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...
Best Practices
Need to fix a weak Q1?
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...
Do you have a (professional) New Year’s resolution?
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'...
What To Do About A Hot Prospect That’s Gone Cold
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...
Getting Prospects to “Hello!”
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...
It’s NOT Over – There’s Still Time to Ignite Sales Growth This Year!
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...
Personalization Counts When Prospecting
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,...
Not Getting Enough Prospect Meetings? Here’s Why!
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...
Ask The Right Questions At The Right Time: Sales is Situational
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...
I Already Have a Contract for That – Golden Opportunity or Dead End?
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...
My Three Question Sequence To Shorten Your Sales Cycle!
Most business leaders and sellers ask questions on sales calls. But how certain are you that the questions you ask are the best questions? At Kopp Consulting, we have a certain name for better questions. We call them "High Gain" questions. Why? When worded...
When Prospects Cancel Meetings: What to do and How to Avoid it
A seminar attendee once said, “If a prospect cancels a meeting, it obviously means the prospect is not interested. Further, if the meeting is rescheduled and the prospect cancels again, the prospect is not only uninterested, but also rude and unworthy of my...