Let’s talk about something that most sales leaders don’t do enough—stealing.
Okay, not actual stealing. I mean stealing great ideas from other industries and applying them to sales. Some of the best innovations in business come from looking outside your own field, taking what works, and making it your own.
Sales is sales, no matter the industry. But the strategies, techniques, and approaches used in tech, healthcare, entertainment, finance, and even hospitality can offer fresh, unexpected ways to improve the way we sell.
So, let’s take a look at how cross-pollination in sales—borrowing winning strategies from different industries—can make you and your team better, sharper, and more innovative than ever before.
Why Borrowing from Other Industries Works
If you only ever look at sales strategies from your industry, you’re limiting your growth. Cross-pollination helps you:
- Think outside the box – Avoid getting stuck in industry norms that no longer work.
- Stay ahead of the competition – Most salespeople are looking at their own competitors, but you’ll be learning from completely different playbooks.
- Improve customer experience – Adopting best practices from industries known for customer service, personalization, and engagement can transform how clients interact with you.
Now, let’s dig into specific industries that do things differently and what you can steal—I mean, borrow—to level up your sales game.
The Tech Industry: Mastering Data-Driven Sales
The tech world lives and dies by data. SaaS companies, for example, have turned sales into a science by tracking customer behaviors, optimizing touchpoints, and using AI-powered insights to make better decisions. This kind of cross-pollination between technology and sales allows for smarter, more efficient strategies that any industry can leverage.
What You Can Borrow:
- Use CRM & analytics tools to track customer behavior and personalize outreach.
- Automate repetitive tasks (follow-ups, reminders, email sequences) to focus on high-value conversations.
- Offer free trials or demos—tech companies let customers experience the product first, which builds confidence in buying.
Takeaway: Instead of just “following up,” start using data-backed insights to drive your outreach. Track what works, double down on it, and let automation do the busywork.
Healthcare: Building Trust Through Education
Doctors and healthcare professionals don’t just prescribe medicine—they educate patients on why they need it. The best medical professionals build trust through information, ensuring their patients feel comfortable with decisions.
What You Can Borrow:
- Educate instead of sell—provide valuable insights that help your clients make informed decisions.
- Build authority through blogs, webinars, and resources.
- Take a consultative approach—ask the right questions to “diagnose” your client’s problem before prescribing a solution.
Takeaway: When you educate your prospects rather than push them into a sale, you position yourself as an expert, not just a salesperson. People buy from those they trust.
The Entertainment Industry: Mastering Engagement & Storytelling
Hollywood and the music industry know how to capture attention and keep people hooked. Whether it’s through storytelling, emotion, or strategic promotion, the entertainment world has mastered the art of keeping audiences engaged.
What You Can Borrow:
- Tell compelling stories—people remember stories, not sales pitches.
- Create FOMO—build excitement around what you’re offering with exclusive access, limited-time offers, or special events.
- Make your sales pitch entertaining—use humor, energy, and enthusiasm to keep people interested.
Takeaway: If you can capture attention and create an emotional connection, you’ll close more deals. Don’t just sell a product—sell the experience.
Hospitality: Delivering White-Glove Customer Service
Hotels and luxury brands excel at making customers feel like VIPs. They anticipate needs, offer a seamless experience, and go above and beyond expectations.
What You Can Borrow:
- Personalization is key—use client data to remember past purchases, preferences, and conversations.
- Make the buying experience smooth—reduce friction at every step of the sales process.
- Follow up like a pro—a personalized check-in or thank-you note goes a long way.
Takeaway: If you treat your clients like VIP guests, they won’t just buy from you once—they’ll keep coming back.
Finance: Mastering Risk & Objection Handling
Financial advisors don’t just tell clients to invest money—they help them understand and manage risk. They know people hesitate when it comes to spending, so they focus on long-term value and mitigating objections before they arise.
What You Can Borrow:
- Be proactive about objections—address concerns before your client even brings them up.
- Focus on ROI—help clients see the long-term benefits of working with you.
- Speak to logic AND emotion—financial advisors balance facts (data) with feelings (security, confidence).
Takeaway: Clients hesitate for a reason—understand their concerns, position your solution as an investment, and remove the fear of risk.
Bringing It All Together: Sales Is About Innovation
The best sales leaders don’t just follow trends in their own industry—they embrace cross-pollination by pulling inspiration from everywhere. Tech, healthcare, entertainment, hospitality, and finance all have unique ways of engaging customers, and the smartest salespeople take the best parts and make them their own.
So, here’s your challenge:
- Pick ONE industry outside of yours and study how they sell, engage, and build trust.
- Apply at least ONE new strategy to your sales approach this month.
- Watch how it changes the way clients respond to you.
Sales is always evolving, and the best way to stay ahead is to look beyond your own industry for fresh, innovative ways to connect, engage, and close deals.
Let’s go out there and make selling smarter, better, and more exciting than ever before!
