The Value of Salespeople

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Financial advisors should not shy from thinking of themselves as salespeople. It has been said that if it weren’t for salespeople, the world would be a giant warehouse.

Sales is not the noblest profession in the world. Noble is a function of people, not professions. Everything you need in Maslow’s hierarchy in physiological and security needs are elements you buy. If you buy it, it is sold, and by someone or some organization that sells.

The attributes of salespeople range from:

I included zestful so the list could go from A (aggressive) to Z. I could have included zealous instead. There are roughly an even number of positive and negative characteristics. It’s all in how you choose to look at the question, “what do you think of salespeople?” Then again, name a profession where you cannot find a mix of positive and negative characteristics in the people who work there.