It was almost 2 decades ago. As a software reseller, we had sold software licenses worth 10 lakhs Indian Rupees to a customer. We received a token advance payment and based on the trust that they would pay us the balance amount upon delivery, we delivered the licenses. We had paid the full amount to our distributor. To our bad luck, the customer got into some legal issues because of which the Managing Director ran away and the company was closed. We became aware of this only after a week. When we visited the premises, we were completely shocked as the entire office had been ransacked by other suppliers, as they had gotten furious about losing their money.

The office premises came under police custody and it was locked. With the help of the police we opened the office and searched for the software license sheet. This was needed to submit back to our Principal so that they would cancel the licenses and refund our money. Those were the rules in those days. Finally, we were able to trace the license sheet amidst the wreckage.

The police understood the importance of that license paper and kept it in their custody. Everyday I would visit the police station and plead with them to give us the license sheet. Never in my life before, did I have to step into a police station. This went on for 15 days. 15 days of persuasion with the police who didn’t understand the IT language. It was a real torture and it was  tough to deal with the cops, but I didn’t give up.

After seeing my regular visits and persuasion, finally the cops handed over the license copy because of which we got our money. Had I not exhibited my persuasion skills, we would have lost a huge amount.

Persuasion is a #salesSkill and #salesSkillsAreLifeSkills.