The Power of Serving Before Selling The Faces of Business
In this episode of The Faces of Business, Steve Ramona, writer, television, and podcast host, discusses "The Power of Serving Before Selling" to help you transform your business approach and build meaningful connections.
Steve is an accomplished sales director with over three decades of operational and sales experience. He is known for his infectious passion for the Law of Increase. Steve hosts the successful podcast "Doing Business with a Servant’s Heart," where he shares inspiring stories about overcoming challenges through service.
Steve’s career is marked by his dedication to fostering genuine Relationships and mentoring business professionals. He has a background in various leadership roles, including as a television host and featured contributor for BIZCATALYST 360°. His mission is to help businesspeople grow by sharing resources and offering guidance, emphasizing the importance of serving others to achieve success.
Damon warmly welcomes Steve to his show and hails him as the super connector. He asks Steve to share how he became a super connector.
Steve says he has a mindset focused on serving before selling. By truly understanding someone’s passion and uniqueness, one can make more meaningful connections and referrals. He uses the example of listening carefully during networking meetings and then making a thoughtful introduction based on what was learned, which enhances the value and energy of the connection.
In Steve’s view, introverts too can become good connectors. They are often great at asking questions and listening, which are key to understanding how to serve others. Steve uses the analogy of Christmas morning, where the excitement of giving and receiving gifts should be the mindset when meeting people—bringing value through resources, tips, introductions, or positive energy. Similarly, selflessness is a trait we can master to serve others.
Damon strongly agrees with the guest. He alludes to Mother Teresa for her selfless humanitarianism.
Steve expresses his love for Damon for being a great host and contrasts transactional with transformational thinking. He explains that paying attention to building relationships, rather than just making quick sales, leads to long-term success. He argues that clients gained through genuine relationships tend to stay longer and provide more referrals compared to those acquired through purely transactional methods. We must seek meaningful connections and go for "yeses" rather than "noes."
Steve maintains that transactional thinking is easy but short-sighted, while transformational thinking is more effective but uncertain. He shares a story about meeting someone at a chiropractor’s office and offering free business mentoring, which led to positive change for the person’s son. Steve believes in giving value freely, as it often leads to unexpected rewards.
Furthermore, the guest says it’s not all about Money but rather about how many people we can serve and the value we can bring to them. “Think about lottery winners. Are they changing the world? I think not,” he argues.
Damon agrees, adding that working with people who understand building something that allows them to be more philanthropic and have a greater impact is highly rewarding. Together, such people can make significant positive changes in the world, even if only a little at a time.
Steve nods, sharing his experience of serving coffee at the local church and how small acts of service can lead to meaningful connections and growth. There are countless ways to serve, whether it’s Volunteering at a homeless shelter, participating in community cleanups, or helping out at local events. The super connector encourages involving the whole family in service activities for the deep sense of reward and fulfillment that comes from helping others.
The show ends with Damon thanking Steve for his time.
Our Guest
Steve Ramona
Steve is a writer, television, and podcast host. He is an accomplished sales director with over three decades of operational and sales experience. He is known for his infectious passion for the Law of Increase. Steve hosts the successful podcast "Doing Business with a Servant’s Heart," where he shares inspiring stories about overcoming challenges through service.
Our guest’s career is marked by his dedication to fostering genuine relationships and mentoring business professionals. He has a background in various leadership roles, including as a television host and featured contributor for BIZCATALYST 360°. His mission is to help businesspeople grow by sharing resources and offering guidance, emphasizing the importance of serving others to achieve success.
Steve studied BS Kinesiology and Exercise Science at San Jose State University.
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveramona/
NEWSLETTER: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64e2b98cca259e13f0890575
SERVING JOURNAL: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSNSY1M1
PODCAST SWAG: https://millions.co/doing-business-with-a-servant-s-heart-san-jose
