Sales Lessons from Steve Jobs

I have watched the 2005 Stanford commencement speech delivered by Steve Jobs several times and each time feel equally inspired by the speech.  It was not written for sales professionals, however, should be required viewing for salespeople because of his great message. Steve Jobs knew how to fail well.  When he was fired from Apple, he was disappointed, felt like running from Silicon Valley and wondered what his next steps would be.  Instead of running, Steve took advantage of the “freedom from the heaviness of success” and started NeXT and Pixar.  Pixar developed Toy Story, one of the first computer generated animated films which grossed 360 million dollars.  Not a bad comeback for a guy that got fired. How many salespeople do you know that don’t make a comeback from failure?   They buy into negative self-talk convincing themselves that they have lost their sales ability.  They refuse to take risks and settle for status quo.  Instead of calling on a prospect that is “out of their league,” they call on comfortable prospects that don’t challenge their skills or intellect. Steve Jobs said he lived each day as if it were his last.  He loved his work and because he loved his work, did great work.  He didn’t settle for comfort and ease.

How many of you love the profession of sales?

How many you have settled because of fear of failure?

Go watch the video and learn a few sales lessons from Steve Jobs. Good Selling! Colleen Stanley