Are You “Social Selling” or Committing “Social Suicide”?
Social Selling is an important tool in the weaponry of sellers for lead generation that nurtures meaningful relationships through conducting research, making a connection, fostering awareness and increasing interest. There is no debate. Social selling is here to stay. It’s another tool in the toolbox of the sales professional along with the telephone, E-Mail and […]
Three Types of Listening in Sales and Beyond: Which One Are You?
Listening is a vital skill in sales, often used but rarely mastered. Let’s explore three listening types and reflect on which one you predominantly use in various professional and personal interactions. Selective Listening: The ‘mental filter’ approach. Here, you catch only fragments of the conversation, those that align with your assumptions or interests. It’s like […]
Listening is a Sales Skill That is Often Ignored!
In the competitive realm of sales across various industries, the ability to listen effectively is a key yet often overlooked skill. But what would happen if we started to listen more attentively? Are you a great listener? This simple question can have profound implications in your interactions, not just with clients, but with colleagues and […]
Here is What “No Decision” & “Lost Deals” is Costing You!
According to CSO insights 21.3%1 of forecasted deals in a typical sales funnel end in “no decision”. This is a number that should send chills down the spine of every Board member, the CEO and especially Sales leadership. The potential lost revenue and gross margin is staggering. Here are some numbers to ponder. These came […]
Are You Asking Prospects and Customers the Right Questions?
Recently one of the authors of this blog was out for dinner at a chain Italian restaurant with his wife. When we arrived, we asked for a booth with a view of the outdoors and were seated promptly by a friendly and outgoing hostess. Within 2-3 minutes our food server greeted us with a […]
I Am a B2B Sales Professional & Proud of It?
People often ask me what I do for a living. Here is my personal response. “I am a highly trained professional who has spent years honing my craft through the school of ‘wins & losses.’ People often approach me to help them buy a product, service or solution. I provide them with insights on how […]
Customers Don’t Know What They Don’t Know!
In today’s world of Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, blogs, newsletters, news feeds, instant messaging and other sources, information is readily available to buyers whether they are B-C or B-B. With these resources buyers are much more sophisticated and knowledgeable before they engage with a sales professional. In fact, we live in a world where […]
Getting Inside the Black Box: Harsh Realities of Selling to a Committee
“Committees” are the mysterious black boxes of the sales universe. Sellers often assume they know what’s inside the box only to find that it was not at all what they suspected. The word “committee” is often used to cloak a buying process in secrecy. One individual’s “committee” is another’s team or group. When executives are […]
Why Map the Customer’s Buying Process?
It seems like such a simple question, but if your company hasn’t defined and mapped the process your customers go through to make a purchase decision you are just guessing and guessing can cost you time, money and market share. According to CSO insights and other research organizations, many sales organizations haven’t taken the time […]
Partnering with Procurement: Five Steps to Building Buy-Sell Collaboration
All too often sellers view Procurement staff as the dark forces that obstruct the selling process. They are the “black hats” that delay or stop sales. They are the commandoes of commoditization. Some sellers subscribe to the belief that Procurement is obsessed with price discounts and turns a “blind eye” to obvious product value. Consider […]
