What Do You See? A Brick  Wall or an Opportunity?
                  By Bill Lee
                  
                Many times what you see is a matter of your  perspective? 
                    
                  On Mission trips I lead to work at the orphanage I support in Mexico, we travel  to an extremely remote part of the country. The orphanage is located about  three hours east of Mexico City in a region with extremely rich volcanic soil  that's excellent for agriculture. About 90% of the crops grown there are  vegetables. 
  
                  Each morning when we leave our hotel to begin the drive to the children's home,  we meet dozens of trucks loaded with broccoli, several varieties of lettuce,  asparagus, etc. 
  
                  As we leave the main road the highway abruptly turns to relatively narrow roads  that carve their way through vegetable fields with very modest homes dotting  the countryside. It's quite common to see wagons pulled by burros and carrying  a farmer, his wife and three to five children. The family has almost always  packed a lunch since it takes too long to make the roundtrip back to their home  and then back to the fields for another half day of hard work. 
  
                  It never fails when I have new people on the trip who've never seen such a site  to make a comment like, "Wouldn't you hate to have to live like  that?" Or, "What a great place to see how the ‘other side'  lives." 
  
                  They see poverty. They see children who are not in school. They see a family  working in the fields all day without the luxury of watching an afternoon movie  on TV or taking a leisurely trip to the local shopping mall. 
  
                  What I see is a close-knit family that has the opportunity to work together and  enjoy each other's company without the interruption of mental candy like soap  operas or game shows. I see people who are smiling and happy just to be alive  and have cultivated fields to work in. 
  
                  It's a matter of perspective. 
  
                  The same is true in sales. When many salespeople make an initial call on a  prospect who appears to be in bed with a competitor, they see an insurmountable  obstacle while another salesperson might see the current relationship the  prospect has with his competitor as only a minor hurdle. 
  
                  Again, it's a matter of perspective. 
  
                  We all have been taught that it's unwise to assume. This rule is especially  true in sales. Until you have built a relationship with the prospect and earned  his trust you never know how happy he really is with his current supplier. 
  
                  One way I have found to earn a prospect's respect is by identifying sometimes  just a single product line that I might begin supplying. Then live up to my  commitments, follow up diligently, sell a few add-on products and before the  prospect knows it, I have a significant percentage of his business. 
  
                  Roofing is a good example. I've found that roofing often stands alone and is  often purchased from a specialty supplier. Perhaps the underlayment is  purchased with the decking, but the roofing itself may be supplied elsewhere. 
  
                  Windows are another example. 
  
                  Try this: Among your prospects with whom you do zero business, identify a few  products that are not currently supplied by a full line competitor and earn the  right to ask for an order. If you're successful, you will have found a great  way to gain the prospect's confidence and earn a larger portion of his  business. 
                About The Author:
                BILL LEE is a business expert. Starting out in 1965 as a field sales representative and then a sales manager with New York City-based GAF Corporation, he soon became a part owner of one of the fastest growing start-up companies in the US — Builder Marts of America, Inc. (BMA) 
                 Bill and his partners grew BMA from a startup to sales of $640 million in just under 20 years. Bill served as a corporate officer at BMA with general management responsibility for the company’s largest division.
                 Today, Bill is a sought-after seminar leader and business consultant who works extensively throughout the US and Canada.
                 He is author of Gross Margin: 26 Factors Affecting Your Bottom Line, now in its third printing. 
                 His most recent book, 30 Ways Managers Shoot Themselves in the Foot was released in October 2005.
                 Thousands of owners, managers and salespeople read Bill’s award winning ezines and magazine articles on sales and gross margin improvement and best management practices.
                Bill is president of Lee Resources, Inc., a Greenville, SC-based consulting, training and publishing organization.
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                  Article Archive
                Prospecting for New Business
                  by Michael Nick
                 It is mid first quarter for many and time for a quick check up on how you  are doing. Are you going to make your number this quarter? Maybe you need a  quick audit of your prospecting processes. 
                 A major portion of all sales professional's job is to prospect or mine their  territory. This article identifies the process, goals, and success in the art  of prospecting. I will review lead flow, personal lead generation programs,  sources for leads and collateral in up coming newsletters.
                 Scope of Sales  Responsibility
                 Identify which areas of prospecting your current sales force is performing:
                 __ Cold calls - Prospect has never heard from your company
                  __Warm calls -  Marketing touched at least once before you called
                  __ Hot calls - Marketing or other source provided qualified "hot"  lead
                  __ Personal Blog, Facebook or Twitter (or other Social Media) 
                  __ Personal newsletters
                  __ Referral selling - Sales works directly with a partner for referral sales  / Formal "referral" program used by your sales department
                  __ Lead qualification - Telemarketing passes a lead for qualification, or  received referral card for follow up
                  __ Appointment setting - Sets appointments to meet with prospects at their  location
                 Once you have determined the current state, revisit the list and determine  what you believe they, "should" be doing. Estimate the amount of time  you expect them to spend on the tasks and determine what you would like to see  as an outcome. In other words, is the time worth the result. I like to create a  pie chart and determine what percentage of time should be spent on which tasks.
                
                Be aware, many sales professionals are not what we would call hunters. The  hunter is the sales pro that is able to pick up a phone any time and cold call  a prospect. These sales people have a very unique skill. It is not always that  easy to make that first call. There is also a point where they appear to be,  "slimy" or slick. Lying is not the way to go, and that is what you  will find in many of these great cold callers.
                 That being said, think through how much of the prospecting you want your  sales team to do on their own. Many organizations will outsource or hire the  lead generation portion of their sales process. Others have marketing run the  program. No matter how you do it, be aware you will want a measurement tool in  place to determine the success or failure of the program.
                 In step 2, I recommend you determine the sources for your leads (In-bound).  List them out and the percentage of leads you received from what source. For  example, if you work for a local car dealership, some of your leads will come  from local advertising (50%), some from the manufacturer (10%) when a prospect  clicked on the web page. Some leads are simply walk-ins (20%) or referrals from  another customer (20%). By knowing where your lead source is coming from you  are able to develop a marketing plan that will help you increase and improve  your lead flow. In bound leads are gifts, be sure to treat them as such. There  is a very high price you will pay for this sort of lead.
                 Step 3, what feedback and collateral are you providing your leads? This is a  critical piece of material and a sales tool. Your brochures (either in-house or  on-line) must be informative enough for your prospect to want to talk with a  sales professional, yet don't give away the farm. I believe it is important to  have literature for both the technical buyer and the end user. I also believe  (in the B2B sales) it is worth the time and effort to create a brochure that  acts as a value hypothesis. This piece of literature will display the economic  impact of purchasing your products and services.
                 In summary, first determine what you want your sales force to do regarding  prospecting, next, determine the sources for inbound leads, and finally be sure  you have collateral that will support your needs.
                ©2013  Michael Nick
                About The Author:
                Michael Nick is considered to be one of the   foremost authorities in the world on the subject of value estimation selling.   Michael’s first book, ROI Selling (Dearborn Publishing ©2004) was a business best seller. In   2010, Simon & Schuster picked up the reprint rights giving ROI Selling another five years of availability in the market. 
                 Over the past 13 years Michael has worked   with Companies like,   HP, Autodesk, Fiserv, Ingersol Rand, Trane, NEC, Checkfree, Bomgar, Rockwell   Automation, Oracle, Great Plains,and more. 
                
                Visit him at: http://www.roi4sales.com
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                  Article Archive
                The Perfect Prospecting Question
                  by Jim Domanski   
                
     
  Would you  like a question that is virtually guaranteed to get your prospect to open up  and respond to you?  
                Once you've finally reached your  prospect and delivered your opening statement, the next most challenging aspect  of the call is to ask a question that not only intrigues your prospect but  engages him or her. It is here the interest is maintained or lost. Squander the  moment and your prospect will wriggle off the call.
                So, what's a good question to  ask?
                The Perfect Question 
                Here is the single most effective  prospecting question you can ask, . . .
                " __________, let me ask, are you absolutely, 100% satisfied  with .... (fill in key area of concern where you might be able to help).
                Here are some examples to  illustrate how the question can be adapted and delivered:
                An investment adviser might ask,
                "Jennifer, let me ask, are  you absolutely 100% satisfied with the performance of your portfolio over the  last 12 months?" 
                A personnel recruiter might ask,
                "Jackson, let me ask, are  you absolutely 100% satisfied with the quality of the recruits you've hired  over the last 6-8 months?" 
                A sales trainer might ask,
                "Andrea, let me ask, are you  absolutely 100% satisfied with the sales results your teams produced over the  past year (or quarter or half year ...whatever)?" 
                A professional marketing  consultant might ask a dentist,
                "Dr. Maynard, let me ask,  are you absolutely 100% satisfied with the results of your marketing efforts in  generating new patients over the past year?" 
                Why It Works 
                The question works because it is  asking the prospect to evaluate virtually any situation and assess whether it  is 'perfect' (100%). It's almost rhetorical in nature because most - but not  all- prospects will not admit to perfection. They like to think that there is  room for improvement even if their results are decent. So, in other words, it  almost always reveals a need or want. If you're prospecting, that's music to  your ears. It's a wedge in the door. 
                You will discover that the manner  of response will vary from prospect to prospect. Some will be candid and frank  and give you a definitive, "no, I am not." We like these kinds of  prospects because they are revealing a strong need or want.
                Others will quip, "You're  kidding, right?" or they might be sarcastic and say, "Oh ya,  absolutely satisfied. Couldn't be better!" In other words, 'of course,  they're not perfect.' At this stage, you can lighten the moment by remarking,  "I know ... it's a bit of a loaded question but most people I speak with  are looking for improvement."
                When you respond in a light  mannered fashion it tends to break the ice and move the questioning onto a  different level. It is less formal, less stiff. Friendlier. It's a bit  different and helps set you apart
                  .
  What if They Are 100%,  Completely Satisfied? 
                There are those who will respond  that they are completely, utterly satisfied with no sarcasm whatsoever. Some  are serious. They are NOT experiencing any problems and they ARE 100%  satisfied. In this case, there might not be a want or need, and very quickly  you have disqualified the prospect. You save time and effort.
                On the other hand, you could  reply, "I'm glad to hear that. Most HR directors I speak with aren't quite  so content. But suppose you could improve on that?" In other words, you  are appealing not to the 'pain' motivator (dissatisfaction) but rather the  'gain' motivator (doing EVEN better).
                Important Tips 
                Speaking of 'even better,' there  are a few other elements that can make this question even more effective.  First, use the prospect's name. The name gets their attention and gets them to  closely listen to the next fifteen or so words.
                The little trigger phrase,  "let me ask," prepares your prospect for the question. It gives them  a little time to tune into the fact that a question is forthcoming. This  heightens awareness.
                Third, ask the question and then  go silent. Let them digest the question and respond accordingly. Resist the  temptation to elaborate on the question (e.g., by giving an example). Let the  silence do the work.
                Fourth, gauge the response.  Listen carefully to the tone. You'll discover some are amused with the question  since they know it is 'loaded.' Respond in the same light tone. Others will be  more serious, respond accordingly.
                Summary 
                Seriously, this is one of the most powerful and  effective questions you can ask. It invariably gets the client to open up. Use  it.
                
About The Author:
                Teleconcepts Consulting works with companies and  individuals who struggle to use the telephone more effectively to sell and  market their products and services. For more information on consulting services  and training programs, articles, and other resources visit www.teleconceptsconsulting.com or call 613-591-1998.
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                  Article Archive
                How to Be Sure They Believe  What You Say
                  by Art Sobczak
                
                  My golfing group of three was joined by a single to round out  the foursome. Hadn't met the guy before. Seemed nice enough, but quiet, and a  lot more serious than my buddies and me. 
  
                  We had a few bucks wagered amongst our threesome, which of course brings out  the competitiveness, regardless of the amount. We ran into an unusual rules  question on one of the holes and were bickering about it. 
  
                  Serious Guy chimed in.
  
  "I had the same  thing happen at a state tournament I was in. An official checked it out, and  here was the ruling ..." 
  
                  State tournament ... rules official ... wow, that was good enough for us. 
  
                  Later after the round I started thinking ... we didn't know this guy. Could  have been an ax murderer for all we knew. Yet we placed credibility in what he  said. 
  
                  Just like you want people to believe what you say. 
  
                  And it's not easy over the phone. Especially if they don't know you. 
  
                  We all know people who have reputations for saying things that hold water, and  others who are just full of it. We filter everything we hear from them through  our past experiences with them. 
  
                  Depending on the source, perhaps these things go through your mind: 
  
  "She almost always knows what she's talking about, this must be  accurate," or, 
  
  "He's lied repeatedly before, why should I believe him now?"
  
    How to Be More Credible 
                  So, how do we create credibility with someone we don't know, or don't have a  history with? Here are some ideas. 
  
  1."It's not bragging if you've done it." If you've earned your  stripes in your business or industry, don't hide that fact under a rock.  Trumpet it to add to your credibility! Drop in statements such as, 
  
  "In my seven years in this business, I've learned that ...," or, 
  
  "I've worked with over 550 retailers, and I always find that..." 
  
  2. If you're not on commission, it doesn't hurt if they know that. Hey,  I know most of us are paid directly based on what we sell, and there's nothing  wrong with that. However, it's possible that someone who doesn't know you might  think, "We'll of course she's going to say that, she'll make money when  she sells it to me." 
  
                  However, when a customer realizes a salesperson has absolutely no monetary  stake in his purchase, he might tend to relax a bit earlier in the  relationship.
  
  I've gotten several new electronic toys at Best Buy  recently, and on last week's purchase the rep said, "I''m not on  commission, so I'm not getting anything on this, but I strongly recommend you  get the protection because..." Of course I got it.
  
  If you're not on commission, you might casually say, 
  
  "We've been so busy around here, I wish I was paid  on commission."
                3. Use precise numbers. If you  told me you've worked with "lots of other businesses in my industry,"  that wouldn't even be close to the credibility wielded by, 
                    
                    "... and I've  personally installed this system in 23 sales training firms." 
                    
                    4. Use the praises of  others to build your credibility. If you say how good you are,  well, they can naturally view that with skepticism. But they can't argue with  the words of others, even if you're the one repeating them. 
                    
                  In one of the classic  Apple commercials the nerdy PC guy says to Mac guy, 
  
  "I have this referree here so you do not say something crazy like Leopard  is better than Vista." 
  
                  Mac-guy responds, "I didn't say that. The Wall Street Journal said  that."
  
  You could use something like,
  
  "I was talking to Pat  Jones at Indy Industries just this morning, and she told me how she has  increased her production by 45 cases per day after just one month on the  program." 
  
  5. Be a name-dropper. Following a similar philosophy, sprinkle in the names of some  instantly-recognizable customers, normally the larger ones, or the prominent  ones in your industry. 
  
  6. Create visual images  with words. One way to do this is to relate to the person's environment, or  to relate to images that are familiar to the listener. For example, 
  
  "If you take a look at  your computer keyboard, it's about that same size." 
 
                "It's very lightweight  ... about the same as your standard office stapler." 
                 
                "The unit would easily  fit on the corner of a desktop, without hindering the ability to spread your  work all over the top of the desk." 
                 
                "The texture is  comparable to regular commercial grade office carpet." 
                 
                "Take a look at the  top of your desk. It's about that tall from the floor."
                    
                    The more senses you can engage, the better.
                    
                    Get your listener actively involved, and you enhance  your chances with them.
                    
                    Think of ways you can add credibility to what you say,  make a conscious effort to use those ideas, and you'll be more persuasive. 
                    
                  Go and make this your best week ever! 
                About the Author: 
                  Art Sobczak, President of Business By Phone Inc.,  specializes in one area only: working with business-to-business  salespeople--both inside and outside--designing and delivering content-rich  programs that participants begin showing results from the very next time they  get on the phone. Audiences love his "down-to-earth,"entertaining  style, and low-pressure, easy-to-use, customer oriented ideas and techniques.  He works with thousands of sales reps each year helping them get more  businesses by phone. Art provides real world, how-to ideas and techniques that  help salespeople use the phone more effectively to prospect, sell, and service,  without morale-killing "rejection." Using the phone in sales is only  difficult for people who use outdated, salesy, manipulative tactics, or for  those who aren't quite sure what to do, or aren't confident in their abilities.  Art's audiences always comment how he simplifies the telesales process, making  it easily adaptable for anyone with the right attitude.
                 
                Contact Info
                  Art Sobczak
                  Business By Phone Inc.
                  13254 Stevens St.
                  Omaha, NE, 68137
                  402-895-9399
  ArtS@BusinessByPhone.com 
  http://smart-calling.com/
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                  Article Archive
                Seven Insights To Use For Getting Your Next Job
                  by Roy Chitwood, CSP
                Regardless of your educational background, degrees, work experience or accomplishments, your future employment depends on one thing: how well you can sell. 
                    
                  I'm not talking about selling a specific product or service. I mean selling yourself and your ideas. Your ability to do this will determine whether or not you get the job. 
  
                  Selling is simply effective communication, and the first rule in communication is that people prefer talking to listening. 
  
                  So, success in a job interview is determined by your ability to get the interviewer talking. It's her job to get information from you, but that isn't what will get you the job. 
  
                  That's because, in a typical job interview, the interviewer asks all the questions and you do all the talking. Sure, she needs to know about your background, education and experience. But as you're rambling on and on saying the same things every other job applicant says, she's wondering how quickly she can terminate the interview so she can get on to more important things. 
  
                  Using some principles, you can gain control of the conversation, get the interviewer talking and glean the information you need to succeed in the interview and get the job. 
  
  The following are seven insights for job interviews: 
  
  One: The first few seconds of the interview are critical - the way you look, dress, say "Hello" and shake hands. These give the interviewer clues about your personality, social skills, confidence and experience. To make a positive first impression, use these seven tips: 
  
                  - Smile (the universal sign of friendship). 
  
                  - Be sincerely interested in others. 
  
                  - Talk in terms of others' interests. Remember your interviewer always has time to talk about what she wants to talk about. 
  
                  - Say their name. The sweetest sound in any language is the sound of a person's name. Overusing someone's name, however, is worse than not using it at all. We've all been in situations where an overzealous salesperson uses the other person's name ad nauseam. Use the interviewer's name, but do it judiciously. 
  
                  - Compliment. Don't comment on frivolous things like the art on the wall, fish in an aquarium or trophy on the desk. Come prepared to offer two sincere compliments to your interviewer - on his position, achievements, promotions, or about the company's recent success. 
  
                  - Be a good listener. I've never heard an interviewer say, "This applicant listened too much." 
  
                  - Make the other person feel important. Do it sincerely. 
  
  Two: This is when the interviewer determines if the applicant is qualified. Typically the interviewer asks a question about the applicant's past experience, background, etc., and the applicant rattles on and on, instead of just answering the question. To be successful, you're going to need to gain control of the communication process by asking questions and getting the interviewer talking. 
  
                  One of the biggest mistakes applicants make is asking closed-ended questions that turn the interview into an interrogation. Avoid questions that can be answered with a "yes" or "no" response. Rudyard Kipling once wrote, "I keep six honest serving men (They taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When, and How and Where and Who." Almost any closed-ended question can be easily transformed into an open-ended question with the use of one of these words. 
  
  Three: In this step, you'll determine if the position fits you and your qualifications. Don't jump to conclusions about the information or questions you may get from the interviewer. Several years ago, a friend of mine applied for a senior management position. During the interview, the interviewer asked questions that didn't seem to relate to the position. Later my friend learned from the interviewer that he was more qualified for another senior level position and was subsequently hired to fill it. If the position doesn't fit, or you're not interested in it, however, gracefully terminate the interview. 
  
  Four: You are the company you're selling. Begin with something like, "Linda, let me tell you a little about myself." 
  
                  The following are areas to cover during this step because they are questions the interviewer will likely have on her mind: "I don't know who you are," "I don't know your background," "I don't know your education," "I don't know what you stand for," "I don't know your past employers," "I don't know your track record," "I don't know your reputation" and "Now, why should I hire you?" 
  
  Five: In a selling situation, this is where you would talk about your product or service. However, on a job interview, you are the product/service. Therefore, relate how your education, experience, background, etc., will benefit the company with a series of feature-benefit-reaction sequences. "My experience working with multiple channel distribution in the Northwest (feature) will allow me to immediately impact sales in this important territory (benefit). How would that help you achieve your sales goals for the first quarter?" (reaction) 
  
                  Now you'll utilize the information you obtained through listening and questioning in the first four steps. Come prepared with a standard list of three or four feature-benefit-reaction sequences (keeping your reaction questions open-ended), then customize them based on the information you gathered. Conclude this step by asking, "What questions do you have?" At this point, you can inquire about compensation and estimated start date, "When would you like the new person to start?" 
  
  Six: Now use this closing statement: "If I can arrange my schedule to start on the date you would like, can you think of any reason why you wouldn't hire me?" The wording of this statement should be exactly as I've stated - concise and to the point. You're not asking for a determination that you're qualified or that the interviewer is interested in hiring you - it's simply a mutual agreement to move forward. If you get an objection such as, "I have several more interviews scheduled," or "I want to give it more thought," acknowledge the objection with "I see," "I understand," or "I can appreciate that." 
  
  Seven: Regardless of whether you get the job, cement the relationship by expressing your appreciation and thanking the interviewer for her time and interest. Follow up the interview with a handwritten, mailed thank you card. It shows you are a professional, and it's something tangible the interviewer can keep for future reference. 
                 
                
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    Article Archive
Selling Made  Simple
  by Jim Meisenheimer
  (Note about author: Today is the last day to grab a copy of Jim's new eBook, 57 Ways to Take Control of Your Time and Your Life. Grab your  copy here: http://amzn.to/Y7CSPr)
 I almost  gave up the game of golf about a month ago.
 The game  had become too frustrating for me to enjoy playing.
 So after  doing some research I discovered a Golf School called GMS - 
  Golf Made Simple and their website is GolfMadeSimple.com
 They were  rated as the 3rd best golf school in the U.S.
 They  offered a 3-day school at eleven locations and had four right here 
  in Florida.
 The  maximum class size was four and I really like that.
 So B, my  wife, and I went to Palm Coast Florida.
 GMS was  just that. They weren't interested in a transformation process.
 And you  know, when I stop and think about it, there are a lot of similarities 
  between golf and the selling profession.
 Here are  just a few things the GMS program emphasized and see how they 
  relate to sales.
 1. They  talked about "Slow and steady improvement."
 This is  one of the biggest mistakes salespeople make. They neglect and 
  often ignore the concept of self-improvement.
 2. GMS  also talked about Small accomplishments add up to better scores.
 In sales,  the same concept applies. Imagine trying to achieve a 1% 
  improvement with these selling skills. Prospecting, probing, handling
  objections, closing etc. - you get the picture.
 3. GMS  emphasized "Play to your strengths, but practice your weaknesses."
 How many  professional salespeople are focused on improving their weaknesses?
 4. GMS  says when you're on the golf course, "Always have a plan."
 How many  salespeople have a written sales call objective for every sales 
  call they make?
 Here's  something to think about.
 Self-improvement.  It's your responsibility.
 Impossible - nothing  is impossible unless you agree that it is.
 Measure what's  important.
 Passion - love what  you do.
 Learning - never  stop.
 Enthusiasm - get  excited about your company, your products, and your 
  customers.
 Well,  that's the end of the article. But, if you'd like more control over your 
  time and your life, please keep reading.
 My new  eBook, especially for entrepreneurs and professional 
  salespeople, 57 Ways  to Take Control of Your Time and Your Life, 
  with my best time management tips and techniques is FREE on 
  Amazon.com only from March 21-25! 
 Grab your  copy here: http://amzn.to/Y7CSPr
 You do NOT  need a Kindle to read Kindle eBooks! 
 You can still read them all for free on any computer 
  or tablet using Amazon's free software available 
  here: http://amzn.to/13aluuF
 Remember -  This special Free Promotion ends 
  March 25th. http://amzn.to/Y7CSPr
Jim is a 
  Sales Strategist and is the creator of No-Brainer Selling Skills. 
  He shows salespeople and entrepreneurs how to increase sales, 
  earn more money, have more fun, and how to do it all in less 
  time. His focus is on practical ideas that get immediate results. 
  He offers Advanced Sales Management Workshops, Sales Coaching, 
  Consulting, In-house Sales Training Programs, and a wide variety 
  of Learning Tools i.e. books, special reports, sales manuals, 
  and CDs.Jim Meisenheimer 
  is a member of The National Speakers Association, where he earned 
  the C.S.P. designation, Certified Speaking Professional. He 
  has authored five books including, "The 12 Best Questions 
    To Ask Customers," and the recently published “57 
      Ways To Take Control Of Your Time And Your Life”. 
Websites: http://www.startsellingmore.com
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  Article Archive
Improving Sales through Networking  Skills
  By Michael  Leimbach
  Growing revenue is critical to all organizations. Yet  finding new markets, new buying points, or new needs in existing clients is  increasingly difficult. That is why organizations desperately need all  employees, not just salespeople, to be able to effectively uncover new  opportunities. 
 But it is not that easy. 
  
    - A US engineering firm, thinking that a financial  incentive would generate new business, began offering its consulting engineers  a bonus for uncovering new business from the clients they service. However,  after a year, of their 35 engineers, only three had found new business  opportunities.
- Research at the Stanford Shyness Institute  suggests that almost 60 percent of young adults entering the business world  have difficulty introducing themselves and engaging in conversations with  potential prospects. 
- A study in Harvard  Business Review shows that strategic networking skills will help  organizations uncover and capitalize on new business opportunities.
 
The reality is that many organizations are leaving revenue  on the table, not from a lack of incentives or desire, but because of a lack of  networking skills. Or, as Francesco Polese said, “The relationship with a  customer has a major impact on the total value received by that customer,  because value is increasingly created and delivered over time as the  relationship develops.”
 Unfortunately, networking skills do not come naturally to  every salesperson. Technology is partly to blame, suggests Ruth Sherman in Fast Company: “Dependence on remote  forms of communication has left many younger workers bereft of interpersonal  skills.” 
 Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon, leading experts in networking  skills, have boiled the research down to eight critical skills needed for  effective social networking.
 Eight Critical  Networking Skills:
  
    - Understand  and leverage personal style: Networking is not just for the extrovert!  Introverts can be just as effective at developing interpersonal networks; they  just do it in a different way.
- Strategically  target your activities: Not all networking events or organizations are  equal; you need to determine which events will give you the best return on your  investment.
- Systematically  plan networking: Meaningful connections don’t just happen—planning  activities, evaluating experiences, and anticipating next moves is what leads  to great connections.
- Develop  relationships over time: You don’t meet someone today and become their  trusted advisor tomorrow. You need to learn how to build relationships and whom  to build them with.
- Engage  others effectively: Sure, laughing and socializing with others is fun, but  it is not how you create effective business networks. You need to learn how to  engage meaningfully, remember people’s names, and make sure they remember  yours.
- Showcase  your expertise: You can learn to talk about your accomplishments and skills  without coming across as a braggart, and it is essential to do so if you are  going to have an effective network.
- Assess  opportunities: Easy to join, hard to leave—it is essential that you  evaluate your networking experiences relative to your changing goals and decide  when to get more involved and when to exit gracefully.
- Deliver  value: At its core, networking is an exchange of value, whether it is time,  information, or your talents. You need to be able to recognize what you have to  give, as well as what you want to get.
 
These eight skills reflect a comprehensive body of knowledge  that gives salespeople the skills they need to immediately begin to build  organizational and personal success. Organizations can achieve better  performance, have more effective employees, and bring products to market faster  if they devote time and effort to building effective networking skills.
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    About the Author:
    Michael Leimbach,  Ph.D., is Vice President of Global Research and Design for Wilson Learning  Worldwide. With over 25 years in the field, Michael provides leadership for  researching and designing Wilson Learning’s diagnostic, learning, and  performance improvement capabilities. Dr. Leimbach has managed major research  studies in sales, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. He has  developed Wilson Learning’s Impact Evaluation capability and return on  investment models. Michael has served as a research consultant for a wide variety  of global client organizations, is on the editorial board for the ADHR  professional journal, and serves in a leadership role for the ISO technical  committee TC232: Standards for Learning  Service Providers. Michael has co-authored four books, has published  numerous professional articles, and is a frequent speaker at national and  global conferences. 
 To  learn more about the concepts shared within this article and how Wilson  Learning can assist you in addressing these issues, contact Wilson Learning at  1.800.328.7937 or visit www.wilsonlearning-americas.com.
 References
  The influence of networking culture and social relationships  on value creation. F. Polese. In Firms’  Management: Processes, Networks and Value, 2009.
 Uncovering the unconnected employee. A. Baber and L. Waymon. Training and Development, 2008 (May).
 Shyness, social anxiety, and social anxiety disorder. L.  Henderson and P. Zimbardo. (2010) In S. G. Hofmann & P. M. DiBartolo  (Eds.), Social Anxiety: Clinical, Developmental, and Social  Perspectives (2nd Ed.). Academic Press.
 
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