Ink-spiring Success: What animal makes the best Salespeople's Totem?
Not sure you will like it but...
Dear members of the sales community,
Imagine a moment in your career when you're tasked with choosing a spirit animal—a symbol that encapsulates the essence of what it means to be a triumphant salesperson. Your mind may wander to the majestic lion, renowned for its bold confidence, or perhaps the cooperative wolf, a symbol of teamwork par excellence. And you'd be right—these are indeed stellar choices.
But what if we told you that in the vast ocean of salesmanship, there exists an animal that stands not only shoulder-to-shoulder with these giants but might just outshine them all? Yes, you've guessed it: the octopus.
"But wait," you might protest, "aren't octopuses those slippery, gelatinous creatures lurking in the abyss?" Indeed, they are. Octopuses may lack the glamour of lions and the pack mentality of wolves, yet we urge you to withhold judgment. In the sales realm, where results often outshine the means by which they're achieved, the octopus reigns supreme—an unsung hero, if you will. It might not be the flashiest creature in the animal kingdom, but rest assured, it gets the job done.
So, you wonder, why choose the octopus as your spirit animal? Well, strap on your snorkel, because we're about to dive deep into the ink-spiring reasons that unequivocally designate the octopus as the most fitting totem for our profession.
1. Adaptability
Octopuses are renowned for their extraordinary adaptability. They can metamorphose their appearance, behavior, and tactics to harmonize with their surroundings. Similarly, salespeople frequently traverse diverse customer bases, industries, and market terrains, demanding a nimble, pivot-ready approach.
2. Multitasking
With eight arms equipped with suckers, octopuses are adept multitaskers, proficiently managing numerous tasks simultaneously. In the world of sales, where the juggling act of leads, clients, and deals is the norm, mastering multitasking becomes an indispensable skill.
3. Problem-Solving
Octopuses are celebrated for their acute intelligence and innovative problem-solving talent. In sales, where obstacles and objections are par for the course, channeling your inner octopus equips you with the creative aptitude to surmount these challenges.
4. Versatility
Much like octopuses exhibit a diverse range of skills and tactics for survival, sales professionals demonstrate versatility by employing a myriad of techniques and strategies tailored to the unique needs and preferences of their clients, whether internal or external.
5. Camouflage
Octopuses are masters of camouflage, seamlessly changing color and texture to blend into their environment and evade predators. In the sales arena, building rapport and establishing genuine connections necessitate the ability to adapt and connect with clients on their terms.
6. Persistence
Octopuses are renowned for their tenacity and unwavering pursuit of sustenance. Salespeople, too, confront rejection and setbacks, but by summoning the spirit of the octopus, they persistently chase leads and opportunities, ultimately achieving success.
7. Strategic Thinking
Octopuses are strategic hunters, meticulously planning their moves. Sales professionals are akin to strategic thinkers, orchestrating their sales approaches with precision and adapting based on customer feedback and reactions. Strategy serves as their guiding compass.
8. Networking
Octopuses boast a decentralized nervous system, allowing each arm to function somewhat independently. In the sales realm, cultivating a robust network of contacts and relationships is paramount. The octopus metaphor underscores the significance of connections that synergize harmoniously towards the realization of objectives.
Highly recommend Netflix documentary: My Octopus teacher
While we don't propose you grow extra limbs (not sure the HR will be on board with that idea), the symbolic adoption of the octopus as your spirit animal serves as a poignant reminder of the qualities and skills vital for sales triumph: adaptability, versatility, intelligence, persistence, and more. By immersing yourself in the metaphorical realm of the octopus, you unveil the depths of your sales potential.
Stay tuned for further profound insights, strategies, and techniques to navigate the sales ocean with the wisdom and grace of a seasoned octopus professional.