Selling is not for everyone. It is a skill some people have, and others can be trained to become better at, but it is not something just anyone should do. Selling takes excitement, passion, and skill to invest in the company enough to want to sell the product to others. Valuable sales techniques take time to develop. Find out why having a good sales team is crucial for company success.
Building a Business
Entrepreneurs who struggle to get their business off the ground often falter when they do not develop their sales plan. The person who developed the plan for the business is not usually the one out selling the product, service, or basic concept. The owner can leave the task to others but not be able to track what is going on well enough to know how effective it is. Customers want to know there is leadership behind the brand. The passion they see is from the salespeople out sharing the business. The following tips can be helpful when getting the sales pitch out into the open market.
Listen First
Many people don’t hone their listening skills in their private lives or public work. Instead of waiting to get the point across, sales people need to hone the skill of authentic listening. This means:
- Not waiting to respond
- Not tuning out what is being said
- Respond affirmatively to the person talking
These may seem basic, but they often set the tone for the rest of the conversation. Whether you sell a product, service, or brand, listening is often an overlooked sales tool. Customers want to feel seen and heard, which helps sell the product.
Be a Problem Solver
A great salesperson solves problems for a customer. It may be small or large, but it helps to find out initially what the problem is. Once everyone understands the challenge, a solution can be found. When a person listens (see above), they can usually ascertain what needs to be done by reading between the lines. Think about these tips:
- Transparent communication begins with letting everyone express thoughts and feelings. Communication is fundamental but problem-solving is about a treasure hunt for information. It is about effective dialogue between people that leads to solutions (and sales).
- Breaking down communication barriers requires open-mindedness. Problem solving is about people working together to make the organization and its people better. Good salespeople are open minded and know how to communicate effectively to make the sale.
- Effective salespeople know how to get the right sale at the right time. They target the right people, inspire others, and make them see the brand in the best light. These are salespeople to keep on your team.
Problem solving behavior starts with listening and ends with being able to solve the problem for the customer.
Surpass Expectations
People remember the way you made them feel. It feels great to experience customer service that meets, even surpasses, expectations. When brands are known for exceeding expectations, every employee is empowered to do that as an extension of the brand name. Every person who works there is a brand ambassador. Think about this when incorporating salespeople into the business. The people who work there in that team, and the company, should feel the same way about the brand. Customer loyalty is a huge part of the sales process. Very few businesses survive on just making one sale. They desire (and thrive) on building a loyal customer base, which starts with successful brand management and sales.
Brand and business success are not just about passion. It’s about connection to customers and providing the best possible service. Selling the brand is a natural extension of the service. When the sales team understands this, they are more likely to connect with customers, which translates to more business for the company.
Read more relevant blog post: How to Know Which Tasks to Outsource for Greater Business Growth