Sell By Being Human

Alex Smith
Sell By Being Human

I believe that all people want to be heard, seen, and understood. But how do we get people to hear, see, and understand us effectively? Salespeople train themselves on techniques to do this but there are people doing it well without the word sales showing up anywhere in their job title or job description. This podcast is designed to help us hone our human skills, understand subtle similarities between non-sales people and salespeople, and show how we can learn from both groups the next time we need to create change and sell by being human. You will learn from people throughout all walks of life. Nurses, coaches, janitors, event planners, HR executives, and architects. Just to name a few. We'll contrast them with trained sales people to show similarities and differences. There's an art to human connection and sales. We all do it differently and we can all learn from our every day human interactions. Please contact me and let me know who you see in your life selling by being human! I want to shine a light on them. alex.smith@docebo.com 215-622-6670 @asmith202 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexcsmith/

  1. 29 MAY

    A Human Way to Approach Problem Solving - Mike Simmons, Founder - Catalyst A.C.T.S

    Summary: Mike Simmons has risen through professional sales roles for the past 25 years as an individual contributor, VP of sales, and CRO. He founded his company Catalyst, A.C.T.S to help SaaS founders and team leaders scale their organizations from $2M - $80M ARR. He coaches sales people, speakes an ed tech conferences, and also runs a podcast. I this episode, we talk through the concept of selling by being human and how sales is about connecting the dots between problems and solutions. Mike emphasizes the importance of serving others and asking the right questions to help people discover answers on their own. We explore the misconception of sales and the negative stereotypes associated with it. Mike shares his personal journey in sales and how he learned from observing and working with experienced sales professionals. Mike shares practical tools like the hexagon framework to problem solving and how to ask subtle but powerful questions to get anyone to reach decisions on their own and address problem solving from a more productive perspective. You'll learn how to sell ideas internally, how to move others with high indecision, and to practice different ways of asking good questions on your own. Key Moments: 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:01 Selling by Being Human: Connecting Problems and Solutions 10:00 Serving Others: The Key to Successful Sales 24:08 Learning from the Best: Observing and Emulating Experienced Sales Professionals 27:06 The Importance of Alignment and Perspective 32:47 Being Comfortable with Imperfect Decisions 39:19 The Power of Asking Questions 46:21 Documenting the Decision-Making Process Connect with Mike Website - Find My Catalyst Connect with Us! LinkedIN: Website:

    51 min
  2. 21 MAY

    How Exceptional Leaders Transfer Belief, Lyndsay Dowd, Chief Heartbeat Officer, Heartbeat for Hire

    Summary: Lyndsay Dowd is a Speaker, Founder, Author, Coach, Podcast Host, and Disruptor.  She was recognized as a Top 10 Business Coach by Apple News and was the recipient of the 2023 Award for Innovation and Excellence, also named Business Coach of the Year. Lyndsay was also a Featured Guest Lecturer at Harvard University.  She is an accomplished leader, decorated seller and has successfully managed large, diverse, high-performing sales teams over the last 25 years. 23 of those years were spent climbing the ranks at IBM.  In creating her company, Heartbeat for Hire, she has devoted her career to transforming leadership through building irresistible culture and modern leadership practices to get the best results from their teams.  She is a thriving coach focused on sales, leadership, career, and culture. She has been featured in Fortune Magazine, HR.Com, Authority Magazine, Business Management Daily, Valiant CEO and many other publications. Lyndsay also hosts the top 5% globally ranked podcast, Heartbeat for Hire, and is a frequent guest speaker on live and recorded shows.  This episode is about the sales skills of exceptional leaders. Specifically how important it is to practice the skills of transferring belief. She shares how exceptional leaders create cultures of mutual respect and understanding. Lindsay shares her experiences with inspiring leaders who empowered her and helped catapult her into an executive role with IBM. You can learn how to be more intentional with showing others you believe in them. Moments: 00:00 Introduction and Overview 03:07 The Power of Human Connection in Sales and Leadership 07:25 Creating Cultures of Mutual Respect and Understanding 12:49 Advocating for Your Team and Empowering Others 15:36 The Impact of Recognition and Appreciation 28:07 Building a Personal Brand and the Power of Testimonials 33:09 Modernizing Leadership and Creating a Positive Work Culture 36:00 The Importance of Trust, Feedback, and Inspiration in Leadership 46:29 Guest Lecturing at Harvard: Sharing Stories of Resilience and Leadership 51:56 The Role of Human Connection in Sales and Building Relationships Connect with Lyndsay WebsiteLinkedIN Connect with Us! LinkedIN: Website:

    53 min
  3. 30 APR

    The Magic of Human Connection - Brian Miller, Magician, TEDx Speaker, Author

    Summary Brian Miller believes everyone deserves to feel heard, understood, and valued. He is a former magician turned author, speaker, and consultant on human connection. Today, Brian works with organizations and educators who want to build connected cultures.   He is the author of Three New People, a manifesto on human connection that Publishers Weekly said, “Brilliantly outlines a system for deepening relationships.” Brian’s podcast Beyond Networking cracked the Top 200 under ‘careers’ on Apple. And his TEDx talk “How to Magically Connect with Anyone” has been viewed 3.5 million times. After meeting Brian, audiences are not just inspired to join the human connection revolution - they’re ready to lead it. Brian shares his personal journey with magic and how it helped him overcome social anxiety. We explore the importance of understanding others' perspectives and beliefs in sales and communication. Some people don't realize the idea that despite our differences, we all want the same things in life and can find common ground. Takeaways you'll get - the power of asking meaningful questions to deepen conversations, techniques for remembering names, and emphasizes the importance of making people feel understood and valued. The conversation concludes with Brian sharing a personal story that taught him the power of perspective taking and understanding others. Key Moments: 00:00 Introduction to the Sell By Being Human podcast 01:25 The Power of Human Connection 07:03 The Emotional Impact of Magic 14:04 Brian's Journey with Magic 23:02 Understanding Perspectives in Sales 27:52 Connecting Beyond Agreement 29:09 Finding Common Ground: Connecting Despite Differences 31:24 The Power of Meaningful Questions 34:48 Remembering Names: Making People Feel Valued 40:46 Perspective Taking: Understanding and Connecting with Others 43:36 Beyond Empathy: Making People Feel Understood Connect with Brian LinkedINWebsite Connect with Us! LinkedIN: Website:

    54 min
  4. 25 APR

    How Faith Has Influenced a Sales Career - John Alwinson, Author and Regional Sales Mgr - Boston Scientific

    Summary In this episode, host we interview John Alwinson, a regional sales manager at Boston Scientific and author of the book 'Relentless Sales.' John is a guy who led a successful career in sales and also brings his faith as a key role of what he does and who he is. We go through alot in this episode - the importance of being genuine and authentic in sales, the role of mentors and identity in the sales process, and the influence of John's father, who was a pastor, on his sales skills. Jon discusses the importance of bringing faith into business and creating an environment where people can be their genuine selves. He shares a personal story about gathering people in his neighborhood and building community. Enjoy the episode! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:03 The Meaning of 'Sell by Being Human' 03:00 Chapter 1: Mentors and Identity 04:19 The Influence of John's Father 06:18 The Skills of a Pastor in Sales 08:32 Early Sales Experiences and Lessons Learned 12:05 Advice for Younger Self and Overcoming Fear 14:06 The Concept of Relentlessness 15:01 Dealing with Fear in Sales 19:16 Selling Without Fear and Pre-Call Planning 20:37 Writing 'Relentless Sales' 21:53 The Power of Encouragement 22:40 Believing in Yourself 23:23 Key Skills in Sales 24:30 The Importance of a Sales Process 25:31 Curiosity and Asking Good Questions 26:53 Mental Toughness and Relentlessness 27:16 The Role of Faith 28:36 Living from Your Identity 29:49 Blending Sales, Mentality, and Faith 30:21 The Power of Connection 32:24 Bringing Faith into Business 33:40 Finding Inspiration from Church 34:41 Talking About Faith in Business 36:25 Being Genuine and Authentic 37:20 Being Your Genuine Self 38:19 Gathering People and Building Community 41:36 Being a Hype Man for Others 42:29 Where to Find John Alwinson

    43 min
  5. 18 APR

    Putting the Spotlight on Others As A Skill - Leslie Venetz, Founder, Sales Led GTM Agency

    Summary: In this episode, we talk with Leslie Venetz, a sales consultant and founder of the Sales-Led GTM agency. Leslie teaches salespeople about outbound strategies and has had a successful career as a top individual contributor and sales leader. Leslie shares her personal story about making tough decisions in sales and the long-term benefits of prioritizing the customer's needs. She also reflects on the skills she observed in others, such as adaptability and giving credit to others. Finally, Leslie explains her motivation for starting her own sales consulting business and emphasizes the importance of outbound sales in B2B revenue generation. She also shares her unique approach to sales training events, which includes mindfulness, movement, and unconventional topics. You'll learn techniques on how to put the spotlight on other people, how to resist the urge to help while still being helpful, and how to connect in a "non sleazy" way on Linkedin. Takeaways Selling by being human means developing a deep understanding of the problem you're solving and focusing on helping the customer make the best decision for themselves.Active listening is a crucial skill in sales, and it involves resisting the urge to be helpful and keeping the spotlight on the prospect.Making tough decisions in sales, such as walking away from deals that may not be the right fit, can lead to long-term benefits and build trust with customers.Observing skills in others, such as adaptability and giving credit to others, can inspire and inform your own approach to sales.Starting a sales consulting business offers the freedom to work on your own terms and with the type of people and companies you align with.Outbound sales, including cold calling and cold emailing, is a cornerstone of B2B revenue generation and should not be dismissed or renamed. Sales is a craft and profession that requires care and expertise.Unique experiences and perspectives can set sales professionals apart.Mindset and skill sets are both crucial for sales success.Using reader-centric language in outreach can improve response rates.Earning the right to sell is essential in every stage of the sales cycle.Authenticity and transparency are key on LinkedIn.Revenue Revelry events focus on mindfulness, movement, and sales content. Key Moments: 03:40 Selling by Being Human 06:17 Understanding the Problem 09:37 Making Tough Decisions 12:26 Observing Skills in Others 23:24 The Importance of Outbound Sales 24:13 Sales as a Craft and Unique Experience 26:05 Unique Approach to Sales Training 27:36 Mindset and Skill Sets in Sales 29:29 Reader-Centric Language in Outreach 31:04 Earning the Right to Sell 32:00 Misuse of Cold Calls 33:15 Optimizing Voicemail Strategy 34:12 Using Texting in Sales 37:15 Being Social vs. Being a Social Seller on LinkedIn 38:37 Making the Ask in Sales 41:28 Authenticity and Transparency on LinkedIn 43:21 Revenue Revelry Events Connect with Leslie LinkedIN Connect with Us! YoutubeWebsite:

    46 min
  6. 10 APR

    Treating Your Customers and Team Like Family - Eddie Kopp and Lisa Hamilton, SugarShack

    Summary: The Sugar Shack is a unique music experience that started as a backyard project and has grown into a successful media company. Eddie Kopp, one of the co-founders, shares the journey of how the Sugar Shack evolved over the past 10 years. From humble beginnings to hosting well-known bands, the Sugar Shack has become a sought-after destination for musicians. The success of the Sugar Shack is attributed to the personal and authentic approach taken with artists, creating a comfortable and high-quality recording environment. The team's passion for music and dedication to building a community has been instrumental in their growth. In this conversation, Eddie Kopp and Lisa Hamilton discuss the journey of Sugar Shack, a music video production company that evolved into a unique live music experience. They share the challenges of getting the attention of well nown artists even when they were just starting out. They also talk about building connections and networking, creating a movement and community, and the role of creating an over the top experience for artists and guests ion their backyard. Yiou'll learn their story of building their business but you'll also learn how to treat the people you work with like family. This episode is good vibes mixed with good stories by two great people. Takeaways Authenticity and transparency are key in building connections and maintaining relationships.Leadership skills and confidence can be developed through experiences like the military.Creating a family culture and empowering others can lead to a strong and supportive community.Balancing growth and maintaining the core values of a business is essential for long-term success.Building connections and networking can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Sugar Shack and its Origins 02:03 - The Evolution of the Sugar Shack Experience 07:04 - The Early Days and the Hustle 09:28 - Expanding the Reach and Building a Brand 13:00 - The Transition from Hobby to Career 20:21 - The Pressure and Comfort of the Sugar Shack Sessions 23:23 - Communicating with Artists and Building Relationships 25:45 - The Challenge of Being Absent 26:14 - Authenticity and Transparency in Communication 26:53 - Building Connections and Networking 27:19 - Creating a Movement and Community 27:58 - Building Relationships with Artists 28:26 - The Evolution of Sugar Shack 29:02 - The Role of Photography in Sugar Shack 29:34 - Empowering Others and Giving Opportunities 30:03 - Expanding the Sugar Shack Experience 30:38 - Maintaining the Sugar Shack Sessions 31:01 - The Impact of Sugar Shack on People's Lives 31:47 - Eddie's Leadership and Seeing the Best in Others 32:14 - The Influence of Entrepreneurial Parents 32:44 - The Impact of Military Experience 33:15 - Leadership Skills Developed in the Air Force 34:37 - Applying Military Skills to Sugar Shack 35:05 - Confidence and Risk-Taking 36:01 - Creating a Family Culture at Sugar Shack 37:00 - Future Plans for Sugar Shack 38:00 - Balancing Growth and Maintaining the Sugar Shack Sessions 39:26 - Crazy Stories and Band Culture at Sugar Shack 40:20 - Dream Artists to Collaborate With 41:00 - The Next Chapter for Sugar Shack 42:17 - Unique Qualities of Eddie and Lisa Connect with SugarShack Sugarshack Music Channel - YoutubeSugarShack Websitea...

    46 min
  7. 3 APR

    More About the Person, Less About the Sale - Lisa Henderson, Solutions Architect, Verizon Business

    Summary: In this episode of the Sell by Being Human podcast, I interview Lisa Henderson, a solutions architect at Verizon Business. I met Lisa at a sales networking event and I knew within a few mins, she was someone I wanted to talk to. Lisa shares her background in sales and the influence her father had on her sales career. Her Dad worked in an auto body shop but her Dad taught her the importance of building connections with customers and getting to know them as individuals. Lisa also discusses her role at Verizon and the skills that have served her well in her career. Overall, the conversation highlights the value of being human in sales and the impact it can have on building trust and relationships with customers. In this conversation, Lisa shares insights and advice on building relationships, setting expectations, and selling through the lens of human connection. She emphasizes the importance of asking questions, understanding different communication styles, and getting to know teammates on a personal level. Lisa also discusses the balance between work and personal life and offers advice for non-sales salespeople. She highlights the value of using data to build a compelling story, being open-minded and collaborative, and understanding stakeholders. Lisa's philosophy centers around treating people with kindness and being genuine in sales interactions. Key Moments: 01:00: Lisa Henderson's background and sales career 05:02: Influence of Lisa's father and early sales experiences 08:22: Lisa's father's transition to a non-sales role 09:21: Lisa's exposure to different types of people 12:21: Skills learned from Lisa's father's role as a CNC machinist 15:43: Lisa's experience in retail sales at The Buckle 20:34: Lisa's role as a Principal Connected Solutions Architect at Verizon 25:23: Importance of empathy and understanding in sales 26:00: Setting Expectations and Asking Questions 27:08: Different Communication Styles 28:05: Building Relationships and Getting to Know Teammates 29:04: Personal Conversations and Connecting on a Human Level 30:29: Balancing Work and Personal Life 31:22: Advice for Non-Sales Salespeople 32:05: Using Data and Building a Compelling Story 33:33: Being Open-Minded and Collaborative 34:32: Understanding Stakeholders and Speaking Their Language 36:11: Selling Through the Lens of Human Connection 40:53: Treating People with Kindness and Building Relationships 45:20: Being Genuine and Putting People First 46:18: Lisa's Childhood Sales Experience Connect with Lisa: LinkedIN Connect with Us! LinkedIN: Website:

    50 min

About

I believe that all people want to be heard, seen, and understood. But how do we get people to hear, see, and understand us effectively? Salespeople train themselves on techniques to do this but there are people doing it well without the word sales showing up anywhere in their job title or job description. This podcast is designed to help us hone our human skills, understand subtle similarities between non-sales people and salespeople, and show how we can learn from both groups the next time we need to create change and sell by being human. You will learn from people throughout all walks of life. Nurses, coaches, janitors, event planners, HR executives, and architects. Just to name a few. We'll contrast them with trained sales people to show similarities and differences. There's an art to human connection and sales. We all do it differently and we can all learn from our every day human interactions. Please contact me and let me know who you see in your life selling by being human! I want to shine a light on them. alex.smith@docebo.com 215-622-6670 @asmith202 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexcsmith/

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