Comments on: In Praise of Willy Loman http://blog.techcapital.com/2008/08/05/in-praise-of-willy-loman/ A venture capital firm focused on building world-class technology companies Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:49:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Glenn http://blog.techcapital.com/2008/08/05/in-praise-of-willy-loman/comment-page-1/#comment-189 Glenn Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:04:15 +0000 http://blog.techcapital.com/?p=61#comment-189 Andrew, your reminiscing of transitioning from engineering school to the workforce brought back memories of my journey in a similar econonomic climate. In my case, it was 1991 and the last recession. Any thoughts about conquering the world were being buffetted about by the 150 or so "thanks but no thanks" letters from prospective employers. A few work terms under my belt had led me to the conclusion that i didn't really want to be an "engineer" anyway but what was I to do then with an engineering degree? UW's Career Services to the rescue... with a small pamphlet called "Why Not Sales?" where some of what you shared above was laid out. And the rest is history.... And btw, congratulations on your most recent 10 years of selling. Andrew, your reminiscing of transitioning from engineering school to the workforce brought back memories of my journey in a similar econonomic climate. In my case, it was 1991 and the last recession. Any thoughts about conquering the world were being buffetted about by the 150 or so “thanks but no thanks” letters from prospective employers.

A few work terms under my belt had led me to the conclusion that i didn’t really want to be an “engineer” anyway but what was I to do then with an engineering degree? UW’s Career Services to the rescue… with a small pamphlet called “Why Not Sales?” where some of what you shared above was laid out. And the rest is history….

And btw, congratulations on your most recent 10 years of selling.

]]> By: Melanie Baker http://blog.techcapital.com/2008/08/05/in-praise-of-willy-loman/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Melanie Baker Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:01:01 +0000 http://blog.techcapital.com/?p=61#comment-33 This personal perspective evolution mirrors mine as well, though our paths are very different. For those who aren't born sales people, i.e. who actually <em>want</em> to do it for a career, sales tends to be a dirty word. And, frankly, fair enough. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a person who couldn't come up with a negative mental image based on at least one personal experience if you uttered "sales" to them.<br><br>That said, you learn over time (if you're worth your salt at whatever your job is) that it's ALL sales. Doesn't matter if you're a retailer or a software tester. Getting your point heard, your ideas implemented, your frustrated customers appeased -- it's all the same combo of skills.<br><br>Plus hunger. You have to have a reason to be there, and be convinced of the worth of what you're selling, or you won't be convincing anyone. This personal perspective evolution mirrors mine as well, though our paths are very different. For those who aren’t born sales people, i.e. who actually want to do it for a career, sales tends to be a dirty word. And, frankly, fair enough. I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a person who couldn’t come up with a negative mental image based on at least one personal experience if you uttered “sales” to them.

That said, you learn over time (if you’re worth your salt at whatever your job is) that it’s ALL sales. Doesn’t matter if you’re a retailer or a software tester. Getting your point heard, your ideas implemented, your frustrated customers appeased — it’s all the same combo of skills.

Plus hunger. You have to have a reason to be there, and be convinced of the worth of what you’re selling, or you won’t be convincing anyone.

]]> By: Bart Jealous http://blog.techcapital.com/2008/08/05/in-praise-of-willy-loman/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Bart Jealous Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:54:12 +0000 http://blog.techcapital.com/?p=61#comment-32 Very well put together. Excellent use of quotes from Death of a Salesman. I agree on How to Become a Rainmaker. Very well put together. Excellent use of quotes from Death of a Salesman. I agree on How to Become a Rainmaker.

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