Driving Innovation: Mastering Panel Warpage
It’s Only Common Sense: Sales Strategies for a Virtual World
Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: Four Important Books You Need to Read (Not Just Say You Have)
COVID, Tough Sales, and What Made Me a Better Salesperson
August 12, 2025 | Daniel Beauvois, The Component StoreEstimated reading time: 1 minute
I am the owner and president of The Component sStore, LLC, a PCB rep firm I started 15 years ago, sort of unintentionally. While my business (and my sales prowess) have happily grown, I’ve witnessed significant changes in the sales process.
Before 2020, we approached sales differently. A persistent, gritty salesperson could approach businesses daily without an appointment. They would often be turned away, but sometimes, they would be given a shot. There are plenty of instances where that one-time unannounced solicitor earned his way onto the AVL and became one of their best suppliers. If you’re a purchaser, buyer, or supply chain person, I’m sure you’ve experienced this—and kudos for doing your job well by continuing to seek out other and better resources and partners for the overall well-being of your company.
Then, in March 2020, after months of chatter and concerning health outcomes from a mysterious and very contagious virus, the COVID-19 pandemic became official, and things started to shut down. As work-from-home mandates became the norm where possible, most folks and businesses abided by shelter-in-place protocols set forth by our government. When manufacturing facilities finally came back online, masks, social distancing, regular disinfection, and lots of hand sanitizer became our new normal.
This created a seemingly impenetrable barrier for outside salespeople. Not only did all regular customer visits stop, but so did all forward-moving sales activity, essentially killing those hot pending prospects just one NDA away from submitting their first PO. As an outside sales rep who made his living by creating business inroads and forging new relationships, the COVID-19 period was daunting, and quite honestly, I was not at all prepared.
To continue reading this article, which originally appeared in the July 2025 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Our marketing partnership with I-Connect007 is already delivering. Just a day after our press release went live, we received a direct inquiry about our updated products!"
Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
It’s Only Common Sense: Storytelling That Sells—Stop Pitching, Start Painting Pictures
09/15/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseLet me tell you something that most salespeople — even the ones flashing Rolexes and bragging about crushing their quotas—still haven’t figured out: Facts don’t close deals, stories do. People file away facts while they feel stories. Facts tickle the brain, but stories punch the heart, and it’s the heart that signs the check every time.
It's Only Common Sense: Leveraging AI in Your Sales Strategy
09/01/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseLet’s get one thing straight: AI isn’t here to replace you; it’s here to make you smarter and faster. Every time a new tool shows up, half the sales floor panics: “They’re going to automate us out of a job!” This is shouted while doomscrolling LinkedIn. Relax. Sales is still, and will always be, about human connection, trust, and delivering value. However, if you’re not using AI to your advantage, you’re handing your competitors a loaded gun and asking them to shoot first.
Lessons From a Thousand Columns: Dan Beaulieu on Writing, Selling, and Staying the Course
08/21/2025 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007For 20 years, Dan Beaulieu has been a steady voice in sales and marketing, offering weekly columns that challenge, inspire, and guide professionals in the electronics industry and beyond. Soon, he will reach a remarkable milestone—his 1,000th It’s Only Common Sense weekly column. In this Q&A, we look behind the scenes of Dan’s writing journey, exploring what has kept him motivated, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how two decades of weekly columns have shaped his career and the industry conversation.
Indium Corporation Promotes Two Leaders in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) Markets
08/05/2025 | Indium CorporationWith its commitment to innovation and growth through employee development, Indium Corporation today announced the promotions of Andy Seager to Associate Director, Continental Sales (EMEA), and Karthik Vijay to Senior Technical Manager (EMEA). These advancements reflect their contributions to the company’s continued innovative efforts with customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
It’s Only Common Sense: Sales as a Team Sport
08/04/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseAnyone who has played, or even watched, sports knows that it’s not just about scoring points or making big plays—it’s about everyone working together toward a common goal. Sales is no different. Too often, sales is considered an individual activity, with each salesperson striving to hit his or her targets. However, the reality is that sales works best when it’s treated as a team sport, with everyone working toward a common goal.