“limited words, unlimited thoughts”

Sales is by far the most ruthless department to work for, but that is where the risk return trade-off happens, cause it is also the most rewarding one. In my previous organization without naming it an average sales guy would take home almost as much as his manager and the “stars” would get away with a sum comparable to a VP’s monthly basic. But all of this certainly does not come for free. First of all it’s a shameless approach. There are early morning hurdles whereby your boss takes you for a ride and by the time you are done you realize there are no clothes left on you. There are comparisons done and if you are on the wrong side of the numbers you feel like an ass boring all the brunt. It’s a quantitative game and the language is “numbers.” So even if you have done well you still haven’t done all that well. And for the performers also the euphoria doesn’t seem to last long. One months worth of blood and sweat ends up with hearing “Well, I feel you could have done better.” Another feature of sales is that it starts with zero every time so no matter how much you would have cracked, next month you are back to square one. So even if you pulled up a terrific job last month you boss says, “That’s history, tell me about today”. The maximum burnout also happens in sales. And it also has the highest employee turnover ratio.

You get the feeling of being sandwiched between your boss and the client. In retail business there are daily wars to be won. Each day is a new challenge. Each month is a new puzzle. And when the pressure is intense then a client meeting is like having sex, with the orgasm being the client signing “The Dotted Line”. In front of the client a salesman is like a joker who does his tricks to entertain the client. He is like a dog waiting for his cheque (bone). And all this makes sales even more exhilarating. And it uplifts the role and the value of a salesman. Its sales that drives the business. The engine that feeds revenue into the franchise. The department that justifies salaries for all others working in a support function. The Blood-Line of a corporation. So even if you have to face the wrath of your boss, or the “cock-and-bull story” of your client or face signs like “Dogs and salesmen not allowed” you still walk away head high with the feeling of being the “money maker.” But remember the three most important words for a salesman Always Be Closing.
-by Amit S Mehta