BigShrimpin

Account executive

Golf and career development

I know many of you probably play golf here and was curious, has there ever been a situation where you got into a deal/won business because of it?

I enjoy hitting a few at the driving range but a 150 yard drive and shit form won't be taking me to the PGA tour anytime soon. Being in tech I don't think this would be any kind of limiter vs if i worked in oil and gas or something like that but curious from the rest of you if its ever done more for you in your professional life.

🎯 Career Development

24 comments

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Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Never played a round of golf in my life.

BigShrimpin

Catalyst

Account executive

What industries have you been in mainly?

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Tech. Execs at my previous large company played, the company hosts a few golf events or tents at big events. A few times I had to write up profiles on my exec attendees for the CEO, but that’s all.

BigShrimpin

Catalyst

Account executive

I've always had the idea in my mind that it was the rep taking the prospect golfing but now that I think about it why would the execs pay for you to go when they can do it themselves

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Dude. You upvote the folks that freaking respond to you. Don't make me tell you again.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Well, sure, that happened as well. But it’s not the only way to connect with execs you’re selling to. We would use major events for exec alignment- so we’d set the CEO or CIO up with our c-levels. We had other opportunities to connect, however. We could take prospects to sporting events or concerts. Golf is not the only avenue.

HVACexpert

Politicker

sales engineer

Or a nice dinner with a small group, that can go a long way too

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Many ways to get to the same goal.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

✊

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Nope

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

The only time when I get asked to play golf is during a scramble tournament. And you don’t need to be good for a scramble. Just go first for a read for the team

wolfofmiami

Opinionated

🐺

150 yards ? That’s a 9 iron. You need some lessons

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

I wouldn’t take my 150-yard sideways driving ass out in public either. Buy’em lunch.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

If you have a prospect that likes to golf it helps. But there are plenty of people who detest golf.

I took some lessons a few years back to make sure I wouldn't embarrass myself.

What I quickly discovered is many avid golfers aren't very good either.

wolfofmiami

Opinionated

🐺

I’ve never used golf to sell, but I have used it to network with people

peachykeen

Politicker

sae e-commerce

Golf tournaments are very popular networking events within the construction industry. I've participated as a player (always teams) and I've participated in setting up a company tent at a hole with snacks/drinks/games. They're always boozy, people are out of the office and ready to chat in an unfiltered atmosphere. Lots of fun and great ways to plan in-person follow ups afterword. PS: Didn't matter as much if you played well, I saw plenty of people that were terrible.

Retired Sales Professional

Golf is only an advantage when you know the people that will be there and what their roles are withing the company they work for.

If you have a deal and it's being backlog for what ever reason and you know that the person who can push that forward will be at the golf outing then you have a chance at cutting through red tape and maybe close on the sale.

Case in point: (remember I'm not part of the tech industry) I was dealing with one of my distributors and we needed to hit a 6 month goal that if it wasn't achieve could effect our year end number.

He happen to be in a golf outing and I was fortunate enough to run into the owner of this particular distributor at the outing, to make a long story short, after our discussion he took the necessary trailers to secure and we achieve our year end goal.
For some facts: a trailer holds 1,000 cases, he took 12 trailers, And that was one distributor, I was in charge of 20+ distributors throughout NYC.

Yes, golf does help👍👍

SoftCoreWareAsAService

Executive

Sales Manager

As a former Division 1 golfer, I’ve never used golf to my benefit for work.

Leader

I joined a “golf networking” group this year. Even if they are not my ICP they know people who are. Might be something to consider: if you can’t find out in your area, start one!

GDO

Politicker

BDM

I started playing last year. Mo professional advantages just fun

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

While not necessary if you do a lot of client visits - helpful.

saaskicker

Celebrated Contributor

Enterprise AE

Golf is usually my escape from reality, not my preferred method of shmoozing.

medhardwaredr

Opinionated

Director of Sales NA

Yes, golf is big in the industrial space. Industrial distributors, resellers and vendors all invest heavily in golf. As an AE it can be expected that golf is on the table and will help

10XQLA

Politicker

Medical Sales Assassin

Golf helps, just practice before inviting clients.

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BigShrimpin

Golf and career development

24 comments

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