Is Your Sales Strategy Aligned with Your Business Objectives? Here’s How to Tell—and Fix It
In today’s fast-paced business landscape, sales teams are under immense pressure to deliver results. However, many organisations fall into the trap of pushing sales targets without ensuring that their sales strategy aligns with broader business objectives. The result? A disconnected, inefficient sales function that struggles to drive sustainable growth.
Modern Day Sales Leadership: A Guide to Success (Copy)
The world of sales is always changing. Traditional methods of selling are becoming outdated. Today’s sales leaders must be agile, adaptable, and forward-thinking.
This means understanding that the way buyers behave has changed. They now conduct thorough research online before contacting a sales representative. This blog post explores the essential skills and qualities needed for modern sales leadership. It emphasises coaching, continuous learning, and the importance of genuine connections.
Managing Longer Sales Cycles in Tougher Times
These days, sales are taking longer than usual. With inflation, higher interest rates, and shrinking budgets, buyers are more careful, focusing only on must-haves. Sales professionals are noticing the effects — more delays, more objections, and fewer big-ticket purchases. The challenge isn’t just the extra time it takes to close a deal but also the fact that deal sizes are shrinking as companies cut spending wherever they can.
How to Ask Better Questions in Sales
In the realm of sales, success hinges not merely on the products or services one offers but significantly on the strategy employed to engage and understand potential clients.
One pivotal aspect of this strategy is the Art of Questioning.
Strategic questioning can transform a mundane sales conversation into a powerful dialogue that uncovers needs, builds trust, and ultimately closes deals. This blog delves into the essence of effective questioning strategies, drawing insights from 30+ years of experience as a sales leader, and a plethora of real-world examples.
Building a World-Class Sales Culture: Strategies and Insights
How do you build a Sales Culture that rocks?!
We all know the business world is more unpredictable than ever. Companies that were once giants are disappearing, and it's not just a trend—it's the new normal. Since 2000, over half of the Fortune 500 companies have either gone bust, been bought out, or vanished. And by 2027, about half of the S&P 500 firms will have been replaced.
Is adaptive sales coverage the key to market dynamics?
The shock of COVID-19 crisis is well over. Most organisations have seamlessly moved into a new normal, at least for the time being. There is an acceptance that market dynamics and customer buying patterns are highly volatile. Economic instability and recessionary forces are impacting all. Cost cutting while essential, is a short-term survival initiative. Revenue generation has to move the forefront of change.
The Importance of Creating and Maintaining a Sales Playbook
Imagine setting off on a road trip without a map or GPS. You might reach your destination, but it would likely involve a lot of wrong turns and wasted time. A sales playbook is your map. It guides your team through the sales journey, providing clear directions and strategies to navigate obstacles and reach your goals efficiently.
Unlocking Revenue Growth: Developing talent paves the fast track to success!
In every company, revenue growth strategies typically rely on increasing sales headcount, shortening ramp times, and boosting productivity per quota-bearing headcount. However, the success of these initiatives hinges on prioritising talent assessments and development planning to achieve sustainable revenue growth. Neglecting initiatives to enhance seller productivity can hinder organisations from realising their growth projections.
Leading the Decision Journey
Navigating and leading the decision journey for customers in a multi-layered and complex deal can be challenging for any business. However, with the right approach, it can also be an opportunity to demonstrate value and build long-term relationships with customers.
Get rid of the left-hand side of your bell-curve
As a seasoned sales leader with over 30 years of experience, I have learned that being a great sales leader is more than just about driving sales numbers. It's about leading a team of individuals to achieve their full potential and deliver exceptional results.
Get rid of the ‘left-hand side of your bell curve’, which can be up to 10% of your entire team
Non-performing individuals typically take up all your time (‘cause you think you should coach them...), suck all the oxygen and energy out of the team, and they can be(come) cancerous.
Almost two years on and counting.....
We are still living through extraordinarily challenging times and it does not look like changing anytime soon. Some would say, dare we say it, “this is the new normal”.
Everyone is affected, whether it be medically, emotionally, financially or all of these. For many, there are more questions than answers leaving most wondering what to do to keep their business healthy and customers loyal.
90% of Sales Professionals Do Not Know How To Ask Good Questions…
Is your team part of the other ten percent – or do you need help with that?
Studies have shown that 90 percent of seasoned “sales professionals” do not know how to ask good questions or are afraid to ask them. That’s a staggering number: 9 out of 10….!
“Sales versus Marketing” – a thing of the past?
Recently I was invited to be on a “Sales versus Marketing” panel session at the inaugural Tech Marketers Conference attended by well over 100 marketers from a variety of industries.
The debate started with the notion that the relationship between sales and marketing is – in general – arduous. Salespeople “always” blame marketing for not delivering enough quality leads and marketing “always” blame sales for not getting out there and closing the many leads that they provide.
Professional Athletes rely on Coaches – do Salespeople?
How is your coaching game plan?
You could boost revenue by 25% and increase close rate by 70%.
In any sport, athletes and teams have access to multiple coaches with various areas of specialty to help them reach their full potential. Consider the Los Angeles Lakers, for example. Frank Vogel is the Head Coach, and there are six Assistant Coaches, all of these are additionally supported by specialists for health and nutrition.