What if the key to transforming your sales career lies in revisiting the entrepreneurial spirit of your youth? Meet Juan Pablo Urruchua, or JP, whose start with selling cookies and eggs to schoolmates influenced where he is now as a SalesStar Practice Partner and leader of SalesStar Mexico. With a unique perspective on sales as an exchange of value, JP shares invaluable lessons from his diverse background and how they shaped his approach to building and coaching effective sales teams.

This chapter discusses the decision to pursue a career in sales. Paul uses the example of his daughter's lemonade stand to illustrate turning challenges into opportunities and questions JP on why he chose to stay in sales after leaving the corporate world. JP explains his strong finance background and the two potential career paths he considered: continuing in finance or leveraging his sales and sales management expertise. He chose sales for the opportunity to transform companies and build a legacy, particularly in helping middle-market companies in Mexico improve their sales and go-to-market strategies.

This chapter focuses on diagnosing and improving a company's sales culture. It starts with the importance of discovery to assess if there’s a mutual fit and uncover the extent of existing chaos. The necessity of a comprehensive sales plan is explored, noting that many organizations lack a cohesive strategy. The conversation shifts to the significance of strong sales leadership and the need to equip managers with the right skills, methodologies, and competencies to effectively lead their teams, emphasizing that impactful change often starts at the managerial level.

This chapter explores the significance of sales management over sales reps in achieving organizational success. The challenges in finding individuals who excel in leadership and management are discussed, emphasizing the distinction between setting and executing a vision. The conversation also touches on the mindset differences between those who defend their existing methods and those eager to learn and grow. The importance of being coachable and the need for continuous change in today's business environment are underscored, along with strategies for balancing leadership and management competencies.