Ashleigh and Brian talk to Travis King, host of The Community Builder Show, and advocate for human connection. Travis has worked with Fortune 500 brands, venture-backed technology startups, and rising entrepreneurs. This week they discuss downplaying insight, connecting with the Black community, and strategically jumping from job to job.

Show Notes

Power of Human Connection

-The professional world mimics school. Often, you see someone or scroll past their content every day on LinkedIn, but never stop to connect or communicate with them.

-Forming new connections seems like work, and there are so many other things that need your attention, but it’s an important part of sales.

-You don’t have to do much. It can be as small as taking a few more seconds to write a full comment rather than leave an emoji.

Downplaying Insight

-Travis tried to bring his talented friend, Brandon, onto his sales team. Travis went to his manager after the interview to ask how it had gone and was told that Brandon was too cocky.

-This story resonated with Brian, who tends to downplay his insight. If he comes into a room confident and knowledgeable, he’s often treated as a threat.

-No one should feel the need to downplay their insight. Just because you know something does not mean someone else does. It’s a disservice to the entire team to not share your knowledge.

Black Sales Professionals

-Representation does matter. If people don’t see others that look like them in sales roles, they don’t know that it’s a possibility.

-Companies need to start targeting the many talented Black salespeople working in retail stores or fast-food chains. Most aren’t aware that sales is a viable career and that they’ve already acquired many of the necessary skills through their current job.

How to Resonate with the Black Community

-Travis advocates for completely stripping the fluff of the job description. According to him, companies should say, “We need hungry, curious, coachable people who are looking to grow. What will you be doing? Setting up meetings with decision-makers to potentially purchase this technology.”

-The sales world needs to figure out how to communicate with underrepresented communities, not force those groups to communicate in the same way they do.

Acquiring Information

-Little strategic career steps that may not make sense to the outside world will help in the long run.

-Play the game. Acquire all the information you can, take what you need, and use it for what you want. Information will empower and enable you.

Resources

-The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters

Connect with Travis

-LinkedIn

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