The Sales Evangelist

You made five hundred cold calls in one day. In four hundred calls, no one answered, and in another fifty, the potential clients said a hard no.

In twenty-five calls, you received maybes; in the last twenty-five calls, the potential buyers said yes.

With you making so many calls in one day, you figured more people would say yes. This is why so many sales representatives believe cold calling is dead.

Bust, honestly, it’s not. It’s just the old methods of cold calling are dead. In this episode of “The Sales Evangelist Podcast,” host Donald Kelly speaks with guest Gabe Lullo about the new cold calling techniques.

Gabe shares his expertise and insights on cold calling, sales strategies, and staying relevant in the ever-evolving sales landscape. Discover the importance of relevant messaging, personalization, human touch, and effective communication in this insightful episode.

Is Cold Calling Dead?

• Addressing the prevalent debate, Gabe firmly asserts that cold calling is far from dead.
• Supported by data and real-life experience, he emphasizes the effectiveness of cold calling in qualification, call-to-action, and appointment setting, debunking the myths surrounding its relevance in the current sales environment.

Modern Sales Approach

• Gabe stresses the importance of an omnichannel approach, integrating call, email, and social platforms to establish meaningful and relevant connections with prospects. 
• He emphasizes the need for high-volume activity paired with a relevant message, highlighting the power of personalization and the human touch in driving engagement.

Strategies for Relevant Messaging

• Gabe delves into the nuances of crafting relevant messaging, emphasizing the importance of relevance over mere personalization. 
• He shares insights on identifying and leveraging data providers to tailor messages according to the prospects’ specific verticals and ICPs, and the significance of using technology for optimizing communication channels.

The Role of Human Touch and Empathy

• The conversation explores how human touch, empathy, and personalized, relevant communication set sales professionals apart in the current market. 
• Gabe emphasizes the need to sound like a human, not an AI bot, illustrating how to engage prospects effectively and foster genuine connections.

Optimizing Sequencing

• Gabe challenges the traditional sequence approach, advocating for a burst of activities across multiple channels rather than drawn-out, segmented sequences. 
• He highlights the significance of engagement and conversation to drive effective communication, emphasizing the need to adapt and modernize sales strategies.

Mastering the Cold Call

• Gabe shares valuable insights into mastering the art of cold calling, stressing the need for extensive training and knowledge of objection handling. 
• Understanding and anticipating objections empowers sales professionals to navigate conversations effectively and win at cold calling.

In this power-packed episode, Gabe provides invaluable insights into the world of cold calling and contemporary sales strategies. Listeners gain practical strategies for staying relevant, fostering engagement, and mastering the art of cold calling in the ever-evolving sales landscape.

Remember, cold calling isn't dead, and with the right approach,  it remains a critical tool in the modern sales professional's arsenal. Discover how to use cold calling the right way in this TSE Podcast episode. 

“Well, first off, cold calling is absolutely not dead. And I don't come to these calls with opinions because I think opinions are not really valuable. I come with data and stats, right? Our reps are making tens of thousands of phone calls per day. And we have a lot of close friends who have very large organizations in which we've built their in-house teams or at least assisted. And so we know what they're doing, too. Thousands of data points and calls have shown us that the phone is still the ultimate weapon for qualification, getting a call to action, and getting an appointment on the calendar.” - Gabe Lullo. 

Resources

Gabe Lullo on LinkedIn

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

How can you interact with potential buyers (especially enterprise clients) that encourage a dialogue? After all, landing the sale isn’t the only part of the equation; you first have to get their attention! In today’s episode of The Sales Evangelist, Donald is joined by Dr. Stephen Timme and Melody Astley to discuss their recent book Insight-Led Selling, which details how to learn how buyers think.

But first, why did they write a book?

• Ultimately, Stephen and Melody wanted to create a resource their clients and community could utilize.
• It’s harder than ever to sell to enterprise sellers (yes, people say that every year. But it’s true!) And COVID-aside, the subscription-based economy is growing.
• There are more stakeholders than ever before in traditional buying processes. At the same time, implementation costs for platforms are lower, making it easier to switch between service providers.

They interviewed many executives to see how they felt about sales. 

• From AT&T, Coca-Cola, Proctor and Gamble, and even Honey-Baked Hams, Stephen and Melody interviewed executives to learn firsthand how they felt about salespeople. (If you were curious, Honey-Baked Hams didn’t even give them coupons. We’re just as disappointed as you are.)
• They asked one simple question: what could sellers do better? Below were the three overwhelming responses:
• First, tell me something I don’t know.
• Second, how does what you’re selling align with my goals and strategies.
• Third, make my life easy (and don’t give me a 30-page proposal.)

Personalization is more than inserting the name of each person in an email blast. 

• It’s developing a point of view that is interesting to the person you’re talking to.
• Hold on, let’s say that again for those who missed it: spend a moment to develop a point of view interesting to the person you’re talking to.
• As a sales leader, we expect output from our BDRs. But we can’t do this and expect results from a spray-and-pray method. The game has changed.

How can you implement these sales techniques?

• For publicly-traded companies, you have access to specific financial figures; use that to align your selling proposition with their capabilities. 
• Explain the “how” you can help them before you can get into the “how much.” 
• For sales leaders, equip your salespeople with the specialized knowledge they might need. 
• You can self-learn if you feel unsupported by your organization, or (and an even better strategy), ask your organization for support.

Their final takeaway? Understanding the language of how a customer speaks (and relating that to financial objectives) is a skill that will last the rest of your career.  Insight-Led Selling is available for purchase on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. To contact Melody and Stephen, reach out at info@finlistics.com or connect on their business’s LinkedIn page. (Or connect directly with Stephen and Melody.)

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

Oh no! It’s happening again.

The biggest search engines are making changes. But, this time, it’s to protect people’s email accounts. Sellers sending out over 500 emails per day may want to stop because there will be repercussions for doing so. 

In this episode of "The Sales Evangelist Podcast," host Donald Kelly addresses the recent strict changes announced by Yahoo and Google regarding email outreach. 

How will these changes affect your sales approach? What are the limits to how many emails can you send now? 

Tune in to this week’s episode and learn how to adapt to these recent changes.

Understanding Yahoo and Google's Changes

• Donald breaks down the changes announced by Yahoo and Google, highlighting that bulk senders who dispatch more than 5000 emails per day must adapt to align with the heightened requirements. 
• These changes aim to shield end users from spam and potential security risks associated with excessive unsolicited emails.

Insights Derived from Mailgun

• Referencing insights from Mailgun, Donald delves into the implications for sales professionals and how these changes impact their outreach strategies. 
• He emphasizes that aligning with the standards enforced by Google and Yahoo is essential for safeguarding email deliverability and maintaining a positive sender reputation.

Essential Practices for Email Outreach

• Donald outlines three crucial elements that sales professionals must prioritize to navigate the evolving email outreach landscape. 
• These include authenticating emails, enabling easy unsubscribe options, and sending targeted emails that cater to recipients' interests and preferences.

Implications for Sales Professionals

• Addressing the potential impact on sales professionals, Donald discusses the nuances of these changes for individual contributors and organizations. 
• He stresses the importance of adherence to email authentication practices, particularly for organizations with multiple sales representatives engaged in outbound email activities.

Technical Requirements for Email Authentication

• Donald elucidates the technical aspects of maintaining compliance with Google and Yahoo's email-sending policies. 
• He emphasizes the need to implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC measures to uphold authentication standards for domains exceeding the 5000-email threshold.

Adapting to Enhance Relevance and Impact

• Drawing parallels between the evolving email outreach landscape and the need for enhanced creativity and relevance, Donald underscores the importance of crafting substantive and impactful communications. 
• He stresses the need for sales professionals to establish reference points, leverage referrals, align with recipient interests, and ensure a respectful and relevant approach.

Embracing a Thought Leadership Mindset

• Encouraging sales professionals to adopt a thought leadership mindset, Donald emphasizes the importance of focusing on individual buyers' specific needs and challenges. 
• He advocates for aligning communications with potential impacts on the buyer's role or responsibilities, thus enhancing the relevance and impact of outreach efforts.

Donald urges listeners to elevate their sales game and take advantage of the resources and sponsors highlighted in the episode. He offers valuable guidance for sales professionals seeking to adapt to the changes in email outreach and elevate their approaches to securing quality sales opportunities in a shifting landscape.

Resources

TSE LinkedIn Prospecting Course

MailGun Update on Gmail and Yahoo

"Slow the game down. Don't rush, don't stress. When there's a breakaway by far, go ahead and take that breakaway. Take that shot. But right now, let's slow the game down. Let's play the field and increase the chances of us scoring" - Donald Kelly.

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

In this episode of the TSE podcast, host Donald Kelly speaks with development lead Brain Liebel from Ambition. They dive deep into the rhythms of successful sales strategies and performance to redefine the sales approach. 

Donald and Brian unpack the essence of human interaction in sales, the strategic 'snowball effect' of building a robust sales pipeline, and how to turn data from sales conversations into tactical gold. Let's sift through the invaluable insights from this rich discussion.

Human Interaction: The Core of Sales

• In today's world, where automation and technology are prevalent, the importance of human connection can sometimes be underestimated. However, Brian underscores the irreplaceable value of human-to-human interaction, especially during the initial conversations in the sales pipeline. 
• Using analogies from lead utilization, he emphasizes the need for salespeople to focus on engagements ready to blossom instead of wasting potential opportunities.

Creating a Documented Sales Process

• Drawing from his expertise, Brian advises having a carefully documented process within sales teams. This cornerstone allows for iteration and implementation of tactical solutions, moving beyond the often insufficient directive of simply 'putting in more effort.' 
• The systematic approach is about leveraging every lead and conversation to build a 'snowball' that grows over time - a strategy that becomes increasingly more potent as insights and data are collected.

The Role of Ambition and Networking

• Brian shares his experience with Ambition, a sales coaching and performance management platform. This tool exemplifies the integration of data-driven strategy into everyday sales tasks. 
• Additionally, Brian extends an offer to connect on LinkedIn, allowing listeners to delve into sales discussions and gain further insights from a well-established industry leader.

Organization in Prospecting

• Brian stresses the importance of organization in prospecting. He offers actionable advice on maintaining accurate data, imperative for evaluating performance and strategizing more effectively. 
• He outlines four vital administrative tasks: transcribing notes at an account level, implementing a tagging system, devising customizable queries, and updating the conversation timeline.

Deep Dive into Tagging Systems

• A specific focus was given to the tagging system, with Brian explaining that a balance is required in the number of tags used. This balance ensures that the system aids the organization without becoming overly complicated. 
• Such a system assists in categorizing follow-ups, creating a more efficient path to revisit prospects.

The 'Snowball Effect' of Sales Conversations

• Brian breaks down the 'snowball effect,' offering concrete statistics gathered from the Bridge group detailing the monthly average quality conversations salespeople have. 
• He also illuminates the conversion rate of these interactions and the long-term value of conversations that don't immediately result in meetings. This is a testament to the importance of viewing every conversation as a stepping stone to eventual success.

Collecting Sales 'Gold Flakes'

• To harness the full potential of conversations, Brian advocates keeping logs of critical data points post-discussion. 
• He shares his tagging method for optimizing follow-up actions, such as tagging direct dials and follow-up dates. 
• Additionally, the speakers recommend creating touchpoints on LinkedIn and sending follow-up emails to help prospects remember the interaction, likening the process to collecting small gold flakes that accumulate into a valuable reserve over time.

Gratitude for Insights

• As the discussion wrapped up, both speakers exchanged gratitude, highlighting the importance of sharing knowledge and appreciation in the sales community. 
• These moments of connection nurture professional relationships and foster a supportive atmosphere where learning and development can thrive.

Donald and Brian agree that the meticulous process of cold prospecting, akin to sifting for gold, makes top-of-the-funnel activities enjoyable and fruitful. Sales professionals can elevate their pipelines by making every piece and interaction count and relish the journey toward a rewarding outcome. Join us for the next episode of “The Sales Evangelist” as we continue to uncover the art and science behind effective sales strategies.

“How do you take all of this data and turn it into a tactical way to execute and return to these prospects you spoke to? You learned something, but it wasn't the right time to meet. What do you do with that? I think with a lot of salespeople is we're always looking to be a wordsmith on the phone or have the craftiest subject line or level up our training and seek all of this external flash. Right. All these flashy sales things. Organization and efficiency are two of the very unspoken things in the world right now. The best prospectors are when it comes to documenting all of these things that we do.” - Brian Liebel. 

Resources

Ambition 

Brian Liebel on LinkedIn

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

In this episode of the Sales Evangelist podcast, host Donald C. Kelly explores the common pitfalls of salespeople and emphasizes the importance of understanding and providing what buyers truly want. By shifting the focus from selling to educating, sales professionals can build trust, provide valuable insights, and ultimately close more deals.

Common Mistakes Made by Salespeople

• Donald highlights the tendencies of salespeople to rely on automated emails and fail to listen to buyers' needs truly. 
• He also underscores the issue of pushing products or services onto buyers without understanding their actual requirements. 
• These common missteps contribute to a lack of trust between sales professionals and their potential clients.

The Essence of Selling

• By redefining the essence of selling, Donald emphasizes the importance of persuading someone of the merit of a solution rather than simply pushing products or services. 
• He delves into the concept of buyers seeking solutions to their problems, as opposed to being pitched generic offerings.

The Desire for Education

• A key insight from Donald is the revelation that buyers crave education and seek out sales professionals who can serve as industry authorities. 
• Salespeople can capture potential clients' trust and interest by providing relevant insights and foresight.

Shifting from Selling to Educating

• Donald encourages a strategic shift from selling to educating, urging sales professionals to focus on mastering their industry and understanding the recurring problems buyers face.
• By adopting the role of an industry guide, sales professionals can effectively educate and provide solutions tailored to the specific needs of potential clients.

Practical Strategies for Success

• The episode offers actionable strategies for sales professionals, such as analyzing the commonalities and differences among their top clients to identify key drivers behind successful deals. 
• It is through these insights and foresight that sales professionals can engage buyers in meaningful conversations and educate them effectively.

Harnessing the Power of LinkedIn

• Donald shares insights into leveraging LinkedIn as a powerful tool for educating potential clients and building a robust sales pipeline. 
• He emphasizes the impact of educational content in attracting and engaging potential clients, thereby facilitating business growth.

In this insightful episode, Donald Kelly delivers valuable guidance for sales professionals seeking to enhance their approach and effectively meet the needs of potential clients. Be sure to explore the LinkedIn program and subscribe to the podcast to help enhance your sales skills more.

[Tweet "Sellers are selling, while buyers or potential buyers are looking for education. They're looking to be taught. They're craving to be taught. They're not looking to talk to another salesperson.” - Donald Kelly."]

Resources

TSE LinkedIn Prospecting

Donald C. Kelly on LinkedIn

Sponsorship Offers

• This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

• This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

• This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

What inspires you to be the best sales representative in your company? Is it to take a vacation to Hawaii? 

Is it to earn enough to buy your significant other a horse? Or maybe you just want to have money and live comfortably. 

Despite naming off different common wants most people want in their lives, many salespeople don’t know what they really want. So, how do you dig deeper into your wants and discover your real desires?

In this episode of the TSE podcast, host Donald Kelly speaks with Travis Ashby, a seasoned sales professional, on the deeper desires of salespeople beyond monetary incentives. Travis shares his journey of finding his purpose and how it led him to create a platform that helps sales leaders understand and support their team's goals and ambitions.

The Changing Landscape of Sales Incentives

• Travis highlights how the world of sales has evolved, particularly in light of recent events like COVID and the "great resignation." 
• He explains that today, salespeople are looking for more than just a paycheck, and leaders must adapt their approach to motivate and retain their sales teams.

Going Beyond Transactional Motivation

• Travis emphasizes that monetary incentives and transactional rewards such as gift cards, cash bonuses, and swag have historically driven sales. 
• However, he believes that true motivation and happiness in sales come from aligning personal goals with company objectives.

Helping Sales Reps Discover their True Desires

• Travis reveals that when asked about their goals, many sales reps struggle to articulate their desires beyond surface-level wants like money or a vacation. 
• He emphasizes the importance of leaders taking the time to dig deep and understand what truly brings happiness and fulfillment to each team member's life.

The Power of Public Goals and Accountability

• By visualizing and sharing their goals with others, salespeople experience a sense of accountability and support. 
• Travis introduces his concept of an "inspiration engine," a tool that helps individuals analyze their personal happiness equation and take actionable steps toward their goals.
• When others are aware of these goals, they can offer assistance, encouragement, and hold individuals accountable for their progress.

The Value of "Sacred Money"

• Travis shares a personal story about his mother's passing and the lessons he learned from it. 
• He explains the concept of "sacred money" – money intentionally set aside for things that bring happiness and fulfillment. 
• By adopting this mindset, sales reps can align their financial resources with their deepest desires, whether it's surprising a loved one, pursuing a passion, or overcoming obstacles.

Fostering a Culture of Care

• Travis emphasizes the importance of managers caring about their sales team members' personal and professional aspirations. 
• He encourages leaders to ask meaningful questions about their team's happiness equation, helping them uncover what truly matters and taking steps to support their goals.

Travis concludes the episode by highlighting the need for trust between companies and employees. He introduces "WorkLyfe," a platform that acts as a third-party intermediary, fostering trust and privacy while facilitating the alignment of personal and company goals. By encouraging a communal approach to supporting individual goals, WorkLyfe aims to revolutionize sales leadership and create happier, more fulfilled sales teams.

“When I ask someone that question, or when a manager asks reps that question, I'd say 70% of the time, the reps have no idea. I don't know. And so they need help figuring that out.” - Travis Ashby.

Resources

Worklyfe.io

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

When was the last time you did something nice for someone? Did you notice how their eyes shine bright like a diamond? 

How about their smile? Did it become as big as the Grand Canyon?

When people become this happy from others making nice gestures, it creates a warm feeling they’ll never forget. This is why sales representatives should take advantage of this, and Donald Kelly is here to tell you why.

In this episode of The Sales Evangelist podcast, Donald explores the importance of showing appreciation to prospects and clients as a sales professional. Listen to this special Thanksgiving episode for seven powerful ideas to help you build stronger and lasting client relationships. 

Utilize LinkedIn Sales Navigator

• Donald recommends creating a list on LinkedIn that includes all of your customers and prospects. This lets you be notified whenever they change jobs, get promoted, or leave their company. 
• Acknowledging these developments and sending a personalized message demonstrates that you care about your client's success.

Put Them on Blast

• Highlighting your clients on social media platforms such as LinkedIn is a powerful way to show appreciation.
• Posting about their achievements, charity work, or unique offerings not only acknowledges and recognizes them, but also boosts their visibility and reputation. 
• This gesture can go a long way in building stronger relationships and fostering goodwill.

Consider Appropriate Gifts

• While gifts may not be suitable for all industries or clients, sending a thoughtful gift can leave a lasting impression for those where it is feasible. 
• Be mindful of any restrictions or guidelines and choose a gift that aligns with the client's interests or preferences. 
• A small gesture, such as a fruit basket or an edible arrangement, can go a long way in showing appreciation.

Offer Referrals

• Actively seek opportunities to refer your clients to others in your network. 
• Your efforts to connect them with potential prospects show you value their business and believe in their products. 
• Referrals can lead to long-term partnerships and significant business growth, making this strategy a win-win for both parties.

Send Personalized Emails

• A simple, heartfelt email can go a long way in showing appreciation. 
• Craft a personalized message expressing your gratitude for their support and how much you value their partnership. 
• Keep the email genuine and focus solely on expressing gratitude without any sales pitch or ulterior motive. 
• This gesture will leave a positive impression and show that you genuinely care about your client's success.

Consider Upgrades

• Consider offering upgrades to higher tiers or additional features for loyal and exceptional clients. This shows that you recognize their value and are willing to invest in their success. 
• Offering upgrades not only enhances their experience with your product or service but also encourages them to advocate for your brand, potentially leading to additional revenue.

Donate to Charities

• Research the charitable organizations that your clients support or are passionate about.
• Donate to those organizations on your clients ' behalf during specific times of the year or trigger events and inform them about it. 
• This not only demonstrates your commitment to social responsibility but also showcases your attentiveness to their interests beyond business transactions.
• If you would like to show appreciation to Donald, consider donating to his favorite charity, A Bed for Me.

In this episode, Donald Kelly emphasizes the importance of appreciating prospects and clients as a sales professional. By incorporating these strategies throughout the year, sales professionals can strengthen relationships, build trust, and pave the way for long-term success. Remember, a little gesture of appreciation can go a long way in positively impacting both your business and the lives of those you serve.

"Show your appreciation. Your words matter. These are simple gestures from you for sending that email. Just because. You are absolutely amazing. I just want to send you an email and tell you thank you. No tricks, no gimmicks here. It's a pleasure working with you." - Donald Kelly.

Resources

A Bed for Me Foundation 

Donald C. Kelly on LinkedIn

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

What’s the number one skill you need to make it as a sales professional?

Do you know?

It’s self-confidence. If you don’t have the confidence to sell your services or products, how do you expect potential customers to buy from you?

Of course, developing self-confidence is easier said than done, and many people struggle with it. However, if you listen to this special episode of the TSE podcast, you’ll gain knowledgeable insight on becoming mentally tough for the sales industry.

Host Donald Kelly speaks with guest Matt Phillips, a leadership coach, on how sales professionals can build mental toughness. Discover how you can prepare mentally for sales in this episode.

5 Elements of Mental Toughness

• Matt developed five elements to help sales professionals build mental toughness. These elements include:
• Self-belief: If you don’t believe in yourself, you won’t succeed in sales. Matt discusses the importance of self-belief and how it helps a sales rep.
• Focus: What are you focusing on right now, and is it helping your career? Sometimes distractions get in the way, and you have to shift your focus on what’s really important.
• Emotional control: You can't break down when things go wrong. When it happens, you must control your emotions to advance your career. 
• Energy: Your energy is essential to gaining clients as a sales professional. If you believe nothing good is coming your way, it won’t. Also, remember to be mindful of your energy at home, as it carries into the workplace.
• Consistent action: Try to develop a goal of out-reaching five times a day. Your consistency will help you build your pipeline and close more deals.

Prioritization and Focus in Sales and Leadership

• Matt prioritizes focusing on 3-4 key areas to drive the biggest results rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
• His wife keeps them focused on their priorities by asking if new ideas align with them, preventing them from getting off track. If you need help staying focused, consider asking someone for assistance.
• Matt emphasizes the importance of focus and simplicity in leadership and sales, suggesting that it simplifies decision-making and reduces FOMO (fear of missing out).
• Matt shares his personal experience with emotional reactions and teaches a methodology to prepare for and, ideally, react to difficult situations.

Emotional Control and Consistency in Sales

• Matt emphasizes the importance of emotional control and leveraging past experiences to stay focused and confident in sales.
• Donald agrees, highlighting the need to remember and leverage past successes for future success.
• Matt emphasizes the importance of consistency in caring for oneself, both at work and home, to maintain energy and positivity.
• He encourages listeners to focus on quality over quantity in their daily activities, such as making five quality outreaches a day instead of 100 calls that last only half a day.

Sales Leadership, Mindset, and Consistency

• Matt emphasizes the importance of simplicity in achieving sales goals, suggesting that taking consistent small actions is more effective than creating a complex plan.
• He advises against spending too much time on grandiose plans and instead recommends taking small, actionable steps toward sales goals.
• Using Tony Robbins's quote that we overestimate what we can accomplish in a year but underestimate what we can achieve in 10, Matt highlights the importance of small, consistent steps in sales leadership.

It’s amazing how having the right mindset can improve your life professionally and personally. For those who struggle with self-confidence and mental toughness, this episode of the TSE podcast is a must-listen. Also, for additional help, check out Matt’s free training and podcast for more insights on leadership, mindset, and mental toughness.

“If I'm confident in a situation, I have more emotional control.” - Matt Phillips.

Resources

Website: Matt Phillips Coaching

Podcast: The Matt Phillips Podcast

LinkedIn: Matt Phillips

Facebook: Matt Phillips Leadership Coaching 

Instagram: Matt Phillips Leadership Coaching

Youtube: Matt Phillips Leadership Coaching

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

With the rise of AI tools, most sales representatives utilize them to their advantage to help save time. However, the problem with using these tools is the risk of sounding too robotic and not coming across as genuine. 

In this profession, sales reps must be authentic to help them build relationships with potential customers. How can you use AI tools and still show up authentically every time with your clients?

In this episode of the TSE podcast, host Donald Kelly welcomes Carl Sajous, the sales director at HR tech company Fringe. Carl shares his insights on the importance of authenticity in sales and how building genuine relationships can lead to business success. He discusses the challenges of maintaining authenticity in the age of AI and offers practical tips for building relationships and closing deals. 

The Power of Authenticity in Sales

• Donald highlights the value of authenticity in sales and praises Carl for being genuinely passionate about his work. 

• Carl emphasizes the need to be true in every conversation and transaction. 

• He believes authenticity allows for deeper connections and meaningful relationships with prospects and clients.

Balancing AI and Authenticity

• The rise of AI technology has made sales processes more efficient, but it can also compromise authenticity. 

• Carl shares his perspective on using AI tools like Chat GPT to improve sales interactions. 

• He explains how he leverages AI to understand common industry talking points and stands out by offering unique insights and solutions.

The Importance of Active Listening

• Donald and Carl discuss the art of active listening as a crucial aspect of building relationships. 

• Carl emphasizes the need to listen attentively without preconceived notions. 

• Sales professionals can offer tailored solutions by genuinely understanding a prospect's struggles and pain points. 

• Carl encourages his team to use their ears more than their mouths, allowing them to absorb information and provide meaningful feedback.

Being Genuine in a Professional Setting

• Carl shares his experience of feeling pressured to act a certain way when starting B2B sales. 

• He reveals how he overcame the challenge of balancing professionalism and authenticity. 

• He developed stronger connections with his prospects and clients by being himself and maintaining professionalism.

Focusing on Relationship Building

• While closing deals is essential, Carl's primary focus is building relationships. 

• He shares a story about a deal that didn't go in his company's favor but resulted in three referral opportunities from the client. 

• Carl explains the importance of creating lasting relationships beyond a single transaction.

• By supporting clients even when there is no immediate benefit for his company, Carl fosters trust and opens doors for future opportunities.

Equipping Champions for Success

• Carl discusses the role of champions in sales. 

• Sales professionals can more effectively close deals by preparing and empowering champions to advocate for a solution. 

• Carl encourages his team to equip champions with all the necessary information, ensuring they are confident in sharing the value proposition and benefits of the product or service.

Providing Creative and Tailored Support

• Tailoring support and resources to fit the communication preferences of each individual is vital. 

• Carl emphasizes the need to adapt and provide various tools such as video demos, one-pagers, templates, and alternative communication channels like texting or video calls. This flexibility allows sales professionals to meet prospects' needs and build stronger connections.

The Mirror Technique

• Carl summarizes his insights with a powerful image of imagining a mirror before engaging with prospects and clients. 

• By recognizing yourself and staying true to your values and intentions, you can show up authentically and build trust with those you interact with. This authenticity paves the way for successful sales relationships.

Carl's emphasis on authenticity and building genuine relationships in sales is invaluable. By listening, understanding, and genuinely showing up as yourself, you can create meaningful connections that lead to successful transactions and long-term partnerships. Authenticity is the key to standing out in a sea of sales professionals and building a thriving sales career.

“Always imagine there's a mirror in front of you. When you do that, you show up authentically. You tell yourself the truth, and there's no one around to skew that. Showing up authentically means just being yourself, being there for the people in your life and in that transaction with you. That'll breed success in a major way.” - Carl Sajous.

Resources

Fringe.us 

carl@fringe.us

Carl Sajous on LinkedIn

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2. This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3. This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

In this episode of the TSE podcast, Lawrence, co-founder of Practice Lab, joins the show to discuss the importance of qualification in sales. He shares insights on determining the right people to bring into your sales pipeline and provides valuable tips on effective qualification techniques. 

Lawrence emphasizes the need for curiosity, asking impactful questions, and understanding potential customer's pain points. He explains the concept of "bucketing" prospects based on their awareness and urgency of the problem they must solve.

The Club Analogy and the Importance of Qualification 

• Lawrence uses the bouncer at a club analogy to emphasize the need to be selective about who enters your sales pipeline.

• He explains the difference between qualification and discovery, emphasizing that qualification is crucial at the beginning of the sales process.

• Lawrence emphasizes the need to avoid setting oneself up for failure by being too focused on meeting quota multiples rather than ensuring the quality of prospects.

Inverse Relationship Between Pipeline and Win Rate

• Lawrence presents an interesting observation that the win rate of a sales team often decreases as the size of the pipeline increases.

• He shares that teams with smaller, more qualified pipelines can achieve higher win rates.

• Lawrence encourages sellers to be ruthless in their qualification process to increase win rates and focus on prospects with more urgent and painful problems.

Leading with Curiosity and Natural Conversations 

• Lawrence discusses the importance of leading with curiosity for authentic and effective sales conversations.

• He advises sellers to ask questions that get potential customers to focus on their goals and desired outcomes rather than solely discussing product features.

• Lawrence stresses the need for active listening and conversations that don't feel like scripted checklists but genuine discussions.

Disqualification as a Sales Strategy

• Lawrence shares an approach from his experience at Apple, where he encouraged potential customers to disqualify themselves from the product if it didn't meet their specific needs.

• He explains that this approach helps prospects evaluate the value and urgency of their own problems, building stronger commitment if they choose to continue in the sales cycle.

• Lawrence highlights the importance of helping prospects disqualify themselves to ensure they present a strong case to their organization.

Practice Lab's Approach to Skill Improvement

• Lawrence explains that Practice Lab focuses on practicing specific sales skills and improving broader conversational and human interaction skills.

• He uses the analogy of Kobe Bryant taking tap dancing lessons to enhance his footwork, highlighting the value of practicing skills outside the direct sales realm.

• Lawrence emphasizes the importance of simulating realistic scenarios during practice sessions and measuring progress against a standard of excellence.

Qualification plays a crucial role in the sales process, determining the quality and success of a sales pipeline. Lawrence emphasizes the need for curiosity, effective questioning techniques, and peer feedback to improve qualification skills. 

He also advocates for realistic practice sessions focusing on broader conversational and human interaction skills to improve overall sales performance. By adopting these strategies, sales professionals can increase win rates and create stronger relationships with qualified prospects.

"One of the things that I've kind of noticed, and I don't see a lot of people talking about, is that there's almost an inverse of what your sales pipeline is to win rate." -Lawrence Wayne O’Connor.

Resources

ThePracticeLab

Lawrence@thepracticelab.com 

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2. This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3. This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

In this episode of the Sales Evangelist podcast, host Donald C. Kelly dives deep into the number one reason why prospecting on LinkedIn may not be working for you and, most importantly, how to fix it. Kelly breaks down the common challenges sales professionals face and offers practical steps to enhance prospecting efforts on LinkedIn. 

Understanding the Problem

• Kelly opens the episode by addressing the frustration of salespeople not receiving responses or appointments through LinkedIn. 

• He attributes this challenge to the focal point of prospecting efforts - the people being targeted.

Focusing on the Right Accounts

• The podcast outlines the importance of targeting accounts more inclined to purchase, emphasizing the concept of foresight in understanding buyer behavior. 

• Kelly suggests analyzing past successful deals to identify commonalities among the organizations, individuals, or industry trends, effectively creating a target account list based on these insights.

Leveraging Relationship Explorer

• Kelly highlights the value of using LinkedIn's Relationship Explorer feature to identify shared connections with targeted individuals within an organization. 

• This approach enables sales professionals to establish more meaningful and genuine connections, increasing the likelihood of engagement.

Embracing Foresight

• The episode stresses the significance of discerning potential buying signals, such as job changes within the target organization. 

• Kelly underscores that people who have recently changed roles are more likely to be open to making purchasing decisions, making them prime prospects for outreach.

Harnessing Alerts for Actionable Insights

• Kelly advises the strategic use of LinkedIn's alerts feature, which provides timely updates on the target accounts, including job changes, content sharing, and hiring activities. 

• This empowers sales professionals with actionable insights to engage with the right prospects on time.

Personalizing Connection Requests

• Kelly emphasizes the importance of crafting personalized connection requests based on the information gathered from LinkedIn. 

• By referencing shared experiences, posts, or geographical similarities, sales professionals can significantly increase the chances of accepting their requests.

Unlocking the Power of Warm Introductions

• The podcast emphasizes the potency of leveraging warm introductions, as individuals are more receptive to engaging with connections recommended or referred by mutual contacts. 

• Kelly advocates using this approach to establish credibility and rapport with target prospects.

Donald reinforces the significance of targeting the proper accounts on LinkedIn and leveraging foresight to drive effective prospecting outcomes. The episode delivers actionable insights and practical steps for sales professionals aiming to enhance their prospecting efforts on LinkedIn. 

“Those warm introductions are just like money. It is the bread and butter for LinkedIn because people have a higher chance of doing things with people recommended or referred to them.” - Donald Kelly.

Resources

Donald C. Kelly on LinkedIn

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2. This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3. This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

"Are you tired of your sales outreach falling flat and not getting the results you want? Well, you're not alone. 

Many sales reps miss out on a crucial aspect of their customers' buying behavior. In this episode of the Sales Evangelist podcast, host Donald C. Kelly emphasizes the importance of utilizing LinkedIn as a tool for generating sales opportunities and engaging with prospects. 

He highlights recent buyer behavior trends and provides insights on overcoming common challenges faced by sales professionals on LinkedIn. Listen to this week’s episode of the TSE podcast to hear a powerful strategy to maximize its potential.

Recognizing the Potential of LinkedIn 

• Many sales representatives acknowledge being present on LinkedIn for years without seeing significant business results.
• Donald acknowledges the frustration and attributes the lack of effectiveness to a failure in properly utilizing the platform.
• He encourages listeners to acknowledge that their prospects are active on LinkedIn and proposes that engagement is key to success.

Being an Active Participant 

• Donald points out that a common mistake on LinkedIn is observing and not actively participating.
• He urges sales professionals to break free from being wallflowers and actively engage with their network.
• Donald reveals the core strategy: posting at least one piece of content on LinkedIn every week.

Overcoming Excuses and Finding Topics 

• Donald dismisses the argument of lacking time as an excuse for not posting.
• He underscores that investing 15 minutes in creating a post is manageable for those actively pursuing new leads.
• To counter the issue of not knowing what to post about, Donald suggests reflecting on objections received during prospect conversations.
• He advises addressing objections in a post, giving practical examples to illustrate how to do it effectively.

Tailoring Content to Address Objections 

• Donald emphasizes the need to provide compelling reasons in response to objections.
• He advises sales professionals to dig deeper into objections to uncover the underlying concerns.
• Using a hypothetical scenario of selling a CRM to a prospect with an existing internal solution, Donald illustrates how to approach objections effectively.
• By addressing the deeper reasons behind objections, sales professionals can debunk misconceptions and provide compelling reasons for prospects to consider their solution.

Donald highlights the significant potential of LinkedIn as a platform for sales professionals to engage with prospects and generate new business opportunities. The key to overcoming common challenges and creating meaningful connections is to participate actively and consistently post relevant content.

Addressing objections in a compelling manner allows sales professionals to build trust and convert prospects into customers. Implementing these strategies on LinkedIn can yield remarkable results in expanding the sales pipeline and increasing close rates.

“I talked about this several places, but the data is also proving it because most of the buyers are tired of searching and clicking. What they're doing, however, is that they want to find stuff where they are. And the study has shown that 44% of buyers have said they are discovering new software and products via social media.” - Donald Kelly.

Resources

Donald C. Kelly on LinkedIn

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

Did you know that you can close a deal before the actual sales process?

Say what? That doesn’t make any sense.

Actually, it does. But for it to make sense, you must listen to this week’s episode of the TES podcast. In this episode, host Donald welcomes Carlos, a Dynamics and Business Application Specialist at Microsoft, to discuss the importance of internal buy-in for sales reps. 

Carlos shares his insights and experiences in navigating large organizations and building strong relationships with internal partners. He highlights the significance of trust and effective communication in securing warm leads and closing deals successfully.

Carlos' Role at Microsoft

• Carlos briefly explains his role as a dynamics and business application specialist at Microsoft, specifically focusing on the banking vertical. 

• In this position, Carlos collaborates with large banks to help solve operational and sales force issues using Microsoft's CRM tools and local platform. 

• He expresses his excitement and passion for his work at Microsoft and emphasizes the value he brings to the table through his expertise.

Understanding the Power of Internal Buy-In 

• Carlos emphasizes the significance of internal buy-in for sales reps. He highlights how sales professionals often struggle to realize the power of gaining support within the buyer's organization before closing a deal. 

• Carlos admits that he faced similar challenges when he started as a young sales rep, and he acknowledges that many others are still trying to figure out this process. 

The Significance of Internal Partnerships 

• Drawing from his 15 years of experience in various sales roles, Carlos emphasizes the importance of building alliances with internal partners. 

• As a specialist, Carlos is not the primary point of contact with customers. However, he realizes the significant impact of warm leads generated through strong relationships with internal partners in increasing the probability of closing deals successfully. 

• Carlos shares an example from his early days as a field sales rep at Bank of America, where he developed a fruitful partnership with a financial center manager. This partnership allowed Carlos to enhance his lead generation efforts and create a successful sales pipeline. 

• Trust, timeliness, and follow-through were key factors in building and sustaining such partnerships.

Success through Building Trust 

• Carlos explains how trust was pivotal in his relationship-building efforts with internal partners. By approaching his partnerships with humility and a genuine willingness to meet expectations, Carlos established a solid foundation for trust. 

• Through consistent communication, timely responses to leads, and transparent follow-ups, Carlos ensured that the internal partners were informed and involved in the entire sales process. 

• Carlos demonstrated his commitment to delivering value by prioritizing customer satisfaction, providing efficient service, and demonstrating integrity. His success in nurturing these partnerships led to multiple achievements, such as recognition in the Platinum Clubs at Bank of America.

Carlos emphasizes the significance of internal buy-in and the impact it can have on sales success. He encourages sales reps to prioritize building relationships with internal partners, being reliable, and displaying integrity throughout the sales process. Sales professionals can navigate large organizations and increase their chances of success by cultivating trust and delivering value.

"I learned quickly in my first sales role that I need to become friends with my customers. I'm sure everybody will agree a warm lead where there's a relationship with the customer is a lot better than a cold lead." - Carlos Oquendo Jr.

Resources

Carlos Oquendo Jr. on LinkedIn

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2. This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3. This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

You send hundreds of messages on LinkedIn every week, but you are still waiting for someone to get back to you. Maybe there’s one or two who have the courtesy of saying hello back to you, but it never goes any further than that.

As a sales representative, you know how important LinkedIn is to help you gain clients. However, if you’re not creating engaging conversations with prospects, it will be hard to build a pipeline.

In this episode of the TES podcast, host Donald Kelly shares five creative ways to do outbound with LinkedIn. Tune in and hear what he has to say.

Stop Sending Generic LinkedIn Requests

• You may find it easier to send basic messages stating who you are and what you can do for prospects. However, these types of LinkedIn messages often get ignored. 

• Instead, consider sending a personalized message to your prospective clients. This involves reviewing their profiles and seeing how to connect with them.

Don’t Just Care About Building Your Pipeline

• Yes, your goals are to gain clients and make money. But this shouldn’t be all you care about. People can sense this and will know if this is the only thing you’re worried about.

• Donald shares why sales reps should focus on building relationships with prospective clients. 

• Always remember that people crave connections. If your prospects have a positive relationship with you, they’re more likely to do business with you.

How to Send a Personalized Message on LinkedIn?

• Even if the person you’re speaking with turns out to be someone who you don’t work with, they may be some help later on. This is another reason why sales reps need to send personalized messages on LinkedIn.

• How can you do this?

• Ask questions: Once again, dig through their profiles and be curious about what they or their company share on LinkedIn.

• Engage on the platform: Don’t be a fly on the wall, and take the time to comment on the posts your connects share. It shows you’re genuinely interested in them and not just trying to take their money.

• Give compliments: If you see they’re doing good in something, compliment them. Donald discusses how complimenting prospects will help them engage more with you in the messages.

The goal of the TSE podcast is to help sales reps 3x their sales pipeline and close twice as many deals. Every week, we share two episodes to help sellers reach their goals. So, if you need help building your pipeline and closing deals, subscribe and listen to this episode.

“You need to make sure you strive to have some kind of genuine connection with human beings; people are craving that these days.” - Donald Kelly.

Resources

Donald C. Kelly on LinkedIn

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2. This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3. This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

Are you struggling to make meaningful connections with prospects in today's cluttered and noisy marketplace? If so, you're not alone.

In this episode of “The Sales Evangelist Podcast,” host Donald Kelly speaks with guest Matt Reuter, a senior director of Sales Development for RealPage. Matt shares valuable insights and strategies for increasing connection rates with prospects in today's competitive market. 

He highlights the challenges sellers face, particularly in terms of breaking through the clutter and noise, and offers practical tips to overcome these obstacles. Matt emphasizes the importance of smart and strategic activities, focusing on outcomes rather than sheer volume, and understanding the nuances of prospect behavior to maximize connection rates.

Craving Results

• Drawing inspiration from Tim Grover's book, Relentless, Matt emphasizes the significance of craving results and focusing on the right activities. 
• By understanding the desired outcomes and having a relentless drive to achieve them, sellers can channel their energy and efforts into activities that are more likely to yield positive results.

Understanding Your Prospect

• Matt emphasizes the need for sellers to take a step back and truly understand their prospects. This includes considering factors such as their industry, location, and daily routines. 
• Drawing from his experience working with diverse teams across different cities, Matt recognizes that work-life and business practices vary across regions. 
• Sellers can align their outreach efforts with prospects' preferences and schedules by understanding these nuances.

Optimizing Activity Timing

• To boost connection rates, Matt advises sellers to identify specific time slots when prospects are more likely to engage. 
• He suggests looking for gaps in the prospect's schedule, rather than bombarding them during peak meeting hours. 
• Choosing the right time to reach out, send an email, or connect on LinkedIn increases the chances of catching the prospect's attention and avoiding crowded inboxes and voicemails.

Working Smarter, Not Harder

• Matt encourages sellers to work smarter by focusing on the quality rather than the quantity of their activities. This means prioritizing meaningful interactions that are more likely to yield positive outcomes. 
• He cautions against wasting time on aimless calls and emails that do not result in connections. 
• Instead, sellers should invest their energy in activities that have a higher probability of success, based on their understanding of the prospect's preferences and behavior patterns.

Shifting the Metric

• Matt challenges the conventional emphasis on the number of calls or emails made and urges sellers to focus on the outcomes they desire. 
• Rather than simply counting the volume of activities, sellers should prioritize the desired results, be it setting up a meeting or securing a connection. This shift in mindset helps sellers prioritize their efforts and places the emphasis on achieving meaningful outcomes that drive success.

Autonomy and Empowerment

• Matt explains how he empowers his team to structure their day based on their understanding of the prospects they are targeting. 
• Rather than micromanaging their schedules, he encourages his team members to evaluate the buyer's behavior and align their activities accordingly. This autonomy allows sellers to make informed decisions on when and how to engage with prospects, thereby increasing their chances of establishing connections.

In this episode, Matt highlights the challenges faced by sellers in establishing connections with prospects. Through his insights and experiences, he discusses the importance of understanding the prospect's behavior, optimizing activity timing, and working smarter rather than harder. 

When sellers focus on results rather than sheer volume, they can increase their chances of success. Implementing these strategies can help sellers cut through the noise, break through the clutter, and ultimately build stronger connections with their prospects.

"Helping one seller fine-tune and improve their approach by even a quarter of a percent could result in millions of dollars for them and their company in the long run." -Matt Reuter

Resources

Matt Reuter on LinkedIn

Relentless by Tim Grover

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

Do you struggle with multithreading as a seller? Would you like a secret technique to help you develop relationships with decision-makers?

In this episode of "The Sales Evangelist Podcast," host Donald Kelly speaks with Spencer Muhonen on the concept of multithreading in sales and shares strategies and tactics for effectively implementing it. They provide insights based on their experience in the industry, offering valuable tips for BDRs and sellers looking to improve their pipeline and build relationships with multiple stakeholders.

Who Is Spencer Muhonen?

• Spencer is a senior tenured SDR for Awardco, a SaaS company based in Provo, Utah, that focuses on employee recognition and incentives. 

• He shares his role and highlights the importance of targeting traditional personas in prospecting, along with key internal champions in other departments to strengthen the case for sales.

Collaborating With the Sales Department

• Donald and Spencer emphasize the significance of multithreading in modern sales, as sellers must engage with multiple stakeholders throughout the buying journey. 

• They caution against ineffective approaches, such as cheesy sales tactics or simply blasting outreach to a list of focus accounts without a thoughtful strategy.

• Spencer defines multithreading as expanding outreach beyond traditional personas and titles, reaching out to key decision-makers in various departments to build credibility and enhance the pipeline.

• He explains that sales departments can be excellent sources of internal champions, as people in sales are often looking to grow their own pipelines. 

• Spencer highlights his willingness to have meetings with other sales professionals who approach him on LinkedIn, even knowing that he is not a decision-maker. This reciprocal approach can lead to strengthened relationships and mutual support.

Engaging With the Finance Department

• Donald and Spencer further discuss other effective multithreading strategies, such as contacting the finance department. 

• Spencer emphasizes the importance of vendor managers and their oversight of profitability and contracts. 

• By connecting with finance teams during the RFIs or RFPs process, sellers can build intrigue and gain intros to C-suite members. This approach is often overlooked but can yield significant benefits.

Personalizing Your Messages

• Both speakers address the issue of using the same message for multithreading prospects. Donald refers to it as "lazy selling" and asks Spencer for his approach.

• Spencer suggests personalizing the messaging, taking into account the specific context and pain points of each stakeholder. 

• Sellers can build trust and make a stronger impact by tailoring outreach to individual needs.

Building Internal Brand Champions

• Throughout the conversation, Donald and Spencer provide actionable advice and share their experiences to guide sellers in implementing effective multithreading strategies.

• They underline the importance of building relationships beyond traditional personas, leveraging networks in sales departments and finance teams, and personalizing outreach to engage stakeholders more effectively.

This episode of "The TSE Podcast" offers valuable insights to BDRs and sellers on the art of multithreading in sales. By expanding their reach and building relationships with various stakeholders, sellers can enhance their pipeline and increase the chances of closing deals. Through personalization, collaboration, and a strategic approach, sellers can navigate the complex sales landscape successfully.

"Expanding your outreach away from your traditional personas, titles that you would target when prospecting, and normal decision makers. There is a larger scheme of decision makers, but also key internal champions you can build from other departments that can strengthen your case and strengthen your pipeline long term to build credibility when it comes time for an account executive to have, hopefully, a closed deal." -Spencer Muhoner

Resources

Spencer Muhonen on LinkedIn

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2. This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3. This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

In the dynamic world of sales, the game has evolved. Gone are the days of relying on a single decision-maker to push a deal forward. Today, successful sales professionals understand the importance of engaging with multiple organizational stakeholders to secure the coveted win.

In this episode of “The Sales Evangelist Podcast,” host Donald speaks with sales expert Nick Reed Smith. They discuss the increasingly complex world of sales and how to manage multiple stakeholders in the buying process effectively. 

Nick shares his experience and strategies for multithreading deals, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with various decision-makers and influencers within an organization to increase the chances of closing a deal successfully. Join Donald and Nick as they dive into the art of multithreading and uncover helpful tips for sales professionals seeking to improve their techniques.

The Changing Dynamics of Sales Processes

• Nick highlights the evolving nature of the sales landscape, where deals are becoming more complex and multiple stakeholders are involved. 
• He emphasizes the need for sales reps to adapt and find new ways to interact with buyers effectively.

Becoming a Trusted Consultant

• One of the key shifts in buyer expectations is the desire for sales professionals to act as consultants rather than mere order-takers. 
• Buyers want a partner who understands their needs, manages multiple stakeholders, and provides valuable insights throughout the sales process.

Understanding Multithreading

• Nick introduces the concept of multithreading, which involves building relationships with multiple individuals within the buying organization. 
• Rather than relying solely on one point of contact, sales reps should engage with decision-makers, economic champions, technical champions, and coaches to comprehensively understand the deal's dynamics.

Mapping the Organizational Landscape

• To effectively multithread, sales professionals need to identify the key personas and individuals they should engage with within the buying organization. 
• Nick advises sales reps to map out the various stakeholders they must interact with, ensuring they cover all necessary roles, such as CRO, CFO, Rev Ops, head of alliances, and VP of sales.

Taking Control and Providing Updates

• Nick emphasizes the need for sales reps to maintain control of the multithreading process. 
• Instead of asking permission to interact with other stakeholders, he suggests clearly communicating to the initial point of contact that multiple team members have been reaching out to their counterparts. 
• This approach keeps everyone informed and engaged while setting the foundation for a collaborative relationship.

Balancing Pushiness and Transparency

• Some may perceive constant engagement with multiple stakeholders as pushy, but Nick argues that it is necessary in today's sales environment. 
• By framing the multithreading approach as a shared effort involving various team members, sales reps assert their expertise and demonstrate their commitment to understanding the organization as a whole.

Managing multiple stakeholders in complex sales deals is a growing challenge for sales professionals. Through the art of multithreading, sales reps can build stronger relationships and easily navigate the buying process's complexities. The key takeaway from this discussion is that multithreading is not only a sales strategy but also a mindset shift toward becoming a trusted advisor and consultant to buyers.

"Oftentimes, what I found the reason for me that it does slip is because, okay, I was spending too much time with the person I thought was the decision-maker. And maybe I didn't have enough knowledge of what was going on in other departments, or maybe there was someone else higher up that I needed more buy-in from them." -Nick Reed Smith

Resources

Nick Reed Smith on LinkedIn

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

Have you ever faced the challenge of trying to increase your outbound contact ratio? In today's highly competitive business landscape, reaching out to new clients can be challenging. 

But what if we told you there's a way to double your contact with prospects and see significant improvements in your sales results? In this episode of “The Sales Evangelist Podcast,” host Donald Kelly speaks with Richard from Durham Lane, an integrated sales and marketing outsourcing business based in the UK. 

They discuss the challenges of net new client acquisition and how Durham Lane successfully increased their outbound contact ratio by adopting a qualitative approach to prospecting. Richard shares valuable insights on intelligent prospecting, omnichannel strategies, and the importance of meaningful conversations with potential clients.

The Importance of Intelligent Prospecting

• Richard highlights the need to move away from solely focusing on effort and instead embrace intelligent prospecting and thoughtful business development activities. 
• Durham Lane believes in the power of engaging prospects in meaningful conversations to drive Net New client acquisition. 
• They have developed techniques based on selling at a high-level methodology, which they successfully implemented to improve their outbound contact ratios.

Omnichannel Approach for Effective Engagement

• Durham Lane emphasizes the importance of an omnichannel approach to maximize their outreach efforts. 
• While technology plays a crucial role in facilitating communication, it's vital to understand the customer journey and use various channels to engage with potential clients. 
• Richard explains that providing sales teams with tools like telephone, email, and LinkedIn is not enough. 
• To ensure successful engagement, businesses need to support the entire customer journey and tailor messages to the buyer's specific state – whether they are in the problem education, solution research, or solution selection phase.

The Power of Relevance and Call to Action

• Richard emphasizes the significance of relevance in messaging strategies. 
• Using the same message for prospects at different stages of the buyer's journey often results in a lack of engagement. Therefore, Durham Lane focuses on creating tailored messages that address each targeted persona's specific problems, solutions, and aspirations. 
• Alongside relevance, a clear and compelling call to action is essential to encourage prospects to take the desired next step. 
• By emphasizing business fit and value, businesses can demonstrate their understanding of the buyer's needs and establish a meaningful connection.

Swift and Strategic Follow-up

• One of the critical success factors in increasing outbound contact ratios is the speed and effectiveness of follow-up. 
• Durham Lane prioritizes timely follow-up to keep prospects engaged and convert their interest into opportunities. They ensure that their sales team is equipped to have meaningful conversations, showcasing their understanding and expertise. 
• Richard emphasizes the importance of being part of a consistent and valuable conversation thread that progresses from digital interactions to human communication.

Richard’s experience and approach to increasing outbound contact ratios provide valuable lessons for businesses looking to improve their prospecting and business development efforts. Implementing these strategies can lead to more successful engagement, ultimately contributing to business growth and success.

“Work with your colleagues in your marketing team and bring the two functions together because you should really be driving towards the same goal, which is peeking the attention of the right people in the right types of company so that your sales team can convert them into revenue and your customer success team can look after them for life. If you can achieve that, you have a winning strategy.” - Richard Lane.

Resources

Durhamlane.com

richardlane@durhamlane.com 

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

It's hard to keep up with the current methods of the sales industry? In this episode of "The Sales Evangelist Podcast," you will discover the sales industry's current SDR/BDR challenges and innovative strategies to combat them.

Our host, Donald Kelly, speaks with Howard Dover, a sales expert, researcher, and professor, on how staying adaptable and adjusting helps you become a better sales rep. From the psychological toll of constant rejection to the destruction of dreams and careers, it is evident that a change is needed. 

Join us as we uncover the importance of innovation and adaptability in achieving success.

The Changing Landscape of Sales

• Howard discusses research on the sales industry, sharing insights from tracking data on sales cities and the growth of Sales Development Representatives (SDRs).
• LinkedIn's 2018 report shows that the SDR function has experienced exponential growth, increasing by 580% over the past three years.
• Howard highlights the need for innovative approaches in sales outreach as the buyer's behavior evolves with each new tactic.

The Power of Unique Prospecting

• The importance of pattern interrupting and capturing attention in sales outreach efforts is emphasized.
• Howard shares a personal example to illustrate the significance of having a captivating offer and using behavioral adjustment to act differently in certain situations.
• Buyers have become overwhelmed by traditional approaches, and Howard suggests that honest and unique methods can help sales professionals stand out.

The Future of Sales and Strategies

• Reflecting on the future of the sales industry, Howard predicts a shift towards a full lifecycle approach, where salespeople will generate their own leads and build their own pipelines.
• The need to revisit older sales methodologies and find effective ways to adapt to the present market is discussed.
• He acknowledges the challenges of breaking away from conventional training and thinking but emphasizes the potential rewards of embracing a more agile and business-minded mindset.

The Dust Bowl Analogy

• Drawing inspiration from the Dust Bowl disaster, Howard highlights the parallel between the flawed plowing technique and the challenges faced in the sales industry.
• The importance of adjusting and evolving approaches in response to changing customer behaviors is emphasized, drawing from interviews with successful students during the pandemic.
• Scott Leasey's belief in avoiding overprocessing and adopting creative, business-minded approaches is mentioned as a valuable perspective.

Embracing Change and Human Behavior

• Howard encourages sales professionals to embrace change and understand human behavior, suggesting that success lies in creativity and adapting to the current market.
• The concept of standing out by grasping human behavior and exploring creativity is discussed.
• The risks of sticking to old methods are highlighted, with the speaker emphasizing the need to become adaptable and open to new approaches.

The sales industry can be unforgiving, but there are strategies and approaches that can lead to success. By embracing change, staying agile, and thinking outside the box, sales reps in can navigate the ever-changing landscape and achieve their goals. 

"Being honest and unique in our approach can capture the buyer's attention and set us apart from the years of attempts to hack the system." - Howard Dover

Resources

Howard Dover LinkedIn

The Sales Innovation Paradox by Howard Dover

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

2.            This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

3.            This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

If you don't understand why people buy, you may want to kiss your career as a sales rep goodbye. Also, if you're having difficulty connecting with your prospects, you may not be able to reach your monthly goals either.

Luckily, your host, Donald Kelly, spoke with the perfect guest to help you understand your prospects better. In this episode, Donald interviews Eric, a business strategist and coach, about understanding the reasons behind customer buying decisions and how to improve sales conversion rates. 

Eric introduces the BANK framework, an innovative tool that helps salespeople connect with customers more deeply by understanding their personality types and values. This episode explores the importance of understanding customer buying behavior and provides practical strategies for sales success.

Understanding Customer Buying Behavior

• Eric highlights the need to go beyond traditional sales techniques and understand customers' underlying motivations.
• Salespeople often deliver the same pitch; some customers say yes, while others say no. Understanding why people buy is crucial to improving sales conversion rates.
• Eric emphasizes the significance of recognizing that individuals have different personality types, values, and decision-making processes.

Introducing the BANK Framework

• Eric introduces the BANK framework, which stands for Blueprint, Action, Nurture, and Knowledge.
• The framework helps salespeople identify and adapt to each customer's personality type, enabling effective communication and building customer trust.
• The BANK framework goes beyond gender-specific differences and provides insights into the underlying values that drive customer decisions.

Overcoming the Language Barrier

• Eric compares the struggle of ineffective communication in sales to speaking different languages.
• Salespeople often present their products or services in ways that resonate with them but may not connect with the customer.
• By understanding and adapting to the customer's preferred language, salespeople can bridge the communication gap and tailor their presentations to meet specific needs.

The Four Elements of the BANK Framework

• Blueprint (B): Represents individuals who value stability, accuracy, and organization. They prefer logical and detailed information that helps them make informed decisions.
• Action (A): Represents individuals who value excitement, speed, and results. They seek quick solutions and appreciate presentations that offer immediate benefits.
• Nurture (N): Represents individuals who value relationships, collaboration, and trust. They respond to personal connections and appreciate salespeople who take the time to understand their needs.
• Knowledge (K): Represents individuals who value expertise, data, and evidence. They appreciate presentations that provide in-depth knowledge and demonstrate credibility.

Implementing the BANK Framework

• Eric discusses how the BANK framework can be applied in sales scenarios.
• Salespeople are encouraged to assess the customer's dominant BANK code based on their preferences, communication style, and decision-making processes.
• Salespeople can tailor their presentations to meet each customer's needs and values by leveraging insights from the framework.

Understanding customer buying behavior is crucial for sales success. The BANK framework emphasizes individual personality types and values, and provides salespeople with a powerful tool to connect with customers authentically. 

You can increase the conversion rate and build stronger client relationships by adapting your presentations and communication styles to the customer's preferred language. Using the BANK framework will improve your sales performance and enhance customer satisfaction with ease.

"Because for many of us, we must understand why people spend money with us. Like, why is someone going to buy from us? And I'm hoping today that you can help us to grasp that better and grow in that understanding." - Eric Goodman

Resources

To get your complimentary personality report ($99 value) that will provide valuable insights and communication tips that you can apply right away please take 90 seconds and visit https://crackmycode.com/communicate

Eric Goodman LinkedIn

 Sponsorship Offers

This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.