You might have heard someone say the key to sales success is to work smarter, not harder. One way to work smarter is to be an organized salesperson. Here is how you can be more organized. Organize your travel. Certainly you plan your travel in advance so you maximize the customer time you have in each city. Travel today is more of a hassle than ever. One way to make it … [Read more...]
Small Sales Strategies That Mean Big Results in Sales
They say good things come in small packages. In sales big results can come from small strategies. Why not think about these small strategies so you can get better sales results? Follow up can be a small sales strategy. I find that misunderstandings come with poor follow up. The old saying is correct that even the faintest ink is better than the strongest memory. … [Read more...]
Dealing With an Angry Customer
You are going to have to deal with an angry customer no matter how responsive you are in sales or how well you anticipate customer problems. Sure, it would be nice to be able to prevent angry customers, but that is not realistic. Communication is hard and misunderstandings happen. That’s when emotions run hot. You can still work with an angry customer and keep your … [Read more...]
Difficult Conversations in Sales
Are you ready for your next price increase discussion with your most important customer? How about a conversation with your manager over a disputed expense item? Difficult conversations are part of sales. Here are some pointers to make your next difficult conversation both easier and more successful, especially when these conversations are high stakes and high … [Read more...]
What It Takes for Women to Succeed in Sales
This column is only for women. Really? Of course it’s not just for women! In fact, men might just be curious about what I think women need to do to be successful in sales. Stop looking to put people into categories. You have prospects and customers in sales. Do you really think a woman buyer will buy from you just because you are female? It’s like the old … [Read more...]
Political Savvy and Your Sales Career Success
Do you think politics only applies to elected officials? It also applies to sales and your sales career success. You may not realize how your political savvy in sales will determine whether or not you are successful in sales. 1. It’s better to treat everyone with dignity and respect. I went to university with a very nice student whose father was in politics. His father … [Read more...]
Different Ideas to Sell More in 2024
You probably know that doing the same things again and again while expecting different results is nuts. So why not this year try some different ideas to sell more? Here’s what I’m planning for 2024. What are you planning? Learn something new that’s interesting. I had a customer, a plant manager, who told me one day to be sure to stop in his office over lunch hour. I … [Read more...]
Stop Wasting Your Selling Time
Charlie Munger, the billionaire investor and Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, had some ideas on investing that apply to selling. He certainly was successful in investing. You can apply his ideas to selling and stop wasting your selling time. What’s in your too-hard pile? Munger knew what he didn’t know. He said, “Knowing what you don’t know is more useful than … [Read more...]
Talent versus Training: How do you stack up for sales?
Sales training is very much a part of sales. But where does talent for sales come in? How does your talent versus training stack up for sales? Why not consider this view of talent versus training for your sales success. Sales training is perfect for improving your skills One of the most important selling skills is listening. Most people are untrained listeners and that … [Read more...]
Lost Business! Why and How to Prevent It
There are lots of ways you can lose business once you have it. Imagine telling a customer he could afford a price increase as a way to raise your prices. Sounds dumb? Yup, lost business! What if you never get the chance to sell to a customer? That’s more lost business. There are some useful strategies you can use to prevent lost … [Read more...]