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Tag: Boosting Sales

  • Use This Blueprint to Turn Prospects Into Customers For Life | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Contrary to what you see in pop culture, sales is all about building lasting relationships that create customers for life. Whether you’re just starting out or have been running your small business for years, the road to success can often feel like navigating an uncharted path. But here’s the good news: With the right map, you can make the journey smooth, predictable, and, most importantly, sustainable.

    In this article, we’ll walk through the essential strategies every entrepreneur needs to win opportunities and build lasting, profitable customer relationships. Think of this as your sales blueprint — the guide for turning potential leads into loyal customers, while optimizing your time and efforts to focus on what truly matters.

    Related: 5 Ways to Master Sales

    Step 1: Focus on winnable opportunities

    The first step in any successful sales process is knowing where to focus your energy. Not every prospect is an equal fit for your business, and spending too much time chasing leads that aren’t a good fit can waste your time and lead to burnout. That’s why it’s critical to identify and prioritize opportunities that you can actually win.

    You might already be familiar with the idea of evaluating prospects based on their needs, but there’s more to it. It’s about assessing the fit between what you offer and what the prospect truly values. A good way to approach this is by regularly reassessing your opportunities, particularly as circumstances change. Sales cycles can evolve, and so can a prospect’s priorities. By staying flexible and adapting to those changes, you can spot red flags early and recalibrate your approach.

    For example, maybe you’ve been talking to the manager of a small company who seems interested, but after a few conversations, you realize the decision-maker is absent from the table. Or perhaps you don’t have enough information to quantify the impact of solving their business challenges, or there’s no clear plan in place for moving forward. These are warning signs that something may be missing from the equation — and that’s your cue to re-engage and realign the conversation. If you can’t make progress in key areas like these, it might be time to move on.

    Step 2: Use tools to refine what is and isn’t a winnable deal

    Once you’ve identified promising prospects, the next step is to assess where you stand. Are there any gaps in your current understanding? Is there something that still needs to be clarified or revisited before you can close the deal?

    This is where a proven opportunity assessment tool can work wonders. Think of it like a rearview mirror — an opportunity to look back and assess where you are in the sales process. By reviewing your past interactions and evaluating what’s still needed, you can uncover potential missed opportunities or areas where your pitch may need refinement.

    Tools like this allow you to step back, ask yourself the tough questions and make sure you’re not leaving anything to chance. For instance, you might ask:

    • Should they buy? (What is the problem they need to solve, and how will you do it?)

    • Is it worth it? (Is the problem worth solving? What is the ROI?)

    • Can they buy? (Are you talking to the final decision-maker?)

    • When will the purchase happen? (Are you clear on all the steps that need to happen?)

    By asking these kinds of questions, you’ll be able to address any gaps and adjust your strategy accordingly. Don’t hesitate to revisit earlier parts of the conversation as needed. Ask open, probing and confirming questions — what we call O-P-C questions — to truly understand your buyer. The more clarity you can provide at this stage, the more likely you are to close the deal.

    Related: 7 Bulletproof Strategies to Increase Sales and Make More Money

    Step 3: Create a plan with your prospect

    To make sure both you and your prospect are on the same page, it’s important to establish a clear and actionable plan. This mutual plan should align both parties around what needs to be done and when.

    A solid plan is built around the prospect’s timeline. By setting expectations for when and how decisions will be made, both you and your prospect can work towards a shared goal without any confusion. It’s essential that this plan is flexible, allowing for adjustments, but also structured enough to maintain momentum.

    Remember, the plan should not only focus on closing the deal but on ensuring a successful partnership beyond the sale. What steps need to be taken to deliver value after the agreement? How will you maintain communication moving forward? These are all crucial aspects of building a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship.

    Step 4: Manage yourself for success

    Finally, don’t forget to manage yourself throughout the process. Successful entrepreneurs know that it’s all about how you approach your day, your mindset and how you stay focused on your goals. Staying organized and maintaining a clear vision of what success looks like will help you navigate challenges more effectively.

    Being proactive, setting realistic goals and continually reflecting on your progress are all key to keeping momentum. Sales can be a rollercoaster ride with plenty of highs and lows, but by keeping yourself grounded and organized, you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.

    Related: No Sales Experience? No Problem. Here’s How to Confidently Turn Conversations Into Revenue.

    Following your blueprint for successful sales

    Take the guesswork out of selling: By following a clear, structured process — from identifying winnable opportunities to closing deals and managing ongoing relationships — you’ll not only win more business, but you’ll also build a reputation for delivering real value. Keep your eyes open for gaps, revisit your opportunities regularly, and don’t shy away from creating a detailed plan that aligns both you and your prospect toward mutual success.

    Building customers for life means creating meaningful connections and delivering solutions that truly make a difference. So, take these steps to heart, create your sales blueprint, and watch your entrepreneurial journey thrive.

    Contrary to what you see in pop culture, sales is all about building lasting relationships that create customers for life. Whether you’re just starting out or have been running your small business for years, the road to success can often feel like navigating an uncharted path. But here’s the good news: With the right map, you can make the journey smooth, predictable, and, most importantly, sustainable.

    In this article, we’ll walk through the essential strategies every entrepreneur needs to win opportunities and build lasting, profitable customer relationships. Think of this as your sales blueprint — the guide for turning potential leads into loyal customers, while optimizing your time and efforts to focus on what truly matters.

    Related: 5 Ways to Master Sales

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    Julie Thomas

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  • 10 Ways to Transform Your Leadership Team into a Sales Machine | Entrepreneur

    10 Ways to Transform Your Leadership Team into a Sales Machine | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    It’s no secret that the success of any organization heavily relies on its sales prowess. As the lifeblood of a company, sales drive revenue, boost growth and implement sustainability, and any progressive leader knows that investing in an in-house sales machine is not just an option; it’s a necessity.

    At the forefront of this critical function is your leadership team — the ones who call the shots and make big swings. They are the architects of your sales strategy, the motivators of your salesforce and the navigators of a constantly changing marketplace. To transform your leadership team into a sales machine, you need a multifaceted approach that combines their strategic vision with the right technological tools. It’s about leveraging data, optimizing communication, enhancing skills and automating routine tasks.

    This article explores the 10 essential steps to empower your leadership team and elevate them into a sales machine capable of propelling your organization to new heights.

    Related: 7 Bulletproof Strategies to Increase Sales and Make More Money

    1. Data-driven decision-making: Invest in analytics tools

    Data should be the main player in your organization’s decision-making processes. This means that all guesswork and instinct-based actions should give way to data-driven insights. The digital age has provided us with an unprecedented abundance of data, and organizations that harness the power of this information gain a substantial competitive advantage.

    Investing in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software like Salesforce empowers your leadership team to make data-driven decisions that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your sales efforts.

    2. Effective communication: Implement collaboration platforms

    Solid communication yields effective collaboration. Sales success hinges on a bulletproof communication structure within your leadership team. Invest in collaboration platforms like Slack to facilitate seamless communication, document sharing and project management.

    These tools break down communication barriers, enabling your leadership team to work together cohesively, share critical information and make decisions swiftly.

    3. Sales training and development: Enroll in e-learning solutions

    Sales teams require ongoing training and development to stay competitive. In the rapidly evolving world of sales, where customer expectations, market dynamics and technology continually shift, the importance of continuous learning cannot be overstated.

    Implement e-learning solutions such as LinkedIn Learning or Udemy, which offer a vast library of courses on sales techniques, customer engagement and leadership skills. By continuously upskilling your leadership team, you ensure they are equipped to adapt to the evolving sales landscape.

    4. Invest in sales AI assistants

    AI sales assistants are the next frontier in the ongoing transformation of your leadership team into a sales machine. In a rapidly evolving sales environment, where speed, precision and personalization are paramount, AI-powered tools are becoming indispensable.

    Tools like WINN.AI prove to be integral in optimizing sales processes, streamlining sales funnels and automating CRM updating. Essentially, this is a tool that acts as your extra pair of hands that does all the work while you focus on keeping the ball rolling with your prospect.

    5. Utilize marketing automation tools

    Every organization knows that sales and marketing go hand in hand like bread and butter. A well-oiled sales machine starts with a consistent flow of leads. Marketing automation tools like HubSpot can help your leadership team streamline lead-generation efforts.

    These tools enable the automation of email marketing, content distribution and lead scoring, ensuring that your sales team receives high-quality leads that are more likely to convert.

    Related: Five Innovative Ways To Implement Automated Marketing For Improved Sales

    6. Leverage CRM software

    Efficient customer relationship management is the cornerstone of a successful sales operation. Your leadership team holds the responsibility of building and nurturing these relationships, and the tools and strategies they employ can determine the depth and longevity of these connections.

    In an era where customers expect personalization and value, having a robust CRM system in place is non-negotiable. It empowers your leadership team to understand your customers on a profound level, predict their needs and deliver solutions that not only meet but exceed their expectations.

    7. Performance metrics and KPIs: Implement business intelligence tools

    Measuring performance is crucial for enhancing your sales machine. Business Intelligence (BI) tools like Tableau or Power BI can help your leadership team create custom dashboards and reports that track key performance indicators (KPIs).

    By monitoring these metrics, you gain insights into the effectiveness of your sales strategies, allowing for timely adjustments and improvements.

    8. Invest in sales enablement platforms

    From improved sales efficiency and enhanced productivity to overall operational consistency, sales enablement platforms empower your leadership team with the content, tools and resources they need to engage customers and close deals effectively.

    Platforms like Seismic help sales teams centralize content management, making it easier for your team to access the right materials at the right time, improving their efficiency and customer interactions.

    9. Implement strategic planning and forecasting

    Strategic planning and forecasting are critical for sales success. In the dynamic world of sales, where the landscape can change rapidly, your leadership team needs to have a roadmap that guides their actions and decisions.

    By implementing strategic planning and forecasting tools, your leadership team gains the ability to steer your organization toward its objectives, navigate obstacles and capitalize on opportunities.

    Related: How To Create A High-Performing Strategic Plan

    10. Build a Winning Sales Culture

    Ultimately, it’s all about building a winning sales culture that’s intangible but yields tangible results. Your leadership team plays a pivotal role in shaping this culture. While the right tools and strategies are essential in achieving this transformation, the values and mindset within your organization are equally important — if not more.

    Leaders should set the tone by demonstrating dedication, integrity and a customer-centric approach. At the end of the day, it’s all about leading by example to create a domino effect throughout your organization.

    Transforming your leadership team into a revenue-generating sales machine requires both technology and people. Yes, tools and strategies are vital, as they provide the framework and capabilities needed for success — but it’s the people who execute and breathe life into these resources. Your leadership team is the driving force behind the machine, the engine that powers it and the compass that sets its course.

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    Omri Hurwitz

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  • The 4 Stages of Competence in Sales | Entrepreneur

    The 4 Stages of Competence in Sales | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Becoming a master of sales is a journey and a process. And while you learn a lot about yourself and others on that journey … it is not one that everyone persists LONG enough to reach the highest level of competence.

    At that level, even sales calls with the most “difficult” prospects become a powerful opportunity for connection, transformation and value transference.

    As you progress through the four different stages of competence in sales, each stage will bring its own challenges and opportunities for growth.

    This article can help guide your journey toward sales mastery and significantly reduce the time it would take you if you were left to learn every lesson the hard way.

    Related: 5 Ways to Master Sales

    Stage 1: Unconscious incompetence

    Think back to when you first learned how to do something — something that you are now great at!

    In this initial stage, we find ourselves in a state of “unconscious incompetence.” We are unaware of just how bad we are at something.

    In sales, being at this stage means that while you may have a general understanding of the sales, you likely are “winging it” and have no idea why you close some deals but lose many others. OR you may be stuck in analysis paralysis, unsure of what action to take, so instead you are at a standstill.

    Here is where we stay broke and unaware! The first step is to accept that there is room for improvement and that it is important to you (and your business) that you seek that growth.

    Stage 2: Conscious incompetence

    The second stage is where we become painfully aware of the blind spots we were previously unaware of in stage 1. Stages 1 and 2 are really where the majority of entrepreneurs reside.

    During this stage, most experience a sense of frustration or even disappointment in themselves. It really does feel like an uphill battle without guidance, feedback and support. It feels like nothing we do seems to improve.

    In this stage, your attitude makes ALL the difference.

    Be kind but honest with yourself. Challenge yourself to step up to the plate, stretch the limits of your comfort zone, and commit to taking action — more specifically, messy action! Messy action is better than no action.

    Over time, you’ll start to realize that sales is not just about charisma or persuasion; it’s a strategic process that can be learned, practiced and mastered with the right mindset, experience and training.

    Without practice, improvement and adjustments (ideally through proven strategies like working with a sales coach), it is not possible to progress to the third stage.

    Related: 6 Simple, Proven Methods to Improve Your Sales Skills

    Stage 3: Conscious competence

    At this stage, you are taking enough action to start getting the feedback to be able to discern what works and what doesn’t work. It looks and feels like a mental and physical to-do list until you reach stage 4.

    During this stage, you’ll notice that you can navigate the sales process with intention and clarity. However … you still have to actively think about the steps you must take your prospect through, the questions you must ask and how you respond to objections.

    There is still a lot of mental analysis and conscious adjustments needed here.

    Stage 4: Unconscious competence

    The final stage is unconscious competence — the realm of mastery.

    After investing time, effort and countless hours of practice, you’ll reach a point where selling becomes second nature. The well-known 10k hours is the golden rule. However, with training and mentorship, it is easy to cut down this time significantly!

    In the zone of mastery, we no longer need to consciously think about every step or technique. Sales becomes intuitive, and you’ll effortlessly adapt to different types of people, handle all sorts of objections and close deals with ease.

    In this stage, it’s inevitable to feel excited and energized while speaking to prospects and converting leads into sales.

    There is, however, no ceiling to your ability to continue to learn, grow and refine. If you want to actualize yourself more fully in any area of life, it’s largely about embracing a growth mindset to consistently seek feedback and to take action on that feedback.

    At this stage, though, sales feels easy, seamless and effortless — because the effort you put in to get to this stage has compounded and is paying interest.

    Related: 8 Simple Keys to Becoming a Better Salesperson

    The power of action and feedback as you move toward mastery

    Action is crucial — to progress through the stages of competence and ultimately achieve mastery in sales.

    A lot of imperfect action will ALWAYS yield a bigger result than no action.

    It’s essential to take consistent action, implement what you’ve learned and put yourself out there in the marketplace.

    But action alone is not enough.

    Feedback from a trained eye is equally crucial. Just like a GPS provides instant feedback, having a mentor or coach who understands sales can guide you along your journey.

    They can help you navigate potential roadblocks and offer valuable insights that you will not be aware of until you hit that wall around the bend. They foresee the signs and recalculate your path within a blink of an eye.

    The power of tapping into unseen potential

    At each stage of sales competence, there are a few critical adjustments that, when implemented, can unlock your unseen potential and propel you to even greater heights.

    It then becomes about working smarter, not harder.

    Understanding the four stages of competence in sales and each skill set of sales provides valuable insight into your journey of growth as a sales professional or entrepreneur.

    By recognizing where you are on this continuum, you can take deliberate steps to progress toward mastery. And remember, it’s essential to seek feedback, embrace continuous learning and take consistent action in each stage.

    The journey to sales mastery may be challenging, but the rewards are well worth it. Embrace the adventure, and unleash your full sales potential!

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    Nina Concepcion

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  • What Separates the Best From the Rest in Technology Sales?

    What Separates the Best From the Rest in Technology Sales?

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Acquiring new customers and retaining existing ones in the technology space is tough. It’s a lengthy sales cycle, competition is stiff, and you’re dealing with decision-makers from up, down and across the organization. And there’s always at least one executive barking that familiar, dogged refrain: “Show. Me. The. ROI.”

    All of this means your salespeople need to be at the top of their game. As to what separates the best from the rest in technology sales, the RAIN Group Center for Sales Research conducted a global study on the skills and behaviors of top performers. Here’s some of what was uncovered:

    Related: The 10 Traits Every Good Salesperson Has in Common

    What characterizes a top performer in technology sales?

    Before I dig into the skills and behaviors, let’s be clear on what defines a top performer in technology sales. They do the following:

    Not surprisingly, salespeople earn top-performer status by winning more business. The average win rate of top performers in technology is 74% compared to only 47% for “the rest.” As such, top performers are more difficult to find. In our study, they represent only 20% of respondents. Most technology sellers (80%) belong in “the rest.”

    Related: 3 Traits High Performing Sales Reps Have That Average Sales Reps Don’t

    The 6 greatest differences between the best and the rest

    So, what sales skills should you look for in technology sales reps? More importantly, what skills most differentiate top performers and the rest? Our study found that the best sellers are much more likely to excel at these six specific skills and behaviors:

    • 2x more likely to focus on their agenda, not reacting to and getting derailed by others

    • 2x more likely to present overall value cases compellingly and persuasively

    • 2x more likely to tell good stories when selling

    • 2x more likely to have coaching to lead masterful sales conversations

    • 1.9x more likely to change habits when needed to improve results

    • 1.8x more likely to avoid distraction

    Three important themes emerge from this data:

    1. Driving productivity

    Three of the top six skills and behaviors relate to productivity. Top performers are much more likely to stay focused on their agenda, adapt their habits when needed and remain impervious to distraction.

    Despite the data, we see too little focus on productivity in the sales space. If you’re looking for top performers in technology sales, look for a track record of accountability, proactivity and time management.

    2. Effective coaching

    Top performers are much more likely to have managers who excel at coaching them to lead masterful sales conversations. They have the tools to succeed with virtual selling, too.

    Across the board, we found that top-performing sales managers in technology are more likely to have better coaching skills. The No. 1 sales management and coaching skill most separating top performers from the rest is “Coaching sellers to lead masterful sales conversations.” Indeed, top performers (47%) are significantly more likely to excel here compared to the rest (23%).

    The fact is sales are won and lost in the conversations sellers have with buyers. When sellers receive the coaching they need to lead effective conversations, it translates to results. To that end, sales managers should participate in ride-a-longs, listen to recordings of sales conversations and participate in simulations with their sellers.

    3. Making the case

    The second largest gap between top performers in technology sales and the rest is the ability of top performers to make a compelling value case. And this is not just about presenting an ROI case. There are five cases a seller must make to influence buyers:

    1. Priorities: Sellers need to influence buyers that this is important and worthy of the priority list.

    2. Approaches: Sellers need to show that this is the right approach to solving their problem. This is where telling good stories comes into play. Sellers who do this well show how their approach has worked for others and can and will work for the buyer.

    3. Return on investment: Most sellers talk about ROI, but few are skilled in making a strong ROI case. In fact, only 16% of buyers report that sellers are effective at making a powerful ROI case. This leaves a lot of room for improvement for most sellers.

    4. Decisions: Too many sales are lost to no decision. Sellers need to influence and persuade buyers to act.

    5. Partners: Sellers need to make the case that they are the best partner to help the buyer succeed. Relationships and value come into play here. The more value a seller can provide in the sales process and the stronger the relationship they’re able to build, the more likely the buyer will view them as the preferred partner.

    Related: 5 Tricks to Instantly Connect With Any Sales Prospect

    Final word: When it comes to B2B tech sales, trust the data

    To overcome the challenges of selling technology, your team needs to make finding and cultivating top performers a core competency. The data research clearly shows that people who know how to sell technology do things differently. They:

    • Stay focused on their priorities

    • Make persuasive value cases

    • Tell good stories

    • Have solid coaching

    • Adapt their habits as needed

    • Avoid distraction

    That’s the data-backed rubric for better tech salespeople. How does your team stack up?

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    Andy Springer

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  • How Small Businesses Are Teaming Up to Boost Local Economies

    How Small Businesses Are Teaming Up to Boost Local Economies

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    It’s no secret that small businesses face challenges on a daily basis. Current supply chain woes need all levels of attention as problems arrive in every shape and size. Small businesses are seeking many – often any – opportunities to help keep their lights on and doors open.


    mavo | Shutterstock

    The gap between businesses thriving, surviving, and boarding-up windows is a fine line.

    The incredible challenges over the last few years brought rapid innovation and adoption of new technologies to supply chains, which has helped small businesses purchase essential supplies to keep operations up and running.

    Small businesses make up the fabric of local communities and keep main streets populated and vibrant. Big business also plays a role in developing technology and solutions on a scale that reflects the scale of the challenge – in this case, global supply issues creating challenges at every level of business.

    When it comes to the challenges that small businesses continue to face with remote work and ongoing supply chain disruption, there is an opportunity for small businesses to partner with other small and local businesses to help survive the economic climate, while also supporting their local community.

    Strength in numbers

    One of the first steps is to help small and local businesses connect with one another. This is where new technology and innovation help the local business community get in touch, with a mutually beneficial purpose: to buy from each other.

    Innovation from digital purchasing solutions helps small businesses make a greater impact on the local community. Current technology can help direct the purchase of products and supplies to (other) small businesses in the local community

    All businesses have a unique story to tell. Ask any business owner and they’re sure to award your curiosity with their tales of success and hardship.

    Survival of the smartest

    Many people are familiar with the words “Smart TV” or “Smart Phone”, while less people know “SMART” stands for Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. SMART objects and processes have gained awareness where they were once considered inanimate.

    Not only have advances in technology brought new efficiencies to the purchasing process for small businesses, but the benefits of innovation and digital procurement solutions have introduced a variety of fresh ideas and approaches from this resulting innovation.

    Using digital procurement solutions not only enables small businesses to more easily pinpoint cost savings, reveal opportunities, and turn insights into action, but business leaders get time back to invest in organizational strategy and business growth.

    Small businesses can leverage the power of machine learning technology and use these solutions to find and purchase business products from other small and local businesses. In turn, this helps their small business community and local economy.

    Exclusive pricing and products

    Digital procurement solutions simplify the buying process, helping small businesses easily purchase business-relevant products while shifting spend to support other small and local businesses.

    Businesses can shop from hundreds of thousands of sellers, buy products in bulk, and access quantity discounts on supplies, which starts with the purchases of two or more of the same products.

    The purchasing platform does the work of finding, retaining, and nurturing suppliers. Businesses can then create buying policies to prefer sellers based on criteria that match the company’s values and goals, choosing suppliers with certifications for diversity, local businesses, and more sustainable products.

    Simplify and organize purchases

    Organizational purchasing goals can be proactively measured by tracking purchases of products from certified local businesses and can also be filtered by certification, zip code, city, and state.

    Once small businesses can locate and purchase products from other small and local businesses, the process becomes simple and repeatable. This allows small business owners to introduce more organization to their purchasing, while also benefiting from a more simplified purchasing process, overall.

    Small businesses can now easily separate work from personal purchases, automate buying and shipping preferences, create out-of-the-box reports, and streamline the entire procurement process.

    From building to booming:

    Current innovations in purchasing can help identify purchasing behavior, discover new products and sellers, and measure progress toward purchasing goals. Small businesses can continue to focus on building and growing, along with pinpointing opportunities for savings, while also helping support other businesses in their communities.

    Whether your small business is a recent startup or a quickly-growing organization, digital procurement solutions help make running your small business easier while connecting you with other small businesses. As a collective, you can keep lights on throughout both your digital and physical “Main Street” which, in turn, benefits your own small business.

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  • How Going on 3 Dates a Week Improved My Sales Skills

    How Going on 3 Dates a Week Improved My Sales Skills

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    As I entered my 20s at the beginning of 2021, I decided to move out of my parents’ house. I wanted to start fresh socially and move somewhere far away from home. Fast-forward six months, and I’ve successfully moved from Atlanta, Georgia to Provo, Utah. When I arrived in Provo, I had no friends. Even though there are two significant universities down the street, I realized that I had to put myself out there and meet new people.

    To do this, I set a goal to meet two new people a day. Not only did this allow me to make new friends, but I naturally crossed paths with people I was compatible with. Some of these people, I asked out on dates.

    Keep in mind, while I was growing up, I never went on any dates — so I had no dating experience. But after meeting two new people a day, not only did I start going on dates, but as a byproduct, I ended up improving my sales skills by accident. Here are three important things I learned from my experience:

    Related: Take Your Sales Skills to the Next Level With These 5 Simple Steps

    1. Everything comes down to timing

    One of the first lessons I learned from going on three dates a week is that everything comes down to timing. Not just timing as in being ready for a relationship or marriage but also when it comes juggling the timing between school, work, family, travel and so many other factors.

    This is why I am obsessed with email marketing. Email marketing sounds lame and old, but it takes advantage of one key thing: catching people at the right time. This is why weekly email blasts are so powerful.

    Someone who is not interested today could be ready to buy six months down the road. You just have to be consistent and catch them at the right time. Because of this insight, I’ve spent a lot of time learning how I can maximize email marketing within my business. Once I have email marketing mastered, I’ll next start looking into other advanced retargeting methods.

    2. Not everyone is interested

    Within the last year, I’ve been able to individually meet over 3,000 people (both guys and girls) because of my goal of meeting two new people each day. This includes learning their name and speaking with them for at least 2-3 minutes.

    After interacting with this many people around my age range, I quickly learned that not everyone is going to like me. When it comes to finding people you are compatible with, you have to play the numbers game until you find someone who likes you.

    I noticed that everything becomes easier when you find people who truly like you for who you are. This is not only true with dating but for just about everything else, including sales. All of my best customers came from people who were truly interested in what I had to offer. Some of them did require a push on the back to help them make the leap, but they were interested.

    Related: 6 Tried and Tested Methods to Improve Your Sales Skills

    3. How to ask great questions

    One thing dating has taught me is how to ask great questions. Icebreaker questions are nice, but after going on 100+ dates within the past year, you start wanting deeper and more meaningful interactions.

    You want to understand people’s pasts and how it shaped them into the person they are today. You want to understand their thought process, how they handle conflict, etc. You slowly start appreciating the internal more than the external.

    To uncover the internal attributes, you must learn to ask great questions and become a good listener. All of my first dates are meaningful coffee shop dates where we get to learn about each other’s life stories. Some of the questions I love asking are:

    • Why did your last relationship end, what did you learn from it? How has it shaped you into the person you are today?

    • What are red/green flags you look for when dating?

    • What is your relationship like with your family?

    • What is your defining moment?

    • What are your dealbreakers?

    • How do you handle conflict?

    Learning to take time to understand someone and ask the right kinds of questions truly has helped me improve my sales skills exponentially. It allowed me to understand the customer’s pain point and provide them with the best solution that will fix their problem.

    Related: The 3 Most Important Skills in Sales

    As someone who had never dated previously, going on three dates a week for the past year has taught me so much. Not only did I build a lot of relationship-building skills, but I was also able to greatly improve my social and sales skills as a bonus.

    I don’t recommend going on three dates a week, though. It is exhausting emotionally and financially, but thankfully, I was able to learn a lot from it. What you should do is make an attempt to meet new people as often as you can. Doing so will teach you the importance of timing, help you understand and accept that not everyone is interested, and allow you to ask better questions as your sales skills improve.

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    Dejon Brooks

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