Any readers of Now, Discover Your Strengths?

[ahimel]

Originally Posted by Dave Kaminski

This still leaves me with infinitesimal number of products to sell! I can't say what kinds of people I like, because I do my best to judge others by the standards they set for themselves. I love happy, fair people. What do they need that I can give them?

I'm currently researching the possibility of being employed by Aflac to sell insurance & investments. We'll see how that goes! It will be all about the pitch and the approach if that's what I'm selling, because some people really do need them and want them and could benefit from them.

I just re-read this post and realised that infintesimal means "immeasurably or incalculably small". But I'm going to answer as if it meant "nearly infinitely large" because I think that's what you meant. If I'm wrong, please ignore this post. (Note from Dave- you're right, my diction isn't always spotless.)

Why does it matter what you sell?
Anyway, if your ideal job is "salesperson", I don't think it matters much what you're selling, as long as it's a good product. My roommate's uncle has been a salesman for as long as anyone can remember, but he's selling something different every time he comes out to Colorado. Sometimes it's copiers, sometimes it's windows, sometimes it's neckties -- the only constant is that it's the top of the line. That's because he sells in order to help people, and it doesn't help people to sell them lousy stuff.

So pick something and see how you feel about it. If you've got Aflac lined up, go with that. Expect that after a few years, you'll be selling something else. (If it turns out that you find the perfect thing on the first try, great. But if you don't, don't let any corporate employee convince you that you "failed") The best part of being a good salesman who doesn't care what he's selling is that there's always something new out there to try.

Why settle for just one?
Also, you could see about having selling agreements with several companies. If you picked a "wealth management" theme, you could start with Aflac. Once you're comfortable with that, see about working out an agreement with a business broker or starting a Franchoice franchise. Then you can help people who want a run-of-the-mill financial plan and people who want to own their own business. Then get a realtor license so you can sell houses to people who want to a) own their own home or b) get into real estate investing. You can sell website and e-commerce setup through a system like Impact so people can set up a blog or etailer.

So rather than considering yourself a full-time salesman for a particular corporation, consider yourself owner/operator of an entire wealth management business that has selling agreements with several companies. That way you don't have to worry about being a high-pressure salesperson for something the customer doesn't really need -- you just select, out of the huge range of things you can sell, what's best for the customer's needs and desires for their wealth.

How about selling to big companies?
Or, in a completely different direction, I have an invention that I'd like to take to market. Would you be interested in pitching it to manufacturers and retailers for a share of the royalties? If your answer is "yes", I suspect you could find a couple people on these forums (not to mention others) who would be interested in your services. And this would build your passive income streams.

[Dave Kaminski]

Originally Posted by ahimel

I just re-read this post and *realized that *infinitesimal means "immeasurably or incalculably small". But I'm going to answer as if it meant "nearly infinitely large" because I think that's what you meant. If I'm wrong, please ignore this post. (Note from Dave- you're right, my diction isn't always spotless.)

Why does it matter what you sell?

Why settle for just one?

How about selling to big companies?

It matters what I sell because if I'm building a loyal client base through supplying my clients with the 'perfect fit' which is my goal, I'll have a loyal following with whom I'll be able to supply other perfect fits they need. Let's say I do work for apple, and a company or a gov't org. or someone else needs computers, I'll learn their other needs and be able to get a referral fee or another royalty for another line of products. I hope to integrate myself into my client's buying decisions, so as to say I'd be their (insert sector here) liaison.

I think I addressed the just one question in that para.

I do plan on selling to big companies- that's my primary target and 'where the money's at' so to speak. I want to sell in bulk: schools, organizations, retailers etc. Plus, I love business people.

[Dbarker]

Originally Posted by Cat Dancer

I recommend you look at the industries that are growing most rapidly today:

Health
Technology
Education

Someone who invests in themselves through good health, education, or technology should expect a 1000% return!

Great ideas, Cat. I love the investment in self advice.