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Showing posts with label Sales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sales. Show all posts

Monday, February 06, 2012

Guidelines For Developing 3 Hot And Believe in Improving Sales!

Monday, February 06, 2012
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How many has it occurred Periods to you? You move Through the gates of a position of busineess and here I eat - Completely groomed Placed With A look across historical experience in handmade. Within moments I've Discussed two non-stop and guaranteed you everything, Such as the celebrities if you buy historical venture. You raise and forehead, and think to yourself ... "Yeah, right!"
The Doubt Between customer and sales rep is a historical sensation. After all, you know They are seeking to make money off your to buy. Sure, you do not Creating A Few Thoughts us Them $ $ $ $ ... everybody have to earn an Income ... But Beside, It Would be awesome if They Were at least a little worried About what are YOUR NEEDS too!
Let's experience it ... Are not likely clients to buy from you unless They assured That You Will experience occurs. There are A Few Simple Techniques That You Can Take To Provide Them They Need the assurance to take the drop.
1. Past Let Customers Make The ClaimThe confirmation is in the pudding ... No one can say That you produce and make excellent Guarantees on your client like a Fulfilled. Will it pay off to use client recommendations. Now, we're not sticking Referring to recommendations Without Consideration everywhere ... feeling a little enterprise and company employed to make Will Be The Most of Them.
That recommendations are current Choose and discuss your particular Factors of enterprise. "Thank you so much for your challenging work!" is amazing, but "Thank you for investing 2 time with me last night. Your interest is Significantly valued individual." says a lot more. Really, people are willing Knows That You to take whatever it Requires to help Them Through the buying procedure.
Be sure to get your client's authorization to use Their recommendation as aspect of your strategy. While you're at it, get as much private details about Them as you can. Their profession, town, etc.., Make a more genuine ATTRACT Their statement.
2. Be Specific In Your ClaimsSpecific statements are more plausible Than imprecise, boasts Commonly used. Obtain today! It's Quick, Simple and Cheap! Appears to be much better When you say ... Obtain Today! Take 2 Minutes to Complete Phase Out Our 7 Obtain Type and Preserve 20% on Your Purchase!
Specific statistics do not always come out even. Actually, visitors believe Usually That Have decimals statistics are statistics more required Than whole ... Even if the current variety is a whole number Exactly!
3. Be RealisticDo not push away clients with statements seem too That Legitimate excellent to be. Really, we all know the old Saying It Seems That if too excellent to be legitimate, it Probably is. Unlikely statements grab your clients the reliability and depart With A Brought up forehead.
Think of it This Way ... what if you do understate the Benefits? When your client Discovers out the reality of the matter, I Can Just Be That much more satisfied! Promoters recommend That You under guarantee and over produced to make the biggest client support.
Customers Who Are not believe in you frightened to buy from you. That Indicates Greater INCREASED revenue and revenue statistics

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Getting Approved Checkpoint the Keeper

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We all know the sensation of going out to create our calls, only to be taken down by the individual workspace at the top side who looks at us as nothing more Than to expert.

These front side workspace Individuals Would Be Otherwise Known as the gate owners.

Lets experience it, getting handed down the dog owner be hard gate, we are on Their pitch, What They say goes. Any small level of resistance Could End Up With Them Creating a to get in Touch with protection.

Here are excellent guidelines on FEW really getting handed down the gate owner That Have Been CONFIRMED to Perform.

1. Ask to Talk with someone in the workplace revenue.

The When You are speaking out with, the last thing you want to do is move Into an workplace, the top side workspace strategy, and try to Instantly Provide your items or service.

Instead, try this strategy. Walk up to the associate reverse, create yourself vocally and With A card, and if you ask someone in May Talk with Their revenue workplace or full price.

By asking to Talk with someone in a Specialised workplace, the associate Will Believe You Are There on enterprise and put you ESTABLISHED That touching workplace.

Before Now That You are in the side of someone Perform Same as position of yourself, They Will MOST definitely be delicate to your Needs, and comprehend your scenario.

These are the Individuals in the organization That Will you factor in the route you want to go, and Towards the Individuals you want to Talk with your goods and About solutions.

2. Call before you go forward.

Before you go out to create your calls, position to get in Touch with you to the Organizations strategy on viewing to let Them Know That You Will Be Avoiding by.

Tell Them something like this.

Hello, my name is Jim Jackson and I will be in your community this mid-day. I Desire to just let you know That I Will Be Avoiding by Between the time of 12 and two to create myself. That's it, quit right there.

Do not ask for authorization to quit by. This Will Provide Them with to be Able to say no.

Once you go to Their workplace, Than You Can go back and yourself as the individual hotel policies That HAD Previously Known as in the day.

This strategy Create the owner to move from gate manufacturer much better choice.

Getting handed down the gate dog owner be very confusing, But It Can Be Done. By Following the two illustrations I Described Above, You Should Find Yourself with More choice Discussing creators. Best of success.

This post May be produced by anyone Whenever They Want, Experts Provides that the name and referrals hyperlinks are Kept in courtesy and Effective

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Thursday, February 02, 2012

Why is a Salesperson like a Refrigerator?

Thursday, February 02, 2012
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Let me ask, have you heard the joke about the light being on inside the fridge? Top sales professionals, like fridges, are always "on".

Let me ask, have you heard the joke about the light being on inside the fridge? You know, where you were asked to open the door of the fridge and voila, the light was on. Now I know you know the light only comes on when you open the door. But the refrigerator is always on! It has to be to do its job.

Top sales professionals, like fridges, are always "on". This is especially true for those who need to prospect to find new clients.

One individual I know worked many years as an electrician for a major U.S. automobile manufacturer. At the suggestion of a good friend, he decided to pursue a sales career in the financial services industry. This was a pretty major change in vocation; he went from dealing with watts and volts to handling people's investment and insurance needs.

Was he a success? Well, in his first full year he shot up to becoming the top rep in North America for his company. To prove he was not a one hit wonder, he repeated this feat his second year, and yes, the third year too! To this day, he remains one of the top reps with his company.

So how did an electrician, now a salesman, become so successful? If you ask this modest man, he will say "It's simple really, you do the best you can for your client, and you always have to be on."

To meet this gentleman, you would know someone with an insatiable appetite for learning. He wanted to know everything he could about financial planning and the products he represented. He was a keen student of his sales manager and a constant observer of the successful reps around him. He was a sponge.

One day, I asked him what he meant when he said being "on". He told me "To be successful I have to meet a lot of new people. I have to be able to tell them quickly what it is I do and how I can help them." He went on to say, "I look at everyone as an opportunity." "When I go to the super-market I look for the longest line and stand in it, I know I'll have a chance to strike up a conversation with the person in front of me, and the person who comes behind me." Talk about captive audience.

I marvelled at one story he told me about when he went shopping for a bed cover and pillows. After he completed his purchase he thought, "I've done business with you, you should do business with me." He proceeded to book an appointment with the sales clerk who had sold him his pillows. He also asked if she would introduce him to her manager and the other sales clerks. He left the store that day with five appointments booked in his day timer.

Why? Because he was always "on".

Top sales people maintain a laser like focus combined with a strong desire to succeed.

Don't be as cold as a refrigerator, but do think about being "on" all the time.

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Wednesday, February 01, 2012

The Three Warning Signs of Not Doing Enough Prospecting

Wednesday, February 01, 2012
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Almost any salesperson can improve their results by doing more prospecting. When an salesperson is brand new in the business, oftentimes prospecting takes up a large part of their time because they really have no active transactions they're working on. But sometime thereafter salespersons can get out of the habit of prospecting regularly once they feel busy and working on activity. The problem here is that feeling busy doesn't necessarily translate into making more money, oftentimes leaving salespersons feeling frustrated at why their results aren't improving.

Sometimes when asked how much their income would increase over the next 12 months if they made sure to prospect 10-12 hours during every week that they're working, the majority of people feel that their income would at least double, some say triple, and nearly everyone feels that their income would increase by at least 25%.

Sometimes salespersons have lulled themselves into believing they're prospecting more hours than they really are in their business. Once these clients recognize that the number of hours per week they're actually prospecting is abysmal, they recognize that it's definitely time to get themselves moving.

So in case you're wondering if you're prospecting enough in your business right now, consider these three warning signs to watch out for that may indicate that your level of prospecting needs to be improved.

Warning Sign #1

After Years in the Business, You're Still Doing a Lot of Cold Calling, Not Warm Calling

If you find after years of being in the business that when you prospect people, they still don't know who you are, you're not prospecting these people enough to build the kinds of relationships that will easily lead to more business for you. salespersons who prospect a lot get to a point where many of their calls are "warm calls," meaning that they're calling and talking to people they've already talked with before. So if you're not experiencing a lot of warm calls after having been in the business for a number of years, it may be because you're not doing a lot of prospecting.

Warning Sign #2

You're Finding People and Companies Who Have Requirements, But After It's Too Late to Begin Working with Them

This is one of the biggest nightmares salesperson can experience. You've identified someone who's ready to take action, but they're already committed to working with someone else...your competitor. So why weren't you in contact with these people months ago when they were just beginning to realize they needed to talk to a salesperson? It may be because you haven't been doing much prospecting on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

Warning Sign #3

You Hear About Transactions Closing in Your Area That You Never Even Knew Were Happening

If you find out through others or through the media that someone has bought, sold, or leased in the territory you work in, and you didn't even know that was available, or that the people or company were looking, this too is a sign that you may not be doing enough prospecting.

So how did you measure up? Did you find that any of these three warning signs applied to you?

Prospecting is one of the most difficult activities for many of us to continually do in sales. Who normally wants to put themselves out there in a situation where maybe nine times out of ten you'll be rejected or end up talking with people who just aren't interested in doing anything?

The point is, though, that the one call out of ten where the people may be interested in doing something is the one that will make you huge amounts of money throughout the year, as long as you're making these calls every single week (or canvassing in person if you prefer).

So evaluate where you're at in your level of prospecting right now. And if you feel your income could definitely be improved by prospecting 10-12 hours or more every single week, do what you must to make sure you get this prospecting done.

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Saturday, January 28, 2012

10 Tips to Increase Your Referral Ratio

Saturday, January 28, 2012
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Tip # 1
Discipline Yourself to a Routine of 'Asking'

Here's something profound. The reason most of us do not get referrals on a routine basis is because we do not ask for them on a routine basis. Well, it's almost that simple. What would be the upside on your year-end W-2 if you asked for 2 referrals from each of your new customers? Let's say you average 6 sales per month. That would be 12 referrals per month or 144 per year. Conservatively, you close half of those warm leads. Multiply 72 by your average revenue per sale. Then calculate your commission percentage off the total revenue sold. Now ask yourself if you can afford not to ask for referrals on a routine basis.

Tip # 2
Develop a process to 'Set the Stage'

Asking for a referral is one thing, but how many times do you actually get one? Execute a Powerful Routine after you sign up a new customer, and request permission for 3 additional minutes to get their professional feedback. Ask a series of questions soliciting their opinion on ways you can be more effective with your sales process, from initial contact to point of sale, with individuals in the same industry and parallel titles. You are now setting the stage for your future success. Over time, your contacts will give you a free 'Masters Degree.' Remember to 'Pack your bags, but set the stage.'

Tip # 3
Communicate to a "Win-Win" Agreement

Be honest and sincere in reference to the importance of referrals for running your business effectively. Tell your story. If you have a high referral ratio let them know that and why it is high. Customers respect a good businessperson more than a good salesperson. Try to pick a time when the contact would feel comfortable giving a referral to help your business. That may not be at the point of sale, but upon service implementation or some time in the future when you have proved you delivered what you promised. The important point is you must define with the contact when it can happen or what criteria need to be met for it to happen.

Tip # 4
Follow through in order to receive a consistently high ratio of referrals.

You may not ask for a referral until (a) the service has been implemented and (b) the customer is satisfied. But as described in Tip #3, you want to minimally set a referral foundation at the point of sale and receive a commitment to when you'll receive one. Now, this is very important. Always write in your day timer in front of the contact when the expectation is set, and let them know you are making note of it. Treat it like an appointment for your future success. It's found business and will afford you a higher closing ratio, shorter sales cycle and most importantly, more referrals! So, follow-up and get it!

Tip # 5
Develop a Referral Program

Be creative. Give up some money. Maybe it's a gift certificate to a local restaurant (hopefully a customer) or a graduated percent off of their next invoice. An entrepreneurial mind will come up with a few flexible programs that fit your level of buyer. After all, you're not putting anything out until the referral is sold. The old saying, "money makes money" is still true. Beside the tax right off (check with your accountant), contacts absolutely enjoy getting a little something. Measure the ROI and the benefit will be evident.




Tip # 6
Become the Messenger

Be sure to give the referral gifts out promptly on sold referrals. Deliver it in person, since it also serves as an excellent time to prime the pump for additional referrals. Don't underestimate the power of this simple discipline. I have experienced 'millionaires' who reopened their black books after receiving $20 dollar gift certificates. After all, it's not the amount but the gesture. And because you are spending your valuable time being the messenger, you will without a doubt focus on receiving one or two more warm leads.

Tip # 7
Promote a Grass Roots Chamber Program

Offer local Chambers a deal they can not refuse. Chambers want to offer their membership a better deal, one that their members can not receive from regular street pricing. They are open to donations to help their chamber and are also motivated to grow their membership. Instead of offering a residual based off of sales, offer to bring them in a certain number of new members each month. After all, a certain percentage of businesses you call on will not be members, and if you can show them a return on their investment, they will certainly join the Chamber to receive it. By helping others you will see your referral ratio reach the sky!

Tip # 8
Identify Potential 'Bird Dogs'

'Bird dogs' are used by hunters to point and fetch game birds for their owners. In sales, a 'bird dog' is someone who has multiple relationships with your potential customers and they are motivated to routinely feed you contacts for your marketing efforts. Research potential business people that may fit into this profile, and take them out to lunch. Explain your referral program and how it could supplement their core business revenue stream. For potential 'Big Hitters' be prepared to customize your referral program to align with their motivations. Treat them like gold and they will open up their Rolodex.

Tip # 9
'Get Married' to a Collaboration Partner

There are companies that provide products or services in your 'value chain' but do not compete directly with your product or service. Those companies and the professional individuals that sell for them should be a point of concentration for you to identify and contact for strategies of collaboration. I refer to this relationship as "Natural Marriages." Contact 3 sales professionals that seem to indicate a 'natural marriage' for you and them. Outline what's in it for them. Then ask them what you could reasonably expect over time.

Tip # 10
Join or Start a Lead Group

You have to eat lunch, right? So why not join or consider developing a Lead Group of entrepreneurial individuals who are motivated to get together twice a month to share leads. Find individuals who are accountable to bringing in the minimum amount of leads each meeting as outlined in your group's business rules. Make sure every member is covered by the 80-20 rule, getting 80% of their leads from 20% of the members. And don't be shy about charging a quarterly membership fee. That way, members have some 'skin' in the game.

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Monday, June 27, 2011

Know Your product before You Sell It

Monday, June 27, 2011
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Product knowledge is by far the most important key ingredient to posses when it comes to selling your product.

Before you sell your product, make sure you know it inside and out, you wouldn't want to be caught without an answer if your prospect had a specific question.

Think about it, if you were interested in buying a product from someone and they couldn't answer your simplest of questions about the product, how much faith would you have in it? Probably none.

Here are a few tips on how to get to know your product better:

1. Brochures and Literature

Obtain as much written information as you possibly can on your product. Read up on the features and benefits your product offers until you know them by heart. Keep reading until you can roll every detail off the tip of your tongue including any fee's associated with the product.

Also, keep your brochures handy, open them up in front of your customer and go over the details of your product step by step. Customers love visuals.

2. Roll Play

Role playing is a fun way to get to know your products. You will need two of your associates to help you out with this.

You play the salesman, have one of your co-workers play the customer, and have one of your co-worker's critiquing you.

Have your co-worker playing the customer ask as many questions about the product as he can possibly think of. When you are finished, go over the sales session with the person that critiqued you.<


Also, take turns playing each character, playing the customer can give you a great perspective on their point of view. Think about it, how often are you the customer when it comes to buying your companies products? Never.

3. Use the Product

This is perhaps the best way to get to know a product. To actually own, have, and use the product, not only gives you the ability to know it inside and out, you will also be able to tell your customer that you have and use the product, and how wonderful you think it is. This will tell the customer how much you believe in the product and that you have confidence in it.

One of the worst mistakes a sales person can possibly make is to be unprepared.

Take a few minutes out of every day to get to know your products better. Make learning about them fun with the role playing, and concentrate most on the products you know least about.

Remember, the more you know about your product, the easier it will be to sell. Good luck.

This article may be reproduced by anyone at any time, as long as the authors name and reference links are kept in tact and active.

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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Selling

Sunday, January 23, 2011
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So finally the time has come to sell the business. After investing years of your time and uncounted thousands of dollars, it has become successful, providing for your needs and wants, and it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Where do you start?

A good time to start thinking about selling a business is right after startup, when it shows signs of beginning to succeed and become self-sustaining. Even if you are planning on bequeathing it to your progeny or a partner, it's never too early to think about what will happen afterwards.

The first step is to take your time--selling a business is a complex process and you will only do it once. Confidentiality is a necessity at this point, as word of an impending sale can cause repercussions among employees and business partners (suppliers, customers, etc.) alike.

Your position in the business is also a point to consider. If you are the sole proprietor, the decision is yours alone. However, if you are a partner or board member, selling your part of the business will involve more considerations.

Finding a good broker is worth any amount of time needed to locate one you are comfortable with. Check the Better Business Bureau for any investigation history, and get referrals from fellow business owners or from industry associations like the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). This is a non-profit "trade association of business brokers providing education, conferences, professional designations and networking opportunities" (IBBA), as well as professional certifications and boasts over 1300 members.

Next, a professional appraiser should be consulted, as just like selling a home, a professional appraisal will give a fair value to begin negotiations with. Keep in mind though, an appraisal is an estimate of the fair value of a business' hard assets, and the market value of the business may be higher or lower, as a business is only worth what someone else is willing to pay. <




Determining major terms and price are issues that you are going to have to work out with your broker, but a few basic factors come into play: what do you want to get out of the sale? Continuing salary? Lump sum? Stock options? This is a step often overlooked until late in the negotiations, often to the detriment of the seller.

Financing the sale is usually about 90% left to the seller. If you can't or won't be willing to cover the costs of the sale, it may not be a good time to sell.

Once you and your broker have located a buyer and agreed on a price, a Letter of Intent is drafted. This letter outlines the terms and tentative price in a non-binding document and allows the buyer time to thoroughly investigate the business. This process is subject to Due Diligence, as the onus of discovery is placed upon the buyer and buyer's agent.

After the discovery process is completed to both parties' satisfaction, the Purchase Agreement is drafted. This set of paperwork creates a formal agreement between buyer and seller regarding purchase price, terms, and other legal details. Once the respective lawyers have finalized the details and complied with state law requirements regarding the sale, the Purchase Agreement is signed, closing documents finalized, and the sale is complete. If everything has gone well, it's time to breathe a sigh of relief and start planning what to do with all that free time!

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Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Tips For Purchasing Chinese Products

Tuesday, December 07, 2010
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As you may know, the huge Chinese manufacturing market is full of companies that offer customers with all sorts of products. But only a few of them have online stores which you can directly buy products without having to move an inch.

Purchasing products online offers you many advantages. If you buy products directly from the manufacturer's website you will save a few dollars each. Why is that? It is pretty simple. Let's take an example of purchasing a card reader from a Chinese manufacturer. If you go to your local shop which sells this type of product you will have to pay extra for the product because you will be given not the manufacturer price instead you will have to pay for the manufacturer price + additional money the shop imposes on the buyer.

Without the additional cost the shop imposes, these kinds of shops wouldn't be existed for a day because this is the only way they make a living, the additional money you have to pay for is called "trade markup". Purchasing a card reader right from the manufacturer will save the buyer from paying the additional sum of money that the shops impose.

If you do want to purchase a product directly from the manufacturer, you have to know that reliable companies which deal with these issues have a very low shipping cost. Serious companies have a developed infrastructure of transportation so that your ordered product will arrive in time. Buying online will save you the trouble of going to every shop in town or worst in other towns to find the desired products, by clicking with mouse buttons you will order the exact product you desire, safe and fast.




Just like any other regular store, the online stores are updated daily with a wide range of products, from antennas to vintage telephones. Also on online shops you can find full-detailed brochures about the products you are thinking of buying and also, a very useful thing, comments by other people who bought these products. From the reactions of other people you will find out if the company which sells the product is serious or not.

These kinds of online shops are growing every day so the competition is very strong; regular customers benefit from this because the shops must put the effort in order to attract customers selling their products at low prices, promotions and other similar strategically methods. Some of the shops which sell Chinese manufactured products have a technical support team whom you can ask questions about the products to, with no extra cost.

The most evolved Chinese manufacturers offer full warranty for their products and also Money Back Service. You can trust these manufacturers as they offer quality products without any hidden scams. Although many people say that Chinese products are poorly built and of average quality, it isn't entirely true because if you know where to look for the best among the pool, you can purchase very good products at extremely low prices.

All in all, purchasing online directly from Chinese manufacturers has many advantages: low costs, fast shipping, full warranty, Money Back Service, good quality products, prior purchase free customer service.

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Saturday, December 04, 2010

How to Double Your Sales Appointments in Half the Time

Saturday, December 04, 2010
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In Part 3, How To Double your Sales Appointments in Half the Time, we reviewed and remedied the first 3 sales prospecting errors that start us down the 'Slippery Slope' to low Sales prospecting conversation ratios.

So let's continue to address the final 3 sales prospecting errors, discuss some proven solutions that will head us toward our worthy goal of spending Less time to achieve more targeted 'Top-down' sales appointments.

Sales Prospecting Error #4

We fail to develop an effective Call to Action; strategic words and phrases that create a positive 'visual' reference to the Prospect of what happens during the initial appointment and how long it takes.

Develop your Call to Action communication as a visual block of time in which a 'Step-by-step' process occurs with the objective of having your 'Top-down' prospect inform you they perceive enough of a potential benefit to take the next step in your evaluation process.

How long does it take to run your 1st appointment in your current sales process; 30, 45, 60 minutes? I'd estimate in the small to medium size B-to-B arena the average 1st appointment timeline is about 35 minutes. That is to re-cap why you are there, to inquire about their current state of the union, to overview your solution offering and to gain commitment for the next step in your sales process.

But if you ask a business person with fiscal authority for more than 15 minutes of their time initially, your closing ratios on a sales prospecting call will go down dramatically.

I don't know the scientific reason why, but I do understand the logical explanation. These business people are busy. It's that simple. Every minute of the day is accountable to moving closer to their business objective. There is 'No room in the Inn' for distractions that are not in line with their business objectives.
Especially the idea of "Meeting with some stranger that is only interested in selling me something that I don't need just so they can make a living".
Because in their minds, if they knew something was broken, they'd already have gone in and fixed it.

Ultimately your key objective for the 1st appointment is to 'Gain Commitment to Take the Next Step' in your sales process, whether that step is a diagnostic survey, a demo, a site visit or a proposal. But when your sales prospecting methodology is a 'Top-down' approach, these C-level prospect contacts do not get into the nitty-gritty of your evaluation process. They won't walk you through the office opening up closet doors to evaluate telephone systems or help you pull current service invoices from file drawers. They want to understand what's in it for them from a financial aspect, what your diagnostic process looks like in order to see if the solution fits and what timelines there are to see the results. And they don't like major change.

But if your 15-minute Call to Action communication is effective, they will delegate these tasks to a lower level to effectively conduct the evaluation to qualify if your solution offering will help them with their business challenges. By them delegating down, it will help you minimize any service bias within the organization with non-decision makers. And that lowers sales cycles and increases sales closing ratios.

In summary, frame up your Call to Action under the theme of 'The Business Reason to Meet' and visually communicate the steps in your diagnostic process, the potential benefits (Along Economic terms in line with Business challenges) and what they will get in return for the time invested in the 15-minute face-to-face appointment.


Sales Prospecting Error #5

We don't support our 'Call to Action' with 3rd party valuators parallel to the Prospects business objectives; valuators like business statistics, appointment performance ratios, ROI figures and relevant success stories.

Here's a hard-knock lesson on sales prospecting conversations and one you need to put to memory



A targeted Business prospect does not care what you think. I repeat; they do not care what you think or what you personally want. After all, they don't know you yet…and that's fair. That's the reality of the moment. After they get to know you, they will respect you're personal perspective on what you feel is good for them, but not now. It's too soon. Got It?

Here's my point. How many times have you heard someone talking to a prospect and communicating the words, "Here's what I'd like to do", or "I think you should have me come in to meet and …", or "In my experience, here's what I've seen."
Get my point? We already realize we are perfect strangers to this target prospect, so why should we reference what WE think or what WE have found to work. It's not valid data. So here's the golden rule:

Avoid 1st Party references when communicating on a sales prospecting call.

Replace 1st Party references with 3rd Party Valuators.
When you communicate the 'Business Reason to Meet', back it up with real numbers; business data like your own conversion ratios of helping prospects become clients or your overall company's ratios. What about condensed case studies of current customers that hold the same title of responsibility in the same industry? Or how about accumulating business ROI statistics in relevant modules in line with prospect business issues and challenges?

3rd party references to support the 'Business Reason to Meet' should be specific and applicable to your Prospect's world, and not visually project a one-sided salesperson view or a marketing brochure.


Sales Prospecting Error #6

We fail to document all possible Objections and develop Powerful communication templates to negotiate 3rd Solutions.

"There are only a finite amount of scenarios in any selling process and if you identify, train to and measure each and every one, you are on your way to excellence."
That statement I coined some years back is especially true in a sales prospecting conversation.

It means there are only a finite number of objections you encounter over the telephone when attempting to set a 1st appointment with your Target contact.
Statements like, "Send me some information", and "I don't handle that…so and so does".
Or what about the popular, "I'm happy with my current Vendor" and 'I'm under a Contract"?

Identify all of them and develop Powerful communications templates in line with each one.

Perception is Reality.
Your target sales prospects initially will put you into a 'Perception bucket' you do not belong in and you can't afford to be in. They want to fit you into a past experience, good or bad. It's up to you to differentiate yourself from the very beginning when directly responding to concerns and objections spoken, unspoken, or implied.


'Systemize' your Sales Prospecting System into individual Components and Elements and 'Practice before you Preach'.

You're only as good as the intellectual capital you share throughout your sales organization. That will keep you ahead of the competition.

Understand the 6 errors that have been discussed in this article series and decide to do the opposite. Develop best practices and business communication paths parallel to each possible scenario. Because best practices are techniques that through experience and measurement more often than not lead to the desired result.

Then invest in the technology to bundle it up into a learning system that you can become certified to, adopt it and adapt it over time.

We understand why Professional athletes practice prior to the event. Professional sales people need to do the same.
Because if you can double the amount of targeted sales appointments and spend half the time achieving it, it will save you a bunch of valuable time, make you more money and get you the recognition you deserve.
And that's a worthy cause indeed.

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