Archive for the ‘Sales Opportunities’ Category

During my workshops I frequently speak of the need for selling professionals to be prepared for every selling situation. With the lack of selling methodology and training amongst 92% of the selling population there are a number of gaffs during the sales day.

After a relaxing Independence Day weekend, I returned to several emails. One of the most striking included the following, “I realize that your company may be too big to have a need for our training materials, but I liked what I saw on your webpage and I thought it might be worth having a conversation.”

While I honor the selling representative for having the gumption to connect, their lack of knowledge for my firm is alarming. Worse yet, there exists the typical bromide of “what you can do for me approach”. Selling professionals must refrain from selling products and begin to realize the need to invest in and develop relationships. Consumers buy from those they know and trust and this begins with intellectual dialogue based on objectives and values.

If there is a desire to invest in a relationship then:

1. Conduct fundamental research on the company and establish need.
2. Get introduced to the economic buyer through a third party.
3. If a cold call is required, ensure the focus is on objectives and measurements of success.
4. Conduct research on the true economic buyer, blind messages to gatekeepers will only get lost.
5. Stop thinking of input; consider how your product or service will benefit the customer. Think of external value end the selfishness and focus on the prospective client.

Before you pick up the phone or key a letter:

• Know the customer.
• Know the industry.
• Know the competition.
• Know your value.
• Know your differentiation.
• Know your value proposition.
• Know your output.
• Know your decision maker.
• Know your time frame.

Customers are too busy and not inclined to have their time wasted on the folly of sales commission. The only methods of competitively selling today include differentiation, value and output. Anything less is simply a waste of the selling professionals time. How much do you know?

© 2010. Drew Stevens PhD. All rights reserved.

Drew Stevens is one of the world’s leading authorities on Sales Marketing & Business Development Solutions . Drew is the author of the successful sales process book Split Second Selling. He is also the creator of the Sales Leadership Certificate one of only 14 programs in the United States offering an accredited degree in the profession of selling and has a top ranked podcast called Sales Acceleration. To discover how Dr. Drew can assist your organization visit his marketing and sales website.

Popularity: 67% [?]

In recent weeks in working with a number of clients, there is a tendency to see similar issues between them. Much of what I experience concerns the sales force. The larger issue is that many organizations do not invest in their sales teams. Ironic since the notion of every business is to retain and acquire clients.

To assist organizations to operate more efficiently here are a few thoughts to remember:

Selling professionals are in the marketing business. Spend one to two hours per day creating information that increases marketing. Use resources stemming from IMC to assist you and the organization to attract consumers. Creating an array of activity lessens labor and helps to increase brand.
Use testimonials to build brand. Ensure that your customers and alliances can reiterate your value proposition and articulate it to others. Consumers that trust you and enjoy your value will be tickled to inform others.
Maintain customer contact. Those that invest in customer relationships are always top of mind. Consumers not only conduct business with whom they trust- but also remember!
Sellers and their business are dependent on customers. Ensure that all calls are returned timely. I use a 90 minute rule! If not return all calls and emails by day’s end. Additionally, any and all staff should be well versed in customer service culture.
Eschew the folly of trends. Refrain from the bromide trends of “casual day”. Always be prepared to visit a customer. Buy good clothes and resources (i.e. Wallet, brief case and yes a pen) to emulate the part. Have good vocabulary and become well versed to speak with economic buyers.

©2010. Drew Stevens Ph.D All Rights Reserved.

Drew Stevens is one of the world’s leading authorities on Sales Marketing & Business Development Solutions . Drew is the author of the successful sales process book Split Second Selling. He is also the creator of the Sales Leadership Certificate one of only 14 programs in the United States offering an accredited degree in the profession of selling and has a top ranked podcast called Sales Acceleration. To discover how Dr. Drew can assist your organization visit his marketing and sales website.

Popularity: 37% [?]

My name is Francis Walsh and I want to tell you what my baseline is. My baseline is where you are right now. “Where are you anyways?” I know where you want to be, but right now you’re here. “Where is here?”

Generating relationships online can be summed up in three, easy, steps. They are create, create, and interact with said create, create. It’s easy, but it’s not easy for everyone. Stop what you’re doing, Drop down to the consumer level, and Roll out the information that benefits the company in a positive way.

The intent of internet marketing is to connect with new users who through their normal every day travel of the internet, find information about you. If you increase the amount of information about you by 30% then you have more information about you from which new users are able to find your news.

The intent of internet sales is to generate revenue through the interaction of a company user and a consumer interacting via their computers. Without an increase of content a company user could go out and increase sales by thirty percent through interactions with new consumers. The company user is creating new content and interacting at the same time. Driving sales into the company to generate a 30% increase in sales is different than increasing the amount of content by 30%.

I could take the 30% to the next level and say a goal of receiving 30% growth on investment would, in banker’s terms, mean a return of $4000 on a $3000 investment. Each baseline is a little different and in the end, has a different result.

Consider each baseline as you enter into a new partnership where a provider will be doing the work for you. The best rests come from proper planning and a mutual understanding of the baseline and the goal.

Francis Walsh
77375

“A baseline is a line that is a base for measurement or for construction; What are you trying to construct for your Internet Marketing?”

Twitter
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Popularity: 58% [?]

What nonsense is that? You’re the one that conceptualized, designed, and built your business from the ground up. You’re the one that has 100% control over everything in your company; right? Or do you?

Do you build any of your “business model” on “what ifs” — because “what if” you lost a limb, an ear, a finger, an arm, a leg, or god forbid, your head? Could you continue to operate in whatever way you needed to without a hiccup in your service to clients, customers, and other business relationships?

“I doubt that I could continue operating at full capacity in the event of a catastrophic time.”

Knowing our own limits, only helps us understand yours. Were all different, but, similar. Business can be looked at in the same light;

Business models are at a core, the template for all business models. Having a different business then the next person only makes you “similar” in the fact of processes, and things to do to keep your business active and going. (finding new partners, getting new suppliers, having someone do collections, finding new customers, seeing into new markets, driving new sales etc..)

You’re business may not have the same struggles as mine, or Joe’s, or Bob’s but I can bet your “butt” that all three of our business’s will need help to stay going, either now, or in the future!

So if you’re reading this, then you may be like a lot of other people who ask us; “What can The Sales Corner help me with?”

This is our response, which simply put is EVERYTHING, “What do YOU NEED?”

Once you can establish the need or multiple needs that you have, it will be easy to find a way to fill the need using The Sales Corner.  In fact there are several ways we can fill your needs with the offering of full service membership packages to look out in ALL the areas you might be looking for help!

See a complete list of package offerings here;

http://www.thesalescorner.us/blog/sales-corner-marketing-seo-sales-membership-packages/

ADDITIONALLY I can offer you some “REAL INSIGHT” into others similar needs and how they were able to utilize The Sales Corner to address those needs;

Question 1

My computer is running slow; My internet sites take longer to load and I wish there was a way I could get someone to help me without having to worry about the expensive price of the local “Squad” or wait from “someone in another country” to call me back or fix my issue.

Answer 1

The Sales Corner is able to propose one of our Phone Service and Support membership packages which are designed as all inclusive to what was needed here for this client to get phone support for  “general technical help, and product application support.” As this client had issues and needed a resource to contact with the assurance they would get a timely, and well educated response!

Question 2

What do I need to keep active, and reach my customers/clients?
I already know how to write my own content, publish my own articles, and get out into the Social Media scene to grow myself;

Answer 2

The Sales Corner is able to propose one of our Quarterly Website/Blog membership packages which is all inclusive to what this client needed to get a Website Built, Integrated, and Managed after Install! We think it’s great even when you don’t know what you need to in order to have a medium to communicate yourself on. This gives them ability to communicate directly and privately to their own user base!

Question 3

How can I get into new Sales and Marketing areas with my current projects?
I don’t know anything about how to use a blog, where I should be online or offline, or how to reach new people because my “old” approach isn’t working anymore;

Answer 3

The Sales Corner is able to propose one of our Quarterly Internet Marketing / Sales membership packages which are designed as all inclusive to what this client needed to get their products, their face, and “their business” out to people who wanted to know about them! This will keep them there where they need to be, in front of people online and off!

Question 4

Some folks out there have their own sites on a free host, or a host that charges them a monthly or annual fee; That’s okay, but sometimes people don’t always know what to do in these cases or how to get to their files etc. How can The Sales Corner help me get a place to host or store my files for my website, my blog, or FTP access?

Answer 4

The Sales Corner is able to propose one of our Quarterly Website/Blog Hosting membership packages which are designed as inclusive to what this client needed for their files to be stored, accessed, and managed on a regular basis as they saw fit! Now they can upload/download and so can their users (With or Without a Blog if they like since this is “file storage”).

As you can see, The Sales Corner and our network of members have very good methods of helping you get more information for free, save your business money, get more all while you can walk away and feel confident to know that you’re business isn’t going to fall under, because you couldn’t afford our monthly fee, or that yearly cost to keep it going!

“The Sales Corner is always willing to listen and work with all of our members to accommodate their needs and wants and desires, after all you help us keep going as much as we help you; We simply supply the magic powder to mix it all together which is then what we give you which is tangible and something you can count on for your business needs!”

Matt G
The Sales Corner

“The Shaman says only the best leaders use help to their advantage.” The Sales Corner Probing Question of the Day:

“When you find yourself without an answer to a problem….” “Where do you go to find the answer?”

Popularity: 100% [?]

One of the worst things that hurt individuals is the inability to grow. We all have skeletons that haunt our past- if we let them. Previous issues, phobias and concerns can be like anchors on boat, they can continually drag you down until you reach the bottom; and they can sink you.

If you feel you are held back, it just might be past ghosts. The focus must be on the present and the future- not the past. You cannot alter the past; you can only impact your future.

I learned this imperative life lesson many years ago as a survivor of child abuse. After many years of physical and mental anguish I was forced to mature quickly while making many life-altering decisions. Now as a professional entrepreneur and more importantly a joyful father and husband I understand the power of focus and future. Life from time to has been volatile but if you remain focused and positive you can create the future you desire. Here is what I have learned along the journey:

1. It is imperative to have goals and to write them down. When the mind views something on paper there is an implicit contract that gets committed to memory. Additionally, focus on time frames so issues you desire remain in reach.
2. Dreams are those visuals that instigate and instill our desires. Never let anyone tell you dreams are folly. Those that do are stuck in their own hubris.
3. Guilt is negative thoughts derived and devoured by self-deprecation. The “pity pot” cements us. Positive thoughts instill better outcomes.
4. Franklin Roosevelt once stated, “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” This is not a trite statement but very true. Fear similar to guilt stops you. Fear derails you. Fear stops growth. The best attitude against fear is risk. Higher risk means a greater opportunity for high returns.
5. Similar to fear, procrastination when manifested will derail future growth. Procrastination is the resultant of both fear and guilt. To stop procrastination, one must create motion. Motion creates energy and with it the more speed to get more accomplished.
6. Stop engaging with negative individuals, they only sink you. You are the summation of the individuals you associate with. If those around you do not love you unconditionally then you need to find new people. Altering your associations will bring significant changes in attitude and behavior.
7. Never lose hope and never lose faith. Life has some hurdles and it is how you operate through and around them not avoiding them. Hurdles are unavoidable but can be speed bumps with the right attitude.
8. No matter what God you believe in, never lose faith. God does not want anyone to fail and is always with us in the shadows walking right behind or beside us.

©2010. Drew Stevens PhD. All Rights Reserved.

Popularity: 45% [?]

You heard right! Were on Digg!

Connect with us!

http://digg.com/users/thesalescorner

Popularity: 19% [?]

Whatever happened to old-fashioned common courtesy? It appears that the proliferation and excuse of technology allow for too many excuses for busyness. Many will state that there is not enough time in a day to return calls and emails, however no one is that busy. Lethargy is no excuse.

It is impolite when individuals are unresponsive to telephone calls and emails. While some individuals do tend to get sidetracked there is something to be said for professional courtesy. Sellers that attempt to reach clients and prospective clients must take a stand. Simply state, “I know you are as busy as I however, after X voice messages and emails I am certain you received them. This is my last attempt to reach you so as not to be overly persistent and out of respect for our professional relationship. If you are interested please connect with me. ” This will enable sellers to maintain professionalism while attempting to receive some response.

Sellers do not become acrimonious or take the unresponsiveness personally. Simply state the message and move on. The world is too small to be angered each time this occurs and something imperative might be taking precedent. However, your time is valuable too!

©2010. Drew Stevens PhD. All Rights Reserved.

There are seven secrets for selling effectiveness. Click here For a Free Report

Drew Stevens is one of the world’s leading authorities on business development and marketing. Drew is the author of the successful sales process book Split Second Selling. He is also the creator of the Sales Leadership Certificate one of only 14 programs in the United States offering an accredited degree in the profession of selling and has a top ranked podcast called Sales Fitness. To discover how Dr. Drew dramatically accelerate your business development and sales skills visit his sales and marketing website.

Popularity: 18% [?]

I went out this past weekend to play golf with my son and I took notice of how the game might be aligned with the world of selling. One of my frequent issues with selling is the lack of a process. This is simply because there is a lack of focus on hecustomer. Selling requires a constant and intense focus on the company’s most vital asset.

Coincidentally, the weekend golfer typically lacks focus in the one area of the game that is most important-the cup. Most golfers will attempt to hit the ball onto the take as far and wide as they can in the hope of being close to the cup. Unfortunately with only 18 chances the statistics do not favor the golfer. The most important and strategic portion of the game is known as the short game. Golfers need to focus on establishing as few strokes as necessary to get the ball into its final destination. It seems at times that golfers become more cognizant at the end rather than the beginning. This gameplan is too erratic and provides for more luck than grace.

Sellers too become most erratic when selling without a process. When focus is maintained on the client there is a better opportunity of closing business. Rather than hacking away at luck the true seller is constantly involved with creating less steps, less labor and more value to the potential client. Unlike golf they do not focus on only the beginning but the entire game plan. Some of the best sellers reach their short game with:

1. Preparation-every call in every visit is carefully planned to ensure a proper beginning and proper closure.

2. Relationship-the true seller is always involved in building and maintaining relationships with proper economic buyers.

3.Questions-sellers always have available questions related to objectives and measurements of success.

4. Risk-good sellers always take prudent risk to move the sale forward.

5. Productivity-good sellers do not waste time with unnecessary items, they optimize their day based upon prioritization.

6. Strategy-those sellers the strategic lead less volatile roads because they prepare for most circumstances.

7. Customer Service-good sellers are always ladies and gentlemen to ladies and gentlemen, 45% of every sale involves customer service.

Before heading out onto the sales golf course is best to have a good strategy so as to lessen labor and focus more on the end game-the customer. Being too tactical only wastes time and strokes. While you’re setting up your next shot your competitor is already on the green.

©2010. Drew Stevens PhD. All Rights Reserved.

There are seven secrets for selling effectiveness. Click here For a Free Report 7 Secrets to Selling Success

Drew Stevens is one of the world’s leading authorities on business development and marketing. Drew is the author of the successful sales process book Split Second Selling. He is also the creator of the Sales Leadership Certificate one of only 14 programs in the United States offering an accredited degree in the profession of selling and has a top ranked podcast called Sales Fitness. To discover how Dr. Drew dramatically accelerate your business development and sales skills visit his sales and marketing website.

Popularity: 15% [?]

Winning the races at the NHRA is a TEAM EVENT. You do not enter without a team, and you do not go through the various challenges by yourself either!

Using this example gives us a great digression into deciding how to offer you advice to help grow your business. For many, running your business will take up all of your time. Some feel this is needed and some would rather free up time to focus on other things.

Unfortunately, if you entered a drag race on your own, you’d be left to complete every challenge and problem on your own also! What happens when your tire goes flat? What if you blow a head gasket? What if a high pressure hose breaks? Are you going to know all the “nuts and bolts” that need tweaked to make everything run pristine again?

At The Sales Corner, we don’t take information lightly. We like to provide something worth while, educative, and “real world” because this is the reality you live in. We are a part of your team in your corner, and we want to help you with all of your challenges and hurdles!

Consider that said while you watch this great promotional video brought to us from The Sales Corner’s one and Only “SEO Shaman” FD Walsh! We thank you and we hope you enjoy! Remember, be part of a team and get bigger results faster, and more targeted!

Popularity: 25% [?]