Excerpt from the Interview:
Since last 3 years, while staying in Delhi, I started writing blogs and small articles in Linked In and in different online forums. People were also appreciating, the way I present my facebook posts. So gradually, a habit of writing grew up. So ultimately thought, why not a complete book. Instead of small small topics here and there, let me put my entire idea in one place.
Chit Chat Session
Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
Well to introduce myself, “My name is Rana Roy and I am salesman”. Born & brought up in Kolkata, my school and colleges were from Kolkata only. I came to Delhi to pursue my PGDBM course. I have an overall work experience of around 16 years. My career in sales started from Kolkata and my first job was in door to door selling. After post graduation, I got experience in different kind of sales like project sales, key account sales, channel sales, business development in various industries like building material industry, FMCG/ FMCD industry etc. My professional learning has been from companies like Everest Industries ltd, Philips India Ltd, Jaquar Group. I got the opportunity to gain selling experience in few overseas market as well.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
It was not very well planned, though the writing habit was there from the very beginning. I used to write in school annual magazines, school wall magazines during my school life. But never thought I would become a writer. Since last 3 years, while staying in Delhi, I started writing blogs and small articles in Linked In and in different online forums. People were also appreciating, the way I present my facebook posts. So gradually, a habit of writing grew up. So ultimately thought, why not a complete book. Instead of small small topics here and there, let me put my entire idea in one place. And suddenly, I found one advertisement of a work shop of my publisher. Then after attending that workshop, it was only time, which I required to publish my writing as a book and become an author.
What have you written? Give us an insight into your book
In the book We are “Salesman” – I have mainly shared my experience as a salesman. I have tried to highlight all the aspect of a salesman’s life. Be it positive or negative. So any body who is willing to know about this profession can learn from this book. I have mentioned live examples which I experienced during my career. This book is for the budding sales professionals, students, sales professionals who want to improve their skills and also for the people who might not be directly involved into the selling profession, but want to learn about selling.
How did ‘We Are Salesman’? Could you describe the journey?
Being a salesman, the journey had been exciting and of course with ups and down. I still remember, during my initial days, in Everest industries, I had zero sales for 6 months. But yes, I am thankful to my mentors who had helped me and taught me to over come the situation. I learned from seniors during all phases of life. Also tried to learn from my old mistakes. Being a salesman, I got appreciation from my clients, my bosses, my company. I got few award of Highest Sales Volume, Highest Target Achievement etc etc in consecutive years while working in Jaquar. I can say, my career started with lots of learning & mistakes and gradually with experiences I have learned from my mistakes.
How do you manage writing along with your profession?
This is really a good question. I try to utilize every minutes of my day to day life. I do not watch TV. Even if I watch I restrict myself to News only. So I get a long evening. Mostly I write at the night before going to bed. I also utilize the weekends. I rarely go to any party or movie. So I pull out some time for writing out of 24 hours.
Some words for your readers.
This is in general, during my career, I felt that people do not like sales profession. They do not respect salesman. Where as, this is the basics of every business activity. This profession contributes to the economy directly. So I would request the entire sales community to do the necessary introspection and gain the glory of being a salesman. Feel proud being a salesman. Lets create our mindset first as a good salesman. I would suggest every body to read the book, check out the mistakes we do as a salesman which ultimately affects our image as a salesman to the entire community.
