Is the sales letter dead? My manager is old-school and wants me to send out letters snail mail to my prospects. Your thoughts? – Debbie in Boston, MA Answer: When creating your sales strategy optimization plan, an old tactic not only continues to out-perform, but draws attention with retro chic. The sales letter is alive and well, and it is …
How 11 Power Skills Will Swiftly Boost Your Career
In 2019, we were glad to have sales leader Patrick Carter join us for a podcast about the retail apocalypse. That discussion went so well that we now get Patrick back for a whole 12-part series! To kick off this series, he and our CEO Lynn introduce listeners to the 11 power skills you need to boost your sales career. …
What Should I Wear for Diverse Group of Sales People?
I work with clients from a variety of backgrounds, and I’m having a hard time figuring out how to dress for them. My older clients seem to feel more comfortable when I’m wearing a suit because I look professional and competent. Younger representatives, however, find such clothing stuffy and impersonal, and prefer a trendier and more casual look. I often …
Always Right: Sales Tips from a Customer’s Point of View
You can’t have sales without customers. That statement may seem obvious to the point of simplicity, but it highlights an often-forgotten part of the business world: You can’t sell anything if no one wants to buy. What do customers want? How can your interactions with these important people make you into the best salesperson you can be? While every customer …
4 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Sales Business Travel
Many of us have to travel for our jobs, whether to meet with clients or attend conferences and tradeshows. Business travel can be hectic and stressful, but it can also be an enjoyable, positive experience if you know how to do it. Not sure how you’ll do on your next business trip? Here are some tips on how to get …
We Made a Big Mistake on Pricing… Help!
My company made a big mistake on the pricing of an order for a new client. Now I must go back and renegotiate the pricing. What is the best approach so I don’t lose the order and client? – Eleanor in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania Answer: We all know mistakes happen. They are a great opportunity to strengthen your relationships when …
How to Develop Sales Relationships That Will Last
Developing strong relationships is key to any successful sales career. They provide long-term foundations that will benefit your sales career for years to come, and they will make for much smoother sailing. But how can you develop sincere and reciprocal sales relationships without it feeling forced or transactional? Sales experts Lynn and Tina share their tips in this installment of …
4 Rules to Knock Your Presentation Out of the Park
Presentations are an everyday occurrence in any position. They run the gamut of simple one-offs in the hallway at work to conference sessions with hundreds in the audience. Regardless of whether you are catching your manager on the run or making a formal sales presentation to a group, there are four rules you must follow to deliver a powerful communication and …
How to Laser Focus Significant Tools to Achieve Your Goals
How can you achieve sales success this 2020? It starts with laser focus and the right tools. Lynn spoke with sales expert Gresham W. Harkless Jr. on how entrepreneurs, business owners, and people with a side hustle can find new opportunities and sales leads for their organizations. Ring in the new year with these unmissable tips. Gresh manages a community …
How to Handle an Uneven Distribution of Leads
Our company distributes the leads that come in to the sales reps. A disturbing pattern has emerged. Our sales manager gives the best leads – multi-million-dollar opportunities – to the male sales reps. The women reps get the leftover one-offs. Do I point this out to our manager or go right to HR? How should I handle this uneven distribution …
How Do You Help the World?
This past month, as I was preparing for an all-day event, I made the time to revisit my elevator pitch and overall approach. We all need to reassess our messaging on a regular basis. Things change and it’s important for us to pivot, not only to remain pertinent, but to freshen our personal brand. What is new and how can …
15 Unique & Fun Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Clients
The end-of-the-year holidays are here, and what better time to show gratitude to your sales clients than with a unique holiday gift? But what should you get them? Before you start shopping, there are some important best practices you’ll need to consider. You’ll also want to think about how you can give gifts that set you apart from the rest. …
How Can I Overcome This Feeling That I Do All the Work?
My sales job requires a lot of extra hours, at night and on weekends. I can’t keep up without overworking. I feel like I’m doing all the work. How do I approach management to get some balance back in my life? – Martina in Corpus Christi, Texas Answer: Finding balance by integrating our work and personal lives is crucial to …
10 Big Ways to Unlock Innovative Tech Sales
How do you obtain customers and effectively manage relationships with them in the tech industry? We spoke with Dennis Sullivan, a sales expert and relationship ninja who leads from the heart to build strong, lasting connections. Although the sales profession has changed a lot over the years, Dennis’s unique approach in the tech field has helped him secure continued success. …
Top 10 Solutions for Timely Payments
Every successful sales career includes the important component of navigating and managing client relations when remittance for goods or services is past due. The prosperity and continuity of your organization is dependent upon receiving timely payments. Sales professionals embody the roles of both offense and defense, whether closing the sale or collecting for your good work. For those of you …
How to Identify Buyer Motivations and Gain Sales Success
Sales is all about the client. That’s why in your sales career, it’s vital that you understand your clients so you can best serve them. But that’s easier said than done. How can you get into their minds and understand their buyer motivations? What will improve your chances of closing the sale… and what will put them off of working …
Why it’s Important to Always Do What You Say in Sales
There is nothing more important than actually doing what you say you will do. In sales, this is the gold standard of demonstrating your credibility, reliability, and trustworthiness. For relationship sales, each of these traits are invaluable. When you do what you say you will do, you earn the confidence and good will of your clients and prospects. It’s Leadership …
7 Surefire Ways to Boost Your Referrals and Sales
Sales careers are dependent upon having a strong network of clients. How do you build up this network? One of the best ways is through referrals. Referrals are highly coveted and a vital way to boost your sales career, but it can be daunting to seek them out. How do you ask for referrals without coming across as desperate? What …
How to Excel Even If You’re Shy In Sales
I was recently hired for a sales position at a company I’ve always wanted to work for. I hope that this job can eventually lead to other positions within this company. The problem is, I’m not sure how well suited I am for sales. I’m very shy and naturally introverted, and the thought of selling to various clients terrifies me. …
Re-Energize Your Sales Job Now with Worthy Intent
Introspection is a powerful tool. For sales professionals, introspection can be an opportunity to clarify our beliefs and values. It’s a chance to re-energize our purpose and worthy intent for our prospects and clients. Are Your Intentions Worthy? Worthy intent is the core foundation of relationship sales. It’s about actively demonstrating our desire to genuinely connect with our customers. It’s …