According to the Veteran Statistical Profile, #veterans are underrepresented in our sales team (by more than 10% compared to nonveterans).
From my perspective, having served in the military and worked with many vets on my sales teams, this should have been the opposite.
Having more veterans in our sales teams will ensure #salessuccess. Why? Because they bring unique experiences that make them better in #sales. They are mission-oriented, serving a larger cause, understanding the big picture, and translating it into operational and tactical next steps.
Let’s be more specific:
1. Winning personality - They are flexible, having been plunged into highly unique environments with pressure cooker situations that require literal do or die-based skills training.
2. Leadership- Early in their career, they learn how to be leaders. They have the drive and desire to continue to be leaders.
3. Teamwork- Whether on the battlefield or in strategic planning, veterans are surrounded by teammates, which serves them well in sales.
4. Execution- “American soldiers get more done by 9 a.m. than most people do in a day.” With this work ethic, it’s no wonder they make great sales.
5. Bouncing back after a failure- “The military teaches how to plan for failure, how to seek knowledge, and how to learn iteratively as a group. The military delegates significant authority to junior leaders who are expected (and encouraged) to fail during the early stages of their careers," writes veteran entrepreneur Blake Hall.
So, what is the CTA? I ask #salesleaders to be proactive in seeking and hiring #veterans. It will help build better performing sales teams.
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