MTLNOVEL Chapter 18
Chapter 18
My sales style is simple and comes down to one thing: being good at listening.
With this skill of "being good at listening," I rose to the top in sales.
In any sales field, the basics are these three.
Greet
Listen
Propose
Sales is about these three constantly intertwining throughout a long conversation until it comes together. Even when I tell my colleagues, they ask me to teach them more magical selling phrases, but to be frank, there's no such thing. You listen, figure out what the other person wants, and propose products or services from your company that suit them. If the conversation has specifics, it makes it even easier to understand.
About ninety percent of salespeople aren't good listeners. It's not that they're bad, but they don't think about the sense of distance with the client or the pace of the conversation. Or rather, they don't think about it at all. If you propose a product before figuring out what they want, of course it won't resonate. It feels like it's being shoved onto them, and they can't accept it.
Then there's the pattern where they just bombard with questions. That's a complete no-go.
This time, I simply nodded a lot, reacted big, and inserted my own sad story to make it easier to talk. The trick is to keep it short so I don't talk too much. If they become interested in my story, I just share a little. When I brought up how I was bullied and felt like an outcast, but I'm doing my best, she seemed to lower her guard quite a bit. Since I hold the initiative, it's extremely easy.
Anyone wants to talk about themselves to someone who listens sincerely.
I try not to lie. I also don't fake reactions or interjections. I always try to listen earnestly and sincerely. Even if I can't do it perfectly, I make the effort. Ever since I made up my mind to follow through with this, my sales results skyrocketed, and before I knew it, my salary had tripled. On top of that, I studied product knowledge, industry trends, and past events in the field so I'd never run out of topics to talk about.
Somehow, it feels like a distant past.
......I wonder what happened with that presentation.
"I thought the idea to turn things around was hidden in the young lady's words from the other day!"
Perhaps because she had poured her heart out, even shop owner Misa started crying after Clarice. Things must be really tough for them.
They're grasping at straws.
"Back to the beginning—Misa, why did you start this shop?"
"Huh? Well, so that the shop wouldn't disappear..."
"That's not it. It was your dream, wasn't it? To open a clothing store."
"Ah..."
Misa looked up with a surprised expression.
"That's something you shouldn't forget, right?"
I succeeded in "drawing out" what she wanted. Once I know what she wants, all I have to do is skillfully show the cards I have.
She lowered her eyes and fell silent, then suddenly started giggling.
"It seems I had even forgotten something like that."
"That's fine. You remembered just now, didn't you?"
"Yes!"
"Ellie's grown up so well... I'm so moved..."
"My lady! What a wonderful idea!"
"O-dou-da-ba! O-dou-da-ba!"
Before I realized it, Barry had entered the room and was sobbing.
I didn't even notice when you came in, old man!
"So, about what we were just talking about—could you make custom clothes for me and Sister Amy? Once we see how they turn out, we'll know whether they're good or bad, and whether they'll catch on or not."
"Yes! Thank you so much!"
Alright, it went well. If I'd asked her from the beginning to make a new outfit as a custom order, she probably wouldn't have made it. Designers have their own individual quirks, and I doubt they'd accept designs from an amateur.
Time for the final push.
"If this shop became the trendsetting hotspot... wouldn't that be amazing?"
I leaned forward, eyes sparkling.
Shop owner Misa suddenly looked stunned as if struck by lightning, her eyes full of motivation as she looked my way.
"That would be amazing... I never even thought about that. No, I used to think about it more before! That's right. I used to dream about making all sorts of clothes!"
Well, whether Misa has talent is a gamble.
After that, we went to the workshop and gave detailed instructions on the design. Whether it could be done or not didn't matter—we just kept throwing out ideas. The rest we left up to Misa. Honestly, I don't fully understand the fine details of design. But I've devoured Japanese fashion magazines and been surrounded by cutting-edge fashion wearers, so I have absolute confidence in my sense of style. Fixing this tacky country is an urgent task. It's painful to look at. Well, I don't know how far a chubby girl can go, but it's fun, and I'm going to run wild.
I'll make it so we can see miniskirts everywhere!
I'll make hot pants the next big trend!
Let's do this, yeahhh!
"Ellie, what does 'let's do this, yeahhh!' mean?"
Crap, I said it out loud. I got too excited.
"It means, 'Alright, let's go!'"
"'Let's do this, yeahhh'?"
"No, Sister. It's like—yeah, yeah, gooo!"
I thrust my fist into the air.
Amy mimicked me and raised her fist too.
"Ellie, you're funny."
I want to dress up the always-smiling legendary beauty Amy in nice clothes too. Her current outfit doesn't even bring out ten percent of her charm. I'll turn this kind, beautiful girl who keeps saying "amazing, amazing" by my side into a fashionista. Fufufu...
Following my instructions, Joe sketched rough drafts onto paper with wide, astonished eyes.
Seeing designs he'd never seen in this world, he probably felt like he was being tricked by a fox.
"You... what are you?"
"Hey, Joe!"
"Ouch!"
"That's not how you address her—it's Lady Ellie, remember?"
"Ugh... Ellie, my lady..."
"Ellie is fine, Joe."
I smiled, showing I didn't mind his earlier blunder at all.
Maybe the slap really worked—he's being unusually obedient.
"Ellie, where did you come up with this?"
Joe pointed to the rough sketch of the organza skirt.