April marks the anniversary of my dad’s passing. I think often about the ways he influenced me over the years. He owned his own business and was in sales for most of his entire career. One of my favorite stories about him takes place early in his career when he was...
If you are coming into this year with a weaker than expected Q1, it could have happened for a variety of reasons. Here are a few: 1. You may have proposals stuck in the pipeline due to decision makers who are holding off making decisions. 2. You may have spent too...
Many make personal resolutions to ring in the New Year. But have you considered making a professional resolution as well? Each year business leaders and upper management set annual goals that often include things like 'grow top-line revenue' or 'meet more prospects'...
Have you ever had a great initial prospect meeting, followed up diligently and then despite your best efforts, can't get the sale to close? It's a frustrating part of sales and it happens to almost everyone. Here are some tips to help you keep the sale moving. Ask...
Why spend the last two weeks of December cleaning your office when you could be filling next year’s pipeline with new business? Most business leaders and salespeople believe that trying to reach prospects at year-end is pointless and instead spend time getting...
Did you have as many new prospect meetings as you wanted in the last 12 months? If not, why not? And, most importantly, what will you do differently in the next 12 months that will yield better results? If you didn't get as many meetings as you wanted it's important...
Executive decision-makers have until year's end to make things happen before their reviews. Not only do they need to complete initiatives on their list to get their bonuses and great scores, but also, those looking for promotions must showcase themselves to...
It sounds like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? We personalize our conversations all day long with the people we know. It comes to us as naturally as reaching for our first cup of coffee in the morning. Yet, in all my years of selling and coaching others to sell,...
If I had a dime for every business leader who says, “When we are in front of the right prospects we close sales most of the time, we just need to get in front of more prospects!” I would be a VERY wealthy woman. Why hold off making changes or trying something new that...
During a prospect meeting, it’s not just about asking the right questions. It’s also about asking the right questions at the right time. One of our Door Openers accompanied a client’s salesperson on a meeting to evaluate how well the salesperson did eliciting...
When business leaders or salespeople hear prospects say, “I already have a contract for that, thanks anyway” they too often think there is no opportunity. They hang up, cross the prospect off the list, and never contact the prospect again. Big mistake! They are...
Did you ever notice people become more serious at the beginning of September? Gone are the lazy days of summer and in front of us are four important months before year end. I call this the “Back to School Mentality.” I see it as much amongst adults as I do amongst...