Sales - Page 3

We want you to think about sales this month. Yes, we understand the year is almost half over and we know your sales goals for 2016 were set months ago. But, do you know how it will happen? How will you increase production if needed? How do you get back on track? Or, maintain current momentum? Ultimately how will you meet your year-end goals?

Last week we discussed the need to give your business a checkup heading into the 4th quarter and identified three key places to start: Business Goals and Performance Indicators, Next Steps, and Meeting with your Accountant. You may realize by now that these initial checks were just the tip of the iceberg. With a fresh perspective on the original goals that were set for the business, now is a natural time to look at other areas of the business to ensure that they are feeding the overall health of the business.

As you are aware, everyone in your business is responsible for sales. Some are more directly involved than others, but everyone plays their role. We’ve looked at the foundation for the sales team; but what needs to be in place for the remaining staff members who are only indirectly involved...

Especially in sales, we see too many people wanting the magic pill. When your business falls behind on its sales goals it hurts. Profits are down, but then again so is cash flow and often times morale.   It's easy to see why everyone looks for that 7 foot bar to jump over, but your best bet is to take a moment and look for that 1 foot bar.  To get started make sure you read "Behind the Sales Curtain" and "Your Sales Process".

Last week we looked behind the curtain at pieces of the sales process that should be in place to help your business be more effective and flexible in its sales process. Now, we look to focus on pieces of the Sales Process that are external and the pieces that the client sees, hears, and touches. In the most effective sales processes, these external pieces connect seamlessly, giving the prospect or client the impression that purchasing the product or service is the natural and logical conclusion of the interaction. Pieces of the Sales Process puzzle we are going to focus on this week are scripts, agendas, and sales materials.

Over the last few months, we have looked at a number of different business areas; Recruiting, Lead Generation, and Customer Domination. This month we wanted to go back to a subject near and dear to all of our hearts, Sales. Without sales, businesses wither and die. We also know that creating sales isn't as easy as it may seem. There are steps the business has to take in order to sell its product or service efficiently and with confidence. In the coming weeks, we will look behind the curtain to see the prep work that goes into a solid sales process.

 

The sales process does not begin with a product or service. It begins with developing the 'behind the curtain' pieces of the process that create a foundation for success. A strong foundation creates opportunities to move forward with clarity, develop and hold accountable employees, and collect business intelligence that will allow for more focused efforts. While there can be many pieces to a strong foundation, here are three that require emphasis.

All through October we have explored Sales; we have looked at steps you can take to make an immediate impact on your sales, asked the question, "What is the attitude of you and your sales team when interacting with prospects," delved into the importance of developing a hot list and working the plan, and then laid out a call to action challenge.  Now, let's touch on the necessary energy and attitude that projects how you feel about what you are offering.

Last week you read about the Hot List and planning to fail. What did you do with those concepts?  

• Have you formulated a Hot List?
• Are you still planning to fail by failing to plan?
• Have you planned how to contact the list but just haven't had the time?

Whatever your response may have been, it won't change the fact that now is the time to take action. Make one call from your Hot List. Just one. We dare you.

Do you have a plan in place for reaching out to your potential or most likely customers or clients? If not, according to Harvey MacKay, "If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail." When you desire to grow your business, becoming clear on who you intend to reach and how you intend to reach them is of the utmost importance. There is one item that is essential as you plan to grow your sales - a Hot List.

What is your attitude with prospects?  Your sales team's attitude with prospects?