‘Seekhana’ is my blog site, about a gen X wanting to learn the ways of a new world.  

I am one of those fifty somethings, who schooled, worked, and climbed the ladder of imminent success through persistence, experience and opportunity.

Like most of my generation we are living and working in a world that has changed beyond anything ever imagined.  It seems like only yesterday telephones had curly cords, letters were written and posted, plane trips were for the rich and university for the smart.

Within thirty short years the advances in technology has enabled an unprecedented change in  the way humans communicate, interact and build relationships in business and life.  Industries and professions have been created others destroyed and in between a vast landscape of prospering adaptors and fledging repudiators.

For me a Professional Sales Person, ‘adapt or die’ has been the motto of the my age.

The majority of ‘coffee and chat’ sales representative are casualties of the times, their profession built on their ability to verbally communicate, develop personal relationships and be the harbinger of specialised knowledge and expertise.

The survivors have had to adapt, to become the creators of destiny. At the very least they become self taught, proficient users of Word, Excel, Outlook, and a range of planning and productivity programs, and communicate using these tools.

Their expertise and knowledge has been replaced with google searches and online forums the Professional Sales survivor must articulate and present in written and verbal form how their product or service best serves the customer.   They become fluent in the languages of Finance, Legal, Ethics, Safety and Procurement  presenting concepts and plans that increase productivity, reduce costs or mitigate specific risks associated with the customers industry or operations.

The ‘thrivers’ in this space however have taken it to another level, adopting the possibilities and opportunities provided through the social media revolution.  Using the vast array of social media and information platforms they connect and influence at a local and global level, they expertly communicate through written articles in blogs, websites and other professional forums.  The highest of these achievers write books, hold seminars or webinars and through public favour become a trusted person of influence.

These are Professional Communicators and Sales People of today.

Seekhana means ‘learn’ (Hindi) and represents my quest to achieve a Bachelor of Professional Communication qualification through Central Queensland University – Cairns.

Enjoy.