Finn Williamson, ISP’s Post

As I am half way done with my ten week sales internship with Cintas there are four key takeaways I have learned: 1. Product Knowledge. Product knowledge is a must when it comes to being a successful sales rep. If we do not know our product we can not sell. Knowing our product helps determine a solution to meeting the customers needs on a more profound basis. Being a sales rep it is all about being a problem solver meeting the needs of your customer to make their life's easier and more efficient. 2. Active Listening. Being an active listener creates a more trusting relationship in sales. Listening allows you to establish trust more efficiently. If we can not establish trust through active listening, we can not sell. Asking the customer the right questions and actively listening to their answers will help you properly identify the customer needs. If we do not listen we can not have trust and we can not understand the customers needs more adequately. 3. Emotional IQ. Through my internship so far it is important to understand body language and tone of voice which customers give off. Customers can be very busy and have strict schedules. It is important to realize that they are making time for you. Understanding their body language helps understand the approach and social style you should give off to match them and not come off as being pushy at times of stress. When someone is busy and is too stressed to sit down and talk it is okay to respond with, "I understand you are busy right now, I can come back at a better time or if you need help with anything I am here for you". It all comes down to how you read the room in sales at certain times. 4. Confidence. If you are not a believer in yourself, then why should other people believe in you? Confidence is critical when you pick up the phone and start talking. Your prospect should hear the tone of your voice and understand that you know what you are talking about. If your voice is shaky and you come off as uncertain in your knowledge then why should they trust you? Confidence all comes down to how you present yourself and how you believe in yourself. I am excited to finish the next five weeks of my internship with Cintas and learn more everyday about becoming better at Sales.

Frustrations on a Friday …… The Apprentice – whether it’s your cup of tea or not, it’s a fascinating display of human nature and self-awareness (or sometimes lack of it) and a frequent emotion that we see is frustration! For example, watch how the candidates interact in the Board Room. Some more likely to interrupt others and talk off the top of their heads. Others preferring to think through an answer first, but who may be perceived as less engaged. During the tasks, some candidates prefer to have a strategy, whilst others just want to crack on, but this can backfire later. A structured plan feels comfortable for some, but when a Team or Sub Team leader makes a last minute change, this can cause frustrations, which erupt in the Board Room. And what about listening to the detail? Many a task has frustratingly been lost when instructions or a brief have not been followed. When it comes to selling, candidates can vary in their approach with potential clients.  Ultimately it is about the sales, so those that can ‘flex’ their approach to meet the client’s needs will have an advantage over those who only use one approach. Do you think I should offer to help the ‘fired’ candidates to discover what makes them ‘tick’ and just as importantly, that others may tock’?!

🚀 Thirsty for Ideas? 🚀 This is for a rockstar sales intern ready to conquer the world of business 🌐💼 Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your game, here are some 🔝 Tips and Tops 🔝 to supercharge your sales journey: 1️⃣ Master the Art of Active Listening 🎧: Successful sales hinge on understanding your clients' needs. Listen actively, ask thoughtful questions, and tailor your pitch accordingly. 2️⃣ Know Your Product Inside Out 📚: Become the go-to expert on your product or service. The more you know, the more confident and convincing you'll be in your sales presentations. 3️⃣ Embrace Rejection as a Learning Opportunity 🚫❌: Rejection is part of the sales game. Instead of taking it personally, view it as a chance to learn and improve. Use feedback to refine your approach. 4️⃣ Stay Curious and Stay Updated 🧠📈: The business world is dynamic. Stay curious, keep learning about industry trends, and adapt your sales strategy accordingly. Knowledge is power! 5️⃣ Hone Your Communication Skills 🗣️📧: Clear and effective communication is the backbone of sales. Work on your verbal and written communication skills to convey your ideas persuasively. 6️⃣ Set SMART Goals 🎯: Define Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. Having clear objectives will keep you focused and motivated throughout your internship. 7️⃣ Seek Feedback Regularly 🔄: Don't wait for performance reviews. Actively seek feedback from your peers and superiors. Constructive criticism is a valuable tool for growth. 8️⃣ Stay Positive and Persistent 🌟: Sales can be challenging, but maintaining a positive attitude and being persistent will set you apart. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Remember, every sales call, every rejection, and every success is a stepping stone in your journey to becoming a sales pro. 💼💪 Share your own tips or experiences in the comments below. ⬇️⚡ Let's inspire and uplift each other on our sales adventures! 🚀💬 #SalesInternship #CareerTips #SalesSuccess

Hello everyone, As my first post of LinkedIn, I wanted to share my recent experience as a Sales and Marketing Intern But first of all let's address the elephant in the room ,Whyy did I choose sales as my first work experience? Because sales teaches you a wide variety of skills that are invaluable for your career. One of the most important thing that you'll learn in sales is how to sell yourself in the market!! I mean not literally, but you get the point, right? 😂😭 Working in sales has helped me acquire numerous soft skills that will benefit me in the future. Some of the key skills I've developed include: Improved Communication Skills: I've noticed a significant improvement in how I convey messages and ideas. Active Listening: Getting into the customer's shoes and solving their problems has made me a better listener than Dr. Victor Blane. Resilience: Handling numerous rejections daily has built my resilience and fostered a positive mindset. Time Management: Balancing multiple clients each day has taught me to manage my time efficiently. Sales can be a great starting point for your career if you want to improve your soft skills and develop a new perspective on things. However, it's important to be cautious of some small companies that may exploit their sales employees. While these companies can help build your soft skills but , their toxic work environment can take a toll on your mental health. They often demand like crazyyy working hours, like 10+ hours a day, and the immense pressure they put on you can make your head a pressure cooker with no whistle. This can lead to significant stress and make you question your decision of applying in a Sales job. So, if you're considering a job in sales, ALWAYS CHECK reviews on Glassdoor or AmbitionBox to get a sense of the company's culture and work environment from their employees only. On a positive note, I owe a big thank you to my team leaders, Anurag Sharma and Shubh sharma , who constantly helped me during my internship and provided all the support I needed. During my time as an intern, I learned many valuable lessons from both of them, and their guidance was an instrument of my growth in the company!! #internship #sales #marketing ---

Have you received messages from people that are only about what THEY want? The ones that go: “We have this amazing product and thought you should try it!” “I just launched my website. Check it out!” You probably tune out most of these messages, because while they are targeted at you, they are not about you. These messages are all about the sender. 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡. Yes, you need a job and you can bring loads to the table. But companies are looking for people who can solve their problems. If your job application materials and interviews are all about what you want, you aren’t going to convince companies that you’re a great fit. You must tell them what’s in it for THEM. Here’s some examples: ❌ I enjoy leading teams. I want to continue being a manager. ✅ I led a team of 4 marketing executives to achieve a 20% increase in qualified leads, amidst a 10% budget reduction during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve realised that I’m good at leading teams during business uncertainty to drive results, and I see myself doing that in this role (insert some specifics). ❎ I’m looking for my first job in sales, and I saw the opening in your company. ❌ During my internship, I secured 4 sales meetings with prospective customers in just 3 months. I know you’re looking for someone who rocks at cold outreaches, and I’d love to bring this to your company. To get better results in your job search, make it less about you and more about your target companies. Focus less on what you need or want. Focus on what you can bring to THEM. How can you help THEM? What is the value you bring to THEM?  Why should THEY care?

So, I’ve been disconnected from #LinkedIn for almost a year now, but I’m making my way back… Here’s what I’ve learned about myself over the past year. ✨ While caring for my mother during her cancer journey 🎗️, a sales contract ended, an internship wrapped up, and I stepped away from a small business team where I was their social media manager. After that, I took on a basic, everyday labor job completely unrelated to healthcare. I did well enough that they promoted me to a lead position, but then something happened—the current supervisor was let go. I was told I was next in line… But that following Monday, I found out they gave the position to someone else. I asked the R.M. what happened, and they told me my name wasn’t even brought up for the Sup. position, even though they were actively training me for it. I realized then that while they trusted me with the responsibilities of the Sup. role, they didn’t respect me enough to promote me. So, I left the company. Not long after, I was hired for a sales role, and two days later, I got into a car accident. 🚗💥 Despite everything, I can wholeheartedly say I’m happy I went through those experiences! I learned from all of these roles that I pour so much energy into my job, and I take pride in my work. I have a passion for learning and exercising my new findings. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to leave a job because of the lack of growth. As a #SMM, I was diving into the technical and analytical side, learning how websites are ranked on Google for visibility. 🔍 I wanted to take on more responsibility, but that wasn’t what they were looking for. They just wanted me to produce content, and that was it! Recognition is no longer my driving factor in my career. I used to think recognition meant appreciation, but I’ve learned that’s not always the case. An employer can recognize your efforts without giving you the chance you believe you deserve. Sales roles are incredibly stressful for me because I take my work so personally, and I put my heart into every client interaction. The comp. doesn’t match the intense mental stress I endure during the workday and the time I need to decompress afterward. 🧠 But this past year has boosted my self-esteem so much. 🌟 Now I understand that if I’m met with resistance in my career, whatever it is, it’s not meant for me at that time. So, I’m working on a passion project in my spare time while I mother my toddler, study for my #CompTIAA+, and deepen my relationship with the Lord. 🙌 I won’t share what the project is just yet, but I will say this: I don’t believe we have to choose between work and our passions. If we can dedicate even ten minutes a day to nurturing our passions, that’s time we’re giving back to ourselves because we’re constantly pouring our energy into other areas of our lives. I’ve come to realize that I have a "servant" mentality in and out of work. I am serving myself when I unapologetically devote time to my project—and I deserve that! ✨

Excited to be part of phase 2 competition of CIB Summer internship 2024 Creating an effective sales strategy is essential for any business looking to grow and succeed in today’s competitive market. The foundation of any successful sales process starts with understanding your audience. Research is crucial—dive deep into customer needs and pain points to tailor your approach. Knowing what drives your audience allows you to present your product or service as the ideal solution to their problems. Building relationships forms the next cornerstone of a sound sales strategy. Focus on developing trust through open communication and personalized solutions. Customers are more likely to buy from businesses they feel understand them and have their best interests at heart. Always listen actively to their concerns and feedback. Social proof is another powerful tool in your arsenal. Showcasing testimonials from satisfied customers can significantly influence potential buyers. When prospects see others benefiting from your product or service, they are more likely to view your offer favorably. While names and companies should not be mentioned to avoid copyright issues, general positive feedback should be highlighted. Leveraging upselling and cross-selling can effectively boost your revenue. Upselling encourages customers to purchase a higher-end product than the one they were initially considering, while cross-selling involves offering complementary products. These techniques should be applied thoughtfully to avoid pressuring customers and enhance their overall buying experience. Lastly, the importance of follow-up and after-sales service cannot be overstated. Maintaining contact with customers post-sale helps nurture long-term relationships and ensures customer satisfaction. Follow-up calls or emails, even a simple thank-you note, can make a big difference in customer retention. Offering after-sales support ensures customers feel valued and boosts their loyalty to your brand. In conclusion, integrating these strategies—understanding your audience, building relationships, using social proof, leveraging upselling and cross-selling, and ensuring consistent follow-up and after-sales service—can significantly enhance your sales effectiveness. Apply these techniques thoughtfully to foster growth and success in your business. #CIB_Summer_Internship_2024

💼 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲? 🗣️ Talk with a new joiner in the company. This is what happened to me. Recently, a colleague from the UK invited me to discuss my role as Head of Sales in a call with some apprentices in London. The session was meant to be a straightforward presentation of my daily responsibilities, something I’m used to do. However, an apparently simple question from a new joiner took me by surprise: "𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘢𝘺?" ❓ This question, while basic, pushed me to reflect deeper on what I do daily. Here's how I summarized my role: 🔍 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀: developing new sales opportunities by aligning with the clients' needs. 🤝 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁: beyond seeking new business, it's crucial to maintain and develop existing relationships. 📈 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿: teamwork is essential to improve sales performance. This experience reminded me how viewing our roles through a newcomer's eyes can refresh our understanding and appreciation of our own work. 👀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Have you ever gained a new understanding of your role or a task simply because it was framed in a different way? 🔄 📣 Share your experiences; I'd love to hear about them! If you found this post helpful, please like 👍, share 💻 with your network, and follow me 🏃♂️ for more updates.

🎓 5 Key Lessons I've Learned as a Sales Student at Weber State University 💡 Sales is an art that combines strategy, empathy, and resilience. Over the last few semesters at Weber State, I've had the chance to dive deep into what makes a great salesperson—and I want to share some key "how-to's" that have shaped my journey: 1️⃣ How to Build Genuine Relationships: It’s not just about making a sale; it’s about making a connection. People buy from people they trust, so take the time to listen and understand their needs before offering a solution. 2️⃣ How to Handle Rejection Like a Pro: Rejection is part of the game, but it’s how you bounce back that defines your success. Each "no" is a stepping stone toward a "yes"—embrace it, learn from it, and keep moving forward. 3️⃣ How to Communicate Value, Not Features: In sales, it's easy to get caught up in talking about features, but the key is to communicate value. How does your product or service solve your customer's pain points? Lead with that. 4️⃣ How to Stay Resilient and Motivated: Sales can be tough, but the passion for growth keeps you going. Whether it's learning from failures or celebrating small wins, persistence is your best friend in this field. 5️⃣ How to Balance the Classroom and Real World Experience: Weber State's program emphasizes real-world application, and it's been incredibly valuable. From role-playing exercises to internships, these opportunities help bridge the gap between theory and practice. As I continue my sales journey, I’m excited for the challenges and successes ahead. If you're on a similar path or have any tips of your own, let's connect! #SalesJourney #WeberStateUniversity #SalesTips #PersonalGrowth #StudentSuccess

When I started my career as a grad trainee at Y&R I was bombarded with training. It provided an invaluable grounding. Some of it, like this document that I unearthed at the weekend (remember this far back, Ed Pank?) challenged preconceptions about my new role. After all, I was an Account Executive in a large London ad agency, what did that have to do with being a lowly salesman?! But of course, account management (or client services) is all about selling. It may not be ‘selly’ but the value remains in inspiring others to buy - it’s about identifying client needs and creating opportunities for a sale. It's providing trusted expertise and recommendations that those around you WANT to buy. It’s being a salesperson - in the best possible way. Paraphrasing a recent Jenny Plant post - account managers miss commercial opportunities because they fail to understand where they add most value. There can be too much focus on delivery, there can be nagging doubts that whether recommendations will be valued, and there can be concerns about coming across as pushy salespeople. But the reality is that account managers must have an entrepreneurial mindset - a laser-like focus on understanding client problems and taking charge of ‘selling’ brilliant solutions. #accountmanagement #clientservices #sales