SALES PRO INSIDER BLOG

Stop the Lose-Lose-Lose Selling and Increase Your Close Rate

by Nancy Bleeke | Dec 5, 2017

At the start of a recent workshop, I asked the group, “What do you want to get out of your investment of time and energy today?” One by one they responded. At least 50% mentioned a desire to close more sales. Not a surprise for people in a sales workshop, I’m sure. What was interesting is that the leaders had chosen the topic of...

3 Uncommon Actions to Help Actually Achieve Your Goals

by Nancy Bleeke | Nov 8, 2017

Shalane Flanagan won the NYC marathon women’s division this past weekend. This is a goal achieved that was long in the making. Her story is one of determination and sacrifice, ending with big success. Yet, every day us “common folk” in sales also strive to achieve goals. Our achieved goals may not make the New York Times, but...

Why You Must Avoid Value Blindness in Sales Conversations

by Nancy Bleeke | Oct 11, 2017

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, wrote Plato in the 3rd century BC. Well, so is value, writes me today. If buyers don’t see the beauty or value of what you sell, that’s value blindness. And buyer’s value blindness will stop your sales opportunity right in its track. Value blindness can create a big problem when trying to...

The Language Barrier That Can Kill Your Sale

by Nancy Bleeke | Sep 8, 2017

As we planned a trip to Europe for a family wedding, my husband was very happy that we were going to be in two countries where “they speak English.” He thinks the language barrier when communicating in a second language is stressful for everyone involved and kills some of the fun. But boy was he was he surprised to find difficulty...

The 3 Questions You Must Answer at the Start of Your Sales Conversation

by Nancy Bleeke | Aug 17, 2017

You’ve scheduled an appointment with a prospective buyer and, like all top performing sales reps, prepared for your conversation by identifying your objective planning your questions and everything you want to tell them. That’s a great plan. Right? It is, IF you get that far. Even with a scheduled appointment, you might get shut out...

Sometimes You Just Have to Drive

by Nancy Bleeke | Aug 2, 2017

She handed me the keys and said, “Enjoy your trip.” I stood in front of the counter stupefied…didn’t she know? Didn’t she know I have NEVER driven on the “wrong” side of the road while sitting in the driver’s seat on the “wrong” side of the car? I stopped her and said, “I...

The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Sales Rep Turnover

by Nancy Bleeke | Jul 12, 2017

“I’m giving notice today.” What manager longs to hear those words from a sales rep? Those words typically don’t make a sales leader’s day. Yet maybe some rep change isn’t the disaster or reason to make a lot of changes. I will share the good, the bad, and the ugly of sales rep turnover. Let’s look...

Your Greatest Sales Tool (It’s Not What You Think…)

by Nancy Bleeke | Jul 6, 2017

What do you need to accomplish in your sales efforts? What about in your home? Office? Whatever you want to “get done” will be easier if you have the right tools. From closing a sale, creating a lead gen campaign, sending a proposal…or even painting a room,; anything you need to get done is easier when you have the right...

The Easy Peasy Way to Start Sales Coaching

by Nancy Bleeke | Jun 28, 2017

Every year new research shows the impact of individual sales coaching. It seems most sales leaders “get” that we are supposed to coach our reps. Yet, it can be so hard…but does it have to be? The case for sales coaching is compelling, with the most recent I’ve seen from The Sales Management Association noting: Companies...

The Research Says… Skill and Will Are Key to Top Sales Performance

by Nancy Bleeke | Jun 8, 2017

I love data and research…especially when it comes to people. Buyers, sales people, and leadership are of particular interest. When new reports are published, I get my hands on it as soon as possible. This is why I like the Objective Management Group’s tools so much. Dave Kurlan and his team approach sales with science. Their specific...