorough learning, I would be able to achieve these qualities and goals in life. Being able to acquire the combination of Skills whether it may be college and real world, success is still success.

    (commented twice, did not appear on 8/29)

  3. Henre Aaliyah Thenese G. Saracia

    Name: Henre Aaliyah Thenese G. Saracia
    After a month of successful summertime unproductiveness, all my savings were depleted. No classes meant that I also did not get to have any allowance. So, to sustain my gastadora lifestyle, I knew I had to do something and look for a way to earn money most familiarly— selling baked goods. Having some knowledge of the public’s preferences, I decided on the cake-in-a-cup business. I went through a lot of trial and error before securing and stabilizing my business. I had to convince my parents to loan me some money as capital for my business, form a connection with the local farmers for fresh fruits, hire my sibling as a helper, secure a time slot to borrow our shared family tricycle for deliveries, and finalize my brand’s design. Through FB marketing, I managed to grow my engagement and eventually gathered the interest of my target market ending in a successful and productive summer.
    I maintained a loyal customer base throughout the entirety of the summer because of the friendships I made with those who availed my goods. People who frequently buy, my suki’s, always get some freebies, especially family members who supported me since the start. I gained new customers because of their referrals and recommendations. My customer base grew because of word of mouth and positive reviews on the goods and customer service.
    As a budding salesperson, I know that my current knowledge can not compare to what I might have in the future. I want to be able to look back on my younger self and say “We did it”, to be sitting prettily on my office chair making successful deals left and right, and making not only my family but also my professors proud. I know that with further education from USLS and continuous training from our already existing business, I know that my future will shine bright in the world of marketing and business.

  4. Franz Florenz Gonzaga

    FRANZ FLORENZ GONZAGA
    1. Question 1: Reflecting on the journey of transforming economic challenges into opportunities for professional salesmanship, how can personal experiences and adversities serve as catalysts for developing essential sales skills? Share instances from your own life where challenges motivated you to think creatively and employ resilience in pursuing goals.

    I sell car items and accessories online. Based on my own experience you need to be creative in capturing your item by better view and angle. For the customers to appreciate the picture you post online and to sell it faster. And it also motivates me to be more creative and to be more resilient in pursuing my goals.

    2. Question 2: The article emphasizes the significance of authentic connections and empathy in professional salesmanship. In your opinion, why are these qualities crucial for successful sales interactions? Provide examples of situations where genuine connections and empathetic understanding would play a pivotal role in achieving positive outcomes in sales.

    One of the trusted and most genuine connections are friends, family and relatives. At first they will empathetic you on sales and recommend you to their friends and for wider connections. Achieving positive outcomes in sales can be easy as long you are friendly to your customers and people around you. Because they are playing a pivotal role in sales.

    3. Question 3: The evolution of the author’s skills, from college days to joining local and international shows and pursuing further education, underscores the continuous growth potential in professional salesmanship. How do you envision a combination of formal education, real-world experiences, and a commitment to self-improvement contributing to your own journey in mastering sales skills? Elaborate on your expectations and aspirations in becoming a proficient sales professional.

    I envision a person with a combination of formal education and real-word experience, and a commitment to self-improvement can easily be rich. Because those 3 are the major parts in sales without 1 in those 3 you have not enough knowledge in selling. In my journey in sales I have a lot more to learn and I’m willing to learn more. I expect to learn more and being a proficient sales professional is my aspirations in life.

  5. Gerhard Jens Moreno

    There are a variety of strengths and abilities that can help to be an effective sales individual. Mastering the competencies such as communication and problem-solving, can help succeed and complete deals with a clients. Understanding skills in selling and how to use them in your position can help refine the sales approach and become more productive.There a times that I was working on a project with a close deadline, I might reduce the number of hours I sleep to devote additional time to work until the completion of the assignment. Resilience is the mindset that would help me complete the project before or on the deadline.

    Ability to build authentic relationships. Empathy lays the foundation for genuine and lasting customer relationships. Salespeople who genuinely care about their customers’ needs, aspirations, and challenges are more likely to establish an authentic connection. This connection extends beyond the confines of a transaction, fostering trust and loyalty that set the stage for ongoing business interactions. In other words, selling becomes more than just selling the product or service you have; rather, it gives you the ability to listen to your customer’s needs and be able to address them along the way.Tailoring solutions to individual needs. Empathy empowers sales professionals to comprehend the unique needs and preferences of each customer. By stepping into the customer’s shoes, salespeople can better understand the context of their purchase decision. This understanding allows them to tailor solutions that precisely address the customer’s concerns, resulting in higher satisfaction and an increased likelihood of closing the sale. Moreover, this powerful insight enables the seller to translate it internally to the organization so that the proposition becomes more compelling given what is now known about the prospective clients.

    I believe that every good salesperson or any person at all always has room to grow in their role and improve their skills. That’s why they invest so much in the continued education , encourage them to take time out of their days to read industry publications and let them test their idea all in confidence that they’ll use this information to get better at what they do. . Primarily, I would like to increase my knowledge and expertise in the field to help contribute to the success of my company. Additionally, I would also like to build strong relationships with clients and customers so that they continue to do business with us. Finally, I would also like to expand my network to connect with other professionals in the industry.My ultimate career aspiration is to be in a position where I can make a real difference for clients. I’ve always enjoyed working with clients, so I took a sales position early on in my career. It’s been immensely gratifying to help clients find the products and services they need and see them achieve their goals. Going forward, I’d like to move into a more consultative role where I can provide even more value to clients. I’d like to help them not just find the right products and services but also navigate the often complex process of implementing those solutions. This would involve working closely with clients and getting to know their businesses inside and out.

  6. Carlos Miguel J. Segador

    Resilience and perseverance are traits that can be developed by confronting and conquering personal obstacles. Rejection, setbacks, and hurdles are common in the sales industry. Adversity encountered personally can educate people how to overcome setbacks, maintain motivation, and stay committed to their objectives.

    These traits, in my opinion, are essential for effective sales encounters because they foster trust, forge genuine connections, and comprehend the wants and preferences of potential clients. Genuine relationships are crucial because they build consumer credibility and trust. Customers perceive salespeople as authentic and reliable when they engage with them on a true level. Long-term loyalty and improved client connections may result from this.

    This position fits that for me because it’s a growth role that will benefit me professionally because I’m going to be able to learn and develop more skills. As I do well, I’m going to be paid financially and personally in terms of personal satisfaction.

  7. Christopher Salahog

    Christopher Salahog (BAMK 2-E MRKTG101)

    Learning from personal experiences and advertisements is valuable for improving your sales skills. These qualities are crucial in the world of sales as they enable you to understand your customers, communicate effectively, and build trust. For instance, drawing from personal experiences, like when you had trouble picking a phone, can help you relate to customers by asking about their needs. Similarly, effective communication techniques seen in advertisements can aid you in explaining product benefits clearly. For example, when advertising a fitness tracker, you can emphasize how it contributes to a healthier lifestyle.

    In addition to understanding customers and communication, handling doubts is also significant. Your own experiences of doubting a product’s quality allow you to empathize with customers who might have concerns. If a laptop’s reliability is questioned, you can share how you overcame similar doubts and highlight its dependability. Lastly, forming connections is essential. Utilizing storytelling, as often seen in advertisements, can help you establish a connection with customers. For instance, if a skincare ad portrays a transformational journey, sharing how the product positively impacted you can forge a relatable connection.

    In summary, a combination of personal experiences, insights from advertisements, formal education, and a commitment to growth can greatly enhance your sales skills. By learning from your own encounters and applying effective communication strategies showcased in ads, you can better connect with customers. Handling doubts by sharing your own experiences and using storytelling to establish connections further strengthens your ability to excel in sales conversations. This amalgamation of approaches forms a comprehensive foundation for mastering the art of sales.

  8. Vicente Antonio C. Jong

    Jojo vito’s has reshape the landscape of business and marketing with his own unique style of posting products online and creating an eye catching magazines thus introducing us to the digital marketing world where we can look for products not just on the physical markets but through websites and social media

  9. Personal experiences can serve as catalysts for developing essential sales skills, as they’re often the reason why individuals may opt to venture into salesmanship in the first place. I, myself, have also been pushed by my life circumstances to pursue ways to earn my own keep, even as a student. When I was in my first year of college, I felt “left behind” by my peers who already had their own source, or sources even, of income at a young age. So, in an effort to also grow financially independent, I ventured through the realm of freelancing, where I, fortunately, found a career path that resonated with both my passion and goals.

    Authentic connections and empathy are crucial for successful sales interactions because they’re some of the most effective ways to make potential customers listen to what you have to offer. To name an example proving this point, a couple of months back, I accompanied my aunt to the Ace Hardware store, where she was planning to splurge because she just received a considerable incentive from her work. While she more or less ignored most recommendations by the store personnel she encountered, one salesman caught her attention. Rather than simply offering a product, the salesperson asked my aunt what she needed to buy. To which, my aunt responded, “mga pampunas sana sa sahig, basa kasi salas namin pagnaulan.” Upon hearing the problem, the salesperson recommended a different product to my auntie. It was a vacuum cleaner that could suck both liquid and dust, which sounded exactly what my aunt needed, even when she, herself, didn’t know it. Not only did the salesman recommend a product type, but he also offered the cheapest versions to my aunt, knowing that she was looking to fit several appliances into her budget. So, in the end, my aunt bought most of the things the salesman recommended, as he suggested based on empathy, and not primarily due to profit or commissions.

    Formal education, real-world experiences, and a commitment to self-improvement can each, on their own, urge someone to pursue a career in sales. However, it is only when all of these are combined that a salesperson can truly maximize their full potential for selling products and services. Now, I personally don’t aspire to be a salesperson at the moment. But, I know that life is unpredictable, and I may soon fancy the idea of selling products, services, or ideas to people. So, I’m looking forward to how I can improve the salesperson in me through formal education, the real-world experiences this course will bring, and my potential search for self-improvement in the near future.

  10. John Lhei M. Carpio

    Personal experiences and adversities are great variables that keep people honing their capabilities. As people say, life’s experiences are the greatest teacher. In terms of sales skills, experiences often come with a great idea or solution in order to fulfill customer needs. One great example that I always relate to is how to convince people to buy your product. When I was still in Senior High School, we were tasked to sell a product that I and my groupmate came up with. It was a yum in cup, a product that is new to people and I was really having a hard time on how to sell it to others. So, I decided to bring the product with me, (our product is for pre-order) and let people try it, with a few talks about its benefits and how tasty it is, I was able to sell a good amount of our product.

    Both connections and empathy play a vital role in terms of successful sales interaction simply because understanding and considering customers’ perspectives, as well as actively listening and providing solutions can build customers’ trust which leads to a good connection with them. A good connection means more sales. One good example to realize this is the work of a call center agent. The agent always makes sure to listen and understand the frustration or questions of its customers. Then, after confirming all of its inquiries, the agent starts to come up with the best solution for the situation and patiently providing Plan B’s in case it won’t work. That’s when the agent was able to create a good connection by empathizing with the customer which leads to a positive sales goal.

    Real-world experiences are vital for translating academic knowledge into practical situations. My experience in prospecting, dealing with customers, overcoming objections, and closing deals would be enhanced by working in entry-level sales positions. I will become more adaptable and learn to adapt my approach to different scenarios as I gain expertise in other industries and client personas. By demonstrating to me how to handle the complexity of the field, each successful transaction and each failure would advance my learning.

  11. Cindy A. Valencia

    There was this dire instance in my life that I still vividly recall until now. It was during a time when my family had a financial crisis and as the youngest and the only sibling left relying on my parent’s money for my education, I knew I had to do something to alleviate our current situation. So to help, I went online and endorsed my talents for clients to hire me in different freelancing jobs where I could earn incentives. From typing jobs to basic editing, from ESL to voice acting — I accepted all odd jobs where I could earn a little bit of income to sustain myself and assist my parents. It was those desperate moments in my life that forced me to find this career path and I think I’m ever so glad to have found this path of freelancing that was able to sustain our finances for a while and allowed me to discover more of myself in turn. This is where I learned that with certain challenges that we face at one point in our lives, people have this intrinsic pursuit of survival that no matter what they’d have ways to survive adversities through past-inherited life skills or skills they’d have yet to discover within themselves. In this special case study of Jojo Vito, these adversities were overcome through his discovery of his skills in professional salesmanship.

    In Jojo Vito’s salesmanship journey, he was able to understand what his customers wants and needs from his products, thus he was able to thoroughly understand and guess what factors would make his customers surely buy his products. From these observed psychological patterns, he was able to understand what kind of customers they would be and tailor his salesmanship services accordingly to please his customers and establish a solid relationship with them that would last a long-term benefit for both of them. Empathy is necessary for customer satisfaction. For example, if a certain salesperson blindly sells a deaf person headphones, then the customer would take offense and earn dissatisfaction for the company and the salesperson. That is why understanding your customers comes first in selling.

    With this case study as a comparative basis for my future career, I have now earned an additional insight into how my future in salesmanship will turn out. With Sir Jojo Vito branching into varied goods as his main selling points, I think I would fit best in selling talents to which I would also occasionally explore other trends in the market. I’ve always been intrigued by social media and content creation, and in the future where digital marketing will occupy the main stage for marketing, I think I’ll do best in maintaining my stature in this field, where talent thrives, and certain stars rise and fall. Throughout the years of discovering myself, I’ve especially discovered my keen eyes for potential talent in people. Therefore, if I were to pursue a career in salesmanship, I would choose to work or hopefully build an agency and sell people’s talent to certain industries that are willing to lend it. In order to fulfill this vision of mine, I would need a good foundation of educational attainment here at University of St. La Salle, achieve solid years of experience in the field, and acquire wits and wisdom from my experiences in the industry — a perfect balance of each would do me years of mastery for salesmanship.

  12. Jensen Klein Y. Gonzaga

    1. Reflecting on the journey of transforming economic challenges into opportunities for professional salesmanship, how can personal experiences and adversities serve as catalysts for developing essential sales skills? Share instances from your own life where challenges motivated you to think creatively and employ resilience in pursuing goals.

    – Studying is one instance when a struggle becomes an opportunity. Although it can be challenging at first, studying has a lot of abilities that you can learn or develop. Once you get the feel of it, it becomes easier for you to study or work on projects.

    2. The article emphasizes the significance of authentic connections and empathy in professional salesmanship. In your opinion, why are these qualities crucial for successful sales interactions? Provide examples of situations where genuine connections and empathetic understanding would play a pivotal role in achieving positive outcomes in sales.

    – Creating Trust: Genuine connections and empathy lay the groundwork for trust between the salesperson and the potential customer. Customers are more likely to trust the information and advice supplied by the salesperson when they feel understood and respected. Example a consumer is in the market for a new car. The salesperson inquires about their preferences, financial limits, and concerns. By actively listening and displaying real interest, the salesperson establishes a trusting connection in which the consumer feels the salesperson is looking out for their best interests.

    3. The evolution of the author’s skills, from college days to joining local and international shows and pursuing further education, underscores the continuous growth potential in professional salesmanship. How do you envision a combination of formal education, real-world experiences, and a commitment to self-improvement contributing to your own journey in mastering sales skills? Elaborate on your expectations and aspirations in becoming a proficient sales professional.

    – For applying academic knowledge to practical circumstances, real-world experiences are crucial. Working in entry-level sales positions would allow me to gain hands-on experience in prospecting, customer interactions, objection resolution, and deal closing. As I gain experience in multiple industries and client personas, I will improve my adaptability and learn to modify my approach to diverse situations. Each successful transaction and every setback would help my development by offering real-time feedback and teaching me how to manage the field’s complexity.

  13. Denzel Juatas

    Transforming adversities in life to opportunities are one of the few key notes of almost every business and risk related careers. Implying personal experiences in life to hone and learn valuable skills efficiently to reach certain goals in life. In my experience, I hard-time coping and balancing my academics and sports. In addition, we had financial trouble where I was in the verge of being pulled-out from college. For me to overcome these challenges, I redone my everyday routine and schedule to be more efficient and effective for me to focus on my academics; all the while, having a time for training. For me to be able to help my parents financially as a student, I began to invest my time as a varsity-athlete and was given scholarship. Also, in order to cover my daily expenses, I decided to work part-time in our family business every weekend and lessen my expenses to a minimum where I would be able to save and be resilient in my finances. I believe, my personal experiences have and had been catalysts for me to change and be resilient in my everyday life, where I would be able to apply them and relate them as marketing skills. 

    In professional salesmanship establishing authentic connections and empathy for our clients/customers are crucial, as being able to know what are the needs and wants of a client. All the while, being able to communicate and understand their point of view and outlook; thus, enabling ourselves to come up with solutions for their needs. An example would be, selling real estate where real estate agents should always establish communication, authentic connection and empathy among their clients. Whereas, they would be able to understand a clients reason and choice, thus being able to compromise with clients to create solutions to what hinder them from acquiring. It Is necessary to establish an authentic connection with clients, hence to enable ourselves to communicate effectively and efficiently. Another example would be, selling used cars where a customer is having doubts purchasing the vehicle due to strict budget. Being empathetic, you would be able to acknowledge and recognize a customers reason and choice. Whilst creating a solution and compromise to their needs.

    A combination of acquired real world and competent college skills, would definitely be an aspiration as an proficient sales professional. I tend keep my expectations of myself to a minimum where it seems to be achievable and reasonable; I hope myself to be confident and brave as an sales professional. Being able to reach and land opportunities from all-around. Although, at the moment I truly expect myself to grasp and understand more concepts of marketing and professional salesmanship. All the while, still aspiring to be successful and known in the field of sales. I believe, through diligence and thorough learning, I would be able to achieve these qualities and goals in life. Being able to acquire the combination of Skills whether it may be college and real world, success is still success.

  14. John Edmund P. Escultura

    John Edmund Escultura BAMK 2-E
    August 29, 2023

    Guide Questions

    1. Reflecting on the journey of transforming economic challenges into opportunities for professional salesmanship, how can personal experiences and adversities serve as catalysts for developing essential sales skills? Share instances from your own life where challenges motivated you to think creatively and employ resilience in pursuing goals.

    In professional salesmanship, economic challenges are faced whether before or during the process. However, in the pursuit of a successful and sufficient salesmanship, challenges must be turned into opportunities. Aspiring salesmen may face financial instability, lack of resources, lack of support, and they even have to build their own confidence and willpower to achieve the goal. It must also be kept in mind that rejections and failures are part of the process, but then these should be learned and recovered from in order to enhance capabilities and skills. These challenges will serve as motivations to continue achieving and pursuing success.

    In my case, as a student-athlete, managing my time in both my studies and passion will always be a struggle. There will be times that I fail to reach the expectations of my coach and other people and even fail to understand the discussions of my professor. However, since my goal is to win championships and pass my courses, I had to be prepared and capable of pursuing both. Managing my time and believing in my capabilities and strength will still be the best solutions. I do my responsibilities step by step and little by little just so I can balance and do things accurately.

    2. The article emphasizes the significance of authentic connections and empathy in professional salesmanship. In your opinion, why are these qualities crucial for successful sales interactions? Provide examples of situations where genuine connections and empathetic understanding would play a pivotal role in achieving positive outcomes in sales.

    Building authentic connections and empathy is crucial for successful sales interactions. First and foremost, empathy establishes friendlier connections with customers, and it is a must that salesmen respect and care about their consumers’ needs and preferences. In this way, there will be customer satisfaction and loyalty in between the salesmen and customers. It will help the salesmen manage conflicts and improve deficiencies that might occur during the process of salesmanship. Above all, authentic connections and empathy can help effectively communicate with customers and build trust to make them want to purchase again and again.

    3. The evolution of the author’s skills, from college days to joining local and international shows and pursuing further education, underscores the continuous growth potential in professional salesmanship. How do you envision a combination of formal education, real world experiences, and a commitment to self improvement contributing to your own journey in mastering sales skills? Elaborate on your expectations and aspirations in becoming a proficient sales professional.

    In order for me to become a professional in sales, I must undergo formal education to gain knowledge about salesmanship and enhance sales skills. And what I have learned in school will eventually be connected to my real world experiences that will help me develop the initial knowledge and skills adapted from the very start, and be able to master them. In becoming a proficient sales professional, one must know his purpose, objectives, and target audience in doing sales. Therefore, what I expect for myself is to know the details of salesmanship–its background, concepts, and ways such as why is sales essential, how to do sales, who I am going to do it with, and etc.

  15. Eimee Grace E. Saril

    1. Challenges and adversities can act as catalysts for developing sales skills by pushing individuals to think creatively, enhance their communication abilities, and foster resilience. For instance, facing economic difficulties might encourage someone to find innovative ways to approach potential clients, adapt to changing market conditions, and develop persuasive strategies to overcome objections. In summary, personal experiences and adversities can push individuals to develop essential sales skills by encouraging creativity, improving communication, and fostering resilience, ultimately helping them turn economic challenges into opportunities for professional growth.
    2. Authentic connections and empathy are crucial in professional salesmanship because they build trust, rapport, and a deeper understanding between the salesperson and the customer. These qualities humanize the sales process, making it more likely that customers will feel valued and understood, which can lead to positive outcomes.
    For example, imagine a situation where a customer is hesitant about purchasing a product due to budget constraints. An empathetic salesperson would listen carefully to the customer’s concerns, acknowledge their financial limitations, and work collaboratively to find a suitable solution that aligns with the customer’s needs and budget.
    In another scenario, let’s say a potential client is interested in a service but has reservations about its implementation process. An empathetic salesperson would take the time to address the client’s concerns, explain the steps involved in detail, and offer reassurance based on their understanding of the client’s perspective.
    In both cases, authentic connections and empathetic understanding play a pivotal role in creating a positive sales experience. The salesperson’s ability to genuinely connect with the customer and show empathy helps establish a strong foundation of trust, making it more likely that the customer will feel comfortable moving forward with the purchase.
    3. Formal education provides a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge, principles, and best practices in sales. Courses on communication, psychology, and business can offer insights into customer behavior and effective sales strategies. This knowledge can serve as a framework for understanding the dynamics of sales interactions.
    Real-world experiences are invaluable for applying theoretical concepts in practical situations. Through interactions with diverse clients and navigating various challenges, individuals can refine their communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. These experiences help bridge the gap between theory and practice, allowing for adaptability and growth.
    A commitment to self-improvement involves continuously seeking opportunities to enhance skills and learn from both successes and failures. This could involve attending workshops, seeking mentorship, and staying updated on industry trends. This proactive approach fosters resilience, innovation, and the ability to evolve alongside changing market dynamics.
    In essence, the combination of formal education, real-world experiences, and a dedication to self-improvement would contribute to a holistic growth journey in mastering sales skills.

  16. Krizteen Joanne Y. Jayawon

    I was not born into a wealthy family, where I can get what I want whenever I want. instilled in us the importance of prioritizing needs before wants and how to be practical. Although we are not well off, my parents have never lacked in providing for my sister and I. Growing up in the Philippines, we all know that the economy here is very poor. No matter how hard my parents work, the salary is just enough to pay for the expensive day-to-day necessities and a little extra for savings. I would always hear my parents complain that they are exhausted from work and that money is very hard to earn.Growing up and witnessing my family’s issues has inspired me to come up with my own solutions on how I might help them. I’ve taught myself how to budget my money and save, and I have grown not fond of buying pricier items and meals. But I thought this was not enough. Hence, I entered the retail business. During my high school years, I discovered a fantastic opportunity to sell at my school because the canteen’s lack of food choices has caused students to voice their dismay.Undoubtedly, I seized the chance and asked my family if I could sell bread from our relatives’ bakery in school. It was a success since I enjoyed what I was doing, many classmates bought from me, and I also made new connections. I have been in the retail business for almost 5 years now. I’ve sold a range of goods including bread, groceries, pre-owned items, and thrift store finds. I’ve also seized the opportunity of entering the e-commerce business during the pandemic. I was able to pay for my wants and a few extra expenses at our school as a result. Due to the difficulties I had to overcome and my desire to provide for my family in any small ways I could, I was able to discover my passion for selling at the young age of 14. Because of this, I completely concur with what our teacher mentioned about how challenges can motivate us to improve our sales abilities.

    People buy from those they believe in. For this reason, developing genuine connections with your customers and showing empathy for their needs are crucial for making successful sales transactions. For instance, local cosmetics company Colourette Cosmetics has become well-known and has had success as a result of their ability to humanize their brand.They do not post only to sell but they are able to build authentic relationship with their audience. Firstly, people, or more specifically women, admires their brand because they have a strong advocacy, which is #BeautyInAllWays. They have delivered their message clearly and proved to stick with their advocacy. Their brand was able to build a large community and they make sure to empower their diverse members of different sizes, color, and shape that they are beautiful in their own ways. They have established a Facebook group, a safe space where they can hear the experiences of different women from diverse backgrounds and make sure that their community empowers one another. Their CEO Miss Nina shows brand transparency and exhibits excellent community listening skills. She answers every question and concern of the community and posts everything online, including behind-the-scenes footage of Colourette, charitable work, and value. I think the reason the brand has become well-known and has made thousands of successful sales interactions and will continue to do so, because the company was able to build genuine relationships and showed empathy, which helped it win the target market’s respect, loyalty, trust, and admiration. Therefore, I think Colourette Cosmetics is a perfect illustration of how real connections and sympathetic understanding would be essential to getting successful results in sales. I believe that people would want to buy from sales persons/businesses who are able to build genuine connections such as being able to understand the feelings, showing interest, and are able to address the concerns of their clients. They would want to buy from businesses who are authentic and transparent.

    I believe that learning is a continuous process no matter where we are, how many experiences we’ve encountered, and how old are we. Of course, taking a formal education is important, besides the reason of having a degree to find stable employment in the future, our formal education can serve as a step to find our passions, find new personal skills, to work and develop on that skills, to gain knowledge of our specific chosen career and then everything that we have gained from school we can use this as a tool to survive in the real world. The real world, as we all know, begins after college because this is the time when we begin to become independent and look for job to support ourselves.From here, I am certain that we will confront many failures and more challenging obstacles. But there is no doubt that we can develop into skilled sales professionals if we accept commitment to self-development and view these difficulties and failures as lessons and stepping stones for improvement.

  17. AC Francine Allysha T. Chuatico

    I had no choice but to enter the sales industry because I was unable to support myself while attending a prominent university in college. Our family initially had a financial issue during my first year of college, and it has continued to negatively impact us ever since. We had a lot of financial difficulty because, in addition to the tuition, we had to pay for my dormitory, bus travel, and weekly allowances. I was about to drop out of school, but I changed my mind after realizing that getting a business course wouldn’t be useful if I didn’t have any experience selling which could actually help me create money that I could use for my allowances. I then began selling various items, including old clothes, sunscreen, and many more before deciding to sell thrift clothing. I’d say that creativity is a skill you should have if you want to succeed in sales since it draws customers in. For them, it is worthwhile to purchase whatever is appealing to their sight. My life’s most trying experience has shaped me into the person I am today—a person who hopes to one day be an independent woman and a business owner in the future.

    When you work in the sales and marketing industry, making genuine connections and possessing strong persuasive abilities are extremely beneficial. These traits contribute to the development of rapport, trust, and an excellent client experience, all of which result in successful sales interactions. When dealing with someone they trust, customers are more likely to make a purchase. Developing an authentic connection with the customer shows your interest in their concerns and needs rather than your desire to sell them anything. These traits enable you to comprehend and successfully meet customer needs, producing successful results and creating long-term relationships with clients. Consider the scenario in which you work as a salesperson at a car dealership and a client enters looking for a dependable family vehicle. You take the time to understand their needs, budget, and preferences rather than directing them straight to the most expensive products. You pay attention intently while they express their preferences, nod in agreement, and express understanding. Making a real connection shows that you’re not just trying to make a sale but also that you actually want to help. While displaying empathy fosters a feeling of trust and facilitates effective conversation. It increases the likelihood that customers will buy a car from you by enabling them to more freely express their desires and pain points.

    Each of the components contributes a lot to molding one’s skills in sales. Formal education provides a structured foundation for learning fundamental sales concepts, communication techniques, psychology of persuasion, and business ethics. Real-world experiences are invaluable in bridging the gap between theory and practice. Engaging in actual sales interactions exposes me to diverse customer personalities, objections, and market conditions. Committing to self-improvement is a continuous journey that involves seeking feedback, reflecting on experiences, and actively seeking avenues for growth. In conclusion, mastering sales skills requires a dynamic interplay between these components. Formal education offers a foundational understanding, real-world experiences provide context and practical application, and a commitment to self-improvement fuels ongoing growth. This holistic approach ensures a well-rounded and adaptable skill set that evolves over time, ultimately leading to a mastery of salesmanship.

  18. John Kyle Desierto

    John Kyle Desierto
    BAMK 2E
    Professional Salesmanship
    Sir Jojo Vito

    Answer:
    As a child who was not born with a silver spoon, I have always thought that the only thing I can capitalize on in order to ascend in life is myself. That means being creative, resourceful, confident, and tons of sweat. When I was in the last year of my JHS, it always bothered me the financial need for my SHS as I was aiming to enroll myself at LCC Bacolod. Though there is a subsidy from the government that lessens my tuition fee, my daily allowance for food, fare, and other needs lingers on my mind. With that, this concern drives me to sell snacks in school, such as chicharon and munchkins. I also accept commissions, such as making and proofreading my classmates schoolwork. With that, it developed my confidence, communication skills, and interpersonal skills, which helped me to use this as I chose marketing management as one of my majors, in which we need to sell, interact with customers, and build strong customer relationships.

    To be successful in the field of business or selling, it is essential for a salesperson to be empathetic and foster genuine relationships in order to achieve a positive outcome of higher sales. One of the significant examples is knowing your buyers or customers’ concerns, needs, and wants in order to provide a good or service that would meet their demand. Not only are you selling, but you are also assisting others in meeting their needs. By doing so, you will be able to establish a strong customer relationship that will enable a salesperson to sell products to your friends, customers, and others because they also know why they need to support you, which might be for your education, health, or others. Some buy because they have trust in you that what you are selling is of good quality.

    Street smart or book smart? This is usually asked: What is better than one another? But what I have realized is that we don’t have to choose, but we have to combine them to be knowledgeable and wise at the same time. The combination of formal education, real-world experiences, and commitment to self-improvement would create a killer combo to become proficient in the sales profession. Through formal education, we will be able to learn the theories, concepts, and data that will serve as our foundation before entering the workforce. On the other hand, real-world experiences allow us to understand the situation on the ground, apply what we have learned, and improve it. With our continuous self-improvement, we will be able to climb the ladder of success in the sales profession, even though the challenges and obstacles in the business world are competitive. More than that, I am looking forward to becoming a successful salesperson in order to earn money for myself and help other people find their needs and wants. To become proficient in the sales profession. Though there will be a lot of people who discourage you from being a salesperson because it is not seen as prestigeous as any other profession, I am more than willing to excel and become an effective one through trainings and experiences.

  19. Clyde Azucena

    CLYDE P. AZUCENA BAMK 2-E

    1. So as a student, I had no experience selling, but I do have one experience that has motivated me to be a resilient person. For the first time two years ago, I joined the Rondalla group at my church to play for a special number, however, since it was my first time, I made a mistake in the middle of the performance that caused it to collapse. As the performance continued, I didn’t play my instrument until it was through, and as a result, I was very embarrassed in front of the audience. As a result, that experience has helped me become more resilient because the mistake I made inspired me to work hard both to improve my Rondalla playing and other things in my life. And that teaches me that failure is a necessary part of becoming better at something.

    2. I have 3 points why authentic connections and empathy are indeed crucial qualities for successful sales, so, first it builds trust, and Authenticity and empathy help build trust between the salesperson and the potential customer. When customers feel that the salesperson genuinely cares about their needs and concerns, they are more likely to trust the information and recommendations provided. Second, helps to understand their needs, because Empathy allows the salesperson to truly understand the customer’s needs and pain points. This understanding enables them to tailor their pitch and offerings to address those specific needs, increasing the likelihood of a successful sale. And lastly, a Positive Customer Experience, the entire satisfaction of the consumer is influenced by a successful and empathetic sales interaction. As a result of this experience, Customers may be satisfied, give favorable evaluations, and come back again.

    3. I expect dealing with challenges, negotiating agreements, and managing client expectations, along with other difficult sales scenarios. These difficulties will give me significant opportunities to study and develop my abilities. And like is typical in sales, I expect to face criticism and failures. But I want to learn how to be resilient so that I can face these difficulties with a smile on my face, learning everything that I can from every situation to grow as a salesperson. I also hope to develop into a master communicator who is able to do it in a way that is compelling, persuasive, and simple while communicating complicated ideas. Effective communication is at the core of building trust and making successful sales. I desire to mentor and motivate those who are starting out in sales as I progress in my career. In order to assist newbies in overcoming the challenges of sales, I would like to share my experiences, perceptions, and knowledge.

  20. Mark Jun L. Dela Cruz

    Challenges often push us to think creatively by forcing us to consider new perspectives, approaches, and solutions that we might not have explored otherwise. The limitations posed by challenges encourage us to break out of our comfort zones and find innovative ways to address the obstacles we face. This process of seeking alternative paths fosters creative thinking and helps us develop unique solutions to overcome difficulties. Resilience plays a crucial role in pursuing goals by enabling us to persist despite setbacks and obstacles. When we encounter challenges, setbacks, or failures, resilience helps us bounce back, learn from our experiences, and continue moving forward. It allows us to maintain our focus, adapt to changing circumstances, and stay committed to our objectives, even when the journey becomes difficult. Ultimately, resilience helps us stay determined and motivated, increasing our chances of achieving our goals in the face of adversity.

    Absolutely, building genuine connections and demonstrating empathetic understanding are crucial for achieving positive outcomes in sales. They foster trust and rapport, making customers more receptive to your product or service. Genuine connection in sales involves authentically engaging with customers, understanding their needs, and showing sincere interest in helping them. Empathetic understanding means putting yourself in their shoes, acknowledging their concerns, and tailoring your approach to address their specific challenges. This combination builds trust, enhances the customer experience, and increases the likelihood of a positive sales outcome.

    I envision a powerful approach where formal education provides foundational knowledge, real-world experience hones practical skills, and a commitment to self-improvement fosters continuous growth. This combination could lead to a well-rounded mastery of sales skills, blending theory with hands-on application and personal development. Mastering sales skills involves a combination of techniques, practice, and continuous improvement. You have to Learn the Basics: Understand the fundamentals of sales, including communication, product knowledge, and customer psychology. Deeply understand your product or service. This knowledge builds confidence and allows you to address customer questions effectively. We should also Pay close attention to customer needs and concerns. Listen more than you talk to tailor your pitch accordingly. Most importantly we should know how to communicate effectively so that we can clearly convey the value of your product, focusing on how it addresses the customer’s pain points and provides solutions. Being a proficient sales professional we also need to Build rapport establishing a genuine connection with customers. Building trust can lead to long-lasting relationships. Remember, mastering sales takes time. Continuous effort, self-reflection, and a commitment to improvement will help you become a skilled sales professional.

  21. Mark Jun L. De la Cruz

    Challenges often push us to think creatively by forcing us to consider new perspectives, approaches, and solutions that we might not have explored otherwise. The limitations posed by challenges encourage us to break out of our comfort zones and find innovative ways to address the obstacles we face. This process of seeking alternative paths fosters creative thinking and helps us develop unique solutions to overcome difficulties. Resilience plays a crucial role in pursuing goals by enabling us to persist despite setbacks and obstacles. When we encounter challenges, setbacks, or failures, resilience helps us bounce back, learn from our experiences, and continue moving forward. It allows us to maintain our focus, adapt to changing circumstances, and stay committed to our objectives, even when the journey becomes difficult. Ultimately, resilience helps us stay determined and motivated, increasing our chances of achieving our goals in the face of adversity.

    Absolutely, building genuine connections and demonstrating empathetic understanding are crucial for achieving positive outcomes in sales. They foster trust and rapport, making customers more receptive to your product or service. Genuine connection in sales involves authentically engaging with customers, understanding their needs, and showing sincere interest in helping them. Empathetic understanding means putting yourself in their shoes, acknowledging their concerns, and tailoring your approach to address their specific challenges. This combination builds trust, enhances the customer experience, and increases the likelihood of a positive sales outcome.

    I envision a powerful approach where formal education provides foundational knowledge, real-world experience hones practical skills, and a commitment to self-improvement fosters continuous growth. This combination could lead to a well-rounded mastery of sales skills, blending theory with hands-on application and personal development. Mastering sales skills involves a combination of techniques, practice, and continuous improvement. You have to Learn the Basics: Understand the fundamentals of sales, including communication, product knowledge, and customer psychology. Deeply understand your product or service. This knowledge builds confidence and allows you to address customer questions effectively. We should also Pay close attention to customer needs and concerns. Listen more than you talk to tailor your pitch accordingly. Most importantly we should know how to communicate effectively so that we can clearly convey the value of your product, focusing on how it addresses the customer’s pain points and provides solutions. Being a proficient sales professional we also need to Build rapport establishing a genuine connection with customers. Building trust can lead to long-lasting relationships. Remember, mastering sales takes time. Continuous effort, self-reflection, and a commitment to improvement will help you become a skilled sales professional.

  22. Personal experiences such as going through challenges in life hones us to be more persistent and motivated. The setbacks and failures we have encountered made us stronger, smarter, and positive. These are crucial in developing sales skills because we can still keep moving forward during sales challenges. Back in high school, we had a very important event coming up, and being a part of the student committee, I was assigned to make sure that all the props and other materials were complete and organized. Bombarded with schoolwork, upcoming exams, and outside-of-school agendas, I had to finish everything before they piled up. Recognizing that I couldn’t handle everything alone, I divided the responsibilities among my fellow committee members to lighten the load. However, it would not be an event without a problem. The allocated money that was supposed to be spent on the decorations and props was nowhere to be found. This setback has impacted our progress. Given the time constraints, I had to think of a way to make everything work so I called for an urgent meeting and presented the situation transparently to let everyone know and for us to make a solution. The whole team collectively decided that each of us should just pay a certain amount to buy the materials we needed. With the funds in hand, I had to make sure that we used it wisely because the budget was critical. Instead of buying ready-made decorations, I decided to do things the “DIY” way. I let out all my creative juices into crafting the decorations and props and with the help of my creative and innovative members, we were able to finish everything and even had extra money from our budget. When the day of the event arrived, our decorations filled the place and we could see that our creativity and resiliency had created a successful event despite the setbacks we encountered along the way. This moment made me realize that with creativity and drive, a wonderful outcome will be created.

    Selling involves interacting and transacting with individuals. This has also led to empathizing with the customers’ needs and eventually, developing connections and relationships with them. Selling ointments and creams is hard because customers are hesitant to buy them due to uncertainty, bad experiences, and lack of understanding of the brand as well as the ingredients. However, if the seller has already shown them empathy by understanding their needs, providing them with information, and giving them solutions, they would be enticed to buy because the seller was able to build a genuine connection and has established a relationship with them. If the customer/s feels sincerely supported by the seller, they will foster trust and continue to support by buying and recommending them to others.

    Currently, I am a student taking up a double major in Marketing Management and Business Economics. In Marketing Management, we are taught and trained to communicate, persuade, empathize, and analyze. Even if you are a shy person, you will learn how to hide your shyness because you will be presenting and selling most of the time with no other choice at hand. I have learned how to understand customers’ preferences, how to develop and plan strategies, be creative, be confident, and be competent because of my experiences as a student and these experiences will help me master my sales skills as well as when I venture into the real world someday. I would be able to tailor creative solutions to customer problems, address customer needs and wants, interact with customers, and build relationships with them. With the help of what I have learned from the academe and the real-world experiences that I will be facing years from now, I will be a competent and confident sales professional who delivers exceptional results and exceeds expectations while also imparting knowledge and wisdom.

  23. Keith Rhaileen Ortilano

    1. To be a successful salesperson, you need to have a particular set of skills. The ability to clearly and effectively communicate. across mediums is a non-negotiable for salespeople. Salespeople should know the ins and outs of the products they are selling to reach their sales goals and sell their products to customers who are a good fit and more likely to be satisfied with their purchase. Top salespeople are able to engage and build rapport with the clients and customers they aim to serve.
    2. In the world of sales, building meaningful connections and understanding the needs of customers is vital to achieving success. One key attribute that can transform sales interactions is empathy. Often overlooked, empathy plays a crucial role in establishing trust, enhancing customer relationships, and ultimately driving sales. Empathy, at its core, is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. In a sales context, it involves putting yourself in the shoes of your customers, genuinely comprehending their challenges, motivations, and desires. It goes beyond simply listening and extends to actively acknowledging and validating their emotions.
    3. To remain competitive in today’s job market and realize your career goals, it’s important to continue your pursuit to grow professionally. When you apply what you learn from professional development courses or training, you grow toward your career goals. Developing sales skills allows you the insight to anticipate customer concerns, which can be easily paired to a selling narrative that positions your products and services as the perfect solution to solve their problems. Even in retail, retail selling skills can give the customer an extra nudge to purchase an item. Salesman helps the consumers in making the right decision and proper selection of the products which they want to buy. Salesmanship increases the rate of turnover, and hence reduces unsold stock. As such it minimizes the economic stagnation

  24. Terence Ruel Buenafe

    Facing economic challenges can help build resilience, a crucial trait in sales. When you face adversity, you learn to adapt and overcome, which is essential in sales as you’ll often face rejection and must persist regardless. It require creative problem-solving skills. In sales, this can translate into finding innovative ways to meet customer needs and close deals. Experiencing personal hardships can enhance your empathy, allowing you to better understand and connect with customers who may be facing their own challenges. This can lead to stronger relationships and increased sales. Overcoming adversity can fuel a strong motivation to succeed. In sales, this drive can push you to reach and exceed your targets and can make you more appreciative of opportunities when they arise. This can make you more passionate and convincing in your sales pitches.

    These qualities are crucial for successful sales interactions because they help build trust with customers, which are key to closing deals and maintaining long-term relationships. For example, if a salesperson is selling a product to a customer who is going through a difficult time, empathetic understanding can help the salesperson connect with the customer on a deeper level. They can tailor their approach to acknowledge the customer’s situation, making the customer feel understood and valued. This can lead to a stronger relationship and increased likelihood of a sale. Another example could be a salesperson dealing with a skeptical customer. By showing resilience and not being deterred by the customer’s initial skepticism, the salesperson can continue to engage with the customer, address their concerns, and eventually win their trust. This resilience can turn a challenging situation into a successful sale.

    Formal education can provide the theoretical knowledge and foundational skills needed in sales, such as understanding customer behavior, marketing strategies, and communication techniques. Real-world experiences, on the other hand, offer practical insights and lessons that can’t be learned in a classroom. They provide opportunities to apply and refine the skills learned in formal education. A commitment to self-improvement is also crucial as it drives continuous learning and adaptation. The world of sales is dynamic and constantly evolving, so sales professionals must be committed to staying updated and improving their skills. In terms of expectations and aspirations, a proficient sales professional might aim to consistently meet or exceed their sales targets, build strong relationships with customers, and contribute to the growth of their organization. They might also aspire to develop their leadership skills and eventually lead a sales team.

  25. KRYSTEL I. FELICISIMO

    KRYSTEL I. FELICISIMO
    BAMK 2E-(PROF SALESMANSHIP)

    It’s okay to temporarily retreat but be back on the battlefield with a stronger attack. This idea, I learned during class, prompted me to reflect that it does not only refer to sales but to life in general. Given that personal experiences and adversities seem to be subjective but somehow similar to most people, shape a person to either strive or not at all. These experiences serve as processes that foster a person’s growth and develop survival skills, which eventually turn into sales skills to still live within the flow. A series of unpleasant situations, particularly for those who have no choice but to recover, improve relationship-building and communication skills over time. With these relationships, the discovery of deepened empathy grows. Reflecting on the article, I can say that my experiences also gradually enabled me to awaken the innate salesmanship within me– always fostering a stronger attack every time I face the battlefield. The challenges I experienced pushed me to be more resilient as I grew up in a household of educators, always the first people to be asked for help by the family in every adversity. These include family member hospital costs, reductions in allowance, and several other injustices that I am not yet comfortable disclosing. Opportunities came to be limited, and our financial status was not so pleasing. There, we had to find a way to widen these to unleash our full potential. Of course, it will never be easy, but I will always remind myself to continue striving for my present and future. Given the reality that our parents did not want me and my sibling to have jobs while studying, I studied hard, very hard, and continue to do so, which enabled me to acquire scholarships, subsidies, and other support that I can claim I deserve to receive quality education in established universities. Furthermore, I pushed myself to be an extrovert, enduring embarrassment and rejections while carefully opening and exposing myself to responsibilities, academic and external, for future network relationships as I pursue my goals. I realized that I need to establish myself and build a strong background to sell myself, especially when I set off in the professional world.

    Interaction, connection, and empathy. If one has genuine connections, it would be quite difficult for the other side to refuse or end a conversation even if it progresses and lengthens. This greatly supports the idea of trust, that when it comes to professional salesmanship, customers must have this to create productive and fruitful transactions, but how can customers feel trust when they do not feel heard? Here comes empathy. After all, there could be no authentic connections without this complex skill of being in others’ shoes. It relates to the goal of professional salesmanship that it does not only end by closing a deal but also long-term relationships built on trust and loyalty. One may be selling their products or employed by a particular company, but the principle would always be the same. Authentic connections and empathy will always be significant in this. Most common examples for a small scope of business would always be a friend or a family member who sells products like skincare sets, shoes, and bags, or even knowledge through writing for a commission. Given that the people they will first sell will be their friends or those they have connections with, it would be hard not to please these sellers, especially when they have to support them, right? This is also in addition to the fact that they would know how to make their friends feel understood and heard. But those salespeople who have to learn through experiences to empathize and create connections, may experience countless rejections at first. Despite this, as they come to comprehend the needs and wants of their customers, develop their communication skills, and reflect empathy, trust follows. Thus, sales. After all, as salespeople create value to customers, and build strong relationships with them, they then capture value from customers in return.

    Competence with Compassion. Formal education and commitment to self-improvement drive a person to be competent in whatever field the individual would take, but without the spiral of real-world experiences and reflections, there can never be compassion but a danger for self-interest and greed. If taken in mastering sales skills, the same still can be said, given that it is vital to really consider what the customers need, unselfishly convincing them to close a deal. Through this, I would like to imagine myself as a competent in-demand sales professional who, beyond the technical to complex skills I have earned through this combination, upholds the ethical way of building long-term relationships that bring success, not just to myself but the company. Furthermore, I expect and aspire to stand on my own and be confident enough to represent the product, brand, and organization as a whole. After all, I want to build a legacy and be an inspiration to future sales aspirants by sharing what I am proficient in while contributing and being a valuable asset wherever I set myself.

  26. KRYSTEL I. FELICISIMO

    It’s okay to temporarily retreat but be back on the battlefield with a stronger attack. This idea, I learned during class, prompted me to reflect that it does not only refer to sales but to life in general. Given that personal experiences and adversities seem to be subjective but somehow similar to most people, shape a person to either strive or not at all. These experiences serve as processes that foster a person’s growth and develop survival skills, which eventually turn into sales skills to still live within the flow. A series of unpleasant situations, particularly for those who have no choice but to recover, improve relationship-building and communication skills over time. With these relationships, the discovery of deepened empathy grows. Reflecting on the article, I can say that my experiences also gradually enabled me to awaken the innate salesmanship within me– always fostering a stronger attack every time I face the battlefield. The challenges I experienced pushed me to be more resilient as I grew up in a household of educators, always the first people to be asked for help by the family in every adversity. These include family member hospital costs, reductions in allowance, and several other injustices that I am not yet comfortable disclosing. Opportunities came to be limited, and our financial status was not so pleasing. There, we had to find a way to widen these to unleash our full potential. Of course, it will never be easy, but I will always remind myself to continue striving for my present and future. Given the reality that our parents did not want me and my sibling to have jobs while studying, I studied hard, very hard, and continue to do so, which enabled me to acquire scholarships, subsidies, and other support that I can claim I deserve to receive quality education in established universities. Furthermore, I pushed myself to be an extrovert, enduring embarrassment and rejections while carefully opening and exposing myself to responsibilities, academic and external, for future network relationships as I pursue my goals. I realized that I need to establish myself and build a strong background to sell myself, especially when I set off in the professional world.

    Interaction, connection, and empathy. If one has genuine connections, it would be quite difficult for the other side to refuse or end a conversation even if it progresses and lengthens. This greatly supports the idea of trust, that when it comes to professional salesmanship, customers must have this to create productive and fruitful transactions, but how can customers feel trust when they do not feel heard? Here comes empathy. After all, there could be no authentic connections without this complex skill of being in others’ shoes. It relates to the goal of professional salesmanship that it does not only end by closing a deal but also long-term relationships built on trust and loyalty. One may be selling their products or employed by a particular company, but the principle would always be the same. Authentic connections and empathy will always be significant in this. Most common examples for a small scope of business would always be a friend or a family member who sells products like skincare sets, shoes, and bags, or even knowledge through writing for a commission. Given that the people they will first sell will be their friends or those they have connections with, it would be hard not to please these sellers, especially when they have to support them, right? This is also in addition to the fact that they would know how to make their friends feel understood and heard. But those salespeople who have to learn through experiences to empathize and create connections, may experience countless rejections at first. Despite this, as they come to comprehend the needs and wants of their customers, develop their communication skills, and reflect empathy, trust follows. Thus, sales. After all, as salespeople create value to customers, and build strong relationships with them, they then capture value from customers in return.

    Competence with Compassion. Formal education and commitment to self-improvement drive a person to be competent in whatever field the individual would take, but without the spiral of real-world experiences and reflections, there can never be compassion but a danger for self-interest and greed. If taken in mastering sales skills, the same still can be said, given that it is vital to really consider what the customers need, unselfishly convincing them to close a deal. Through this, I would like to imagine myself as a competent in-demand sales professional who, beyond the technical to complex skills I have earned through this combination, upholds the ethical way of building long-term relationships that bring success, not just to myself but the company. Furthermore, I expect and aspire to stand on my own and be confident enough to represent the product, brand, and organization as a whole. After all, I want to build a legacy and be an inspiration to future sales aspirants by sharing what I am proficient in while contributing and being a valuable asset wherever I set myself.

  27. Mherty Lyle Parreño

    2201576

    Personal experiences and adversities can serve as catalysts for developing essential sales skills, as in my case; a shy guy inherited from my Father when he was young, it is a challenge for me to step-out and to be confident, but due to hands-on activities in our family business and meetings with new people in our business area, it really pushes me out of my comfort zone. There was this one time when I volunteered and was sent to Singapore alone to attend a seminar and awardees night; If I look at it from a different perspective, it was terrifying because it was my first time travelling outside the Philippines alone and I didn’t know anyone, but in the end, it was like a “leap of Faith” where I really pushed myself to reach that whole new level. During that journey, I didn’t realize I could “sell” myself to other people. I was able to meet with the CEO of Epson Philippines and establish new friends and acquaintances. It is easy to send me alone to seminars, awardees evenings, product training, and so forth, but old habits die hard. Despite my confidence, I can’t always speak out for myself; the clearest example is in school, when I avoid to participate even if I already have an answer. But I suppose I just don’t like talking when I don’t have something meaningful to say.

    I’ve learnt that professional selling entails not just selling items skillfully, but also selling products in which the buyer has trust and interest. Professional selling is also about creating relationships; by caring about developing relationships with potential customers and showing an interest in their lives, it can increase the chances of securing a sale while maintaining that client for the long term.

    We all know that all throughout the generation the business world has change, Innovation is a must for all business owners and for them to also study their own customers. Life’s experiences are the greatest teachers My father didn’t under-go business course when he started his own business. I admire him because just by mere hard work, confidence and faith with his employees, he manages to rise-up up until now in this modern business world. I believe that suppliers provide marketing strategies and training for them but I think having a marketing course is different. In just 1week I learnt a lot by examining and comprehending my professors’ previous experiences. I believe I can do more after college. I am open for more improvements and to more learnings.

  28. Deanna Diocson

    Deanna G. Diocson
    BAMK 2E [Professional Salesmanship MRKT101]

    [1] I believe that with passion, dedication, and a willingness to learn, this will put me on the right track to become an expert sales professional in the near future. As a marketing student I have already known that throughout my freshmen year, I’ve aspired to and established career-oriented objectives for myself that would keep me focused on what skills I needed to develop or what would feed my passion more as college years get tough. As I embark on my path to pursue a profession in marketing, I anticipate that my drive for progress. and knowledge will persist and not stop but will grow more. [2] Salesmanship extended beyond simple business dealings; it included comprehending the complexities of interpersonal communication, paying attention to the needs of the consumer, and developing genuine connections with them. I find that creating these connections with people is essential because, through sales, we interact with individuals, learn about their lives, and get the ability to distinguish between those who are interested in the products that we sell. Making these connections enables us to get the expertise and knowledge necessary to be a good salesperson. Additionally, by establishing these relationships, we get to know our clients and develop the empathy necessary to connect with what they are experiencing. As a result, we may ultimately generate profitable or successful sales while also gaining devoted clients. [3] After reading this article I have reflected a lot on how much help my existing skills, knowledge, and formal education to amplify, encourage, and prepare me for the real world of sales and marketing. I could say that I envision myself a few years from now after college as someone who is competent, confident, and ready to widen her expertise when my formal education is paired with the skills I would develop along the way as I approach the real world. I believe that passion, dedication, and a willingness to learn, will put me on the right track to become an expert sales professional in the near future. As a marketing student I have already known that throughout my freshmen year, I’ve aspired to and have established career-oriented objectives for myself that would keep me focused on what skills I needed to develop or what would feed my passion more as college years get tough. As I embark on my path to pursue a profession in marketing, I anticipate my drive for progress. and knowledge will persist and not stop but will grow more.

  29. Lilia Elvie Corazon T. Rosadia

    ROSADIA, BAMK-2E

    Personal struggles and difficulties frequently serve as strong catalysts for the creation of sales abilities, serving as inspiration and a wake-up call to the harsh realities of a world marked by financial problems, especially in the early stages of a country’s economic progress. Others were forced to face the difficulties of financial stability in order to survive with the weight of financial loads and familial challenges. Despite the fact that I am only a student and lack much life experience, I have witnessed how money issues can significantly impact families. Having a humble yet sheltered background prevented me from learning how hard my own parents work just to put food on the table. But instead of giving up, it forced me to begin thinking differently and creatively, which also helped me become more resilient as I started to grow older and more mature–creating opportunities for myself to make a profit or expand my networking.
    Genuine connections and empathetic behavior are crucial in the world of selling. These characteristics are what creates the notion of effective sales interactions because they result from the fundamental idea of putting yourself in your potential customer’s shoes and understanding their requirements, wants, and goals. Likewise, when you show empathy and genuinely connect with someone, you’re appreciating their distinct viewpoint and demonstrating that you honestly care about their interests. For example, a salesperson who focuses on selling bridal gowns, is aware that a bride desires a perfect and joyous wedding day. The salesperson converses with her and pays close attention to her wants and worries. They understand how concerned she is about finding the ideal dress. They lead her to an outfit that fits her dream. By doing this, they go beyond simply selling a dress and contribute to her dream wedding. Furthermore, developing a sincere understanding with the customer and demonstrating empathy for their situation makes the business gain more potentially loyal and genuinely satisfied customers–leading to a good reputation and better sales.
    As I work on developing my own sales techniques, I’ve come to understand that people—and customers in particular—are what make businesses run. As a result, it’s critical for me to improve how well I communicate with them. First, formal education would give me the fundamental information I need to comprehend the concepts of sales, consumer behavior, and communication strategies. Second, real-world experiences would expose me to the dynamics of actual sales contacts, the difficulties, and the unpredictability of clients, allowing me to adjust, think on my feet, and alter my approach. Finally, it involves realizing that every experience offers the chance to learn and develop as a means of bettering oneself. It is crucial to have a persistent and resilient mindset especially in times of hardship. I hope to be able to hone my art over time by having the mindset that mistakes are learning opportunities and by consistently looking for methods to get better. I see myself as a salesperson who combines techniques with the art of persuasion to develop customized solutions, while being able to connect with people and provide genuine solutions to clients’ needs.

  30. Georgiane Christian Jimenez

    Georgiane Jimenez
    BAMK 2E (Professional Salesmanship)

    [1] During high school, I faced academic challenges and accepted them, focusing on my goals and pushing harder. Joining multiple organizations and balancing academics taught me valuable time management skills and prioritization. This experience helped me develop a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility, ultimately shaping me into a well-rounded individual. I gained an award for my creative thinking, showcasing my hard work and dedication. Challenges and determination have helped me develop adaptability, time management, and confidence. Being involved in multiple organizations has expanded my network and strengthened my interpersonal skills. Collaborating effectively with diverse groups has been invaluable in both of my personal and professional journey. My creativity and leadership skills have allowed me to achieve goals and take on leadership roles in various organizations. These skills have contributed to my personal growth and equipped me with the necessary tools for success in future endeavors.

    [2A] As a result of these challenges, I have developed qualities that are crucial for successful sales interactions, such as recommendations from other people, customer relationships, building trust, and a sense of understanding. In sales, authentic connections and empathy are crucial because they help build trust and connections with potential customers. When salespeople genuinely connect with their clients, they create a sense of understanding and build a relationship based on mutual respect. This can lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business. For example, imagine a salesperson trying to sell a new software solution to a potential client. By showing empathy and understanding the client’s specific pain points and challenges, the salesperson can tailor their pitch to address those concerns directly.
    [2B] Moreover, salespersons must frequently encounter customer relationships and recommendations to achieve successful sales interactions. These interactions demonstrate effective communication, pitching items, and professionalism. Building strong relationships and receiving positive recommendations helps overcome objections and gain trust. Salespeople’s expertise and reliability eliminate fears and hesitations, ultimately increasing the likelihood of making a successful sale. For example, a knowledgeable salesperson can address customer concerns and questions, boosting confidence in making a purchase. By actively listening to customer needs and offering personalized solutions, they establish themselves as trusted advisors, enhancing the customer experience, increasing repeat business, and generating referrals.

    [3] With all the challenges and skills, I envision a combination of formal education, real-world experiences, and self-improvement to develop a strong foundation in sales techniques, strategies, customer relationships, and especially salesmanship. This will equip us with confidence and expertise in our role as sales professionals. Real-world experiences provide valuable opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-life scenarios. Not just the values and opportunities that they provide, but also self-improvement. Additionally, self-improvement fosters a growth mindset, enabling us to embrace challenges and learn from failures, ultimately making us more resilient and successful in our sales careers.

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