National Salesperson Day

Being a salesperson can be a tough job, especially during the holiday shopping season! And they don’t always get treated well because their role often comes with a bad rap.

This kind of work requires a certain skill set, an incredible ability to identify what’s needed and when, and to know every square inch of the products like the back of their hand. And, it helps if they can be friendly at the same time!

They are expected to be the all-knowing repository of everything their store contains and, as if they are part of some worldwide hive mind of salespeople, often what’s going on at other stores, including their competitors.

Also, salespeople need to be patient as they discern the needs of their customers when the customers themselves don’t even know! Then they need to point them in the right direction – even when the customer is being difficult.

National Salesperson Day commemorates these amazing people and was established to ensure that they do not go unrecognized.

How to Celebrate National Salesperson Day

Celebrating National Salesperson Day can be a fun and rewarding experience. Check out a few of these ideas:

Show Appreciation to a Salesperson

First, simply go out into the world and treat the salespeople you come into contact with dignity and respect. That alone will give them an experience they don’t often receive as part of their workday. If you want to go the extra mile, you can even go so far as to bring them little gifts of recognition (though do be careful, some stores have policies against receiving gifts from customers).

Understand the Job of a Salesperson

If you really want to understand the lives of salespeople, there are a number of places you can go on the internet to read stories that are so utterly improbable as to strain believability.

Stories from members of the sales staff can be ridiculous and provide a bit of empathy for the work they do. There are so many permutations of people trying to take advantage of staff just trying to help them that it strains the imagination!

Host an Appreciation Party at Work

Businesses or managers who have a sales department can celebrate this day by hosting a Salesperson appreciation party. Fill the breakroom with decorations and snacks. Sign cards for the salespeople. And generally just remind them that what they do is important and they are seen.

National Salesperson Day is your opportunity to show how much their efforts are appreciated and that they don’t go unnoticed!

History of National Salesperson Day

The inaugural celebration of National Salesperson Day took place in 2000 when it was founded by Maura Schreier-Fleming. Originally celebrated in March, the event was moved in 2011 to be celebrated in December, nearer the winter sales and Christmas shopping season.