This week I am introducing an incredibly relevant topic, and that, of course, is social selling. To many, social selling sounds like an oxymoron, because when we think about socializing, we do not think about socializing and selling together.

And in fact, when we do think about socializing and selling together, it often comes with a negative connotation like, I don't want to go to that party or family gathering because Auntie Susie's going to come and try and pitch to me again and try to get me to go to that group meeting – am I right? That is what we think when we hear about social selling?

We have this idea that we do not want to be schmoozers and do not want to just be out there to constantly push our agenda, but that's not what social selling is.

As we begin to unpack the topic of social selling, undoubtedly, you're going to get to a point where you think oh my goodness, this is quite demanding, how am I going to rise to meet the demands of this challenge while still...

Even as we emerge slowly from Covid-19 to varying degrees around the world, you may be feeling anxious about the future of selling and what this new post coronavirus world means for you, and for your business

This is completely understandable, and it is the reason why I prepared this series for you, an entertaining trip into the recesses of history where you will learn more about the heroes, groundbreakers and the villains of our profession.

This week we look at the origins of the infamous ‘Snake Oil Salesman’ term, where it originated and why it is still used today.

Seeing Should Not Always Be Believing

I just have to share this story. We all know, or have heard of the term, ‘Snake Oil Salesman’, but very few of us actually know where it originated from – the tale is incredible and may leave you with some great insights for the next time you hear it – or it comes up in a game of Trivial Pursuit!

A ‘Snake Oil Salesman’ according to...

Right now, in the time of Corona, you may be feeling anxious about the future of selling and by extension concerned about your role in sales, your businesses sales performance or your customer relationships.

This is completely understandable, and it is the reason why I prepared this series for you, an entertaining trip into the recesses of history where you will learn more about the heroes, ground breakers and the villains of our profession.

Join me on a quest to find the origins of our age-old legends and discover the truth behind the myths that have plagued our profession for years, all the while learning about the story of selling and the salesman in each one of us. In so doing you will discover that sales is one of the few professions that has continued to evolve throughout the ages, and we have no reason to fear that we will do anything less than thrive well into the future.

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Much like Thomas Watson Sr (IBM), Dale Carnegie’s parents...

Welcome to the big league, boys and girls

Right now, in the time of Corona, you may be feeling anxious about the future of selling and by extension concerned about your role in sales, your businesses sales performance or your customer relationships.

This is completely understandable, and it is the reason why I prepared this series for you, an entertaining trip into the recesses of history where you will learn more about the heroes, ground breakers and the villains of our profession.

Join me on a quest to find the origins of our age-old legends and discover the truth behind the myths that have plagued our profession for years, all the while learning about the story of selling and the salesman in each one of us. In so doing you will discover that sales is one of the few professions that has continued to evolve throughout the ages, and we have no reason to fear that we will do anything less than thrive well into the future.

How Thinking Differently Created and Grew IBM

Another farmer...

Changing How We Do Things

Right now, in the time of Corona, you may be feeling anxious about the future of selling and by extension concerned about your role in sales, your businesses sales performance or your customer relationships.

This is completely understandable, and it is the reason why I prepared this series for you, an entertaining trip into the recesses of history where you will learn more about the heroes, groundbreakers and the villains of our profession.

Join me on a quest to find the origins of our age-old legends and discover the truth behind the myths that have plagued our profession for years, all the while learning about the story of selling and the salesman in each one of us. In so doing you will discover that sales is one of the few professions that has continued to evolve throughout the ages, and we have no reason to fear that we will do anything less than thrive well into the future.

John Henry Patterson – Training and Territories

Having watched his sales...

Right now, in the time of Corona, you may be feeling anxious about the future of selling and by extension concerned about your role in sales, your businesses sales performance or your customer relationships.

This is completely understandable, and it is the reason why I prepared this series for you, an entertaining trip into the recesses of history where you will learn more about the heroes, ground breakers and the villains of our profession.

Join me on a quest to find the origins of our age-old legends and discover the truth behind the myths that have plagued our profession for years, all the while learning about the story of selling and the salesman in each one of us. In so doing you will discover that sales is one of the few professions that has continued to evolve throughout the ages, and we have no reason to fear that we will do anything less than thrive well into the future.

John Henry Patterson – The Father of Sales

When I ask people who the Father of Professional...

How Perfume Accidentally Launched the Biggest Global Cosmetics Company

Right now, in the time of Corona, you may be feeling anxious about the future of selling and by extension concerned about your role in sales, your businesses sales performance or your customer relationships.

This is completely understandable, and it is the reason why I prepared this series for you, an entertaining trip into the recesses of history where you will learn more about the heroes, groundbreakers and the villains of our profession.

Join me on a quest to find the origins of our age-old legends and discover the truth behind the myths that have plagued our profession for years, all the while learning about the story of selling and the salesman in each one of us. In so doing you will discover that sales is one of the few professions that has continued to evolve throughout the ages, and we have no reason to fear that we will do anything less than thrive well into the future.

A Unique Selling Concept –...

Learning from History

In the time of Corona, you may be feeling anxious about the future of selling and by extension concerned about your role in sales, your businesses sales performance or your customer relationships.

This is completely understandable, and it's the reason why I prepared this series for you, and entertaining trip into the recesses of history where you will learn more about the heroes, groundbreakers and the villains of our profession.

Join me on a quest to find the origins of our age-old legends and discover the truth behind the myths that have plagued our profession for years, all the while learning about the story of selling and the salesman in each one of us. In so doing you will discover that sales is one of the few professions that has continued to evolve throughout the ages, and we have no reason to fear that we will do anything less than thrive well into the future.

The Shoulders of Giants

We all know the saying ‘Stand on The Shoulders of Giants’...

Right now, in the time of Corona, you may be feeling anxious about the future of selling and by extension concerned about your role in sales, your businesses sales performance or your customer relationships.

This is completely understandable, and it is the reason why I prepared this series for you, an entertaining trip into the recesses of history where you will learn more about the heroes, groundbreakers and the villains of our profession.

Join me on a quest to find the origins of our age-old legends and discover the truth behind the myths that have plagued our profession for years, all the while learning about the story of selling and the salesman in each one of us. In so doing you will discover that sales is one of the few professions that has continued to evolve throughout the ages, and we have no reason to fear that we will do anything less than thrive well into the future.

The Father of Just About Everything

Benjamin Franklin is known for many things from being an inventor and...

Right now, in the time of Corona, you may be feeling anxious about the future of selling and by association concerned about your role in sales, your businesses sales performance or your customer relationships.

This is completely understandable and the exact reason why I have prepared this series for you, an entertaining trip into the recesses of history where you will learn more about the heroes, ground breakers and also the villains of our profession.

Join me on a quest to find the sources of age-old legends and discover the truth behind the myths, all the while learning about the story of selling and the salesman in each one of us. In so doing you will discover that sales is one of the few professions that has continued to evolve throughout the ages, and we have no reason to fear that we will not continue to thrive into the future.

IN THE BEGINNING

What is the world’s oldest profession? I know what you are thinking, but think a little longer would you…? The oldest...