Last night I learned how to sell from a 7 year old

by Todd Smith on October 2, 2009

Well, she looked like she was about 7 anyway. I was at a soccer game in the park next door to where I live. This is a Hispanic neighborhood and the park is always full of people hanging out, celebrating birthdays, jumping on moonwalks, playing soccer, volleyball and basketball. I love to walk through the park in my bare feet at night to wind down before bed.

Last night, while I stood captivated by the skill of the soccer players, a little voice came from somewhere around my knees, “QuerrĂ­a un chocolate?” I told her, “No, gracias,” and watched as she quietly went from one person to another. No fear in her face. No remorse when she didn’t get a sale. And by the third person she sold a chocolate.

Wow! The perfect salesperson. She had something people wanted, but she didn’t push. And she didn’t discriminate between one person or the next; she just quietly asked them all.

I started thinking about how I tend to believe that selling is rude. I don’t want to “get in people’s faces” and annoy them. What I witnessed was just the opposite: I didn’t want a chocolate, but did I think that girl was rude or annoying? Not for a second. In fact, I was inspired by her.

How about you? Have you ever seen that selling can be simple, even heartwarming?

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Maggie October 4, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Todd Smith October 5, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Barbara Yeager April 9, 2011 at 8:09 pm

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