Bookmark and Share

First, Fast, And Foremost . . .


First - being before all others.  Fast - moving or able to move quickly.  Foremost - first in rank, order, or place.  Wouldn't you like to be first, fast, and considered foremost  in your business.  Obviously, the correct answer is yes.  Here are nine tips, hints, and practical ideas to get you on your way.  These sales tips work.

1.  First - All potential customers have needs.  All potential customers have problems.  All potential customers are never 100% completely satisfied with their current supplier.  A professional salesperson recognizes these simple facts and uses prepared questions to uncover the hidden needs, problems, and dissatisfactions that every potential customer has.  Once these have been uncovered, always try to have your potential customer quantify them for you in dollars.  Every quantifiable problem is begging for a solution.  That's where your products and services come in.

2.  First - The way to achieve number one is based on your ability to ask rock-solid and open-ended questions.  Develop and use a minimum of ten questions.  Your questions should get your potential customers to talk about their business, responsibilities, challenges, priorities, current supplier, current product, criteria for making a decision, the decision making process, expectations, and how they measure success.  Note, that the person asking the questions is usually in control of the sales call.

3.  First - Make every customer presentation a personalized one.  If you ask enough questions, you'll learn about your potential customer.  The more you learn, the better your opportunity will be to tailor your presentation.  The goal is to get the customer thinking your presentation is awesome.  Run-of-the-mill presentations are neverawesome.  When your product fits the customer's specific needs it then becomes awesome.

4.  Fast - Today more than ever, our biggest challenge is too much to do and not enough time to do it.  Moaning and groaning aren't solutions.  Learn to prioritize everything.  Start each selling day with a six-pack.  No, not that kind.  Have a written list of all the things you want to do each day.  Prioritize your list by writing the numbers 1-6 next to the six most important things.  If this is so easy why do so few people do it?

5.  Fast - In sales we tend to over promise.  We're so anxious to get the business we make commitments based on perfect alignment and unreasonable assumptions.  Every broken commitment, regardless how small, is a credibility deduction.  Be slow to commit and quick to deliver and you'll have a significant reputation.

6.  Fast - Someone once said, "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got."  Pledge from this day forward you will never utter these words again, "I've always done it this way."  They are limiting words during these rapidly changing times.  Ask these two questions often:  How can I do it better?  How can I do it faster?  You headed in the right direction if you're always attempting to do things better and faster.

7.  Foremost - There are V.I.P.'s and F.I.P.'s.  You don't want to be the latter.  A F.I.P. is a formerly important person.  To remain a V.I.P. in your customers mind, mix high touch with your high tech.  Buy and use an old fashioned fountain pen.  Send two handwritten notes everyday.  (10 per week, 500 per year, 5,000 per decade, and 10,000 over twenty years).  It's a real touch of class during these busy times.  Also, go to egreetings.com if you want to send (free) greeting cards suitable for any occasion.

8.  Foremost - You don't have to be a lot better than your competition to win more sales.  You need only be a little better.  Having an edge doesn't give you a lot, it gives you a slight advantage.  Join the 1% club.  Seek to do everything that affects your business 1% better.  Imagine the consequences if you were 1% better in these areas; your questions, your prospecting, your networking, your telephone, your time management, your communication skills, your negotiation skills, your closing skills etc.  Big things happen when you focus on being a little better.

9.  Foremost - The principle tool for salespeople is words.  You use words to make appointments, to build rapport, to ask questions, to make presentations, to handle objections, and to ask for the order.  Words are the real key to success.  To avoid getting mugged by your own mouth, choose your words carefully.  You will take your skills to the
next level if you prepare and practice your words.

First - being before all others.  Fast - moving or able to move quickly.  Foremost - first in rank, order, or place.  If this isn't your style, you could always be last, slow, and lagging.

Jim Meisenheimer is the creator of No-Brainer Sales Training. His sales techniques and selling skills focus on practical ideas that get immediate results. You can discover all his secrets by contacting him at (800) 266-1268 or by visiting his website: http://www.meisenheimer.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Reuters India

India car sales hit all-time high in August
The Associated Press
MUMBAI, India — Car sales in India surged to a record for a second straight month in August on strong demand before the holiday season, despite rising ...
India Car Sales Touch Record HighWall Street Journal
India Aug local car sales at record; moderation seenReuters
India August Car Sales Rise 33% to Record on Nissan, Volkswagen New ModelsBloomberg
AFP -NDTV.com -Commodity Online
all 115 news articles »


Washington Post

Talbots Shares Decline as Much as 10% After Retailer Cuts Sales Forecast
Bloomberg
Sales at the Hingham, Massachusetts-based retailer have fallen for three straight years as consumers clamped down on discretionary spending during the ...
Tight Inventories Hurt Talbots SalesABC News
Talbots Reinforces The Recovery Of Women's RetailersWall Street Journal
Talbots Tanks on Sales MissTheStreet.com
FOXBusiness -Barron's (blog) -MarketWatch (press release)
all 99 news articles »


RTT News

Morrison plots move into smaller stores and web sales
Financial Times
The internet sales trial will take place on a limited basis in an unspecified region next year. Mr Philips said it was not yet certain how it would fulfil ...
Morrison profit down 7.5%, comparable sales riseMarketWatch
William Morrison FY On Track, Earnings In-LineWall Street Journal
UPDATE 2-Morrison's eyes new growth avenues in tough marketReuters

all 21 news articles »


China's August Passenger-Car Sales Growth Accelerates on Dealer Incentives
Bloomberg
By Bloomberg News - Thu Sep 09 08:06:18 GMT 2010 China's passenger-car sales to dealerships grew at a faster pace in August as dealers offered discounts to ...
China automakers slow shipments to dealersReuters
China's auto sales grows faster in AugustXinhua
China Auto Sales To Reach 25M Units In 2015CapitalVue
Gasgoo automotive news -Steel Business Briefing (subscription)
all 10 news articles »


Washington Post

McDonnell unveils plan to privatize Va. liquor sales, but skeptics question taxes
Washington Post
Robert F. McDonnell unveiled his signature proposal to privatize the state's 76-year monopoly on the sale of distilled spirits Wednesday, he presented the ...
Governor rolls out plan for state liquor salesRoanoke Times
Retailers Eager to Cash-In on Liquor SalesWSET
McDonnell turns to auctions, sales, taxes to finance liquor planWashington Examiner
Daily Press -Daily Press -Richmond Times Dispatch
all 99 news articles »


Bay Area Reporter

Boxer's attacks on Iran sales omit key details
San Jose Mercury News
Barbara Boxer has been omitting essential details as she criticizes her GOP opponent, Carly Fiorina, over past sales of Hewlett-Packard Co. equipment to ...
Jewish leaders call on Fiorina to apologize for HP sales in IranThe Jewish Journal of Greater L.A.

all 135 news articles »


Dallas-area pre-owned home sales fall for third straight month
Dallas Morning News
North Texas home sales dropped 17 percent last month from a year ago, the third straight month of year-over-year ...
Dallas-Fort Worth home sales continue to dropDallas Morning News

all 6 news articles »


Gamasutra

Shanda Says Sales May Fall Second Straight Quarter on Lack of New Titles
Bloomberg
Shanda Games Ltd., China's second- biggest operator of online games, said sales may fall for a second straight ...
Shanda Games 2Q Profit Down 16% On Lower Sales, MarginsWall Street Journal

all 195 news articles »


Evergrande Completed 80% of Its Full-year Sales Target With the Average Sales ...
MarketWatch (press release)
HK) -- released its property sales report for August 2010 in Hong Kong. An original report from Sina Leju assesses the situation as follows: The 2009 annual ...
Evergrande Real Estate sees sales for Aug surge 51.9%China Knowledge Online

all 7 news articles »


Globe and Mail

Apple Could Sell 28M iPads in 2011, Analyst Says
PC Magazine
There is no evidence that iPad purchases are affecting Mac sales, but the popular tablet has been "adversely impacting" PC sales, specifically notebook PCs, ...
Analyst: iPad Sales Could Top 28M in 2011The Mac Observer
Apple iPad sales could surpass 28M in 2011, analysts predictMobile Burn
Analyst: Business Use of iPad Sends Sales SoaringNewsFactor Network
Mediapost.com -Computerworld
all 72 news articles »

Google News

home | site map | Group Privacy Policy
© Sales Information 2009