From Whom Will You Buy? (누구에게 제품을 살 것인가)

I've been subscribing to Josh's Product Letter on LinkedIn, and it's full of great insights. I'd like to share my own thoughts based on one of the topics.

Nishino Akihiro is a Japanese businessman and comedian. Apparently, he gained popularity in Korea after publishing a book titled 'Dreams and Money'. Akihiro reportedly argues that 'consumption in the new era' stems from 'fandom'. In other words, people are increasingly concerned with 'who' they are buying from rather than the product's functionality. To achieve this, he suggests sharing your growth journey and asking for support.

In reality, most products today have similar functionalities. While we strive to find a USP (Unique Selling Proposition), the truth is that they're quite alike. There's a saying these days: 'The messenger is more important than the message.' Even with the same message, the receiver's perception can change depending on who delivers it. We're in an era where the outcome can vary depending on the individual salesperson, regardless of whether they're from your company or a competitor.

As a newcomer to sales, I couldn't ignore this information. Having worked across various industries, I struggled to differentiate between our products and those of our competitors. I couldn't grasp the significance of the differences. While a simple change in wording might make things appear different, the core remains the same. Company size might lead to price discrepancies, but offering higher discounts doesn't fundamentally change the situation.

However, there must be differences. I simply haven't found them yet. Even if I'm aware of this, who's making the sale will likely be the deciding factor.

That's why I'm humbly learning and striving. From preparing to be a soccer commentator, I transitioned into a precarious marketing role at a foreign company, and thankfully, my dedication and abilities were recognized, leading to a full-time position and eventually, where I am now.

My current company is in its early stages of entering the market, and I'm the first sales representative for the Korean market, building the business from the ground up. I'm shyly handing out business cards at various events. I'm proud to be taking on the challenging translation market. It's fulfilling to be at the forefront of my company's market expansion, raising awareness. I'm even surprised by the significant translation needs, making me question how challenging the market truly is. Instead, I anticipate it's becoming more specialized and expect the market to expand further.

At my previous company, I knocked on seven doors to secure my first customer. At my current company, I'm yet to secure my first contract. I'd like to offer you the chance to be the star of my first glorious contract >_< I'll welcome you with a sweet voice.