The MOST Overused Term in Business Today

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This is the fifth in a series of seven articles outlining the need for NEW RULES in your selling efforts. In this article, we’ll look at the Dynamic of Value.

Anyone else get annoyed when a company drones on and on about their “value”? You’ve heard all the iterations of this: Value Add. Value Proposition. Value Statement. 

Usually it means something like this, “We bring value – and if we talk enough about how much value we bring, then it’s likely you’ll begin to believe it.” 

Well, that’s not good enough today.

I’ll share a new way to look at “value” so you can change the rules of the selling game. As I’ve done in each article in this series (click here to read the other articles), my sole aim is to help you change the entire dynamic of the buyer/seller process.

If you do it right, you’ll be the prize that others will seek. Wouldn’t that be nice? Well, it’s possible, if you read this series and begin to ACT. Read more

Why Aren’t You Using Your HUGE Market Advantage?

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This is the fourth in a series of seven articles outlining the need for NEW RULES in your selling efforts. In today’s article, we’ll look at the “Dynamic of Process.”

Sales Process: No one term has commanded the attention of so many, yet been implemented by so few.

Every CEO I know talks about ‘sales process,’ but few implement any true strategy. When I go into their companies and ask about their process, my question is answered with dead silence.

Why the silence? Few companies will admit to having a good, psychologically sound sales process. And those sales teams that do have a decent one rarely use it.

Why is that?

Read more

Stop Trying to Get Customers to Make a Decision

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This is the third in a series of seven articles outlining the need for NEW RULES in your selling efforts. In this article, we’ll look at the Dynamic of Decisions.

Remember the good ole’ days when you were trained to ask the customer, “Who makes the buying decision on this?” (Or, some version of that.)

Well, that implied something very obvious – but wrong.

That implied that it was THEM (or someone at their company) making the decision, not you.

We also used elaborate metaphors like the Fox, the Champion, the Sponsor, the Hen (OK, maybe not the hen).

Then we would pull out the org chart and have them tell us who would be involved in the decision. And we’d get lied to. (You forgot that part, didn’t you?)

This process must change.

Today, you must alter the “Dynamic of Decision.” Changing this dynamic enables you to reap enormous rewards and stop wasting time with non-qualified prospects. Read more

Reclaim The Power Prospects Have Over You

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This is the second in a series of seven articles outlining the need for NEW RULES in your selling efforts. In today’s article, we’ll look at the “Dynamic of Power.”

Who has the power in the sales process? Think about it. Who has it?

If you’re a traditionalist, you’ll say, “The prospect does, because they have the money.” We used to call it ‘The Power of the Pen’ (as in a ‘pen’ that signs the order.)

But not so today. In article one, I told you about the Dynamic of Pursuit.

Here, I want to talk about the Dynamic of Power.

The bottom line: You have the power. Not your prospect.

Now, it may not readily seem like that because you have goals and budgets you need to achieve. You’re constantly thinking, “What do I need to do, or say, to close this business?”

The New Power Shift

Sorry to be repetitive, but you have the power because you have the solution. Now, it may be that they don’t need your solution urgently. Fair enough. If that’s the case, then you must move on. Do not spend unnecessary time with a prospect who has no pain – or no reason for change.

But, let’s suppose you’re in front of someone who truly does have a problem. Read more

Are You Confused About The Dynamic of Pursuit?

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This is the first in a series of seven articles outlining the need for NEW RULES in your selling efforts. In today’s article, we’ll look at the “Dynamic of Pursuit.”

I trained a sales team two months ago. It was our kickoff meeting in advance of a long term ongoing training program (which is currently in place).

In my kick-off meetings, I begin by focusing on changing the dynamic between YOU and the BUYER. I start with is the simple question,  “Who is selling whom?”

After I had made my points, a 50-something man stood up and challenged me. “There is no way, in this economy,” he said, “that my customer will EVER sell me. I must always be in selling and closing mode or I won’t get deals. You’re nuts to think that it could be any other way.”

OK. So noted. I later found out this gentleman was struggling. His results were poor. In his manager’s words, “time has passed him by.”

I Needed To Address His Concern

When training teams, I’ve learned that I can’t focus on 1-2 people who disagree. Every minute I spend with a disagree-er, is a moment I can’t spend expanding the thinking of the agree-ers. I must pick my battles and this wasn’t a fight worth fighting in front of the group.

After the program, I called the challenger over to have a word with him. He had calmed a little, so I asked him. “Have you ever had a prospect call you because he had been referred to you, hearing how great you are. Then, he asked a few questions and purchased?” Read more

The Hidden Power of a Sales Mastermind Group

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In his book, Think & Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill describes what a mastermind group is:

Nice, isn’t it? “A friendly alliance.” “Plan and purpose.”

Alliance 3

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The Truth Emerged

Last month, in the mastermind group that I’m in, a guy broke down into tears. He was struggling. His business was not doing well. And, this was the first time he actually admitted it to another human being.

While it was awkward, I’ve never seen 9 people jump into service so quickly. Isn’t it interesting that when the truth comes out – when we become “real,” people are always there to help?

Later, he emailed the group, sharing what a massive relief it was to know he had people on his ‘team’ that were in total support. You could feel the relief in his tone.

Below, I’ve listed 5 reasons that you MUST consider joining a mastermind group if you’re truly serious about your professional growth. Read more

Episode #403: Mid-Year Prospecting Checklist

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advancedsellinpodcastgraphicbootAre you feeling a mid-year sales slump?

Are you looking for ways to modify your prospecting techniques for Q3-Q4?

In this episode, veteran sales trainers Bill Caskey and Bryan Neale give you an assessment to grade your prospecting behaviors in the first half of the year.

Are you using a true referral system to generate leads? Do you employ behavioral KPI’s (and stick to them)?

In today’s episode of The Advanced Selling Podcast, you will learn the elements of healthy prospecting strategies and give yourself a mid-year grade.  If you’re in the market to up your game for the second half of the year, don’t miss this episode.

Be sure to download the Mid Year Prospecting Checklist!

Also mentioned in this podcast:

Episode #402: Commission Detachment

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advancedsellinpodcastgraphicbootDo you feel like you have to win every deal?  In this episode, veteran sales trainers Bill Caskey and Bryan Neale explore a listener question from Lauren in St. Louis.

Are you (or people on your team) motivated most by money?

Do you have an unhealthy balance between your base salary and commission structure?

In today’s episode of The Advanced Selling Podcast, Bill and Bryan will help you identify what you’re attached to and why.  You’ll be able to analyze if you are more interested in solving the problem than your customer is and what to do when it happens.

Also mentioned in this podcast:

Episode #396: Attributes of High Performing Sales People

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advancedsellinpodcastgraphicbootWhat are the attributes of a high performing sales person?

In this episode, veteran sales trainers Bill Caskey and Bryan Neale talk about developing a personal ethos that involves continuous self improvement.

To what degree do you carry a commitment to bettering yourself?

When things don’t go your way, do you look inward first or look around you to assess what others did wrong?

In today’s episode of The Advanced Selling Podcast, Bill and Bryan share questions to ask and ideas to consider as you’re evaluating your own commitment to self improvement. They give you a list of common obstacles that prevent people from succeeding and share strategies you can use to ensure you show up with the attributes of a high performing sales pro.

Also mentioned in this podcast: