What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Bond: Succeeding in Sales and Unlocking the Power of Relationship Building?
As an international sales director, The Bond reflects my experiences in the world of sales across multiple countries and cultures. The story behind this book is largely shaped by the people I’ve had the privilege of training over the years. In fact, I could even say the idea for the book came from them. I’ve had the opportunity to work with teams in different countries and regions, and as you can imagine, it’s challenging to divide my in-person time equally among all of them. However, technology has made this possible, and I’ve always strived to make the most of onsite training sessions by focusing on quality time, providing handouts, and offering hands-on experiences. As I conducted more and more trainings, I began hearing the same recurring requests: “I wish we could have a record of this, including the feedback from the meetings,” “Could you create a helpful list with advice on what to do when you’re not around?” and “Do you have exercises we can practice at home to improve?” At first, I thought, “Come on… you’re not asking for lecture notes, you’re asking for a book!” It became so frequent that last year, I finally thought, “Why not?” While I’m not a seasoned author by any means, I do have a wealth of experience to share. More importantly, I wanted to provide the kind of information I wish I had when I first started in sales. And that’s how this book came to be!
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Bond: Succeeding in Sales and Unlocking the Power of Relationship Building, what would they be?
The main character in The Bond is actually the reader—the person who has experience in sales or someone just starting out. That said, I would pick two songs: For the journey of every salesperson, I’d choose “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. Each month or season feels like a new mountain to climb, requiring resilience, focus, and the determination to keep going in order to succeed. As for the vibe and attitude needed to thrive in this field, “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor is the perfect fit. It captures that drive, tenacity, and competitive spirit essential for success. Focusing on relationship selling isn’t about being weak; on the contrary, it requires an eagerness to succeed and a willingness to “pay the price,” working the long haul to achieve success that others might not even consider possible.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
While I do enjoy staying updated on industry reads and the latest business books, when I want to unwind, I’m more of a novel enthusiast. I might read books like Wuthering Heights or The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. This is my first book, which falls under the business category, and although I don’t see myself as a novelist today, maybe someday… who knows? Could there be a thriller or mystery set in the world of international sales?
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón—It’s often described as a mysterious thriller centered around a rare book and its enigmatic author. This intrigues me, as it seems to be an exploration of an uncommon book about an uncommon book, and that unique concept really appeals to me. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett is another one I’m excited to read. It focuses on the challenges faced by generations in their pursuit of creating a better future for those to come. I find this subject particularly interesting, as it reflects an ongoing reality that many of us can relate to, no matter the time period. Lastly, The Tell-Tale Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Quest for What Makes Us Human by V.S. Ramachandran is on my list because I’ve always been fascinated by neuroscience. I’m currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Neuropedagogy, and this book explores topics like language development and how the brain shapes our perceptions of reality and identity, which are directly relevant to my field of study.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
My favorite part to write was when I told the story of my 12-year-old self’s first adventure in sales. It was a fun and nostalgic moment to reflect on how it all began. I also think it’s going to be pretty funny for those who’ve known me since that time!
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I’m a midnight writer! The ideas always seem to flow when I’m supposed to be “going to bed.” In fact, I’d say about half of the book ended up being written while I was lying in bed, and the other half probably between planes and airports!
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
“Invest your time as if it were money, because it is!”
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Relationships are always more profitable in the long term than one-time transactions.
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