"Selling the Web..."
I read a post on the web-l list and it created quite a stir in my thoughts about something I truly believe in, the "Web". If you're reading this, chances are, you also have strong beliefs in the Web. The "Postee" was looking for someone to "sell the Web". Selling the Web would, in my thinking, be a dream job.
from 7.26.2001
Years ago with confidence I would have given little thought to something so well suited to me, that is, selling the Web. Pretending to think things could be different, I envisioned myself selling it, thinking the entire time that I could pull it off, a no-brainer, the dream job...off with the resume.
For me, it conjures up the battle of following our dreams and making a living. Something I think many of us has had to deal with, or will have to deal with, at some point in time. Are you following your dreams?
Job security in today's world seems to be non-existent and if you have security, it may not be your dream job. Changing jobs to follow your dreams is not a simple process. At middle age I'm more qualified and have years of experience, yet I lack the "jumping off the cliff without a parachute" attitude and my experience is not pretty on paper. I have a sense of job security and children that are financially dependent so, my dreams fall to the struggle somewhere in between indecision, security and lack of confidence. It's a place we all end up in, at sometime or another.
What was said in the post struck me in a funny way, seems strange with all the amazing talent out there that the person posting was not having any luck finding a suitable person to sell the Web.
I could do that (sell the web) and be great at doing it but, things have dulled my edge and I've developed a realistic apprehension toward taking "risk" and changing employment. It's a situation I fail to understand and why it's such a struggle for me to understand; I can't verbally spit out. I may not be able to spit out my thoughts on why I may not be able to make things work but I do know there are plenty of people who could do an excellent job at selling the web.
The jest of the post...
"Finding a salesman/saleswoman who understands and can sell the web... Do these people even exist? Or am I just living in a dream world?"
These people exist and as far as dreams go, well... Here's what I think...
Selling "our" electronic future to those who "remain in the dark" seems like a piece of cake to me. After all is said and done it just boils down to understanding the possibilities and convincing people they must become part of this electronic revolution versus denying it. Individuals and business alike will eventually be tied into the web somehow, whether they like it or not. Those who adapt earlier to the inevitable will have the advantage of time and education over their peers and competition. It's a matter of selling (convincing) people on how to improve their lives, remove burdens of information overload, shorten tasks, streamline business, create opportunity, and giving them ways to full-fill their dreams or solve problems. Seems easy to me but it isn't "business as usual".
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Selling "our" electronic future to those who "remain in the dark" seems like a piece of cake to me.
I love the web and believe we are in many ways reliving the Industrial Revolution of the 1800's, only instead of "mechanization" we're going through the wonder of "electronization". There is no doubt in my mind that our future will be shaped by what's going on in cyberspace, it's extremely exciting! Being part of this "Electronic Revolution" and the excitement it breeds brings out a natural ability in me to persuade others of the opportunities and to get those who don't understand the Web, excited too.
I don't think people understand the "pioneering" aspect of what is happening and I know the general public just doesn't understand what the web has to offer or what it can do for them, now or in the future. In general people think it's a race to see who can cash in on the most money now and that's not realistic, it's more about ground-breaking, solving problems and "selling" what people can't even grasp. Millions of dollars are lost to poor planning and dot.com failures and the potentially profitable people who make up the general public build misconceptions and false realities based on information that wreaks of hype and blow. It leaves them in the dark. If you're good at selling the Web and use a little common sense these barriers can be overcome. I recognize that being in the dark, or ignorance, is not a bad thing. It's opportunity.
After all is said and done it just boils down to understanding the possibilities and convincing people they must become part of this change versus denying it. Instead of recognizing what there is to offer, most people are denying the Webs potential because it's to hard for them to absorb it all and figure out how it can do them any good.
Although I'm not technically proficient to code a large retail site or a major information data base, I can "hack" my way around just about any problem and sell a good basic understanding to those not involved in the industry or with the Web. In other words if someone has something to sell or say, I can get it up and running on the Web because I've blazed so many trails and I can educate the client in terms they can absorb. It's my way of empowering the clients understanding and minimizing the denial and showing them what good it's doing for them. Giving them positive results that they can see, grasp and feel.
Individuals and business alike will eventually be tied into the web somehow, whether they like it or not.
It's a matter of fact so why not get up and get moving and face it? Well the difference is between being a leader and a follower. It's just like a horse race; leaders "win" and followers "place" second, third or sometimes "show".
People need to believe that something exists for them on the other side of the mountain. If they understand this, are persuaded to take the journey and "blaze" the trail knowing they won't drop off the edge of the world getting to the other side, the pot of gold is waiting. Eventually though, they will have to either follow the trail or make it. My core beliefs tend to push for blazing trails and helping others do the same. The benefits are much more gratifying and the pain is worth the gain.
Those who adapt earlier to the inevitable will have the advantage of time and education over their peers and competition.
Because the "long term" will dictate the inevitable, that our lives will revolve around information just as they always have, adapting now is a huge advantage. Society has always depended on the TV, telephone, radio, and newspapers for global news and information. As the cell-phone and now the Web emerge and at mega speeds deliver quantities of information too large to absorb, learning "the way" earlier is learning smarter. Look at the conglomerates built on information and just imagine what's next. The focus needs to be on taking the time "now" to simplify the information and technology so it can be absorbed, with time and practice those who get started earlier will be well ahead of the pack. My short four years living breathing and learning about the Web is chock full of experience that can save thousands of hours of sifting through complex issues, concepts and information and simplifying it.
It's a matter of selling (convincing) people on how to improve their lives, remove burdens of information overload, shorten tasks, streamline business, create opportunity, and giving them ways to full-fill their dreams in essence, problem solving.
Most success, in terms of sales, is rated on "closing" the sale. I'm saying, that because the pace of technology is so fast, business relationships (potential clients) must be looked at as an "opening to a sale", a long-term relationship to build upon and to solve problems without closure. Partnering with clients to solve problems and matching technology to their needs simplifying information and educating them is all of, which enables the client to proceed in a positive direction and fulfill their goals, a chunk at a time. It's going to make them money, help them work smarter and make life good, which makes everyone happy.
Seems easy to me but it isn't "business as usual".
It's more about "not" doing "business as usual" and banking on gut feel, hard work, tenacity, common sense and "selling" trust, a Davie Crocket approach. Not so hard to do if you have conviction and believe in the "Web" (and if you have the same conviction/support from fellow and mutually thinking individuals). Delivering what you're convinced of to clients and fortifying their trust depends on this, it's long term. You don't sell, deliver, make money and walk away.
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Selling the Web, it's mind-boggling, an endless challenge and what makes me enjoy it so much. Because the bottom line is solving problems, selling solutions and if your good, making a buck or two.
I'm done pretending now, dreams over...
So, If you're struggling and wondering what keeps you from "jumping" and going after what you believe in, don't, do what I've always preached- follow your dreams.