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 […]

Unlocking the Buyer’s Mindset: What Drives Price Demands from Procurement?

Homer Simpson in a suit with the text I need your help

If you have been in sales for more than a week you have encountered someone from Procurement telling you one or more of the following: “Your price is too high.” “I need a discount.” “Can you do better?” “Your solution is too expensive.” “You’ll have to do better than that to get our business.” “Your […]

Never Negotiate B2B Contracts “On Your Feet!”

In our everyday life, we negotiate “on the run” frequently. Your spouse says, “I won’t be able to pick up the kids from school today. I was hoping you could.” And you say, “That’s fine…but can you pick up the dry cleaning?” Relationships require frequent re-negotiations of schedules, plans and duties to adapt to changing […]

Negotiating the Complex Sale: What Hospital Procurement Knows About You!

If you sell to hospitals, it is imperative that you understand there is a new normal in hospital strategic procurement. We will use this as a generic term to also include hospital supply chain management, materials management and purchasing. Each of these terms are often bantered about and while they are not synonyms for each […]

Selling to Hospitals: The Effect of Price Discounts on Gross Margin

Is your sales organization throwing money down the drain with each deal that they are selling to hospitals? Be honest with yourself. It happens every day. You think you have the deal won and then someone says, ” all we need now is to get the PO through Strategic Procurement.” You venture to Strategic Procurement […]

Check List for Handling Discount Demands

Recently we were asked by a client to develop a brief but interactive negotiation workshop that provided insight into handling the objection “your price is too high…we need a lower price.” In preparation for the session we developed a detailed case study that outlined the exact business scenario that their sales force was experiencing daily. […]

Strategic Procurements 10 Commandments for Managing the Hospital Buying Process

As strategic procurement gains more power, authority and influence within hospitals and health care systems they are gradually educating non-procurement personnel within the hospital on how “to engage and not engage” with sales professionals. We call this education performed by procurement within their hospital “Procurements 10 Commandments for Managing the Hospital Buying Process”. These are […]

Concession Strategy in Complex Negotiations–Planning Your Give-And-Take: Part 2

In “Concession Strategy Part 1” we explored what goes into a concession strategy, the importance of detecting your counter-part’s approach to negotiation (collaborative vs. competitive) and four guidelines for conceding. In Concession Strategy Part 2 we’ll focus on the five skills you should develop or refine to become a better practitioner of “win-win” negotiations. It […]

Concession Strategy in Complex Negotiations–Planning Your Give-And-Take: Part 1

Consider this situation. Your manager offers you a newly created sales management position that includes an increase in salary and a $30,000 bonus. As you reflect on the offer you realize that if you earn your bonus, your total compensation will increase but not markedly since you are paid a salary plus commission now and […]