Thanksgiving signals the official rounding of the corner for wrapping up the business year. While never an excuse that I’ve subscribed to (or let my sales reps use), it can be extremely challenging to “do business” at this time of year. It’s all downhill after turkey day. Holiday parties, office

If you’re in my salespeople posse, around this time of year, we start talking about getting through the Holiday season as productively and profitably as possible. Inevitably, the talk comes up about To Gift, or Not to Gift customers at this time of year. I have strong opinions about this

Here’s the situation: your company’s brand message is either attracting or repelling customers—plain and simple. In other words, your brand is doing one of two things: Enticing people in; compelling them to explore your company, products, and services OR (And this is the worst possible thing that could happen) You’re

This past week, I’ve been evaluating some options for a client to pair the outside sales team we’re building with an inside sales team to do heavy prospecting and lead generation for one of the product areas that has a very large prospect base. If you’ve been on the internet

Last week, I had two instances where sales reps contacted me to try to sell me a product. In both cases, each rep was certain I needed their subscription software. Both of their general sales rational were that other businesses found their product helpful and the features were great and

I am constantly looking around, trying to identify the “selling” moments that happen in everyday transactions and interactions—big and small. Trying to articulate the good, the bad, and the really terrible, because most selling exchanges are not clearly defined moments that each party is privy to—rather, they are small, natural

I’ll admit, I’ve done it before. In my sales career, I’ve been frustrated and tried to get a buyer to respond with something compelling but in my haste, I’ve sent the “Just Checking In” email. Have you received one of those? Or sent one? Hi Bill, How’s everything going? I’m

When is the last time a stranger surprised you? Made you stop in your tracks, jerked you out of your “zone” and piqued your interest? Every once in a GREAT while, I get a cold call from a sales pro that really makes me stop and listen for at least

Dear Salesperson, It’s time for a heart-to-heart. I do appreciate your questions. I do. But I find myself giving the same answer over and over and over: “How do I get buyers to listen to me? I can’t seem to get their attention, a callback or response.” Many of you

In a previous BrightTalk webinar, I surveyed the audience of sellers and asked, What is your biggest challenge in prospecting? I thought the results were extremely interesting—and they validated what I’m hearing from many businesses and sales pros about their challenges in new business development. Of the 120 live viewers,