In your own words, discuss how a salesperson can convert new customers into highly committed customers for life.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Converting new customers into highly committed, lifelong patrons is a key objective for any salesperson. This process involves building trust, delivering exceptional value, and fostering a strong relationship over time. Here are some effective strategies that salespeople can employ to achieve this goal:
1. Understand Customer Needs
The first step in converting new customers is to thoroughly understand their needs and preferences. Salespeople should engage in active listening during conversations, asking open-ended questions that encourage customers to share their goals, challenges, and expectations. By demonstrating a genuine interest in their customers’ needs, salespeople can tailor their offerings and solutions, making customers feel valued and understood.
2. Provide Exceptional Value
Once the salesperson understands the customer’s needs, they must consistently deliver exceptional value. This goes beyond just selling a product or service; it involves highlighting how the offering meets the customer’s specific requirements and improves their situation. Demonstrating the benefits of the product through real-life examples or case studies can help customers see its true value, fostering loyalty.
3. Build Trust Through Transparency
Trust is a cornerstone of any long-term relationship. Salespeople can build trust by being transparent about pricing, product features, and potential limitations. They should also follow through on promises and commitments, ensuring that customers feel they can rely on the salesperson. When customers trust a salesperson, they are more likely to return for future purchases.
4. Maintain Regular Communication
After the initial sale, maintaining regular communication is vital for fostering long-term relationships. Salespeople should check in with customers periodically, providing updates on new products or services that may interest them. Sending personalized emails or newsletters that cater to their interests can keep the brand top-of-mind and reinforce the relationship.
5. Offer Ongoing Support
Providing ongoing support, whether through customer service or after-sales follow-up, is essential for ensuring customer satisfaction. Salespeople should be proactive in addressing any concerns or questions that arise after the sale. This commitment to customer care not only enhances the customer experience but also strengthens their loyalty to the salesperson and the brand.
6. Create a Community
Encouraging customers to become part of a community can significantly enhance their commitment. This can be achieved through hosting events, creating online forums, or engaging on social media platforms where customers can share experiences and connect with others who share similar interests. A sense of belonging fosters deeper emotional ties to the brand.
7. Solicit Feedback and Act on It
Regularly soliciting customer feedback shows that the salesperson values their opinions and is committed to continuous improvement. Actively listening to feedback and making necessary adjustments based on customer suggestions demonstrates a dedication to meeting their needs. This responsiveness can turn satisfied customers into advocates for the brand.
Conclusion
Converting new customers into highly committed customers for life requires a multifaceted approach centered around understanding, value delivery, trust-building, and ongoing engagement. By implementing these strategies, salespeople can create lasting relationships that not only boost customer loyalty but also drive repeat business and referrals, ultimately contributing to long-term success for both the salesperson and their organization.
