Gods of Sales

(MoneyWatch) 

Think your job is hard? Try selling corporate jets when most companies are slashing budgets and cutting staff. Or how about pitching $5 million life insurance policies to well-to-do professionals worried about making their mortgage payments? Not exactly easy tasks — even in a good economy.

We found six sales pros, all with their own formidable challenges — from hawking those pricey jets to convincing people to open their increasingly slimmer wallets for charity. Here, they tell us in their own words about the killer sales tactics that have helped them not only flourish in hard times, but also build exceptional sales careers.

Meet our Gods of Sales:

• The Persuader
• The King of Referrals
• The Trusted Adviser
• The Rapport Builder
• The Patient Pitchman
• The Master Storyteller