Here’s Lea’s summary of the actively unplugged Podcast for our English speaking fellows & friends:

In a world where competition is fierce and the race to the top is relentless, every company’s secret weapon is its sales team. Discovering and nurturing exceptional sales talent is no longer a mere goal; it’s a paramount necessity for businesses seeking to survive and thrive. In our podcast series, “actively unplugged”, Susanne and I had the privilege of talking with Patrick, the charismatic CSO with a knack for transforming promising talents into sales superstars. Patrick spilled the beans on how to attract top-tier talent, the qualities that make a sales champion, and the strategies to unleash your team’s hidden potential. 

Patrick started our conversation by underscoring the game-changing importance of an irresistible employer branding strategy. He believes the first step is making your company the hottest ticket in town! Picture your firm as the “cool kids” of the business world, where work isn’t just a grind but an exhilarating experience. In this age of digital networking, Patrick advocated for LinkedIn as a treasure chest for both job hunters and companies. By crafting a magnetic online presence and showcasing your brand’s irresistible charisma, you’ll naturally attract the crème de la crème of talent. Patrick’s LinkedIn journey is a testament to this, with a staggering one to two job inquiries landing in his inbox weekly!

Unpacking the DNA of sales talent, Patrick unveiled three non-negotiable qualities: intelligence, adaptability, and drive. He made it clear that candidates must bring their own unique passion to the table, whether sports, music, or other life experiences fuel it. In a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, these human qualities remain the irreplaceable secret sauce in the sales world.

Determining whether candidates possess the critical skills required for success in sales is a paramount challenge. According to Susanne and Patrick, the secret lies in a two-fold approach. Firstly, there’s the art of storytelling. Candidates are encouraged to tell their personal success stories by applying the structured STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) interview method. When candidates share their personal tales of triumph, it is an illuminating window into their passion and intelligence – two indispensable qualities on the path to sales stardom. But it doesn’t stop there. Beyond storytelling, candidates are put to the test with hands-on assessments. This dual strategy scrutinizes their skills and unveils their adaptability and readiness to embrace continuous learning, a crucial trait for thriving in the dynamic world of sales.

Enter the game-changer: technology. Patrick and Susanne harnessed the power of the unique app that streamlined Susanne’s initial interviews by recording them. They were then dispatched to Patrick at his convenience and let him review super efficiently on the fly. This innovative approach eliminated the age-old reliance on word-of-mouth recommendations and gave them the upper hand in choosing the cream of the crop. It wasn’t just a one-way street either; candidates received valuable feedback and their recordings, even if they weren’t ultimately chosen.

Patrick left us with a parting nugget of wisdom: practice makes perfect! Dry runs and mockups emerged as his secret weapons for sharpening sales skills. He emphasized that sales, especially at the outset, often resemble a dynamic game of Q&A. Through rigorous practice, individuals develop the confidence and finesse needed to excel in client interactions and product sales. Intriguingly, Patrick revealed that some of his most remarkable performers had zero prior sales experience, coming instead from diverse backgrounds like project management or other fields.

As a 25-year-old myself, I couldn’t resist asking Patrick the golden question: “What advice would you give to your 25-year-old self?” His response was a gem worth cherishing. With a hint of wisdom earned through the ups and downs of life, Patrick dropped a nugget of timeless wisdom – patience.

Patrick’s advice is a powerful reminder to us all, especially those of us navigating the early stages of our careers. Learning to embrace the ebb and flow of life and business with patience can be a game-changer in a world that often demands instant gratification. It’s a quality that fuels personal growth and propels us towards the pinnacle of our professional journeys.

So, to my fellow 25-year-olds and beyond, take a page from Patrick’s book and remember that patience is the compass that can guide us through life’s unpredictable terrain. Trust the process, stay resilient, and keep your eyes on the horizon – because your best days are yet to come. 🌟💼🌐