Many people consider selling and marketing synonymous terms. However, selling is actually only one of many marketing components. In business, a traditional definition of personal selling refers to the personal communication of information to persuade a prospective customer to buy something can be a good, service, idea or something else that satisfies that individual's needs.
The definition of selling involves a person helping another person. The salesperson often works with prospects or customers to examine their needs, provide information, suggest a product to meet their needs, and to provide after-sale service to ensure long-term satisfaction.
The definition of selling also involves communications between seller and buyer. The salesperson and the customer discuss needs and talk about the product relative to how it will satisfy that person's needs.
Unfortunately, this explanation of personal selling does not explain the best selling philosophy for the 21st century. Why?
In the early 2000s the worst side of business became obvious. Corporate corruption, misstated financials, and the personal profit of chief executives as their companies went out of business all contributed to the public's negative attitude toward most business professions.Unethical business practices resulted in bankruptcies, which in turn led to massive layoffs in some countries.
The new definition of personal selling inserts the unselfish into the traditional definition. Personal selling refers to the personal communication of information to unselfishly persuade a prospective customer to buy something can be a good, service, idea or something else that satisfies that individual's needs. "Would you mistreat your grandmother in a sales transaction?"
