It's November, which means we are focusing on what we are grateful for, and part of gratitude is remembering. In honor of that, we are taking a walk down memory lane and remembering where it all began. The genesis of ASLAN and the Other Centered® principles that started it all. Enjoy our very first podcast episode (which was originally ales with ASLAN) and learn more about what started the movement that became ASLAN.
Listen to the 25 min conversation here:
The Genesis of ASLAN: How a Simple Question Sparked a Movement in Sales
To kick off our first episode, we wanted to share the story behind ASLAN itself. That story matters because it explains why the company has always taken a different path in the world of sales training.
At the heart of the conversation was a simple but disruptive idea. What if sales training stopped trying to force reps into persuasion mode and, instead, taught them to serve? What if the foundation of influence was trust, not pressure? What if the real key to growth was helping sellers learn how to put the customer first in every conversation?
This is the moment ASLAN was born.
A Turning Point That Changed Everything
In the early days, the founders were doing what most in the industry did: teaching methodology, structure, scripts, and process. It worked to a point, but something still felt off. Deals stalled. Reps struggled to break through. Customers resisted the pitch. The team kept returning to the same question, the one that ultimately reshaped the company:
What if the customer is not actually open?
Once they answered that question, the mission became clear. If the customer is emotionally closed, tools and tactics will not unlock the conversation. The seller must first remove resistance, create safety, and help the customer lower their guard. Only then can genuine discovery and lasting influence occur. That shift created the foundation for everything ASLAN teaches today.
A Philosophy Built on Service
Instead of pushing reps to be more persuasive, ASLAN centered its approach on helping sellers become more helpful, more honest, and more aligned with the customer. Influence begins with empathy, curiosity, and a genuine desire to understand. The first episode walks through the moment this philosophy took shape, and how the founders realized they were not creating another sales methodology. They were building a movement built on service.
Why the Origin Story Still Matters
The Genesis of ASLAN is more than a history lesson. It is a reminder of why the work continues to matter. Sales teams continue to struggle with resistance, stalled deals, and prospects who never fully engage. The solution has not changed. When sellers focus on serving first, results follow.
For those who have worked with ASLAN or are just discovering the podcast, the first episode offers a glimpse into the heart of the company and the mindset that drives every training, model, and conversation.
From the start, ASLAN has been different... let us help you do the same.
