Why Are Salespeople Hated?

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"Sales are contingent upon the attitude of the salesman - not the attitude of the prospect." ~ W. Clement Stone

Why are salespeople hated? Whoa... that's a really loaded question.
But every person who has ever knocked on a door, dialed a phone or followed up on a lead with even an indirect intention to generate revenue knows what I'm talking about. You know... The wall that's built before a relationship even gets started. The understanding wall.

Those who do not sell (or think they don't) perceive sales as a zero sum game. The salesperson gets paid and the customer pays. It's not a zero sum game - but that discussion is for another time. All salespeople are not hated. But some really are ~ Why is that?

Because they don't understand.

They don't understand what the secretary cares about or what the accountant cares about. They don't understand what the graphic artist cares about. Or what their boss cares about. They don't understand what the 'C' suite cares about and so the 'hate' problem continues.

Yep sales is a tough gig. You live and die by the dollars you've generated. But if we ever want to be different we need to understand.

Sales is not a zero sum game - It's all about understanding.