By Phil Whitebloom, Founder of BeenThere Consulting Services
Selling is always about human interaction. And most people prefer doing business with those they actually enjoy interacting with. One of the best ways to measure the strength of those connections? Look at how long your customers have stuck with you—years, even decades. Yes, you’re right, it all comes down to relationships.
Smiling, laughing, and having fun while selling, without ever sacrificing professionalism, is not just possible; it’s a game changer. You know your relationships are rock solid when customers start turning the tables on you. The following are some of my favorite sales stories that prove just that.
I’d love to hear yours! Email me at Phil@BeenThereCS.com with your funniest sales story, and I’ll send you a free eBook copy of my book, Handling Objections – Clues for Closing the Sale.
The Bomb Went Off!
I was on a military base visiting a customer whose job was to design military vehicles that could withstand bombs, bullets, and rocket attacks. Part of their job was measuring the force of explosions.
They took me inside a supposedly safe testing area, a series of small rooms within a larger enclosure, each with thick walls, doors, and windows. Inside these rooms, they would detonate explosives and measure the force.
As I was touring one of the rooms, they pre-planned and did set off an explosion in the next room. Let’s just say I thought I was going to need a change of clothes. They found it hilarious. A few minutes later, so did I.
This Letter Looks Important.
Rusty, one of my top government salespeople, had an incredible relationship with the FBI—one of our biggest clients year after year. One day, an agent was visiting our office to discuss a new requirement.
Recognizing the opportunity, my sales team took it and had some fun. They had a letter hand-delivered to Rusty in the middle of the meeting. They told him it looked important.
Rusty opened the envelope, and all at once, a fine white powder spilled out all over the table. His face froze in shock. Meanwhile, the FBI agent burst into laughter. It was baby powder!
Just 3 Minutes of Your Time.
In my early days as a young salesperson making cold calls, getting past gatekeepers was an art. These professionals were trained to keep out unwanted salespeople like me. I was selling dictation equipment, and law firms were among my target customers.
I was trained to not give up. I got creative. I bought a large number of woodgrain three-minute hourglass timers for just $1 each. I placed them in unmarked boxes with a simple note:
“I just need 3 minutes of your time.”
No name. No identifying details. (This was before 9/11 and anthrax mailings—today, nothing goes out without a return address.)
When I followed up, the gatekeepers asked what it was about. My response,
“Just tell the attorney I’m the one who sent the three-minute timer.”
Some were so curious they scheduled an appointment with me. When I showed up in their office for the meeting, guess what was on their desk. You’re right, the timer! I turned it over and broke all the sales rules. I just started talking. I only had three minutes. When time ran out, I told them, “I only asked for three minutes, would you like me to leave or continue.” Nobody asked me to leave. That $1 investment (plus postage) turned into thousands in commissions. And it was just as fun for my customers as it was for me.
Why Is That White House Security Officer Running Toward Me?
When I was younger, people often told me I looked like comedian Billy Crystal. One day, I was waiting at the security desk inside the Old Executive Office Building (now the Eisenhower Executive Office Building) next to the White House when I noticed a White House Security officer walking straight toward me, fast.
He stopped right in front of me, looked me dead in the eye, and said, “You’re not Billy Crystal.”
Turns out, he wanted an autograph. So, I gave him my real one—on the security sign-in list and went inside for my meeting.
Still Not Billy Crystal.
I had a prospect who flat-out refused to call me by my real name. To her, I was just “Billy.” Even though she was having fun with me, she would not grant me a meeting with her.
So, I decided to leverage her joke. I showed up one day with a portable film projector and a box of popcorn. That got me in the door and into the conference room.
Whatever it takes.
I Almost Had Myself Shipped In.
There was one gatekeeper at Hoffco in Milwaukee, who was 100% successful in keeping me out. No matter what I tried, she blocked me.
I became so obsessed with getting past her that I seriously considered packing myself in a giant box and shipping myself to the boss via UPS.
I almost went through with it. But my boss talked me out of it. Instead, he had a holiday card made of me inside a giant delivery bag being “delivered” to a customer.
My former colleagues are still telling the story 40 years later.
Enjoying Myself While Selling!
Sales Should Be Fun—And Profitable!
When you’re passionate about selling, success comes naturally—and so does the fun. Sales isn’t just about transactions; it’s about building relationships that last. And relationships are built on trust, value, and yes, enjoying the process.
Laughter breaks down barriers, opens doors, and turns customers into lifelong partners. I’ve sold over $1.5 billion in products and services throughout my career, and I can tell you firsthand, when you love what you do, success follows.
If you’re ready to sell with confidence, have fun doing it, and achieve next-level results, let’s talk.
Regain Control of Your Sales—Schedule a Call today.
Why Work with BeenThere Consulting Services?
Sales should be fun—but don’t mistake fun for lack of seriousness. The most successful business owners, executives, and sales professionals understand that building relationships, making people laugh, and creating memorable interactions aren’t distractions—they’re competitive advantages.
If your sales team isn’t engaged, neither are your customers. If your sales conversations feel forced, your prospects feel it too. And if you’re relying on the same old techniques while your competitors are mastering the art of connection, who do you think is winning the business?
I don’t teach outdated tactics or one-size-fits-all strategies. I help business leaders and sales teams:
- Build instant trust with prospects and customers by using a strategic approach to authentic engagement.
- Master high-impact, tactical conversations that move deals forward and eliminate hesitation.
- Create a sales process that makes buying from you the obvious choice—again and again.
This isn’t about theory or “feel-good” sales advice. It’s about results. With over 40 years in sales leadership and more than $1.5 billion in sales, I’ve helped companies close more deals, strengthen their sales teams, and dominate their industries by selling smarter—not harder.
Are You Ready to Take Sales Seriously—and Have Fun Doing It?
If you’ve read this far, you already know something needs to change
You have two choices:
- Keep doing what you’ve been doing and hope for different results.
- Work with someone who can give you a strategic and tactical edge over your competition.
I make the next step easy. Let’s have a 30-minute conversation where I show you exactly how to turn every sales interaction into a revenue-generating opportunity. No fluff. No wasted time. Just real solutions that drive serious results.
Regain Control of Your Sales—Schedule a Call today.
Unlock the Secrets to Closing More Sales with “Handling Objections: Clues for Closing the Sale”
Are you tired of hearing “no” or struggling to close the deal? In Phil Whitebloom’s book, you’ll learn how to turn objections into golden opportunities to secure the sale. Whether you’re new to sales or have years of experience, this book is packed with actionable insights that will elevate your approach to closing deals.
Here’s what others are saying:
Kelley Ridings says, “This book is a valuable resource! It opened my eyes to the psychology and problem-solving involved in sales. If you need to understand sales better, this is the book for you!”
Richard O., a successful small business owner for 35+ years, calls the book “a breath of fresh air” and says it’s packed with useful ideas for closing deals.
Brianna Hendley points out, “An objection is not a NO. It’s an opportunity to ask more questions and uncover your client’s true needs. A fun and impactful book I refer back to regularly.”
David Illig reminds us that everyone is a salesman in life, “Whether it’s a product, an opinion, or a point of view, Phil Whitebloom will guide you to a successful conclusion.”
Bryan Lilly describes the book as “a good tour of ideas and examples” that help you navigate different objections with key principles.
M.J. James highlights, “If you’re in a sales slump, this book will teach you how to embrace objections and turn them into catalysts for closing more deals.”
Don’t wait—level up your sales game and turn those “no’s” into “yes’s.” Get “Handling Objections: Clues for Closing the Sale” now and take the first step toward mastering the art of closing deals.
Purchase here.
PURCHASE YOUR COPY BY CLICKING HERE!
The BeenThere/SoldThat Podcast
Join Brianna Hendley of Achievant Business Coaching and Phil Whitebloom as they discuss practical strategies to enhance your sales and business skills. Get ready to achieve your goals and dreams! Listen here.
More from BeenThere SoldThat
Want to know what programs you can participate in to grow your sales and business? Go to BeenThereSoldThat.com and see what programs are available.