Sales skills aren’t just for sales people

John Lewis • 16 June 2022

Learn how to use sales skills in any situation to get what you want

Intro

Sales skills are often thought of as something that only sales people need (and can be a bit yucky for many of us not in sales). But the truth is, good sales skills can help everyone, not just sales people. In fact, there are a few ways in which having good sales skills can benefit you in your everyday life. So if you're looking to improve your life in any way, developing your sales skills may be the answer. Even if you're not in sales, it's still a good idea to hone your skills so you can get more of what you want. And who doesn't want that?!


Sales skills can be used in any profession

Sales skills are often thought of as being useful only for salespeople. However, the ability to sell is actually a valuable skill that can be used in any profession. For example, lawyers need to be able to sell their services to potential clients. Doctors need to be able to sell patients on the importance of preventive care. Even parents need to be able to sell their kids on the importance of eating their vegetables! In short, sales skills are an essential part of life, and there's no reason why they should be limited to salespeople. With a little practice, anyone can learn how to sell!


You can use sales skills to get what you want

You might not think of yourself as a salesperson, but if you stop and think about it, you probably use sales skills all the time. For instance, have you ever talked someone into going out for coffee? Or convinced a friend to lend you some money? Or persuaded your boss to give you a raise? If so, then you know how to use sales skills to get what you want. Of course, sales skills aren't just useful for getting free coffee or extra cash. They can also be helpful in more serious situations, like when you're looking for a new job or trying to close a business deal. So next time you need to get something from someone, remember that sales skills can be your secret weapon.


Learning sales skills will make you more successful

If you're not a salesperson, then you're probably thinking that you don't need to know any sales skills. After all, what does selling have to do with your everyday life? But the truth is that sales skills can be incredibly helpful, no matter what line of work you're in. For example, let's say you're a doctor. You may not be selling products, but you are selling yourself and your services. If you can learn how to effectively communicate with potential patients, you'll be more successful in attracting new business. And it's not just businesses that can benefit from sales skills; individuals can also use these skills to their advantage. If you're looking for a new job, learning how to sell yourself during the interview process can give you a big leg up on the competition. In today's world, sales skills are essential for success. Whether you're selling products or services, or simply trying to get ahead in life, sharpening your sales skills is sure to help you reach your goals.


Learning them will make everyone more successful. Whether you're selling a product, a service, or yourself, sales skills are essential. And the good news is that they're easy to learn. Just like any other skill, sales skills can be learned through practice and repetition. The more you practice, the better you'll get. So don't be shy about practicing. The more you do, the more successful you'll be.


Sales skills are not difficult to learn

In fact, sales skills are probably one of the easiest things to learn. Just about anyone can do it. All you need is a little bit of practice and some basic techniques. We all have to be able to convince others to see things our way. But it's got nothing to do with how shouty you are, whether you have a banging hairstyle, or if you wear braces to hold your trousers up. Don't worry - it's not difficult or unnatural. Just give it a try and see what works for you.


There are many resources available to help you learn

If you're looking to learn or improve, there are plenty of resources available to help you out. Books, websites, and even sales training courses can all give you the tools you need to be successful. However, sales is ultimately about understanding people and learning how to connect with them. So, don't forget the most important resource of all: salespeople themselves. Talking to experienced salespeople can give you insights that no book or course can provide. So get out there and start talking to salespeople! You might just be surprised at what you learn.


Practice makes perfect

You've just completed a sales training course and you're feeling pretty confident about your new skills. But there's just one problem: you're not sure when or how you can use them in your personal life. After all, sales is all about convincing people to buy things, and you're not trying to sell anything to your friends or family. Or are you?


Think about it this way: every day, we all engage in some form of sales. Whether we're trying to convince our boss to give us a raise, or our partner to watch our favorite TV show. We're constantly selling ourselves and our ideas. So why not put those new sales skills to good use in your personal life?


The next time you're trying to convince someone of something, think about the techniques you learned in sales training. Are you using body language effectively? Are you making a clear and persuasive argument? If not, it's time to start practicing! The more you use your new skills, the more natural they will become - and before long, you'll be a pro at getting what you want in both your personal and professional life.


Conclusion

So put down the phone, step away from the laptop and give yourself a break. You’re human after all. And humans need time to rest and rejuvenate so they can come back stronger than ever and sell like crazy. But if you still don’t feel convinced that sales skills are for you, or that they can be used in non-sales contexts, call us! We would love to chat with you about how improving your sales skills will make your life better – professionally and personally. Until then, happy selling (and resting)!

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What's going on? If you’ve been watching the news or even just your cost of importing parts or raw materials, you’ll know that things are getting… spicy. The Dollar has taken a knock, the Pound is holding strong (for now), and the Euro is nervously watching from the sidelines. This is no ordinary market flutter — it’s the prelude to what’s being dubbed “Liberation Day,” thanks to the Trump administration’s announcement of sweeping new tariffs. So, what does it mean for you, the UK business owner? Let’s break it down. The Tariff Trouble: What’s Triggered It? Over the weekend, Donald Trump confirmed the US will impose reciprocal tariffs on all countries, effective 2nd April. That includes the UK, EU, Canada — the lot. Markets reacted quickly and nervously. The US Dollar index slipped for the third day running, while Sterling held relatively firm and even gained ground on the Dollar and Euro. Tariffs are set to hit EU car exports first, with a flat 25% on any vehicle not made in the USA. The EU has already promised retaliation. So, we’ve got: A potential full-blown trade war brewing. Worries about global inflation returning. Investors pulling back from risk. UK and EU exporters in the crosshairs. How Currency Is Moving – And Why It Matters USD : Investors are ditching the Dollar. Why? Because tariffs risk economic growth and may force the Fed to hold off further rate hikes. The greenback has lost ground against both the Yen and Sterling. GBP : The Pound is surprisingly stable. Prime Minister Starmer’s “productive talks” with Trump didn’t prevent the tariff threat, but Sterling has remained above 1.29 against the Dollar and 1.19 against the Euro. EUR : The Euro has crept up slightly — mostly because the Dollar is wobbling. But with Germany heavily reliant on car exports to the US, this trade standoff could hit the Eurozone economy hard. To add fuel to the fire, the ECB just cut interest rates by 25bps, and may need to go further. What Does This Mean for UK SME Owners? If you’re importing goods priced in USD or exporting to Europe, the FX markets are going to start affecting your margins — if they haven’t already. Let’s take a couple of examples: Importer of electronics or components from China or the US : The weakening Dollar might look helpful — goods priced in USD cost less in GBP. But beware: tariffs could push base prices up. Exporter of UK-made machinery to Germany : The Euro’s wobble could make your goods relatively more expensive in Europe, even before EU retaliation hits confidence and demand. Don’t Panic — But Do Prepare This isn’t a time to bury your head in the sand. You don’t need to be a currency trader to manage FX risk — but you do need to be aware. Here are a few practical steps to consider: Review your foreign currency exposure : Which contracts, invoices or suppliers are USD or EUR-denominated? Talk to your bank or FX provider : Ask them about forward contracts or hedging tools. Scenario test your pricing : How sensitive are your margins if GBPUSD hits 1.25 or EURGBP shifts to 1.10? Watch out for knock-on effects : Global inflation, slower growth, tighter credit — it all filters down to SME trading conditions. The Bigger Picture We’re heading into a volatile Q2. The FTSE 100 dropped nearly 1% on Monday, and financial stocks are feeling the squeeze. Risk appetite is down. This isn’t just a blip — it’s policy-driven turbulence, and it could persist well into summer. UK SMEs — especially those in manufacturing, import/export, or with international supply chains — should keep close tabs on currency movements and trade policy headlines. Self-Test: What Should You Be Asking Yourself? How much of my revenue or cost base is exposed to USD or EUR currency movements? Have I reviewed my pricing strategy in light of recent FX volatility? Am I using any FX tools to hedge risk, or am I leaving it to chance? What would a 5–10% swing in either direction do to my cash flow or profitability? Final Thoughts It’s tempting to assume that trade wars and currency swings are for the “big boys” to worry about. But for many SMEs, this sort of disruption can mean the difference between hitting your profit targets or missing them entirely. At Branta, we help businesses like yours navigate financial uncertainty, structure for resilience, and plan for sustainable growth — even in volatile conditions. If you’d like a no-obligation chat about your FX exposure, debt refinancing options or M&A strategy, give us a ring . We speak fluent SME.

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Introducing Our New Series: “Global Markets & FX” As part of our ongoing commitment to helping UK SME owners navigate the financial landscape with clarity and confidence, we’re launching a new type of blog post. Each week, we’ll deliver a concise, jargon-free summary of global economic events that may influence foreign exchange (FX) markets — and, by extension, your business. Whether you’re importing machinery from Germany, exporting craft gin to the US, or simply trying to manage your overseas supplier contracts, FX fluctuations matter. And understanding what’s driving those movements can give you a real edge. This Week in Brief The US Dollar remains strong amid confusion over President Trump’s looming reciprocal tariffs. The Pound is holding firm , but the UK Spring Statement on 26 March could shift sentiment quickly. The Euro retreats , as EU braces for the economic impact of a US-EU tariff clash. Let’s break it down and look at what’s driving the numbers — and what it could mean for your business. 🇺🇸 US: Trump’s Tariff Tensions Rattle the Fed The US Dollar Index remains above 104, showing sustained strength. But behind that steady number is a volatile political situation. President Trump’s proposed reciprocal tariffs — set for an announcement by 2 April — have markets guessing. Will it be a broad-based tariff hike? Or something more targeted? He hinted at “flexibility”, but few are reassured. The Federal Reserve, understandably, seems as baffled as the rest of us. Fed Chair Jerome Powell admitted: “It’s just… really hard to know how this is going to work out.” The Fed’s main concern? That trade tensions will fuel inflation while weakening growth — a nasty combination that’s difficult to manage with interest rate policy. They’ve cautioned that sudden shifts in market sentiment could spook global capital flows. What this means for SMEs: If you’re buying from US suppliers or have customers paying you in dollars, the strong USD could squeeze margins. On the flip side, UK exporters may become more competitive in the US market if sterling stays weaker. 🇬🇧 UK: Steady for Now — But the Spring Statement Looms Sterling has been surprisingly stable. GBP/USD is sitting around 1.2950, and GBP/EUR has moved back above 1.19. This is largely down to the Bank of England’s decision to hold interest rates — but not without some internal drama. Key takeaway? Catherine Mann has pivoted away from the dovish camp, suggesting that further rate hikes aren’t totally off the table. But, much like their US counterparts, BoE officials admit they’re unsure how US tariff policy will ripple through global trade and affect UK inflation and growth. The Real Test: Chancellor Reeves’ Spring Statement (26 March) UK public finances are on a knife edge. With borrowing costs rising, Reeves is likely to announce tough decisions — either cuts, taxes, or a blend of both. Most analysts expect tax rises later in the year unless there’s a surprise surge in UK growth. This week is also packed with UK data: Wednesday: CPI & RPI inflation figures Friday: Retail sales and GDP data What this means for SMEs: If you’re operating on thin margins, watch out. Rising interest costs or inflation-linked supplier pricing could force tough choices. Also, any hint of tax hikes could weigh on business confidence — or bring forward investment decisions. 🇪🇺 Europe: Tariff Talk Hits the Euro The Euro dropped back below $1.085 after a brief rally, thanks to comments from ECB President Christine Lagarde. The trigger? A 25% US tariff on EU goods could shave 0.3% off Eurozone growth in year one — and 0.5% if the EU retaliates. Her message was blunt: there would be a short-term hit to output, but inflationary effects wouldn’t last — meaning the ECB sees little reason to raise interest rates in response. ECB board member de Galhau even suggested they may cut rates further , underlining the different trajectory compared to the US. Key Data This Week: Eurozone PMIs: Watch for business confidence across France, Germany, and the broader region. Inflation: France and Spain will report this week. Germany’s IFO and unemployment data will offer further insight into Europe’s industrial powerhouse. What this means for SMEs: If you rely on imports from the EU — or sell into it — the falling Euro could impact your pricing models. It’s also worth keeping an eye on sentiment: lower confidence in Germany often sets the tone for wider EU demand. What Should UK Business Owners Do Now? FX movements often feel like background noise — until they hit your bottom line. With tariff uncertainty, differing interest rate paths, and political unpredictability, it’s more important than ever to build resilience. Here are a few simple ideas: Review your FX exposure – both incoming and outgoing payments. Talk to your accountant or adviser about whether forward contracts could protect your margins. Keep an eye on data drops (like CPI, GDP, and PMIs) to anticipate volatility. Self-Test: Is Your Business FX-Ready? Ask yourself the following: How much of my revenue or cost base is exposed to foreign currencies? If the GBP were to move 5% against the USD or EUR, how would that affect my margins? Do I have any contracts that lock me into specific exchange rates or payment schedules? Am I regularly reviewing FX risk with my finance team or adviser? Final Thoughts We’ll be back next week with another round-up. Think of this series as your Monday “heads-up” — a quick scan of what’s happening around the world, and how it might ripple through to your business here in the UK. If you’d like to speak to us about FX strategy, hedging options, or broader financial planning, we’re always here to help.
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