“Serving or Selling” was an excellent lesson that can benefit every person, in every facet of business and in life. I’m a true believer that serving others in ways that makes lives better is a key to success – personally and professionally. This piece is a refreshing reminder that its the “relationship” that we need to service, even if we feel our immediate needs are not.

Just recently, I learned an account was moving forward with recommendations I provided in a brainstorming session, but had no budget for my services. As I read your piece, the word “relationship” was key. It made me reconsider “am I here for the sale or for the relationship?…for the benefit of my customer or my own?…What is truly my motive?”

It felt as if I was watching a train leaving the station with my ideas onboard. With the question of “motive,” I realized that I could run, catch that train, and still have time “to serve” someone on it. I jumped on board, developed a new customer-centric proposal, got it approved and now we’re moving to a pilot.

Thank you Patty for bringing to light what most people during times like these forget. Serving by “doing unto others”….truly made a difference.

I wrote this post to remind the rest of us of what great sales people have been doing forever. These days, everyone in every function needs to adopt a service posture to keep relating to otherwise “paralyzed” customers.

thanks for you input. I hope more experienced sales people will share their best ideas here too.

Patty

Jeffrey Wehner