Sales Ethics 101: sales tips on selling ethically
There is a company here locally who is well known for their questionable business practices. They sell a service based product to a very targeted niche market and have been known for giving no value with their service as well as ignoring the many customers who have problems. The operation runs very similar to the movie “Boiler Room” and once you subscribe to this service they make it extremely difficult to leave. I know this because we have interviewed many sales professionals from that particular company. They come in with the most jaw dropping stories of corruption, deceit and many other unethical business practices. As a sales manager it’s hard to not to label that particular formal employee with the stigma of their previous employer. One employment candidate who worked for this company told me that it wasn’t his fault and he was just the sales person. My question is this; at what point do sales people have an ethical and moral responsibility to take a stand against unethical sales practices.
I would also believe that there would be many variations in answers to this question, so I’m going to give me opinion. I have worked for places like this before. I would interview with a place who promised the world and told me what a great product or service I would be selling. I got there only to realize that what I was selling with either a smoke screen or a complete rip off. Once I was made aware of this I refused to sell anymore and made arrangements to leave the employer. The most important thing a sales person has is their reputation. A good reputation spurs trust and confidence in booth the sales representative as well as what they are selling. My customers know that my word stands true and I have had long term relationships that have carried over for years and followed me to other companies. I can’t stress the importance enough of selling ethically. We have a professional and moral obligation to stand up and recognize unethical business practices at whatever the cost to us.
I would value your comments on this subject and any previous examples you have had. Thanks for taking the time to read my sales blog! Keep on Selling…ethically
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One Response to “Sales Ethics 101: sales tips on selling ethically”
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An employee doing such unethical sales practices would end up scattering his career. (But however, when the company is like that, what can the employee do?).
A good sales person is one who makes the customer trust him & have a long term relationship with the customer. Reputation is what matters here.