I am thrilled to announce that our fearless leader, Gabe Moncayo, was recognized as an AA-ISP Top 25 Most Influential Sales Professional award for the 2nd year running. Started in 2010, the AA-ISP Top 25 Most Influential Inside Sales Professionals recognizes individuals who have been instrumental in leading the profession. Gabe and I sat down to chat about what this recognition means to him.
Elise: Congratulations on being named a back-to-back winner. What went through your mind when you got the news?
Gabe: I was emotional, excited, grateful. This award is based on nominations from your peers, so it was very humbling as well. Knowing that I’m making a difference to those I meet - both AlwaysHired students, and acquaintances I meet at events - is very rewarding. It also tells me I’m doing something right, which is reassuring because like anyone, I sometimes have my doubts!
E: You’re amongst a strong group of 25 sales professionals. What qualities do you all share?
G: All of us are accountable. Every day, we focus on what we can do better, not what others did wrong or what they should have done. We’re also positive, and realistic. We know when to say no, and when to say yes.
E: What advice do you have for others, up-and-coming sales professionals who also want to be leaders?
G: Focus on doing the little things right. Every day, every hour we are challenged by life. The homeless person who asks you for money. They new-hire that wants to take you out to lunch. The person who deserves the benefit of the doubt. The client who needs to be told 'no' and stopped being babied. Getting outside of your comfort zone is the only way to truly grow.
E: Any final thoughts?
G: Thank you to the AA-ISP for doing this. It’s really cool to see what’s happening in the Inside Sales arena right now. As the barrier of entry to starting a company is lowered, the amount of competitors in a market/options to the consumer will increase. Sales has shifted to being consultative and solution selling. You need to be better at asking questions than you are at ‘convincing people to do things’ (you should buy because of X,Y,Z). In a world with 10 competitors at the top, as opposed to 4-5 per sector, the companies that show their customers (even those with AI, Automation, IOT) that they are human - that they are ‘real’ will be those that win. For the same reasons United and Fyre Festival are getting ‘torched’ are the same reasons sales is becoming an honest profession for honest people.
I'm excited to continue to shape the future of sales.