Continuing on with the idea of my struggle with thinking I’m in sales (and having to admit it), a second thought that has really helped me is having the mindset of a problem solver. That is, I’m in business to help people solve problems.

Now, I don’t mean that I can or am going to try to solve every problem a customer has. This is important to know since some people really get side tracked with trying to be all things to all people. Rather, I know that my products can help them solve a specific problem. My activities involve talking with people and helping to understand the right solution for them. Even if that solution doesn’t involve my products.

As I take that approach again I find that the idea of being in sales not so bad after all. I’m actually helping people here. And, I get paid for it besides. Doesn’t that take the sting out of the old perceptions of being in sales? It does for me. I like the idea of helping people coming up with a solution for their problem.

For example, lets suppose you sell items for home decor. Someone comes to you trying to decide how to decorate a living room. They want a certain look but can’t quite put their finger on what it should look like. You take the time to help them figure it out. You get the opportunity to help them along until the come to some sort of a solution. Then, you can decide of some of your products will fit their needs. If they do, and they like them, then poof, you’ve got a match and a sale is made. In fact, by that point, they will probably be asking to buy from you. Isn’t that better than having to persuade people or talking them into buying things from you?

It’s so much more enjoyable when you have that sense that you are helping people. When you know that you have just helped them figure out something that has been perplexing them, and they go away happy, then you know you can go away satisfied too. And that’s a far cry from feeling like you’ve left someone feeling like they just got mugged by a salesman.