Selling Skills

Learning comes in 3 forms: About Training… Learning comes in 3 forms: New information Reinforcement of positives Recognition of negatives

The Sales Process Target Account Qualifying Call Appointment-Setting Call Sales Call(s) First Use/Installation Back to step 4 ? % ?

Target Accounts Good program? Enough? Significant? All reps? Buy-in? Progress?

Qualifying/Appointment-Setting Calls Collectively known as “cold-calling” Everyone proficient, including YOU? If not, teach Script Objections/Turnarounds Don’t intrude-stereotypical salesman See yourself thru customer’s eyes

THEY TRY TO ACCOMPLISH TOO MUCH! Cold-Calling Scares most salespeople because: THEY TRY TO ACCOMPLISH TOO MUCH!

Target Accounts

Qualifying Calls

Appointment Setting Call

Appointment Setting Call

The Five Step Sales Call Introduction Probe for Needs Presentation Management of Objections Close

Consider Yourself a … “Doctor of Selling”

Exam Diagnosis Treatment

Introduction

Five Steps of an Introduction Name Company Appropriate Sociability Productive Purpose for Being There Up-front Benefit

Up-Front Benefit VERY important – Why? Bold!

Probing

Segues Smoothly moving from one step of the call to the next Getting customer to “buy in” Needed to move to: Probing Demo/Presentation Close

Segue into Probing: In order to determine if we can benefit you like we have for St. Mary’s Hospital, I just need to ask you some questions about your current program; would that be ok? Would you mind if I took some notes?

Why Probe? To obtain valid information about others - Needs, Ideas, Opinions, Feelings, etc. To increase receptivity - prepare for change To develop and maintain positive rapport - mutual trust To increase involvement and understanding

Why Probe? As much for customer as you! Easier to sell someone something they need Keep in mind, they may not know they need it Ask questions for which you already know the answer

Probing Most important step! Most underdeveloped step! Don’t assume (different answers) Don’t quit early Don’t underestimate the power of the word why Sometimes it’s just the wording – customers (people) won’t just “cough up” what you want to hear Silence is OK, let questions sink in

Types of Probes Open Intermediate Closed Open Probes - Start the flow of information Intermediate Probes - Continue the flow Closed Probes - Obtain specific bits of information or action

Open Probes How do you feel about …….. What do you look for in a ….. Give me your opinions on …... Tell me about your current floor care program.

Intermediate Probes Brief Assertion- Neutral Phrase- Nod Head “I See” “Sure” “Uh Huh” Thank you for sharing that information. Tell me some more about. . Interesting, why do you say that?

Closed Probes How many 5's do you use per month? What size container do you buy your all purpose cleaner in? How many people will be at the housekeeping group seminar?

Before Leaving Probing Step… Summarize results with summary probes: So what I hear you saying is… If I understand you…. Lays groundwork for Presentation Proves you were listening

Presentation

Time for another Segue: Into the Demo

I’d like to get your opinion on a 2-minute demo Segue into the Demo: I’d like to get your opinion on a 2-minute demo

Presentation: Simple equation: Uncovered need + Presentation on Applicable Product = A Sale The transfer of knowledge and enthusiasm

Presentation: 3 Steps: There are differences between me and my competition The differences between me and my competition are REAL These differences AFFECT YOU in… Product usage Labor

Trial closes Taking customer’s temperature throughout sales call Does this make sense to you? What do you think about this? Can you see advantages in this?

Presentation: Relationship Service Value Price Relationship Service

Presentation: Value is: How do you establish value for floor care? Performance Safety How do you establish value for floor care? Is it tougher to establish value for dilutables?

Telling Is Not Selling

The Same Old Routine Sales Call Salesman: “Here’s the product that will meet your needs: spitfire It’s is a great cleaner and it can clean about anything”, blah blah blah...” Customer is thinking: I have to kick him out soon - I’ve got to pee!

Adult Learning Verbal 5-7% Verbal + Visual 55% Verbal + Visual + Hands-On 85%

What can we do besides telling? Presentation What can we do besides telling?

Management of Objections

MANAGEMENT OF OBJECTIONS Acknowledge Probe Answer Objection Get Confirmation

MANAGEMENT OF OBJECTIONS What if you can’t/get stuck? Give yourself a chance

You’ll get 0% of the orders you don’t ask for Closing You’ll get 0% of the orders you don’t ask for

One Last Segue: Into the Close

Segue into Close: Based on what I’ve shown you, does this look better than what you currently use?

Closing Must “earn the right” to close Customer expects you to Close for something – a commitment If no, WHY?

Closing Techniques Are you using many different techniques? Be honest. You need to – they are situational

Direct Close or Direct Question ASK FOR IT Direct Close or Direct Question Why don’t you try it? Can I have the authority to go ahead with the order? When would you like delivery? How much would you need to get started?

The Order Form Close Start off with the basic assumption that the customer will buy…….. It’s only the details that need clarifying. Question and obtain the customer’s commitment on the different stages of completing the order form. At the final stage of the order...Ask for the OK or Approval - Not Signature

The Either / Or Close It often helps to get the buyer’s final agreement by asking which is the most acceptable of alternatives offered. Would you like in Fives or in 55 gallon drums? Would you like your order delivered this week or next week? Would you need the Dispensing system?

The Half Nelson Close Use this close when the customer questions your product’s features or benefits, or you can help him/her solve a problem. To be used successfully, this close requires good probing and good knowledge of your product. If I can prove to you that _____ will reduce your labor costs by 50%, will you buy it?

Dialogues Appointment-Setting Up Front Benefit Statement About Company Service About Products Others?

The End? No. You HAVE TO continue to develop these skills on your own