Yes, it might sound controversial to say and is contrary to commonplace advice, but Sales isn’t everything, and before you close off and call us delusional, please hear us out. Don’t you agree that there’s more to things than just the evident monetary value of products and services? And, that the art of the deal doesn’t solely revolve around the end price?
Of course, it does make a significant impact, but what hustle culture and newbie entrepreneurs fail to realize is that there is a world beyond making the sale and that there are challenges that can’t be overcome with mere sales prowess alone. In fact, you’re severely limiting your options and setting yourself up to come falling from the sky like Icarus.
You Risk Being Close-minded
One of the biggest flaws to solely committing to sales and your ability to persuade and win over people is the risk of being close-minded. If numbers and return on investment are all that revolve in your head, your fault lies in failing to see the bigger picture.
Of course, you might be winning in terms of cash, but what if, instead, you landed a strategic partnership? Or if the deal didn’t offer as big of an ROI but allowed you to make a greenfield investment and break into an untapped market?
When starting, this type of mindset can hurt your growth, limit your opportunities, and might even work against you when lady luck doesn’t cast a ray of light over your career.
- Everything depends on making the sale: For newbie entrepreneurs, falling into the sell sell sell mindset puts you in a state where making the sale is all that matters. It bars you off from all the other relevant entrepreneurship skills and focuses all your strength and effort into selling alone. And while you might see success with this method early on, you’re at risk of severe burnout in the long term.
- Streaks of failure and downtime happen: Secondly, what if you experience a string of failures and don’t manage to close a deal? As a result, you overthink, trap yourself in analysis paralysis, and you end up crashing and burning your career. There comes a time when you need to understand that downtimes and failures happen, but the culture of always one-upping yourself does not seek to help you.
You Need To Be Versatile
So, instead of doubling down on sales, here’s our take. It would be best if you were versatile, but not in the sense of a jack-of-all-trades archetype, but an aspiring entrepreneur with a clear plan in mind and select relevant skills for the industry they want to penetrate. It’s not a new idea but is often lost in the countless mounds of text for self-improvement and startups.
#1 Technical Skills Are A Prerequisite To Success
Number one, you need to value technical skills because they are a prerequisite to success in our modern era. Gone are the days when a generalist could juggle so much work and reach the top of their league, and while they can experience some success today, the business world values specialization even more.
We Need Specialization
This shift in need is solely attributed to the rise of technology and interconnectedness. And with so much tech to handle trivial concerns and more affordable highly-skilled employees at general operations, you risk getting lost in the sea of options. So, don’t even think of becoming adept in several crafts, but just one or two that can propel your career as an entrepreneur forward. And, if that calls for online schooling and burning the midnight oil, then so be it!
#2 Go Beyond Books And Guru-Type Info
Of course, we aren’t trying to downplay the sheer importance of reading books and the wisdom of experienced professionals, but you need to step out and beyond those boundaries. There is only so much these sources of information can offer you, and when you stack up on this type of “credentials,” you won’t have anything to show.
- Take Courses With Certification: So, instead of webinars that lead nowhere, why not consider taking a registered course or workshop that will result in actual certification. And whether it be for a coding language or real estate license, these can go a long way to make you accountable.
- Admit To Your Shortcomings: Secondly, avoid getting too cocky and feeding your ego, and learn to admit to your shortcomings. No matter how much we strive to invest back into ourselves and learn as much in terms of skills, we all have flaws. It’s when you admit to your weaknesses that real growth and learning begin.
#3 Don’t Work Alone
Last but not least, don’t shoulder every single burden on your own and surround yourself with like-minded people who can come along your journey, helping each other. A brainstorming session can’t happen with one person, and understanding all perspectives requires people. So, heed our advice when we say:
Bottom Line: Avoid Selling Yourself Short
Overall, don’t sell yourself short. People place an exaggerated level of significance on the sales aspect when there’s much more to entrepreneurship than just price. So, keep your head up, and don’t be afraid to face your challenges head-on!