Bryan Shankman’s LinkedIn post, titled “I proposed to my girlfriend this weekend. Here’s what it taught me about B2B sales,” has ignited a heated debate on the platform. In the post, Shankman shared a photograph of his proposal and drew parallels between the proposal stages and the sales cycle. He suggested that selecting the right partner, demonstrating value, and negotiating terms mirror the steps involved in closing a deal. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of understanding value, addressing doubts, and continuous effort post-commitment to maintain the relationship in both scenarios.
However, Shankman’s attempt to blend a deeply personal moment with sales tactics did not sit well with many LinkedIn users. They expressed their disapproval, with some criticizing him for treating his girlfriend like a sales prospect and others questioning the appropriateness of discussing such a private matter on a professional platform. Shankman responded to the criticism, reiterating his belief that the proposal and sales processes share similarities. Despite his explanation, the post continues to draw mixed reactions, with some users applauding Shankman’s creativity while others find it cringe-worthy.
