Especially in how we're taught about them, or how the perception is built during academics. And this needs fixing.
Sales is looked down upon—as something pushy, low-end, transactional. Often compared to door-to-door hustling, treated like a fallback career, not something aspirational. You're expected to lie a little, pressure people a lot, and chase numbers at any cost. The human side is completely ignored.
On the other hand, marketing is romanticized—with branding campaigns, celebrity shoots, ad agencies, wine-and-dine events, and award ceremonies. It's taught like theatre. Shiny on the surface. But very little about how it actually connects to product, users, and growth.
This disconnect is not just academic—it's operational. - It's why many founders build great products but can't sell them. - Why many marketers win awards but lose markets.
At INT, we see this differently.
We treat sales as a service function—an exercise in deep understanding. We don't believe in selling to everyone. We spend time figuring out what the other person is trying to achieve. Where they are stuck. What success means to them. And whether we are the right partner to help them get there. If yes, we connect the dots. If not, we walk away. No push. No pitch. Just clarity. We look at it as an opportunity to connect to another human being and help them in achieving their goals.
We see marketing as structured demand creation. It begins with product. We ask—who is it for, what problem does it solve, and what will make someone talk about it after using it? Marketing then becomes a bridge between perception and delivery. We don't just tell stories—we make sure the product delivers on the story we tell. That's how word-of-mouth is earned. And that's what gives momentum.
We do not even apply for awards! Just thoughtful discovery, grounded execution, and long-term alignment with our clients.
It doesn't lead to hockey-stick growth. - It's slower, and that's okay. - Because it's steady. - And solid. - And it compounds.
If more professionals saw sales as alignment, not aggression, and marketing as truth well told, not noise dressed up— we'd see fewer burnouts, better products, and stronger businesses.
It's time to unlearn the textbook. And relearn the fundamentals. If you are aligned to this, and want to work with us in either of the roles, please drop us a line - we are waiting to hear from you.
P.S.: My request with folded hands to business education institutions - please teach this critical skill right. This is the core of any business.
The real discovery lies in connecting to people, discovering their problem, and solving them. That is the purpose of business.
P.P.S.: The AI generated image depicts - discovery is the most fun thing to do.