Direct Selling and Transferable Skills

“Transferable skills” may be a buzzword when it comes to changing careers, but what talent, smarts, and expertise can non-Direct Selling professionals bring to the table when wanting to enter the industry? Whether you’re a C-suite level executive or a seasoned professional working in another field, your outsider perspective may be just what a Direct Selling firm needs.

Passion, drive, and the ability to motivate are recognized factors that separate successful employees from others within the Direct Selling arena…

 

Passion, drive, and the ability to motivate are recognized factors that separate successful employees from others within the Direct Selling arena. The following general skills and traits, however, have also been pegged by industry insiders as some that will help potential candidates succeed:

Communication Skills

Arguably the most important skill in this list, good communication skills are a major part of working in sales jobs, including Direct Selling. If you’re a confident communicator and comfortable speaking with all kinds of people, Direct Selling may be a good fit for you.

Customer-oriented Focus

While passion and drive are important in conveying the benefits of touted products in Direct Selling, successful salespeople are also humble and empathetic to their customers’ needs. Candidates skilled at listening to and respecting their clients–those who have innate respect–are more likely to respond appropriately and create value propositions that drive Direct Sales.

Teamwork and Relationship Building

Experienced building and maintaining strong relationships within a vast network? Know when to ask for help, when to offer advice, or when best to work with your colleagues to close a deal? If you can lead people from the top all the way down to the bottom, consider yourself well-positioned for transitioning to a career in Direct Selling. Field development requires leaders to spur plans of action within their sales network. Relationship management is integral to the industry.

Innovative and Flexible Mindset

The act of selling is not formulaic. Success often results from trial and error. Demonstrated examples of flexibility, such as acting on razor-sharp instincts, adapting to changing circumstances and coming up with innovate solutions will hold potential Direct Selling candidates in good stead. The one-of-a-kind nature of Direct Selling also requires a change in mindset. Complex compensation systems, sturdy yet dynamic product portfolios, and a passionate, independent sales force are all unique features of the channel. Successful outsiders adapt to dealing with an unfamiliar industry culture.

Demonstrated examples of flexibility, such as acting on razor-sharp instincts, adapting to changing circumstances and coming up with innovate solutions will hold potential Direct Selling candidates in good stead…

 

“Big-picture” Awareness

Despite the uniqueness of the Direct Selling industry, for a company to be prosperous and fruitful, it needs to be cognizant of the wider context of its business. Keeping abreast of marketplace trends is important, but just as important is seeing the “big-picture” and being informed of overall societal changes–such as advances in social media and technology, or socioeconomic changes–that impact on business.

Body image credit: Photo from Flickr cc courtesy of davis.steve.32 / www.dialysistechniciansalary.org