What Makes a Salesman?
Would you consider the person behind the counter at Burger King a salesman? They are there to facilitate the money changing hands from customer to their business. They ask for the upsell sometimes (Would you like to make that a combo? Do you want to supersize?). They are the front lines between clients and Burger King. In the strictest definition I imagine someone would be able to define the burger kid as a Salesman, but anyone who calls them a Salesman would scoff at that idea. The Salesman is different from an Order Taker in their minds.
The Salesman is helping to make the client make a decision, not just taking orders and filling them. The Order Taker just gives whatever is asked.
The Salesman has a choice in what the client takes home. The Order Taker just gives whatever is asked.
The Salesman has the ability, and the responsibility, to tell the client “No” on certain things. The Order Taker only says Yes.
The Salesman works to close a deal, even if the client is unsure – ESPECIALLY if the client is unsure. The Order Taker waits for the client to close themselves.
The Salesman owns the process of the sale. The Order Taker only owns the ending.
Are you hiring Salesmen or Order Takers? Are you a Salesman or an Order Taker? There are lots of Order Takers posing as Salesmen, be careful which you hire and make sure your Salesmen don’t turn into Order Takers. Salesmen will go out and change the course of your business, Order takers are just going to float down the path of least resistance.
