120 episodes

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/

Sell By Being Human Alex Smith

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 17 Ratings

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/

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

    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:

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

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

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

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

    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:

    • 49 min
    What's it Mean to Be Authentic in Sales? - Dee Acosta, Sr Sales Mgr - Modigie

    What's it Mean to Be Authentic in Sales? - Dee Acosta, Sr Sales Mgr - Modigie

    Summary:
    In this episode, host Alex Smith interviews Dee Acosta, a senior director of sales and strategic growth at Modigie. He's been a #1 seller at his company numerous times and very active in sales communities. We discuss the concept of selling by being human and the importance of authenticity in sales.
    Dee shares examples of authentic people in his life and how their authenticity has contributed to their success. We also talk about the challenges of being authentic and the importance of trying to let out your authenticity even when you're not feeling really positive.
    We emphasize the need for thoughtful and personalized conversations, rather than generic small talk. Pre-research should focus on understanding the buyer's initiatives and leadership, rather than individual details. Human skills, such as radical candor and domain expertise, play a crucial role in sales success.
    Key Moments:
    00:00
    Introduction and Background
    01:26 Dee's Sales Journey
    04:14 - Authenticity in Sales, How to exhibit it.
    06:12 - Examples of Authentic People
    08:40 - Sharing Personal Experiences
    09:08 - Challenges of Authenticity
    12:27 - Being Authentic on LinkedIn
    22:16 - Domain Expertise in Sales
    Connect with Dee
    LinkedIN
    Connect with Us!
    LinkedIN: Website:

    • 38 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
17 Ratings

17 Ratings

Jamlando nole ,

Great podcast that covers all components of selling

Alex has a great variety of guests from each stage and component of selling. He gets his guest to open up about their work and themselves. Like how he has people from marketing, pre-sales, sales people, and sales management on his show. He gets into how these different departments interact as part of a solution for a client.

adventuresinnoticing ,

Great Stories! Awesome Sales Strategies!

If you’re looking for a sales podcast that’s injected with humanity, *this is it!* Alex does a great job of asking questions that get to the art of selling. Great guests also offer next-day tips on the science of selling. The episode with Jonathan Mahan of The Practice Lab has a dozen turnaround applications to be a better human seller!

Kbing33 ,

Helpful for sales professionals & interesting for anyone!

Alex is an outstanding host & very good with asking engaging questions. He continues to bring very interesting guests from all walks into the conversation about the human side of selling. I’ve taken away key ideas and real-life tips that I aim to implement and/or experiment with as I approach my profession. This is a great avenue for learning about other podcasts and authors as well. Hands down, 5-stars!

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