What Took So Long?

I'm not sure why it took me so long to do on post on what I do...technology sales. I have been in IT training and consulting sales for 9 years now and I recently came across an article from CIO magazine that itself is 7 years old. The author talks about sales being the toughest IT job (I've been trying to tell my instructors that for years!).

He goes on to say that CIOs get most of their product information from IT salespeople. This brings up an excellent point. All salespeople, not just IT salespros, need to be a resource for their clients and prospects. When someone asks me about training that I cannot provide (which rarely happens) I make an effort to find them help.

It might be tutorials on the web that can assist them or a webcast that can get them over started learning a new technology. I do this so that every time they have a learning need they think of me.

I want them to know that whatever they need Bill Becker will find it for them. I've made a great living the past 9 years working on that premise. Hey I was never going to make it on my looks or personality!

The interview subject in the article also states that sales skills are just as important to IT folks because of the need to sell their projects to upper management.

If you would like to read the whole article go to - http://www.cio.com/article/31046/The_Hardest_Job_in_IT_Is_Sales_Not_CIO

If you would like more information on the book that is referenced in the article (I bought it years ago and loved it) go to - http://www.howtoselltechnology.com

Happy Selling!