Have you ever thought of the parallels between selling and the teachings of Jesus? Before you shake your head, consider this: Jesus, by presenting the Kingdom of God as His industry and salvation as His product, embodied the principles of selling. His commitment to transferring His profound beliefs to humanity is a testament to His exceptional skills in ‘sales.’ This article seeks to uncover the depth of Jesus’ art of service and how it ties in with a new-age approach to selling.
For many sales representatives, the path to transforming their sales technique is fraught with obstacles. More often than not, these challenges arise from skeptical customers who’ve grown weary from past experiences with less-than-stellar salespeople. Such customers are familiar with representatives who lack the “sell to serve” mentality. When they encounter someone genuinely trying to help, their skepticism sometimes paints these honest efforts as insincere. This resistance, unfortunately, can waver a salesperson’s commitment to this new, service-oriented approach. It’s moments like these that may force them to wonder: was the old way better?
As you strive to follow in Jesus’s footsteps in your sales, it’s important to keep in mind that even He experienced obstacles in spreading His message of salvation to mankind. His path was not an easy one, so it is normal to feel uncertain or disheartened at times as you navigate your own journey.
During times of uncertainty, I often turn to the first question posed in the Bible. After God’s perfect creation and the existence of Adam and Eve in a flawless environment, Satan asked a question that still resonates with our doubts today: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1, ESV). In modern terms, this can be interpreted as, “Are you sure this working? Isn’t your way easier?”
God’s subsequent question to Adam and Eve, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9, ESV), however, rings with a tone of invitation and compassion. This beckoning by God is a call to a higher purpose, a life lived in service, and it’s a call to each one of us today.
As sales representatives, we’re faced with numerous challenges, including skepticism, doubt, and the alluring comfort of old habits. Yet, it’s vital to remember that the resistance you might face from customers isn’t an indictment of your new approach. Instead, it’s a golden opportunity to validate the genuineness and integrity of your renewed methodology. This shift to a service-first approach, deeply rooted in empathy and respect, provides a unique chance to establish trust.
While adapting this service-first mindset may not be straightforward, it aligns perfectly with principles championed by Jesus, leading to more impactful interactions with clients. Your journey in emulating Jesus’ path of service in sales will not only bear professional success but will also resonate with a deeper alignment to His teachings and the higher calling to serve others.
If you’re intrigued by these parallels and wish to delve deeper, I recommend the book, The Master Salesman: Jesus and the Art of Service. This book beautifully bridges the world of sales with Jesus’ teachings, offering insights that are both profound and practically applicable.
Moreover, for those interested in embracing this transformation in their sales approach, there’s assistance at hand. Consider the one-on-one training and coaching sessions at Closer Classes. These sessions are designed to fortify you with the skills and mindset essential to excel in this service-first selling approach.
The customer is ready to buy. He needs you to help him believe.
Article Summary
Embracing a service-first approach in sales, inspired by Jesus’ teachings, presents unique challenges. However, it offers a chance to build genuine trust with customers. By remaining committed and understanding the profound alignment with Jesus’ path of service, sales representatives can navigate skepticism and achieve success.
