Why Sales? The Driving Force Behind Business Success

In today's competitive business world, sales have become an essential part of every organization. Without sales, no business can survive, let alone thrive. From driving revenue and profit, building customer relationships, to creating brand awareness, sales play a pivotal role in the success of any business.

In this article, we will delve into the importance of sales in business, and why interviewers ask this classic sales question, along with steps to answering it and example responses.

1. The Importance of Sales in Business:

Sales are the lifeblood of any business. They drive revenue and profit, which are essential for growth and expansion. Salespeople are the front-line soldiers who promote a company's products or services, and their efforts directly impact the company's revenue.

Additionally, salespeople play a crucial role in building customer relationships and creating brand awareness.

1. Driving Revenue Growth:

• Sales are the primary driver of revenue and profit in a business. Without sales, a company cannot generate revenue or profits, which can lead to stagnation or financial collapse. Salespeople are responsible for reaching out to potential customers, understanding their needs, and promoting a company's products or services to meet those needs.
• However, it is not just about making a sale. Salespeople must also focus on customer satisfaction and retention. By providing excellent customer service and support, salespeople can increase customer loyalty, leading to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals. This, in turn, can lead to more sales and revenue for the company.
• Moreover, salespeople can also identify new revenue streams and business opportunities. By staying up-to-date with industry trends and customer needs, salespeople can suggest new products or services that the company can offer, expanding its revenue streams and increasing its profits.

2. Building Customer Relationships:

• Building strong customer relationships is critical to any business's success. Salespeople play a vital role in building and maintaining these relationships. They are often the first point of contact for prospective customers, and their ability to create a positive first impression can go a long way in building customer loyalty.
• However, building customer relationships is not just about making a sale. Salespeople must also focus on understanding their customers' needs and providing personalized solutions. By taking the time to understand their customers' pain points, salespeople can offer tailored solutions that meet their unique needs, fostering a sense of trust and loyalty.
• Moreover, salespeople can also act as a bridge between the customer and the rest of the company. By relaying customer feedback and concerns to other departments, salespeople can help the company improve its products or services, leading to better customer satisfaction and retention.

3. Creating Brand Awareness:

• Salespeople are brand ambassadors for a company. They promote the company's products or services, and their actions reflect directly on the company's image. By creating a positive customer experience and promoting the company's brand, salespeople can increase the company's visibility and create brand awareness.
• However, creating brand awareness is not just about promoting the company's products or services. Salespeople must also focus on creating a positive brand image and reputation. By providing excellent customer service and support, salespeople can build a positive brand image, leading to increased customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
• Moreover, salespeople can also leverage social media and other marketing channels to promote the company's brand and products. By creating engaging content and interacting with customers online, salespeople can increase the company's visibility and reach a wider audience.

2. Why employers ask you, "Why sales?" and how to answer?

Employers ask "Why sales?" to assess your genuine interest in the field, evaluate alignment with the role and company objectives, determine customer focus, evaluate communication and persuasion skills, and assess long-term commitment and cultural fit.

When asked why you want to work in sales, it's important to provide a thoughtful and genuine response that highlights your motivation and suitability for the role.

Here's a suggested approach to answering this question:

1. Assess yourself:

• Take some time to reflect on your strengths, interests, and personal attributes that align with a career in sales. Consider your communication skills, persuasive abilities, and enjoyment of interacting with people. Assess how your strengths can contribute to success in a sales role and why you are drawn to this profession.

2. Do your research:

• Research the company and the specific sales role you are applying for. Understand the products or services they offer, their target market, and their sales approach. Identify key factors that resonate with you and make you interested in working for the company. This will help you tailor your answer to the specific organization.

3. Structure your answer:

• It's crucial to be genuine and honest in your response. Hiring managers appreciate authenticity and want to see that your motivation for working in sales comes from a real interest, rather than just a desire for a job. Reflect on your own experiences and consider what aspects of sales genuinely excite and drive you. Communicate your enthusiasm and convey why you believe a career in sales is the right path for you.

4. Be excited and Know why you're excited:

• Show genuine enthusiasm for working in sales. Let your passion for the field shine through in your response. Hiring managers want to see that you are genuinely interested and motivated in pursuing a career in sales.
• Reflect on what attracts you to sales and why you find it compelling. Consider the aspects of sales that resonate with you, such as the opportunity to build relationships, solve problems, or make a significant impact. Be prepared to articulate these reasons in your answer.

5. Point to specific examples if you can:

• Whenever possible, provide specific examples or experiences that support your reasons for wanting to work in sales. This could include past sales achievements, customer success stories, or instances where you demonstrated strong sales skills. Specific examples help to validate your claims and make your answer more compelling.

Example answer:

"I am extremely excited about working in sales because it allows me to combine my passion for building relationships with my drive to solve problems. I find great satisfaction in understanding customer needs and providing solutions that exceed their expectations. This enthusiasm for sales is why I pursued roles in customer service and business development in the past.

In researching your company, I was impressed by your commitment to innovation and your customer-centric approach. Your reputation for providing exceptional service aligns perfectly with my own values. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team and leverage my skills in building lasting relationships with customers.

One specific example of my passion for sales is when I successfully closed a major deal at my previous company, exceeding sales targets by 30%. Through active listening and understanding the customer's pain points, I was able to provide a customized solution that addressed their specific needs. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of sales to make a positive impact.

In summary, my excitement for working in sales stems from my genuine interest in building relationships, solving problems, and exceeding customer expectations. I am eager to bring my skills and experiences to your company, and I believe that my dedication to delivering results will contribute to the overall success of your sales team."

In conclusion, sales play a vital role in the success of any business. They drive revenue, build customer relationships, and create brand awareness.

Employers ask the question "Why sales?" to assess your genuine interest, alignment with the role and company objectives, customer focus, communication skills, and long-term commitment. When answering this question, be authentic, demonstrate your enthusiasm, and provide specific examples that highlight your passion for building relationships, solving problems, and exceeding customer expectations.

By effectively conveying your motivation and suitability for a career in sales, you can make a compelling case for your candidacy and increase your chances of success in the hiring process.