If you’ve ever found yourself immersed in the world of cinema trivia, you might have stumbled across the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” game. The game captivatingly illustrates that any two actors can be connected through a chain of common film appearances. What makes this concept truly compelling is that its core principle can be applied far beyond Hollywood, right into the landscape of sales. This is a message I expound upon in my book, The Master Salesman: Jesus and the Art of Service.
The “Degrees of Kevin Bacon” principle offers powerful insights into what I call your “powerbase”—a network of friends, family, colleagues, and mentors, who can serve as your pathway to influence. Let’s assume you aim to send your message or proposal directly to the President of the United States. At first glance, that goal seems unattainable. However, let’s break it down.
You begin by calling your Mayor’s office, and perhaps due to your compelling message, you secure an appointment. Your Mayor, convinced by your enthusiasm and substance, introduces you to your State Representative. That State Representative, in turn, opens the doors to your State Governor or Congressperson, who has direct access to the President’s office. Suddenly, after just four phone calls, your message reaches one of the most influential people in the world.
The process isn’t exclusive to the corridors of political power. Whether your target is a high-ranking corporate executive or the owner of a popular pizza joint down the block, the principle remains the same: Use your existing network—your powerbase—to bridge the gap between you and the individual you want to reach.
The IDEAS Sales System encapsulates the same principle. It focuses on understanding what the customer truly desires, offering the most valuable solutions, and adapting your approach to serve their specific needs.
Sales are not just transactions; they are an opportunity to serve. This aligns with the philosophy that Jesus taught. Take, for example, the Gospel according to Luke 22:26-27 (ESV), “But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” Jesus’ teachings imply that the truest form of leadership and influence comes from a posture of service.
Your sales journey can transform into a mission to serve when you view it through the lens of the Triad of Belief. This principle states that sales hinge on your belief in your industry, your product, and most importantly, in yourself. When you transfer that belief to your customer, you’re not just selling a product or service—you’re fulfilling a need.
As someone who struggles with faith, sin, and self-improvement like many do, these guiding principles, especially when rooted in biblical wisdom, become even more meaningful. If you find these concepts compelling and wish to explore them more deeply, my book The Master Salesman: Jesus and the Art of Service is worth a read. It is a guide that can help you turn the complex web of human interactions into a treasure map leading to authentic service and success.
For those who seek a more personalized approach to implementing these principles in your sales and life journey, I invite you to explore one-on-one Training, Coaching, and Life Coaching at Closer Classes.
The customer is ready to buy. He needs you to help him believe.
Article Summary
The article delves into the concept of a ‘powerbase’ in sales, inspired by the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” principle. It illustrates how this network can help bridge gaps, even to highly influential people. Furthermore, the article correlates this with the teachings of Jesus and the IDEAS Sales System, emphasizing a mission of service over mere transactions.
