Sales Characters

I've worked with dozens of different sales characters over the years...

One guy, a top seller, was the most affable, flamboyant salesperson I've ever seen in action. This was a master at work. The world is a stage and this was his moment. Like every. single. day.

His personality was perfect for his industry, a niche trade show & as he knew everyone he'd spend his time going through his black book, having the most incredible time catching up, talking about what happened to him last week in Waitrose & generally chatting like old friends.

At the end of each week he'd stroll down to Harrods and buy his customary 12 quails eggs along with a bottle of Bollinger to wash them down. He was always celebrating on a Friday...and for good reason - he was always top of the board.

There was another ex-colleague who lived on hopium as his main source of nutrition. Every time he had a call where they palmed him off till next year, he'd come off the phone & announce 'That's definitely a deal next year!' Next year never came.

Or they'd tell him to call back in 2 weeks when they'd agree to move forward. 2 weeks never came very often either. It wouldn't however stop him broadcasting to the entire office that they were 'DEFINITELY IN!'

Then there was my female colleague who'd drink copious amounts of black coffee in the morning just to get into the zone for cold calling blasts.

By lunchtime she'd drunk so much she'd be bouncing off the walls, delirious on caffeine. The afternoon seemed to be something of a come-down, where she'd hit a low point and would start getting aggressive with PAs to "Just put me through would you!!"

An ex sales manager modelled himself as the ultimate smooth operator, something of a ladies man. He'd come to work in a shirt more suited to a 70s disco night, undone to the nave, gold medallion hanging precariously onto his hair-infused chest.

He'd come around our desks and for anyone struggling he'd 'show them how it's done.' He'd then proceed to pick up the phone, cold call a prospect and work his best charm, relentlessly.

He was so sure of himself - I had to admire his confidence - but in retrospect he had a huge ego and the Miami vice approach didn't work with everyone.

And then there was the 19 year old who thought he was Gordon Gecko. Hair greased right down, red braces, pin striped shirt. "Money never sleeps" the mantra he would blurt out every 30 seconds as if to remind himself of the ruthless nature of sales.

He'd talk to clients as though stood on the 42nd floor of the Chrysler building, New York, pitching his product as though he was shifting wholesale diamonds...he was actually selling credit card insurance for £10 a month.

Any sales personalities that have stood out for you?