They say silence is golden, but in sales, silence is not just golden it’s profitable.
The Loud Barber Story
Picture this. You walk into a barbershop in Mbare. The barber greets you, sits you down, and before you even say what haircut you want, he starts talking:
“Ah boss, life is hard these days. Fuel prices are crazy, my landlord is giving me stress, and my girlfriend says I’m not serious. Anyway, how do you want your hair?”
By the time he’s done talking, you don’t even feel like cutting your hair anymore. You just want to run away.
That’s what many salespeople do they talk themselves out of the sale.
The Golden Rule of Sales
In every sales meeting or call, the person talking the most is the one being sold to.
If you’re the one running your mouth, guess what? You’re selling yourself to the customer… not your product. But when the customer is talking more, revealing their problems, needs, and frustrations you’re in control.
Your job? Ask smart questions, shut up, and listen.
Questions Are Your Best Sales Weapon
Think of questions as fishing nets. The more you cast them, the more information you catch. And once the customer opens up, you can tailor your solution perfectly.
But if you’re busy telling them how “your product is the best in Africa,” they’ll smile politely and say: “We’ll think about it.” Translation? You’ve lost.
African Wisdom in Action
In our culture, the elders always say: *“*You have two ears and one mouth for a reason talk less, listen more”
Salespeople, take notes: Your ancestors already gave you the formula for closing deals.
Stop trying to be a motivational speaker in sales meetings. Ask, listen, and let your client talk themselves into buying. Sometimes the best sales pitch is just nodding your head and saying: “Tell me more.”
By The Chartered Vendor
#SalesTipsAfrica #AfricanBusinessWisdom #ShutUpAndSell #ListeningSells #SalesMeetingsDoneRight #ClosingDeals
