Do vets make better salesmen?

Maj Ahron Oddman — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:34:55 -0400

At least one CEO believes so. Very interesting read as he discusses his strategy for building a world class sales organization.

What do you think?

Innovation to Put a Great Sales Team on the Field… A Special Thanks to Our Military

A lot of time is spent talking about innovation to create fantastic new game-changing products or game-changing companies. But when it comes to innovation on f…

Response by PO1 Frederick Smith made Aug 27 at 2014 1:25 PM

PO1 Frederick Smith — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 13:25:41 -0400

I would have to say that people in the military usually have the potential to be great salesmen in that we have to usually sell ourselves, and be good communicators to be successful.

Response by Capt Andrew Cosgrove made Aug 29 at 2014 12:20 PM

Capt Andrew Cosgrove — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:20:13 -0400

As a former Salesman I would have to say that it depends on two major things.

1. The product or service being sold.
2. The people doing the buying.

If Boeing is looking to hire a salesman to sell avionics upgrades to airlines then probably nobody better than a vet. Most likely the guy doing the buying has served and the salesman has used previous products from Boeing.

I noticed that vets did not do well in Pharmaceutical sales but they did well in medical device sales. Financial services was iffy unless you were a financial planner that catered to the Armed Forces.

The biggest key to success in sales is building a relationship with the buyer. If you are unable to do that because of your own or the buyer's own differences you will never be able to be successful.

The traits that lead to success in the military can help, but generally speaking people buy from people who are like them or who they like/admire.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 31 at 2014 3:46 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 03:46:41 -0400

I know recruiters who could sell ice cubes to Eskimos.......

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Aug 31 at 2014 4:42 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 04:42:36 -0400

I tried my hand at it twice. I couldn't sell water to a man dying of thirst in the Sahara for sand. To honest boss told me.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 2:47 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 14:47:12 -0500

Sir, I think one of them sold my ancestors some beads and cloth or Manhattan Island. My uncle still gets a tiny check and scrap of cloth every year. True story.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 5:35 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 17:35:08 -0500

Maj Ahron Oddman I don't think so honestly... sales is pretty darn hard.