Sales Babble 500th Anniversary Special #500

In March 2014 the first episode of the Sales Babble podcast was published, dedicated to sharing selling secrets for non-sellers. After years of working at a start-up as the VP of Sales, I was ready to share my experience with a broader audience and grow my selling skills. “Sales Babble” was the solution and my next adventure.

Now it’s October in 2023 and we’ve reached the 500th episode and it’s a miracle that I’m still at the microphone, babbling about sales and how to do it better. Today my guest is my co-founder and wife Denise Helmers. We turn the tables and we discuss the journey of the podcast, where it came from, where it’s been, and what aspirations we have for the future.

Some Sales Babble Questions Denise Asked

- Your background is in software and tech, not the media. It seems an unlikely pivot in your career. Why did you start the podcast? What was the spark that motivated you to become a podcaster?
- How did you come to the name of Sales Babble?
- What did you think you could add to the conversation on selling?

- - Being transactional
  - Fear of rejection
  - Disorganized
  - Hubris – a belief they know best for the customer
  - Think sales is different than other professions and life

- How has the podcast changed over time? It’s not about “selling secrets for non-sellers” anymore, is it?
- Most people in business have little interest in philosophy, especially something as esoteric as Taoism. Why take the chance and potentially alienate your audience?
- What have you learned about podcasting that you didn’t know when you started?

Sales Lessons Learned in 500 Episodes
- What have years of interviewing sales experts and noodling on sales in the context of Taoism taught you?
  - Listen more than you talk – You can’t qualify a prospect if you don’t know what they want. You have to give them space to talk which requires strong listening skills. The notion that great talkers make great salespeople is a myth. It’s just the opposite. Great listeners make great salespeople. Lao Tzu said,

“Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.”

- - Stay humble- how much of life will remain a mystery no matter how much knowledge we accumulate. We call these people lifelong learners. Lao Tzu said,

“The wise man is one who knows what he does not know.”

- - Remain patient – Impatience is the mother of mistakes and the father of stress. Lao Tzu reminds us how given time, the oceans have milled the finest of sand. He says,

“Water is soft, but given time it can cut through the hardest of rock.”

- - Help others – We are social animals and people are happiest when we’re part of something greater than ourselves. Lao Tzu said,

“The sage has no mind of their own. They are aware of the need to help others. They are good to people who are good. They are good to people who are not good. Virtue is goodness.”

- - Sometimes the only option is to fight – there is going to be conflict despite all efforts to de-escalate and compromise sometimes you do need to compete, fight for your basic rights, and survive Lao Tzu advises we temper our emotions,

“The best fighter is never angry.”

- What can we expect in the future?

Check Out the First Episode

This was the very first episode published. Fun to listen how Sales Babble got started. Listen here. https://www.salesbabble.com/1/

How to Connect with Pat Helmers at Sales Babble

Sales Babble shares selling secrets for non-sellers. Masterful selling is deeply understanding what buyers need, discerning if you can help, showing what you have, and helping them make a decision that is both good for their business and yours. See https://salesbabble.com

This is a production of Habanero Media https://habaneromedia.net

Got a Question?

Something about today’s episode got you thinking? Do you have a question or a comment you’d like to share? If so “babble me” an email here!

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