How to Develop a Sales Mindset: From Tradesman to Salesman

Do you think of yourself as a tradesperson or a salesperson? If the answer isn’t both then you’ve got a business problem.

Being great at sales starts with having the right mindset. How you think informs what you say and how you act. And what you say and how you act informs the results you’ll achieve in your business. Simple.

Take two electricians with the same technical skill level. One only fixes issues while the other, with a sales mindset, connects with clients, understands their needs, and offers personalised solutions.

Even though they both have similar technical skills, the sales-oriented electrician is going to build lasting relationships, identify and convert more opportunities, and secure referrals.

In this article, we’ll show you how adopting a sales mindset can turbocharge your trade business growth, explore why it matters, and give actionable tips for you to level up your sales game.

A sales mindset isn't just about selling—it's a way of thinking and acting that supercharges your skills. For tradespeople, it means combining your technical expertise with a new way of seeing things. It's about not just fixing problems but understanding people's needs and making a lasting impact.

Think of it like this: technical skills are the building blocks, but a sales mindset is the engine that drives growth. In South Africa’s competitive trade landscape, having top-notch skills isn't enough. A sales mindset helps build connections, find solutions, and turn challenges into opportunities.

This mindset isn't just about selling your trade services; it's about creating solutions that truly help your customers. Having this mindset opens doors, builds trust, and sets your trade business apart from your competitors.

Finding your purpose as a tradesperson isn't just a pie-in-the-sky idea; it's a compass that guides your sales journey.

As a tradesperson, your purpose should be more than just fixing things—it could be ensuring your family has comfort, contributing to your community or South Africa as a whole, or living the values of your religion.

Connecting sales to this deeper purpose motivates you and makes you more authentic.

: Check out a few exercises to find your purpose

here

. Consider how your work impacts your community and your customers' lives.

Authenticity is your secret weapon in sales.

Take a moment to understand yourself—who you are, and what you stand for.

When you're true to yourself, trust builds naturally. It's like being a familiar face in a sea of strangers.

: Understanding yourself is the key to authenticity.

Here's a quick video

on discovering your authentic self.

Building relationships is the backbone of sales, while in South Africa, networking is part of our culture.

Join local networking groups like BNI, attend trade industry events, and take time to make genuine connections with your peers in your trade.

Remember, it's not just about what you can gain, but also what you can give.

: Check out some local networking groups

here

and practice

rapport-building exercises

to strengthen connections.

Think beyond fixing a problem.

As a plumber, you’re not just fixing a geyser, you’re ensuring a family has hot water for their kids' baths.

It’s about shifting your perspective from tasks that you need to complete to fulfilling the needs of your customers.

:

Check out this short video

for a breakdown of the mindset shift you need to sell solutions, not your services.

While your skills as a tradesperson matter, it’s more than just the quality of your trade work; it's the experience you deliver.

Highlight what sets you apart, your unique selling point.

One way you can set yourself apart from your competitors is by using technology to make your customers have an unforgettable experience.

:

Check out these tips

on how you can improve the experience of your customers and set yourself apart from the rest.

As South Africans, we’re experts in resilience, facing challenges like load shedding, water shortages, and countless potholes head-on.

Learn from this resilience; it's your toolkit for overcoming obstacles and rejection in sales.

Adapt, bounce back, and keep moving forward.

: Check out

these 4 strategies

to help build your resilience so that you can overcome challenges and rejection with ease.

Your well-being matters. Consider adopting healthy habits for a sharper mind and a more agile body while on the job.

Whether it's physical fitness like going on regular runs, healthy eating on the go instead of opting for a vetkoek or Wimpy burger, or staying organised with tools like

ServCraft

, these habits keep you sharp and ready for the demands of your trade.

:

Check out this video

on how to build good habits, how to make your habits stick, and how to break bad habits.

Growth doesn't stop at your technical skills as a tradesperson.

Always be on the lookout for new ideas and approaches to selling.

It's about evolving, embracing change, and becoming better, not just for your trade business but for yourself.

:

Check out this article

which outlines how you can create a culture of continuous improvement in your business.

Developing a sales mindset is about more than just selling; it's about understanding your purpose, connecting with people authentically, and creating lasting solutions for your customers.

South Africa's diverse business landscape offers a fertile ground for tradespeople armed with a sales mindset to grow their business.

Remember, this isn't a quick fix; it's a continuous journey.

Embrace these principles, adapt them to your unique circumstances, and witness the evolution not just in your trade business but in yourself.