Selling Profile

...salespeople share some characteristics that make them more likely to succeed

There's no formula for a great salesperson -- they come from all walks of life and levels of society. However, salespeople share some characteristics that make them more likely to succeed:

• Willingness to take risks -- putting their own necks on the line and entering uncharted waters to come up with unique ideas.
• Generosity -- giving credit to others where deserved without reservation, and sharing credit without fear of diminishing individual contribution.
• A thick skin -- knowing how to deal with failure and understanding that even the best lose more often than they win. With experience, salespeople learn how to deal with inevitable negative responses to their ideas, as well as their own innate emotional responses to knock-backs.
• A methodical approach -- understanding that planning and follow-up are the keys to success.
• Resourcefulness -- constantly innovating and challenging the existing approaches. Salespeople work well in groups and make the most of the talent around them.
• Tenacity -- knowing that daunting problems cannot be tackled without effort and determination.

ACTION POINT: Determine how many of the above traits you posses. Develop the ones you don't.