You’ve heard the phrase, “Sales is a numbers game,” right? It’s as if the person you’re helping buy is reduced to just another tick on the scorecard. In that frame, transactions become impersonal and devoid of humanity. However, what if I told you that sales could be much more than that? What if sales were less about ‘closing’ and more about ‘opening’—opening hearts, opening possibilities, and opening a path to a more fulfilled life for both you and your customer? This perspective is inspired by the greatest master of service and transformation—Jesus.
In the hyper-competitive landscape of sales, where KPIs and revenue targets often dictate actions, it’s revolutionary to think of sales as a mission or a ministry. Yet, if we dive into Jesus’ approach to His own ministry, there’s a remarkable lesson for all of us in sales. He approached His ministry with an unwavering focus on the individual. To Him, this wasn’t just a job; it was His purpose and His calling.
When you align your professional role in sales with a higher purpose of genuinely serving people, magic starts to happen. This perspective is deeply connected to my own approach of selling to help, and it’s echoed in the book The Master Salesman: Jesus and the Art of Service. This work delves into how we can draw from Jesus’ ministry to enhance our own professions and personal lives.
The Bible has countless lessons that are surprisingly applicable to sales, beyond just ethical considerations. One such lesson is illustrated in the scripture: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38, ESV). This teaches us that when you give genuinely—be it service, help, or goods—the universe has a way of rewarding you manifold.
Incorporating the principle of service into sales aligns well with the IDEAS Sales System, a system I teach. This acronym emphasizes introducing yourself with authenticity, discovering and listening to your client’s needs, evaluating the situation, adapting your pitch, and most importantly, serving the client to truly solve their problems.
Aligning your actions with a purpose-driven approach also resonates with the Triad of Belief. This triad emphasizes belief in your industry, belief in your product, and belief in yourself. When you internalize these three pillars, you’re not just transferring a product; you’re transferring belief, something Jesus was masterful at.
Now, this is not to say that applying these principles will make challenges disappear. Far from it. Even with my own faith, I struggle with challenges. However, it’s through these very struggles that one’s character is tested and refined.
By focusing on a mission to serve, you’ll discover resources appearing, sometimes even miraculously, just as they did for Jesus. Remember, when He needed to pay taxes, He found a coin in a fish’s mouth (Matthew 17:27, ESV). When you’re aligned with serving, you’ll find that the universe conspires to help you in unexpected ways.
You might find the insights and stories in The Master Salesman: Jesus and the Art of Service helpful as you navigate your own sales journey.
Towards the end of this journey, many people realize the need for personalized training and mentorship. That’s where tailored one-on-one coaching, available through Closer Classes, comes into play.
The customer is ready to buy. He needs you to help him believe.
Article Summary
Discover how the teachings and practices of Jesus can offer a revolutionary perspective on sales. By seeing sales as a mission of service, you transform not just your career, but also your life, creating lasting and meaningful relationships.
