If I Had to Start Over…
Summary
- If you're starting from scratch, the best skill to learn is sales.
- Sales is fundamental, whether you want to build a business, get a job, or make a million dollars.
- Find a job in sales; I would even consider car sales if things didn't work out with Gym Launch.
- Selling is a high leverage skill, especially when you're young. Our portfolio's top closer is just 18 years old.
- The top performer shows up early, makes extra calls, and takes calls others don't want.
- Learning sales teaches many basics of business that are crucial for success.
- Even now, I'm still selling—whether it's selling employees on a company vision or partners on working together.
Video
How To Take Action
Action Plan: Implementing Sales Skills for Growth
For Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses:
- Learn Sales Fundamentals: Take online sales courses or read books on sales techniques. There are plenty of free or low-cost resources available.
- Practice Daily: Start making sales calls or practice pitching your product or service daily. Consistency helps you get better over time.
- Show Up Early: Start your workday a bit earlier to plan and make extra calls. This gives you a head start and builds discipline.
- Take Every Opportunity: Don’t shy away from difficult or less appealing sales opportunities. These experiences often teach the most.
- Track Progress: Use a simple spreadsheet to track your calls, meetings, and outcomes. Learn from your successes and mistakes.
For Job Seekers:
- Look for Sales Positions: Apply for entry-level sales jobs. This provides great experience and builds your confidence.
- Prepare for Interviews: Practice selling yourself in job interviews. Highlight how your skills can benefit the company.
- Start Networking: Connect with sales professionals on LinkedIn. Learn from their experiences and get recommendations.
For Personal Growth:
- Build Confidence: Selling teaches you to handle rejection and stay persistent. This builds overall confidence.
- Develop Communication Skills: Focus on clear, concise communication. Practicing sales pitches can help improve your speaking skills.
- Set Personal Goals: Create sales-related goals, like making a certain number of calls per day. Track your progress and celebrate small wins.
By starting with these low-cost, high-value actions, you can quickly build your sales skills and apply them to achieve personal and professional growth.
Full Transcript
I would get into sales at the end of the day like if you have no skills and you're starting from scratch whether you want to build a business whether you want to have a job whether you want to make and if you especially if you want to make a million dollars like the fundamental skill that you want to learn is how to sell something in my opinion and so I would find a job in sales and then I would probably figure out if I could just sell it myself I don't know what it would be I mean like Car Sales is like what my default was if like it didn't work out with gym launch I was like I just sell cars it's the highest leverage skill I think you can learn when you are that young within our portfolio team the highest performing closer 18 years old he just does the work it's like he shows up early he makes extra calls he takes the calls nobody else wants to take he just takes the leftovers for me the reason I would I would go into sales if I was starting again from scratch and just learn that skill is because I feel like it teaches you so many fundamentals about business like I it's not like I've ever stopped selling I sell now you know employees on the vision of the company I sell Partners on the vision of working together I'm just not like selling customers
