As an online sales specialist, building good relationships is crucial to your role, but sometimes it can be a real challenge. 

If you’re anything like me, you go out of your way to make others feel welcomed, cared for, and accepted. After all, it’s part of what makes us good at our jobs. However, when we don't receive the same treatment in return, it can be difficult to deal with, and sometimes we can even begin blaming ourselves. 

When it comes to relationships, I have something to share that took me some time to understand. But first, I have a question for you. 

Do you like peaches?

It’s a random question, right? Not really. Some people reading this LOVE peaches, and some people HATE them. You might get where I'm going here. 

You could be the juiciest peach on the tree, but there will always be people who just don't like peaches. 

How does this apply to your position as an online sales specialist? Maybe you have some resistance from someone on your onsite sales team who is having a hard time buying into the online sales program for your company. Whether your program is new to the organization or has been in place for some time, some people are going to embrace the program more than others.

I dealt with this challenge, especially working with 100+ agents. As you’re reading this, you may have particular agents popping into your head. I know I have a few in mind. I had one onsite sales agent who would buy her own signage stickers with her direct cell phone number to replace the online sales community-specific signage number. I mean, COME ON! 

I did everything in my power to win her over. I sent appointments who were ready to write as soon as they walked in, did onsite all-star awards with shoutouts, and provided gift cards and handwritten notes. It turned out, she just didn’t like peaches.

If you have 80% buy-in from your onsite sales team, you should call that a success! Maybe, you are having a hard time with others within the company. That’s okay. Continue to do your job and do it well and let your appointments and conversions speak for themselves. 

If you relate to this on a personal level, welcome to the club. Keep being YOU!