The physicist Niels Bohr once defined an expert as “a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.” Here are some of the sales mistakes I’ve made over the years. You can either make them yourself, or learn from me and try to avoid them so you can start to become an expert in sales. I worked with multiple distributors and commission … [Read more...]
Sales Managers that Get More Sales
There’s an interesting proverb that says, “An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep. Sales managers that get more sales are like those lions. Hopefully your team of salespeople are more than just metaphorical sheep. Here’s what a lion leading a successful sales team looks like to ensure your sales team’s success. Find the spark that you … [Read more...]
Sales Presentation Mistakes: 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Presenting for Sales or Funding
You don’t have a big margin for error when you’re presenting to a new prospect. Prospects may already use the product you’re selling. They don't have to look for another supplier. Investors are also a tough audience to persuade because they get so many requests for funding. You want to avoid these sales presentation mistakes whether you’re presenting to make a sale or … [Read more...]
Work from Home: Etiquette to Follow and Expect
There will be many people who work from home even after Covid’s ravages are reduced to a manageable threshold. It shouldn’t surprise you that some people are clueless when they disrupt those who work from home. Don’t you be one of them! Here are some etiquette rules I recommend you follow with those who work from home. Etiquette Rule 1. Don’t ring anyone’s doorbell without … [Read more...]
Use the Telephone to Sell
Pandemic or not, you have to make sales. The telephone, especially now, might be your best tool to sell and reach new customers. It’s not so easy to sell on the telephone. Then again, neither is selling face-to-face. Here’s what you can do to make it easier when you use the telephone to sell. It’s all in the execution to use the telephone to sell. How you speak is a … [Read more...]
Hidden Buyer Questions That Lead To Sales
Expect to ask questions during the sales call to guide your customer to buy. What about the questions your buyer has? Are you ready with answers that lead to sales? Your answers can guide your customer to buy, but only if you know the hidden buyer questions that lead to sales. Buyer’s Hidden Question #1: Can you help me meet my needs? Customers don’t buy from you … [Read more...]
Sales Decisions: How Do You Decide?
In sales there are lots to decisions to make. Should you raise prices or keep them the same? Which product would be best for this customer’s operation? What’s the best way I can afford to serve a customer? How can I promote and get support for a new idea? When should I stop selling to a customer? Who should I call on? Sometimes you just can’t decide. You have multiple … [Read more...]
3 Rules to Win Bids
Wouldn’t it be nice to be free of competition when you sell? You would not have to submit bids and compete with competitors to win bids in an ideal sales world. That world unfortunately doesn’t exist. There will be times you will have to submit a bid. It's the only way for you to get business. There are strategies to work on bids that make it more likely for you to win … [Read more...]
Create Sales Guidelines: No New Year’s Resolutions!
You would be buried in nickels if you had one for every person who made a New Year’s Resolution to lose ten pounds. New Year’s Resolutions are often made and quickly broken. Did you make a New Year’s Resolution for sales? Here’s what you can do instead to create sales guidelines and get better sales results. Sales Guideline 1. Focus on process, not results. A resolution … [Read more...]
A New Year, A New Sales Plan
2020 is a memory now. Many of you are breathing a sigh of relief because you are glad to see it go. Take a deep breath and think of 2021 and your sales plan. It’s time to start with some new strategies to make your year a success. Sales Plan 1: What are you not going to do? I always think of Albert Einstein at the beginning of every new year. Is it because … [Read more...]