Sales is sort of like mowing the grass. Sometimes it’s hard to get the lawnmower started. But once that spark ignites, the engine is running and it’s a success. The following tips will show you how to get your sales engine started and how to keep it running.
Sales strategies are like New Year's resolutions: Everyone makes them. Everyone tries to follow them. But eventually, they're forgotten. There are two reasons for this: unrealistic expectations and a failure to adapt to change. Luckily, both of these can be avoided. Start with the Sales Team Most organizations have three plans for how sales should work: what the company thinks is happening, what the sales manager thinks should be done, and what the salespeople actually do. Viewing things from the top…
https://youtu.be/fG4ISg2HkEY Sales can be a competitive sport, and just like in any other sport, it is important to track your progress. This is where a sales scorecard comes in handy. A sales scorecard allows you to track your wins and losses, as well as your progress over time. It also creates a friendly competition among team members, which can help motivate them to sell more. Track weekly progress by using a numbered goal assigned on the team or individual level.…
https://youtu.be/a7yhI_SylhA Energy is created or destroyed when you put your focus or attention on it. And so, what you focus on is created in your world. Everyone has the ability to create energy—both positive and negative. All of us know how creating energy can feel like an emotional roller coaster! As children we love to play and laugh; as adults we work hard, make money, do our best at school or go back to school, get married, have children and…
https://youtu.be/WO_2Z-uAP1M One way to liven things up on the road is by bringing someone along. When you go into sales calls, you both can evaluate each other's pitches. Chances are, your buddy will be doing things you aren't, and vice versa. Plus, it's more fun that way. Make a game out of it! See who can get the most sales that day, or find other things to make it more interesting. Sharpen each other's sales tools and you'll both end…
When I was a sales manager, I was ready to close the biggest deal of my life. I met this guy, we clicked, and our products were a great fit. He told me, “Clayton, I really like you and what you’re offering. We are a perfect fit. I’m going to be your biggest customer and your best customer forever — but I need six months.” So I bought a big bottle of champagne, put it in my desk drawer, and waited…
What sort of sales habit do you set for yourself? You know those “stand-out” people — the 20-something who climbs the ladder in record pace, the salespeople who make off-the-chart sales… every month? They seem untouchable — but what are they doing differently to really make it rain? Bagel + Slim Jim = A Breakfast of Champions A few years ago, I facilitated a sales training for a company. Each member of their 20-person sales team was required to attend…
How much does a polar bear weigh? Answer: Enough to break the ice. Okay, maybe it’s the cheesiest pickup line ever, but it accomplishes an important task: it opens the door to conversation. The best sales conversation starters do the same. They tell a short story to open conversation — a story about what problem you can solve for other people and how it might help your prospect, too. Make Your Story About the Solution Successful companies don’t exist because people…
Who doesn’t love a good lunch with friends? And if you can expense that lunch and have the potential for sales, that’s even better, right? People who sell medical equipment know this first-hand – their success is based on a series of touches. Doctors don’t come in and say, “Oh yeah, I need a portable ultrasound machine!” (In fact, their ultrasound machine could be on fire and they likely still wouldn’t admit they need it!) Doctors only see vendors during “lunch-and-learn” types…
If you’re looking to move your prospects from possibility to purchase, it’s time to reexamine your sales funnel management. At the top of this metaphorical funnel are any people who could potentially buy. Then, as they move closer to being a client, they move down the funnel. But how does this funnel really help the sales process? It works toward two advantages. 1. Planning Your Sales Steps Figuring out where people are in this process helps you manage your sales…