This is a great article that I ready by Jeff Haden. We have all known people who do not seem to be a “sales person” but yet somehow their enthusiasm and knowledge of their product/service wins us over. There are others who have to go through their whole talk before they will even start listening to you. Which salesperson do you want to be?
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Sometimes sales training and “advanced” sales strategies do more harm than good — especially if the techniques you adopt take you away from what works best for you. Here’s an example.
My wife wanted a new car. She likes sports cars so we went to a dealer to check out a BMW 135i. The salespeople were loitering in the lot as car salespeople without customers are wont to do, so they saw us drive onto up, cruise through a couple rows of cars, and park in front of the 135is.
A young guy headed over; evidently it was his turn. After a quick hello he clearly start to follow a mental sales technique checklist.
Evidently “qualify your lead” was first on his list. That didn’t go well for him so he moved on to “determine customer needs” and started asking about what we were looking for in a car. Without being rude (she has a knack for courteous deflection) my wife asked a few questions he struggled to answer, probably because he kept focusing on re-engaging his training and reclaiming the sales high ground.
Then he surprised us. He stopped talking, took a deep breath, and said, “I’m sorry. I really suck at this. Wait here and I’ll go get someone who can actually help you.”
My wife melted, as wives who are extremely businesslike but also extremely caring are wont to do. “No, we don’t need anyone else. You’re doing fine,” she said. “Hey, tell me; have you driven one of these?”
“Oh yeah,” he said, visibly brightening. “They’re really fast… and I probably shouldn’t say it but they handle better than an M3.” Then he glanced around to make sure no one was nearby and said, “Even if you don’t plan to buy it you should at least drive one. They’re a blast.”
We did, and she bought one (and a year later still loves it.)
Where did he initially go wrong? He let training turn him into a salesman he’s not. He tried to become a qualifying, relationship building, features and specifications spewing, commitment gaining closer.
In the process he gave up his biggest strength. He stopped being himself, a young enthusiastic guy who loves cars.
Consider the sales strategies you currently employ. Do they take you away from your strengths?
- Say you’re you’re naturally introverted; don’t try to become this guy. Where sales is concerned, listening can be even more effective than speaking.
- If you’re perceptive and have good instincts, don’t get locked in to the qualification process. In our example, we parked a relatively expensive vehicle in front of a row of 135is, so any salesperson could safely assume we had the means and the interest. (In fact, the car I drive onto a lot probably says more about my means than any answers I provide to qualifying questions.) After “Hello,” the best thing the salesman could have said was, “Tell me which one you want to drive and I’ll grab the keys.”
- If you’re naturally casual and chatty, don’t try to be professorial or authoritative. Speak the way you speak to friends (within reason, of course). Be genuine and prospects respond.
Sound simple? It is… but many people lose sight of the fact the sales techniques they use should play to their strengths. Don’t try to be something you’re not; instead, focus on being a better, more effective version of you.
That’s the best sales strategy of all, and one you can use in any industry.