Let’s talk about your Auntie Mary. You know the one.
The one who serves food at family weddings like her life depends on it.
She won’t just dump sadza and go. No. She’ll say:
“Sweetheart, do you want more chicken? That one has more soup. And here, take this piece, it’s the soft one!”
She doesn’t just serve food she serves with love, attention, and purpose.
And guess what? That’s the secret sauce to selling anything in Africa.
Serve. Don’t sell.
Customers Don’t Like Pressure They Like Pampering
Let’s be honest: no one wakes up saying, “I hope someone hard-sells me today!”
No one enjoys that overly pushy “Buy now or die poor!” energy.
But what people do love? Being understood. Being helped. Being treated like a VIP with a wallet full of options.
It’s the difference between these two experiences:
Scenario A:
“We’re running a promotion today only, limited stock, just buy it!”
Scenario B:
“Hey, I noticed you were checking out this product here’s how it can make your life easier. Let me know how I can assist you.”
Guess which one closes more deals? B wins. Every. Single. Time.
So How Do You Serve in Sales?
- Ask Questions: Don’t assume. Ask what your customer actually needs.
- Educate: Give free value. Help them understand your product, not just buy it.
- Be Present: Listen, respond, follow up with heart – not with desperation.
- Add Purpose: Sell products that solve problems. Not just things that fill shelves.
The Secret Sauce?
When customers feel serviced, not sold to, they start seeing you as their go-to person not just another vendor.
They’ll say:
“That one helps me, advises me, guides me. Not just pushes me to buy.”
And when that reputation spreads?
Boom! You’re no longer chasing sales. Sales are chasing you.
In Africa, we don’t just buy with money we buy with emotion.
We buy from people who treat us like family. Who serve us with the energy of Auntie Mary at a buffet.
So stop selling like a robot.
Start serving like a host.
Because when your service feels like love?
Your sales will feel like magic.
