I think the best sales people I have worked with were natural at it. They were fearless in talking to complete strangers about something the person might not be interestet at all and networked with ease.

I think these people have talent that is hard to teach.

I have been involved in many pre-sale activities as a technical person and its easy to try to sell to someone you know is interested and is actively looking for a product like yours. But that is not the same as the "cold" contact these natural salespeople master.

I think I have to agree with some of the other replies that the best in each category should have similar compensation as the two groups usually need each other.