By Elizabeth Osayande

Lagos played host to the third edition of the Sales Pro Conference over the weekend, where sales professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs gathered to enhance their skills in deal-closing strategies. The event, themed “Seal the Deal,” was organised by Pertinence Group and supported by PettySave Microfinance Bank.

Attendees were treated to a series of insightful panel sessions featuring industry leaders. The conference kicked off with a joint session led by the co-founders of Pertinence Group, Wisdom Ezekiel, and Dr. Sunday Olorunsheyi. Moderated by Tolu Oduselu, the duo shared their expertise on navigating the complexities of sales.

“Sales is a technique. It is a skill that must be acquired,” Ezekiel emphasized. “If you want to be a top salesperson, you must be taught. Interpret rejection differently—let ‘No’ sound like ‘Yes’ or ‘Try again.’’”

Echoing this sentiment, Olorunsheyi urged participants to focus on building a personal brand. “Sell yourself first before selling your product,” he stated. “People must buy into you before they buy into your product. Building trust and rapport is essential; when customers feel a connection with you, they are more likely to be open to your offerings. So, find what works best for you and master it.”

The conference’s agenda included a panel discussion featuring former Pertinence staff who have transitioned into successful entrepreneurs. Damilare Oshokoya, co-founder of Abode Assets, and Yemi Olodun, CEO of Hybrid Landtech, shared their experiences in an engaging session moderated by operations expert Yemisi Itepu.

Oshokoya motivated attendees to take action: “What you hear in meetings like this will only inspire you, but nothing will change until you take action.” He encouraged salespeople to integrate their passions into their sales strategies, adding, “If you like football, use football to sell real estate. Whatever you like, use it to create your own sales strategy.”

Olodun highlighted the importance of product knowledge, stating, “In real estate sales, your knowledge must far exceed that of your prospects. To succeed, aim to be at least ten times more informed about the product than they are.”

The event concluded with a celebratory ceremony, where 43 graduates from the Pertinence Real Estate Coaching Programme (PRECP) were awarded certificates. The graduates represented the third cohort of the program, proudly receiving recognition for their completed training.

The Sales Pro Conference not only equipped attendees with essential sales strategies but also fostered a sense of community among participants eager to excel in their respective fields.