Times are good. The economy is booming. Consumerism seems to be insatiable. In the midst of it all there is a frightening trend appearing. Business ethics seem to be slipping away. Individual salespeople need to take heed and take personal responsibility in order not to slide down the slippery slope that can limit or, worse still, destroy their careers.
There used to be a concept called 'truth in advertising'. In most jurisdictions it is the law. Today, in general, it is a law that is rarely enforced and almost universally ignored by even the largest of corporations. Claims being made today are often outlandish. Many are blatantly false and individual salespeople are encouraged to bring these exaggerations into the marketplace as companies seek short term profit.
The master salesperson realizes that longevity in the selling profession, on a personal basis, is based on relationship building, strong referral business and ongoing customer loyalty. None of these can be created or sustained by making exaggerated product or service claims, then under delivering on those claims.
Companies that lie to sell their products or services may survive for a time but when the boom cycle ends, as it always inevitably does, these companies will be among the first to fall. Salespeople who compromise their personal integrity for short term gain will go down with these companies. Economic history is replete with the bones of companies that have over promised and under delivered.
While it is true that the marketplace is a place where the buyer needs to be aware, the words of P.T. Barnum are also true. "There is a sucker born every minute". Ethical companies and ethical salespeople do not attempt to turn gullibility into undeserved profit through exaggeration and lying.
