Learning about the competition

“I’m concerned about what my competition may be doing.  I know I should be aware of what they’re doing, but I’m not sure how I can find that out.” This is an issue that’s growing in importance.  Our industry is heating up and becoming more competitive.  All around us...

Q & A for sales professionals: Five minute pitch

Question:   A customer (a contractor) has given me and one of my competitors five minutes to present our respective products to him. I know all the features and benefits of the product, but I don’t want to be like everyone else and give him what he’s heard before.  At...
Q&A for Sales Managers:  Goals in an uncertain economy

Q&A for Sales Managers: Goals in an uncertain economy

Question:  How can I set sales goals with any degree of reliability when this year’s economy is so uncertain? Answer: I can appreciate your problem.  The economic atmosphere is so uncertain it’s difficult to predict what is going to happen even a month from now. But...
Best Practices for Sales People #6: Plans every sales call

Best Practices for Sales People #6: Plans every sales call

It continues to amaze me that so many sales people shuffle into most of their sales calls with very little, if any, prior planning.  I suppose that is why this is one of the practices of the best. Most surveys of how field sales people really spend their time conclude...
Building a Professional Reputation with Your Customers

Building a Professional Reputation with Your Customers

I just fired my accountants. They really hadn’t done anything wrong.  They were responsive when I called.  They appeared to keep up with the latest information in their profession. Their work was neat, accurate and timely.  Their prices were fair.  They conducted...