Most of us know the story of the famous explorer, Christopher Columbus. In 1492 he sailed three ships west from Spain, across the Atlantic, to discover the New World. That is now more than 500 years ago. Cord Cooper just wrote a wonderful article, “Christopher Columbus’ Main Sale,” that appeared in the Investment Daily Newspaper on August 21, 2009. http://tinyurl.com/cekd9p I have included the link for you, and I have chosen to base my sales blog on this delightful article. According to Alan Axelrod, author of Profiles of Audacity , Columbus was not only a distinguished explorer, but he was also referred to as a “salesman extraordinaire.” So, after reading this article my question to you is, “Was Columbus an explorer, a sales person, or both?
Let’s Look at Some of Christopher Columbus’ Characteristics for Being Known for his Sales Success:
- He believed that Asia could be reached by sailing west. So he worked for 7 tenacious years to gain approval and financial backing from a world power, to back his belief.
- When he was finally approved he was faced with his next big challenge. If his belief was right – the world was round - he would be rewarded with great praise and power. And if he was proved wrong he would be the laughing stock of all Europe.
- He set the ultimate example for dealing with difficulties. Once the journey began, Columbus had to deal with the fear-factor of his crew. Like many sailors of that time, they were poorly educated and many were very crude and seedy, to say the least. Many feared that the earth was flat and they would drop off the edge of the sea, if they traveled too far. Consequently, Columbus had to manage this motley lot, keeping them focused and calming their fears, so they did not rebel and cause havoc on the ship.
- He developed the gift for the “power of persuasion.” He figured out that in order to succeed he must learn others languages from Portugal to Spain. He realized that he not only needed to learn the different languages of the royal magistrates but he also needed to learn the dialects of the upper classes and the manners and body language of the dignified.
So What Qualities did Christopher Columbus Have that Match Those of Our Modern Day, “Salesman Extraordinaire?”
- He had an entrepreneurial spirit. He had a dream and he followed it.
- He had curiosity and motivation to learn about “what made people tick.” And he set priorities so he could take the time he needed to learn what he needed to learn.
- He established connection so he could gain insight into the psychology of powerful people. He made things happen. He got himself to the places he needed to be so he could learn what he needed to learn.
- He never stopped learning. He was not educated, but he was self taught. Most boys in his lot in life would have followed their father’s trade but he was driven by another calling. He had a great passion to make something of himself. He definitely looked beyond his station in life.
- He was almost irrationally optimistic about his prospects for success. That optimism became contagious and it kept the royal courts engaged.
- He was willing to sacrifice everything to accomplish his goals and fulfill his dreams. Through study and experience he became a “brilliant navigator and entrepreneur.” His big idea was to take the risk of sailing (west) and gather the rewards.
- He was willing to take risks. He literally launched himself out into the unknown, and that made him a unique example for others to see and model. He taught others, that to achieve your goals you must be willing to depart from the coastline of habit, comfort, and safety.
- Columbus stayed focused on his goal. He played into his strengths as a navigator and the universe provided him a safety net for where he fell short in knowledge. For an example: He underestimated his mileage, but he was given a wonderful gift – the trade winds could push ships across the Atlantic Ocean. He jumped and the net appeared!
- He inspired others. By his true conviction to follow his heart he enthused “powerful people to back him – and the lowliest of people to follow him and he changed the world.”
- He built momentum. Through his good communication with Europe and Spain, he intrigued other nations to get caught into the vision. Though others had discovered the New World long before, Columbus had the vision and communication skills to make things happen.
- He ended the limited imagination of the Old World. He initiated the idea of going on a spiritual quest. And he saw the Americas to be a great rebirth for spiritual and economic awakening. He gave people hope for a better world and life!
- Like all good salesmen, he wouldn’t take "No" for an answer.
Now, my question to you is: Are you a “Salesman Extraordinaire?” Are you willing to leave your safe harbor and set out “for the deep, unexplored waters?” Columbus was and so are those that are driven for success, “in every era and industry.”
Any comments?
