Have you ever wondered why people sometimes form inaccurate impressions about you? Do they rush to judge you too quickly? This limited view we have of ourselves, and of others judging us only on what they see of us is called the Iceberg Effect. It’s based on our perception of who we are (identity), and of how others see us (reputation).
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What does it take to succeed in today’s complex sales environment? What do you need to break into the top 10% or even 20% when selling premium suites for national sports franchises, or big-ticket luxury items, or top end experiences and events?
In this episode, Fred Diamond, host of the Sales Game Changers podcast, runs through a variety of questions like these with Lance Tyson, CEO of Tyson Group, and author of Selling is an Away Game. If you want tips that will put you on the field of play and supercharge your sales game, then put in your earbuds, buckle up your seat belt, and get ready for a rapid-fire one-on-one that will change how you approach developing your sales team as well as your career.
You can find Fred Diamond’s Sales Game Changers podcast here. Give it a listen today.
This post on the sales process was originally published on Aug 28, 2017 and updated on Aug 7, 2019.
Here’s a question you need to ask yourself about your sales process: If I could get in front of more qualified prospects, how much more could I sell?
In all of my training sessions and sales activity over the years, here’s something I’ve noticed:
Most companies are product and service heavy, but sales process poor. If you look at the typical training programs a company puts its people through, you’ll see a lot of attention given to product and service education, product positioning, etc. A lot less attention will be given to the actual sales process, which involves organization skills, communication skills, and prospecting techniques, to name a few.
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Previously, we reviewed a few of the classic sales closes and how they don’t work in our current sales environment. There are two other classic closes that we should review to understand how they fit into our new global sales environment.
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Here’s a tip I’ve learned in my travels through the sales landscape – words matter! The words you use help frame the situation. And how you frame the situation will either expand or limit your options in resolving objections and mastering negotiations.
Consider the negotiation process. There’s plenty of phraseology out there that highlights “battling” an objection. Now, if I’m trying to do business with you, I don’t know if we are necessarily going to do battle. I think the wiser choice is to first find out where we both agree. Continue reading
Here’s an sample sales call dealing with sales objections pulled from our field experience.
My team and I were working with an NHL team that was selling a complex sponsorship package to a small to mid-sized furniture chain around Columbus, Ohio. In this particular situation, the sales rep was selling this package to a furniture store with four locations.
The sponsorship package consisted of a digital footprint, in-game signage, which would drive some traffic to the organization’s website, as well as other media including a mix of radio and TV ads. And they were also trying to sell a little hospitality which included a visit from one of the players to come to store openings, and the grand re-opening Continue reading
As salespeople, one of the challenges we have when encountering a sales objection is we tend to react in the moment. Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m all for flexibility and spontaneity. In fact, I think salespeople need to be more spontaneous and flexible.
However, when someone puts forth an objection, you have to first get them define, defend, and explain what they are objecting. Otherwise, you’re simply reacting to your interpretation of the prospect’s statement. Which means you’ll miss the opportunity to address their real issue. Continue reading
Back in a previous post, I outlined a sales call where the sales rep, after performing his diagnostic session, removed all documentation off the table, presented relevant evidence, and focused on the one solution that was going to address my challenge.
I emphasize the fact that he removed all documentation off the table because it highlights one important fact: More information is not better. We want to get the need or the issue right and give them enough relevant information. Too much irrelevant information causes confusion. And confusion leads to doubt. Continue reading
As salespeople, we have to use forms of evidence to help convince, persuade, and influence the buyer. Remember, everything from here on out relies on the three elements of our Specific Interest Statement: presenting our solution, referencing the primary interests, and appealing to their buying motive. Now that we have that foundation, we need to climb our way to the top of the mountain over obstacles using evidence, practical applications, and showing the benefits of our prescription. Continue reading
Once the salesperson has diagnosed the problem correctly, they need to present the right prescription in such a way that it persuades the buyer to see value in the solution or opportunity. As salespeople, we need to gain the high ground in order to overcome doubt quickly and effectively.
And what inherently overcomes doubt? Evidence!
Check this out this sales example and discover what’s revealed in the process. Continue reading