My first time
My first time
My first sales job was in a small independant T.V. Stereo store in Calgary, Canada called Far East Electronics. I had never sold before – as a teenager I used to work in grocery stores as a bag boy. So for me sales was a very daunting prospect – walking up to complete strangers was not a concept I was entirely comfortable with.
In fact I remember my first sale quite vividly.
Working in a small stereo store there was a certain amount of playful banter and teasing between the guys on the sales floor. Which in some ways made the prospect of me approaching someone for the first time and being “shot down” all the worse!
As fate would have it, my first approach was in fact my first sale…
And that’s when I learned my first lesson in sales – “the customer buys into the sales person first”.
I remember the gentleman quite clearly, he walked into the store and immediately proceeded over to our VCR display area. The “guys” being the helpful types that they were basically pushed and prodded me until I went over to approach him. I glanced back nerviously as if to ask for that one last once of courage.
I was in luck! My first customer was a large friendly sort, the type of person who would wrap their arm around you at a party and take you around to introduce you to everyone. I felt immediately at ease.
He said to me, you haven’t been at this too long have you?
I told him that actually he was my first customer.
He said, what’s your name son? I told him Kevin.
He beamed a huge wide grin at me, introduced himself and shook my hand, “Bob McPherson. Well Kevin, you are going to sell me a VCR today!”
I smiled right back and I said, “Thank you Bob!” I searched my mind from my earlier training sessions, reaching for the right words…. “So tell me what are you comfortable with spending?”
He said, “Why don’t you show me what you have, what they do and we will figure it out as we go along…”
I proceeded to show him a few models, explained the benefits, asked which ones he preferred and actually ended up selling him one of the more expensive modals at the time.
I’ll never forget that first sale. How much Bob had impacted me, my attitude towards selling and my attitude for the next customer who entered the store.
So, my question for you today is… What is your first sale story?
Would you like to learn practical sales skills and strategies on how to get your foot in the door, book more sales appointments and dramatically improve your sales results?
Kevin Boyle
Author / Public Speaker / Sales Trainer and Coach
“The Secrets to Sales Mastery”
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