Sales - Page 4

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

In an effort to avoid being pushy and to avoid a “NO,” most business owners skip two vital elements of the sales process.  Below are the elements PLUS simple, effective ways you can make a difference in your sales process TODAY.

... We saw this sign while driving and just had to send a kudos to this business for working a pun and the start of asking for referrals into their name!  It's very catchy and sure to be remembered.

This month we have focused on developing a referral strategy by zeroing in on the art of proactively asking for a referral. Asking for referrals is known, as it should be, as a required element of a successful business. Yet, what we see time and time again is that most businesses do not have a proactive referral strategy in place. Referrals may come to them, but they've yet to develop the combination of habit and experience that is needed to have a true referral strategy in place. The result of not having a referral strategy in place? A loss of opportunity and at what cost?!

 

Take a moment and imagine if your business could double the number of referrals that come through your doors. How would your closing ratio be impacted? How much would your revenue increase? How would your sales process be impacted?

Referral gathering is as easy as asking for them. Here is a strategy that will help your business to "ask for" and then "gather" referrals.   Do you currently use an agenda when meeting with your clients or potential clients? If not, start by considering using the one that will...

A sample agenda designed to help business owners ask for referrals.

Last week we focused on creating a referral strategy and discussed the importance of proactively asking for referrals. Another important element of creating a referral strategy is making sure your business creates a quality experience that your customers are excited for their family and friends to experience.  This week we challenge you to think about these quotes and their corresponding questions that focus on both elements of a successful referral strategy: the habit of asking and creating the experience.

 

"Hey Tim, have you tried the hardware store over on 6^th? They were super friendly and had everything I needed to finish the deck." Does that statement sound vaguely familiar? Of course it does! Without even thinking about it, people refer acquaintances and friends to different places or services on a regular basis. Referrals are far and away the most missed opportunity for business owners. Referrals provide the most qualified leads at the lowest cost. Are you taking advantage of that? Is your business getting as many referrals as it should? When was the last time you or anyone in your business asked for a referral from a client? The truth is that most businesses, and their owners, do not ask for referrals because they are uncomfortable about asking and have no clear strategy for asking for referrals. Every business has the responsibility to create a strategy for referrals that is clear and intentional

You have probably heard it said many times that Sales is a numbers game.  That has certainly been our experience here at E-Myth Benchmark, but just what does that mean?  I mean seriously, in real numbers what does that mean?  If you were in front of 100 potential customers who were all within the demographic model of your most probable customer, and you offered them an opportunity to buy whatever it is you sell, how many would you expect to have immediate interest?

Actually, there is a fairly consistent answer, regardless of what you are selling.  It’s about three percent.  That number has come up several times in recent quantifications we have done both internally and with clients.  It is so fascinating (to those of us who are fascinated by human behavior and the sales process), that I recalled reading about it several months ago and went back to review it.  “It” is a book by Chet Holmes, entitled “The Ultimate Sales Machine” (Forward by the one and only Michael Gerber), which I highly recommend. 

Several years ago, after going through month after frustrating month of unsuccessful sales conversations, a great friend and mentor gave me some advice that completely changed my world.  He said, "Why don't you stop selling and start solving problems?"  For me, that caused the lights to go on in several parts of my stubborn brain, including the part that regulates anxiety.  What a relief!  I don't have to try to sell anything at all...I just have to help people satisfy their needs and solve their problems!