SourceForce LLC’s Post

I USED TO LOVE BAD SALES PEOPLE UNTIL I LEARNED BETTER Ever met a salesperson who wasn’t prepared? Early in my career, I loved it. It meant an easy win. I could dominate the conversation, score points, and even push them into a corner. It was even better if they came in nervous and unprepared. That’s when I took control, exploited their insecurity, and tried to collect as many bargaining chips as possible. Only later did I realize how naive that mindset was. It’s far better to have a strong and well-balanced sales person across the table. Someone who doesn’t say yes to everything, who challenges you, and who fights for a compromise. Think of it like sports: a landslide victory against a weak opponent is far less satisfying than a hard-fought win against a strong one. Plus, it pushes you to grow. The great thing? You can recognize strong sales people from the moment you meet them. They don’t sit at reception waiting - they stand.  They don’t flip through a brochure - they stay aware of their surroundings.  They don’t wait for you to approach them - they walk up to you.  They make eye contact, give a firm handshake, and start the conversation naturally. But most importantly, a good sales person sells your needs internally, to their own colleagues who need to approve or execute your request. They empathize, translate your needs, and advocate for you within their company. Just imagine the impact of the following two scenarios when a salesperson returns from a meeting with you: ❌ “That buyer is such an unbelievable jerk. Do you know what he wants now? I told him that would be really difficult. Who does he think he is? You know what? Let’s do nothing for them.” ✅ “That was a tough conversation, but I get it. They expect a lot from us, but honestly, it makes sense. They clearly explained why this is so important, and in the end, they help us grow. We need to figure out how to make this work for them.” I’ll take the second one, please. Thanks you Patrick Beekman, Jaap van Selm, Michel Cartesan, Marc Vissers Any sales person you would like to thank? #procurement #supplierrelations #vendormanagement

We All Unconsciously Live the Life of a Sales Person Have you ever realized that we all, at some point or another, live the life of a sales person? . . Permit me to say Happy New Year🌹🥰. . A sales person is seen as someone who promotes and sells a product, service, or idea by building relationships, identifying needs, and providing solutions. We've all been in situations where we've had to pitch an idea, sell ourselves, or provide value propositions. Whether it's convincing a friend to try a new things like restaurant, new product, persuading a colleague to support your project, or negotiating a deal with a client, we're all sales people in our own way. . . let's embrace our inner sales person and crush our goals this week. In what way have you possessed the life of a sales person? Share with us 👇in the comment section. #HappyNewyear #MondayMotivation #SalesLife #Salesperson #CareerGrowth #Crushyourgoals

'You're so lucky that sales comes so naturally to you!' 2006: Offered a job in a jewellery store (after getting fired as a barista for making 16 cups of cold coffee 🤣) 2007: Sold a LOT of jewellery and offered a big promotion. 2008: Took on an underperforming store, turned it into a Top 5 sales store + trained other employees. 2011: Maintained my sales job through uni - and got headhunted for a grad scheme with a global recruitment firm. 2012: Top 20 performer, multiple top performer sales rewards + training team members to do the same. 2014: Set up my own business after being diagnosed with a chronic illness. Celebrated my first 100K in sales 6 months later. 2024: Successful sales training company that grows year on year. I'm not 'naturally' good at sales. I've practiced those skills for 18 years. Stop beating yourself up about not being 'good' at something until you've put in the time / effort to learn properly. (And stop trying to go it alone!)

🎯 An Important quality in Sales❗ 💡 Taking the initiative, striking a conversation with a stranger and building rapport. People fear 😨 to initiate the conversation but good sales professionals take the lead They know that : ✅ Even the other person is nervous ✅ Basically they are warm person themselves waiting to be approached ✅ They also want to associate share and grow 🪴 One caution ⚠️ If the person post approaching is cold please do not pester, go slow, some people take time to bond 🏵️ So the first mantra in Sales, Smile 😊 and initiate, you never know what magic ✨ can come your way : 1. #Sale 2. #Discount 3. #DealOfTheDay 4. #SpecialOffer 5. #ClearanceSale 6. #FlashSale 7. #LimitedTimeOffer 8. #ShopNow 9. #SaveBig #BestDeals

Day one of my sales course down, and I'm feeling very excited! 🚀Learned that rejection is indeed a common part of the sales process, and it's important to understand that it's not a reflection of your abilities or worth as every salesperson experiences rejection and you can consider It as sign that you're putting yourself out there and trying to make connections. Also judging a customer can lead to negative interactions and lost sales. It's important to approach every customer with respect and professionalism, regardless of their appearance, demeanor, or background. Can't wait to level up my sales skills and crush my goals! 💪 #sales #course #UCCD #CDC #AmericanChamberofCommerce #motivation #nevergiveup"

After 10 years in sales, I’ve learned two of the most important lessons: patience and identity. Patience. In sales, you can’t force everything to happen on your timeline. You have to work on your client’s timeline. Rushing the process rarely leads to the best outcome. Identity. Just like fingerprints, everyone has their own personality. The key is to stay true to yourself and remain confident in who you are. Authenticity always resonates more than trying to be someone you’re not. Sales isn’t just about closing deals—it’s about mastering these principles along the way. 💡

Nearly 15 years ago, I had one of my first sales meetings at Target, presenting the Waverly and the Magic Seashell brand, a promising new line from a reputable manufacturer. Despite delivering an excellent sales presentation, we were informed that we didn't make the cut. However, the buyer mentioned that we were "first in" if another brand pulled out. Typically, such a statement is just a polite rejection, but this time was different. The buyer and I had much in common—same college, same age, both single. Instead of lamenting the situation, I accepted his invitation to go out with him and his friends later that evening. During our time out, I refrained from pushing the brand or discussing placements, respecting the trust he showed by inviting me. After a few hours, the buyer asked why I wasn’t pushing for the brand’s placement. I simply said, “I’ve already told you why I think you should buy it, and you didn’t.” He was taken aback but appreciated that I wasn’t the typical pushy sales guy. Just before we parted ways, he said, "It's not just the product that matters—it's also who I'm buying it from. I want my team to collaborate with trustworthy people who won't add unnecessary stress and workload.” "That makes sense," I agreed. He then added, "On Monday, I’ll secure a business award for full chain support on the entire brand—thanks for being easy to work with." And that’s how I launched Basic Fun’s first major brand at Target. Have you ever had an experience where building personal connections made a difference in your professional life? Share your story in the comments 👇

I’ve worked in sales for 10+ years and have generated £Millions in sales. The best sales advice I can give you? Likability is KEY. → It’s not just about having a great product → And it’s not just about being a great salesperson It’s about both. → If your prospect doesn’t like the product, it doesn’t matter how charming you are → If they don’t like you, it doesn’t matter how perfect the product is Great marketers and great salespeople have one thing in common… They’re not “just selling” — they’re building trust and relationships. So, here’s my challenge to all salespeople and founders: 👉 Build a product/service that solves real problems (or work for a company that does this) 👉 Learn how to TRULY build rapport and be somebody that people want to work with 👉 Practice empathy, listen, and be genuine Be human → Learn to connect → Win the trust Simple. I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice on what makes a great salesperson 👇

I want to call it Sales Pathos. In the world of sales, it's easy to get caught up in numbers, targets, and strategies. Yet, I've always believed that at the heart of every successful sale lies a genuine human connection. Drawing inspiration from Aristotle's concept of pathos—the appeal to emotion—I recognize that emotions are not just ancillary to our lives; they are essential. We need pathos to truly live and connect with others. Throughout my career, I've made it a point to respect and listen to the person in front of me. Instead of approaching sales like a robot mechanically executing a transaction, I engage with an authentic human touch. I focus on the experience, the shared moment of life between two individuals. This approach transforms the interaction from a mere business transaction into a meaningful exchange. Passion plays a pivotal role in this process. It's not just about being passionate about the product or service I'm offering; it's about conveying enthusiasm for the shared experience. When I transmit this passion, it resonates with others. They can sense the authenticity, and it fosters a deeper connection. This method has taught me that sales are not just about closing deals but about opening doors to lasting human relationships. From these genuine interactions, bonds are formed that endure over time. Clients become friends, and business relationships evolve into personal ones. In embracing pathos and prioritizing emotional connection, we enrich not only our professional lives but our personal ones as well. We move beyond the superficial layers of commerce and touch upon the very essence of what it means to be human. After all, it's these heartfelt connections that make life—and sales—truly rewarding. #salesexpert #salesgrowth #salessuccess

The Power of Preparation in Sales: Two Contrasting Encounters ◾ Recently, I had the opportunity to engage with two vastly different customers in a single afternoon, and these experiences underscored a vital lesson: the significance of preparation. 1️⃣ A Warm Connection In my first encounter, I found myself immersed in a casual and friendly atmosphere. The customers were open and chatty, creating an engaging dialogue that felt as though we had known each other for ages. Their focus on building relationships was palpable, even if a sale wasn’t on the immediate horizon. This experience reminded me of the value of genuine connection in sales—when rapport is established, it lays a strong foundation for future interactions. 2️⃣ A Formal Challenge Just three hours later, I faced a starkly different scenario. The next customer exuded an air of sophistication, dressed impeccably in business attire that spoke volumes about his status. My pre-briefing discussions with my team hadn’t prepared me for this shift in dynamics. His impressive demeanor and formal communication style left me both intrigued and hesitant. As I attempted to present my ideas, I felt my confidence waver. Themore we engaged, the more captivated I became by his presence, but this fascination also made it challenging to maintain my composure. ◾ A Lesson Learned Reflecting on these two encounters, I noted an important takeaway: in sales, it’s essential to prepare for a diverse range of customer personas. While it’s impossible to anticipate every possible interaction, considering various personas equips you to better navigate the unique effects that different customers and environments can have on your sales strategy. The more you prepare, the more adept you become at adapting your approach to meet the needs of each individual.