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As I struck out hearing three no’s, I began viewing sales as a sport. At first, the negativity was highly disappointing. But as my mindset started to change to a discovery of the next best strategy , I considered the sports familiar to me. And so began my gaming of sales and building a unique definition of SAAS.My style for learning is by trial and error. Reviewing each evening what works well and what does not finds me ready to continue the next day. For further insight read “Do You Reflect On the Past to Improve the Future?” Not having the muscular strength of most males, I learned to use strategy and finesse. For example, playing ping pong, I would hit the ball to the right, and then the left. And to catch the opponent off guard, I would then strategically hit the ball to land next to the net and then to the back edge of the table where the ball would quickly slide down to the ground. I laughed with delight as the frustration of others was loudly expressed.Similarly, when one person at a company would tell me ‘no,’ I would seek out the next and then the next. Giving up on an account was rarely the answer. The only exception was detecting less than a truthful person. Otherwise, I viewed everyone employed at the company as a candidate for helping me through the system.My sales as a sport strategy mirrored hitting the ping pong ball left, right, next to the net and at the edge of the table. I spoke to everyone as equals. Included were guards, gatekeepers, receptionists, and people in the basement, in addition to the executives of large corporations.My favorite example was having called the CEO of a company. Upon hearing my brief introduction, he impatiently advised ‘that’s not my job, and don’t ever bother me again!’ I quickly replied, ‘ if you tell me whose job it is, I promise to never call you again!’The CEO and I hung up the phone, and I quickly made the next call. Upon hearing, ‘hello,’ I said, ‘Mr. CEO said that you are the one person with whom I should have a conversation.’ Complements were apparently a rarity. The gentleman’s response was, ‘How soon can you come in?’!Related: Do You Realize What Really Sells Best? Consider your style and if there are any similarities to athletes. For example, are you quick to change strategy that isn’t working and are you dedicated to getting to goal? Do You: