Deconstructing Big Whopper Sales Mistakes

One of my colleagues was recently lamenting about his frustration in a sales pursuit. To me, he committed two really big whoppers of sales mistakes. He was not successful in securing the business with a client he wanted, which is a shame. The prospective client had a tough problem which could have been alleviated with my colleague’s help.

For Fred, my colleague, it was not only a lost sale but a missed opportunity to contribute his unique expertise and make a positive difference. By all rights he should have won this … Read More

Avoid Sales Call to Action Mistake #3 and Shorten Your Sales Cycle

What makes a sales Call to Action effective? I believe that a good call to action can make a huge difference in your sales results and the length of your sales cycle. It’s not the only sales skill to hone but it sure is worthy of attention. Faster and more sales is a good thing!

According to Profit Magazine, 67% of sales people don’t ask for a call to action let alone do it well. … Read More

Sales Call to Action: Closing Mistake #2

When you are closing sales, who is doing the action in your Call to Action? If it’s only you and not your client, you are guilty of committing Sales Closing Mistake #2. And this will cost you sales results.

Mistake #2: Sales Person is the Only One with the Action Step

The Call to Action in sales refers to CLIENT action. In my sales coaching, I observe, far too often, sales people leaving their sales meetings with a list of … Read More

Presentation Structure: Three Buckets for Your Key Points

In my recent post about presentation structure, I highlighted the importance of the ‘rule of three’. In speaking, writing and all forms of communication the ‘rule of three’ states that concepts presented in three’s provide much needed clarity and are more memorable.

Three’s are pervasive in everyday life:

1) Children’s stories: the three bears, three little pigs, the Three Musketeers

2) Sporting three’s: three strikes in baseball, three Olympic medals, three hockey innings

3) Chronological three’s: before, during, after; past, … Read More

Selling Cycle is NOT One, Two, Skip a Few

When I am driving to a destination, unless I am in site-seeing mode, I plan my route and look for the fastest way to get there. That’s true for many people. But when it comes to selling, it’s astonishing how this simple concept isn’t tackled with the same fervor and consistency.

A client recently told me that the sales cycle for their business is a “long process and it just takes time.” I hear this a lot. In fact, … Read More