What sales taught me before I ever touched property

Before Dubai, before property, there were years in sales, recruitment and financial services. None of it felt directly relevant at the time. Looking back, almost everything I use in property today started there.

Listening matters more than pitching

The best sales lesson I learned had nothing to do with closing. It was about listening long enough to understand what someone actually needed before saying anything. That’s the same skill that matters most in a property conversation now.

Rejection is data, not verdict

Recruitment in particular teaches you to treat a “no” as information rather than a judgment on you personally. That mindset shift matters just as much when a deal falls through in property as it did on a sales floor.

The next chapter

I’ll be writing more about specific lessons as they come up, not polished hindsight, but what I’m actually learning in real time.

Frequently asked questions

What did Jamal Akim do before property?

Years in sales, recruitment and financial services. The skills from that period, especially listening before pitching, are what he uses in property conversations today.

What is the most important skill for a property advisor?

Listening long enough to understand what someone actually needs before saying anything. It matters more than any closing technique.

How should you handle a deal that falls through?

Treat a no as information rather than a verdict on you. Learn what it tells you about the buyer, the property or the timing, and use it.