Monday, December 24, 2007

The Art of Genuine Selling

A large number of salesmen - from novices to "pros" - know that they have to bring in an element of "manipulation" to "persuade" a customer to buy a product or service.

If you come in this category then your relationship with the "selling process" could be transformed when you realize that Selling is a Service; and selling something of "real value" is actually a "Spiritual Service".

As Judith Sherven and Jim Sniechowski say:

If you have a solution to someone’s problem, and you truly believe your solution is of real value—.....you have an obligation to make what you do available to as many people as suits your need and desire.

We humans are emotionally, energetically, and spiritually connected—one-to-all.

So rather than seeing “selling” as something manipulative, something that diminishes the connection between people, selling is truly a profound connector of people—serving and supporting the well-being of both sides of the transaction.

The true depth of what it means to sell — that genuine selling is truly a spiritual service.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Heavenly Service!

Is money good? Is money bad?

Is capitalism good? Is socialism bad?

Can hard-core commercial businesses be considered "Spiritual"?

Can all commerce be "sacred"?

To get an insight on these fundamental questions, let us pick a joke by Jiddu Krishnamurti!

God has just completed the creation of world, with its ocean and continents and all the creatures, including the humans.

As he surveys his work, an angel points out that there is one small spot in the center of Europe that’s been left blank and empty.

The Lord says, ‘I must have overlooked the spot. What shall we do with it?’ And the angel answers, ‘If I may suggest it, Lord why don’t you create a land of milk and honey, called Switzerland—with snow-peaked mountains, streams, forests and green meadows, where cows graze that produce the best milk in the world?’

The Lord replies, ‘That sounds good. And what about the humans there?’ And the angel suggests, ‘Why not make them clean, orderly, and hard-working, with the greatest respect for money?’

And the Lord says, ‘So be it.’

And so it was done. After some time the Lord wants to see what he has created and goes down to Earth. He walks among the mountains, enjoying the beauty of the scenery. After a while he comes to a small village, very clean and orderly. As the day is getting hotter, he feels a bit thirsty. So he walks up to one of the cafés with outdoor tables and chairs.

The owner immediately recognizes him and comes running, greeting him with great respect, ‘O Lord, please sit down. It’s an extraordinary honor that You visit our small town and my humble café. Is there anything, anything, that we can do for You?’

The Lord is pleased and says, ‘By Jove, I noticed your splendid cows grazing out there. Give me a tall glass of cold, fresh milk.’

‘Immediately, O Lord.’

And the man trots off and returns with a tall glass of fresh, cold milk with foam on the top, and places in front of the Lord. He drinks it down with much enjoyment.

He’s just getting up from the table when the owner comes running and, with a respectful bow, places a small plate with the strip of paper in front of him. The Lord looks at it and asks the man, ‘What is that?’ The owner bows again and explains, ‘With all due respect, O Lord, that is the bill.’
~As told by Katinka Hesselink