If you are or have ever been an entrepreneur, you know that sales are the backbone of your success or failure. Sure, there are a lot of other components that contribute to making an entrepreneurial endeavor a success, but without sales, none of those things matter much. It’s a harsh reality for anyone who doesn’t like selling.
Mark Victor Hansen once told me to learn how to sell, otherwise I would position myself to always be the person buying. I took that advice and learned the art of sales. It’s a never-ending learning process, and I enjoy it a lot. Once you learn this skill, you’ll always have a job, even if you have to make one for yourself.
Whenever I think about all the entrepreneurs I know, I am always amazed at how much we think alike. It’s a unique mindset, and it starts with a fundamental view of the world. I never thought of breaking it down into a list of truths until I read 8 Essential Truths about People by Geoffrey James on Inc.
I recommend clicking over to that article and reading it carefully. It makes a lot of sense. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. People can be unpredictable and reckless, but overall, I believe each one of these things to be true.
Funders and Founders turned Geoffrey’s article into this colorful chart. My favorite is the third one, which reads “most people are good.” I have a friend who starts off distrusting everyone until they earn his trust. In my opinion, that makes it much harder to become a successful entrepreneur. I agree with what Geoffrey wrote:
While there are probably some truly evil people in the world, most people have their hearts in the right place. They honestly believe they are trying to do the best they can with the resources they’ve got. Therefore, assume good intentions, and others will be drawn to you and want to work for you.
I hope you enjoy this chart as much as I did. If you are an entrepreneur, or if you are considering becoming one, I’d be curious to know your thoughts about these things.
Photo credit: Funders and Founders / Amy West
