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What an Economist Can Teach Us About Selling

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This is the sixth 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 The Unseen.

Sounds a bit mysterious, doesn’t it? Well, it is.

In 1946, Henry Hazlitt wrote a book called “Economics in One Lesson.” (click here to learn more). I suggest you read it if you’re interested in public policy or in human behavior.

Hazlitt’s premise was that economists seldom look at the long term consequence of a government action. For example, if the government spends $1 trillion on make-work programs, it all sounds great on the surface. People go to work. Everyone’s happy. Or, are they? Read more

Episode #429: Your Brand = Your Reputation

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Do you think “branding” as a salesperson is all about your company’s logo or your social media accounts?

In this episode, veteran sales trainers Bill Caskey and Bryan Neale talk to branding expert Tyler Borders to learn more about why brand matters so much in sales.

Do you know how you and your company want to be perceived by your prospects?

Have you ever asked the people who know you best how they describe your brand?

In today’s episode of The Advanced Selling Podcast, Bill and Bryan dissect Tyler’s branding philosophy to give you a different way to think about building a brand of your own. Hint: It’s not just about what you say on your LinkedIn profile.

Also mentioned in this podcast:

Episode #428: How To Declutter Your Sales Life

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advancedsellinpodcastgraphicbootAre you feeling the year-end overwhelm?

Does your sales life feel crowded, chaotic or unintentional?

In today’s episode, veteran sales trainers Bill Caskey and Bryan Neale give you strategies to de-clutter and re-focus for 2017.

Are you cold calling just because you think you’re supposed to? Are you aimlessly prospecting without a true strategy behind it?

In this episode of The Advanced Selling Podcast, Bill and Bryan share best practices and advice to help you engage in the best ways possible as you move into the new year.

Also mentioned in this podcast:

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

Episode #427: Using Promotional Products in Sales

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August Wittenberg
 
Promotional products aren’t just cheap toys or plastic desk accessories… they can also be part of your sales strategy.

In today’s episode, veteran sales trainers Bill Caskey and Bryan Neale talk to promotional products expert August Wittenberg about tools you can use to get noticed and get in the door with your prospects.

Do you know what’s relevant to your recipients and their industries?

Are you using terminology to communicate with them that you know “speaks their language?”

In this episode of The Advanced Selling Podcast, you will learn how to use promotional products to increase your close rates and calculate your ROI. And don’t miss August sharing the biggest mistakes salespeople use when trying to use promotional products… he lets you in on a few secrets.

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Episode #426: Decision Day – Are You All In?

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advancedsellinpodcastgraphicbootHas it happened to you? That moment when you decide you’re tired of doors slamming in your face, picking up the cold phone or feeling beat up on price.

In today’s episode, veteran sales trainers Bill Caskey and Bryan Neale help you realize and accept that there is a better way to do things than what you may be doing now.

Are you ready for today to be “The Day” when you stop hanging on to feelings and emotions that aren’t working for you in your sales career?

In this episode of The Advanced Selling Podcast, Bill and Bryan will coach you through how to recognize what’s happening and what you can do about it. They also issue the Epiphany Challenge: what’s yours?

If you’re ready to come alive and truly own your sales success, this episode is for you.

Also mentioned in this podcast:

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

Episode #425: End of Year Deal Strategies

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advancedsellinpodcastgraphicbootAre you nervously watching the days tick by to the end of the calendar year and wondering what in your funnel will close before the holidays? If this is you, today is your lucky day.

In today’s episode, veteran sales trainers Bill Caskey and Bryan Neale help you stop worrying and start taking action to close out deals before year end.

Are you honestly assessing what is realistic and what’s not?

Do you have a plan for how you’ll move opportunities to a Y or N?

In this episode of The Advanced Selling Podcast, Bill and Bryan help you amp-up your calendar based language with prospects and develop a system to know which deals to focus on more than others. Don’t wait until December for this one— the race to the end of the year is here.

Also mentioned in this podcast:

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