Sales Tip: The psychology of change

Oct. 16, 2024
People resist change for a number of reasons, but understanding why can help your business stay fresh.

Start with the facts. You must make your calls, you must show your products, you must ask for the order, and you must restock your mobile store each day. But, you can make changes that will help you make your daily wash, rinse, and repeat cycles more interesting and maybe a bit more fun.

Speaking of change, people tend to resist change due to the perceived loss of control or the disruption of established routines. Change threatens individuals' comfort zones and challenges their beliefs, triggering a defensive response aimed at preserving the status quo and what they stand to lose rather than the potential gains of change. Resistance to change can hinder progress and innovation, but acknowledging and addressing these psychological barriers are essential steps in facilitating successful growth. So, if you are in the doldrums of wash, rinse, repeat, a disruption in your established routine is just what the doctor ordered.

I was just looking at change resistance cartoons for this article and the one I liked best showed a downward sales results chart with the words, “What if we don’t change anything and just hope something magical happens!”  It won’t.

About the Author

Alan Sipe | President, Toolbox Sales and Consulting

Alan W. Sipe has spent the last 42 years in the basic hand tool industry including positions as President of KNIPEX Tools North America, Sr. VP Sales and Marketing at Klein Tools, Manager Special Markets at Stanley Tools and sales management at toolbox manufacturer Waterloo Industries. Currently Sipe is the owner of Toolbox Sales and Consulting specializing in sales strategy, structure, development and training. Sipe can be reached at [email protected] or 847-910-1063. Connect with Sipe on LinkedIn.

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