A comment left over at the Inside Sales Experts Blog provides a rebuttal to the common view of sales people by Product Managers:
Son, we live in the world of software , and that software needs to be sold. Who’s gonna do it? You? You, Mr. Product Manger? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for your product and you curse the sales people. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: over zealous sales practices , while tragic, probably saved jobs. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, creates YOUR job. You don’t want the truth because, deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me in sales, you need me sales.
We use words phrases like cold calling, lead generation and closing. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent selling something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under a blanket of the very revenue I produce and then questions the manner in which I produce it. I would rather you just said “thank you” and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a telephone and make a sale. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you are entitled to.”