Don’t be a “Used Car Salesman”

What do you think of when you hear someone referred to as a “used car salesman?”

This term has some irony for me because the four used car salesmen that I know are some of the most admirable people I am connected with.

That said, I believe what comes to most people’s minds when someone references this stereotype is someone who is pushy, self-seeking, pressures others towards their own agenda, doesn’t seek to understand what is in another’s best interest, and possibly even dishonest.

Before we judge others, let’s first ensure that we are not falling into this trap in whatever God has called us to, because whether we realize it or not we are all selling something.

Maybe you are a realtor, loan officer, business owner, a friend selling another friend on an idea, in leveraged affiliate sales as we are, a parent selling a child on something they should be doing, or a single person selling their future spouse on marrying them, we all “sell” whether we realize it or not.

Regardless of your occupation, the following is how to communicate in the most effective way,  strengthening your relationship with whomever you are communicating with.

In our life transformation business my wife, Nicole, and I enjoy the opportunity to coach many others from around the country, helping them to do what we do - build a passive income from home while successfully helping others improve their quality of life.

The following question often comes up with those newer in business with us…

“How do I communicate with people in such a way as to not be “one of those people” who damages their relationships with others, but rather strengthens them as I grow my business.?

It’s a legitimate question because we’ve seen so many do it wrong, in many different occupations, not just used car sales. The following advice that we give is the advice we personally strive to live out daily…

1. Questions are the answer. Stop “selling” and start asking questions. Seek to understand other’s needs, wants and desires and only offer a solution to a need or desire they have.  (Prov 20:5, James 1:19)

2. Always put others' interests above your own (Phil 2:3,4) and do what’s best for the person in front of you. (Matthew 7:12)

3. Have an abundance mindset. When you offer someone a solution to their need you’ve learned about, understand that they need what you are offering more than you need them to say yes. Said another way, you should believe that they will benefit more by saying yes to what you offer than you will benefit if they say yes. If I didn't believe this about something, I would never sell it.

4. Relationships matter most. People must be willing to participate in their own rescue. You can’t help everyone. If someone says no to a solution you have provided them for their life, you must be okay with their decision. Just continue to love them, seek other ways to add value to their lives, and continue to strengthen your relationship. 

5. Have a long term vision. People that have said no to us when we’ve offered them a solution to something in their lives, often times months or even years later will have a circumstance in life that will change their perspective physically or financially and they will come back to say yes to that solution that was offered to them originally because we walked out the advice shared in 1-4 above.

Remember, our job as a spouse, parent, salesperson, business owner, manager, etc, is to serve, not sell. To provide solutions, not drive our agenda. To seek other’s best rather than only seeking our own. To do unto others as we’d want others to do unto us.

When we live our lives and conduct our business according to these basic biblical principles, we can serve others well, strengthen relationships in the process and have a ton of success in whatever it is we are doing.

As the late great Zig Ziglar said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”

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Was this helpful? Have a suggestion for future content? I’d love to hear from you. Will you please consider reaching out by way of email, or even better, one of my favorite messaging platforms… Facebook Messenger or Instagram Messenger, letting me know how this may have impacted you and sharing any suggestions you may have for future topics that you’d like me to share on? With Much Appreciation, Allan.