Analyzing Customer Goals: Understand customer goals and their desire to achieve them to tailor your solution – Driving New Sales: Transforming Small Businesses into Sales Powerhouses – Episode 3

Analyzing Customer Goals: Understand customer goals and their desire to achieve them to tailor your solution – Driving New Sales: Transforming Small Businesses into Sales Powerhouses – Episode 3

By soshaughnessey0 Comments

Welcome to an enlightening episode of “Driving New Sales: Transforming Small Businesses into Sales Powerhouses,” where we unlock the secrets of turning sales into an art form, much like a tailor crafting a custom-made suit. Sean O’Shaughnessey offers a deep dive into aligning your sales strategies with a client’s multi-dimensional objectives. Elevate your role from a mere vendor to a strategic partner. Tune in to not only understand the theoretical framework but also to arm yourself with actionable steps for immediate implementation.

Key Topics Discussed

The Art of Sales and the Power of Alignment: Why sales is an evolving art form akin to tailoring and the role of ‘alignment’ in contemporary selling.

Understanding Multi-Dimensional Objectives: Breaking down your client’s surface-level goals into a complex tapestry of layered objectives.

The Role of Consultations and Research: Why consultations should not be one-sided show-and-tells, and the importance of comprehensive research in crafting a potent sales strategy.

Unlocking the Goldmine of Annual Reports: A thorough explanation of why and how to read and analyze annual reports to gain deep insights into a company’s goals and challenges.

From Vendor to Strategic Advisor: How to evolve your position in your client’s eyes, transcending from being just a vendor to becoming a strategic advisor.

The Pinnacle: The Final Pitch: Leveraging insights to make your final pitch an act of alignment that seamlessly fits into your client’s broader objectives.

Key Quotes

  • “Solutions explicitly aligned with a company’s goals have a 60% higher probability of being considered.”
  • “You’re not just identifying opportunities; you’re crafting a solution that aligns with multiple facets of the prospect’s strategy.”
  • “You’re proving that you understand the intricacies of their business ecosystem, thereby making your solution not just a ‘good-to-have’ but a strategic imperative.”

Action Items You Can Do Today

Prioritize Listening: Begin consultations by mapping out the intricate goals that guide your potential client’s strategies.

Research Deeply: Dive into annual reports, press releases, and customer reviews to understand your prospects better. Look for recurring themes, as these usually indicate a crucial goal or challenge for the company.

Engage with Stakeholders: Use the Power Matrix to identify and converse with critical people across the organization for a well-rounded view.

Ask for Feedback: Always ask for feedback after initial consultations or presentations to refine your approach.

Sponsor:

Strategic Marketing and Execution is a Fractional CMO business that provides marketing leadership to businesses that have an emphasis on growth. The marketing agency churn and burn is real. This is often because there is no strategy. Start with a strategy with an emphasis on revenue growth, and then execute. Strategic Marketing and Execution helps small businesses identify who they are, who to market to, and how to differentiate. Align your marketing efforts with your sales team, and growth will follow. You can learn more at STXMKT.com about the process and people and how a fractional marketing leader might be the best fit for your business.

Contact Sean

You can learn more about Sean O’Shaughnessey at www.NewSales.Expert. You can drop him an email at Sean@NewSales.Expert. You can connect with Sean on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/soshaughnessey/

When you listen to this episode, you are taking a transformative step towards redefining your approach to sales. Sean O’Shaughnessey delves into the intricacies of aligning your product not just with the apparent goals but the intricate, layered objectives of your client. Master the art of turning each sales pitch into a finely crafted solution, transforming your role from a mere vendor to a strategic partner in your client’s journey. Hit play to elevate your sales game today!

Driving New Sales: Transforming Small Businesses into Sales Powerhouses, Podcast, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Queen of Spades: Providing Constructive Feedback: Give Actionable Advice to Aid Improvement

Queen of Spades: Providing Constructive Feedback: Give Actionable Advice to Aid Improvement

By soshaughnessey0 Comments

In B2B sales, where every interaction and every closed deal matters, providing constructive feedback is not merely an addendum to the daily operations—it is a pivotal aspect of the sales narrative, a determinant of success. The intricacy of feedback, however, cannot be overstated. It is a craft that, when honed, can propel the underperforming to new heights of achievement and the proficient to unprecedented mastery.

The Anatomy of Actionable Feedback

Consider the feedback mechanism as a surgical tool—it needs to be sharp, precise and used with intention. Actionable feedback, therefore, must encompass specificity, relevance, and timeliness. Specificity eliminates the ambiguity that so often clouds the potential for improvement. It offers a clear target, a definitive aspect of the sales process that requires attention. Relevance ensures that the feedback is meaningful within the context of the salesperson’s role and objectives. Lastly, timeliness ensures that feedback is given while the sales activity is fresh, making the advice more applicable and immediate.

The Constructive Nature of the SBI Framework

Employing the SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) framework can transcend the traditional feedback loop, turning it into a structured and insightful dialogue. In this framework, feedback begins by identifying the Situation—when and where the behavior occurred. It then delineates the Behavior—what the salesperson did or failed to do—and concludes with the Impact—how their behavior affected the outcome. By breaking down feedback into these components, sales leaders provide a narrative that is both comprehensive and understandable, leading the salesperson down a path of self-awareness and professional growth.

Timing: The Keystone of Feedback

Timing in feedback delivery is like the placement of a keystone in an arch; it holds everything together. If the feedback is delayed, its relevance diminishes. If too prompt, it risks seeming reactive or insubstantial. In the dynamic environment of sales, the immediacy of feedback is essential for critical missteps, while a more nuanced and developmental feedback approach can be reserved for scheduled reviews. This strategic cadence allows the salesperson to process and apply the feedback in a rhythm that matches the pulsating nature of their role.

Positive Language: A Conduit for Receptive Feedback

The language chosen to convey feedback can be as important as the feedback itself. Negative language can build walls, while positive language opens doors. For example, rather than pointing out failure, focusing on future opportunities—strategies to handle challenges better—can foster a positive mindset and encourage a salesperson to adopt a proactive approach. It’s a shift from a deficit-focused critique to an improvement-centric conversation, significantly more likely to yield constructive outcomes.

Feedback and Perception: Navigating the Line Between Guidance and Discipline

To prevent feedback from being perceived as punitive, it must be disentangled from disciplinary connotations. It should be communicated as a path to improvement, not a prelude to penalty. Involving the salesperson in creating their development plan turns the process into a collaborative journey, not a top-down directive. This nurtures a culture of self-improvement and accountability, aligning personal growth with organizational objectives.

Reinforcement: The Echo of Effective Feedback

Lastly, feedback must be reinforced through appropriate rewards or consequences that resonate with the overall goals of the sales organization. Positive reinforcement bolsters morale and motivates performance, while fair consequences for continued underperformance underscore the gravity of the sales role. Both are necessary to maintain a balanced and high-performing sales ecosystem.

Implementing Feedback with Precision and Care

As a concluding action, adopt the SBI model in subsequent feedback interactions. Monitor its influence on the dialogue and the salesperson’s receptiveness. Post-evaluation, assess whether this approach has engendered a more structured conversation and if it has led to identifiable steps for performance enhancement. This methodical approach to feedback, infused with positive language and timed with strategic precision, can serve as the fulcrum for lifting sales performance from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Create A Great Sales Organization series, , , , , , , , , , ,
Jack of Spades: Setting Up Performance Improvement Plans: Offer structured guidance for those not meeting benchmarks.

Jack of Spades: Setting Up Performance Improvement Plans: Offer structured guidance for those not meeting benchmarks.

By soshaughnessey0 Comments

In the tightly woven tapestry of a sales organization, each thread—each salesperson—must hold its own for the entire structure to maintain its integrity. Imagine a well-practiced orchestra where each musician is critical to the harmonious output. If even one violinist is off-key, it disrupts not just the symphony but also influences the collective perception of the audience. Similarly, when one salesperson consistently misses the mark, the dissonance affects not just their numbers but the collective performance and morale of the entire team.

Performance Improvement Plans: A Constructive Pathway, Not a Corporate Guilt-Trip

A prevalent misunderstanding of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) is their perceived function as a corporate guillotine, an ultimatum for those who underperform. But that’s far from the truth. When deployed with intent and care, a PIP serves as a roadmap that leads the lost back onto the path of productivity and achievement.

A Performance Improvement Plan starts with clarity. Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives are laid out. Suppose a salesperson faces difficulty in closing deals. The PIP would set a precise target, for example, improving the closing ratio by 20% over the next quarter.

But merely establishing ambitious milestones is an exercise in futility if not paired with the right tools and resources. It’s the responsibility of leadership to ensure that the salesperson has what they need to reach their new goals. This may include specialized training modules, mentorship from senior salespersons, or even software solutions that aid in customer relationship management.

Review and Reflection: The PIP Feedback Loop

Consistent monitoring and feedback mechanisms are integral to the PIP process. This is not about keeping tabs or playing “big brother,” but rather, establishing a feedback loop. These should be structured as collaborative dialogue, focusing on problem-solving rather than fault-finding. Once the set duration for the PIP ends, an in-depth review ensues. This is a pivotal moment that serves dual purposes—applauding improvement and identifying areas that require further fine-tuning.

Encompassing Compassion: People Over Numbers

While we emphasize numerical targets and performance metrics, we must not lose sight of the human element. Performance Improvement Plans should be designed and implemented with an empathetic understanding of the unique circumstances affecting each salesperson’s performance. The PIP, therefore, becomes not just a tool for improving metrics but also a gesture of organizational compassion and well-being.

It’s worth remembering that instilling a culture of Performance Improvement Plans is not merely a strategy to elevate individual salespersons; it’s a mirror reflecting the maturity of an organization and its investment in its people. It’s about showing that the organization values sustained effort and long-term growth over short-lived gains and snap judgments.

The Sculptor’s Patience

Implementing a Performance Improvement Plan is similar to the patience exhibited by a sculptor. When faced with an unpolished stone, instead of discarding it outright, the sculptor sees potential. With measured chisel strikes, what was once a mere rock transforms into art. Similarly, PIPs offer that measured guidance, turning the rough stone of underperformance into the refined sculpture of a high-performing sales asset. Through this targeted, compassionate approach, leaders not only foster individual success but contribute to building an organizational culture centered on growth, empathy, and resilience.

Create A Great Sales Organization series, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Nine of Spades: Addressing Salesperson Underperformance: Setting Performance Benchmarks: Define standards for success to measure against.

Nine of Spades: Addressing Salesperson Underperformance: Setting Performance Benchmarks: Define standards for success to measure against.

By soshaughnessey0 Comments

Understanding the Nature of Sales Benchmarks

Let’s start by grounding ourselves in the foundational premise: Sales benchmarks are not merely numerical goals but the defining coordinates of success. If you will, consider them as your organization’s North Star, guiding your sales team through the complexities of quotas, customer relationships, and revenue targets. Benchmarks transcend the limitations of raw numbers and extend into the realm of qualitative assessment—whether it’s the ability to understand customer needs or to align solutions accordingly.

To further clarify, think of benchmarks as akin to a financial portfolio’s balance of risk and return. They offer a comprehensive view of performance, much like a diversified portfolio that offers an integrated financial health assessment. Each component—be it customer retention rates, average deal sizes, or response times—contributes to this multifaceted view. Benchmarks thereby act as a composite score that tells you where you are, where you should be, and, most importantly, how to get there.

The Nuances of Crafting Benchmarks: It’s About Alignment

Creating effective benchmarks requires alignment with broader organizational goals, current market realities, and the sales team’s inherent capabilities. Striking this balance is akin to setting the interest rate in an economy. Set it too high, and you risk stalling growth; set it too low and invite complacency.

Thus, the process of setting benchmarks demands an understanding of averages and outliers. If a high percentage of your sales team consistently meets the benchmarks, they may not be challenging enough. Conversely, if only a small fraction achieves them, it could demoralize the rest and raise questions about the benchmarks’ attainability. The idea is to challenge your team just enough to stretch their capabilities while ensuring the goals are rooted in reality.

Diagnosing and Addressing Underperformance: A Structured Approach

The objective of performance benchmarks isn’t to point fingers at underperformers but to provide a structured mechanism for evaluation and growth. Having established benchmarks, the onus shifts from mere identification to a deep-rooted understanding of ‘why’ the underperformance occurred.

Is it a lack of training? Is it a mismatch between talents and tasks? Or perhaps it’s a more systemic issue related to product-market fit? Each diagnosis demands its unique course of action, requiring leaders to blend empathy with decisiveness. As you identify these pain points, you’re not merely putting a spotlight on them; you’re transforming them into actionable insights. Provide the necessary tools, training, or environmental changes, and monitor the impact on performance against the set benchmarks. In this way, underperformance becomes not a point of failure but an opportunity for both personal and organizational growth.

Benchmarks: Your Compass in the World of Sales

To CEOs, Sales Managers, and leaders in the trenches, understand that performance benchmarks are not just numbers on a performance review sheet but the milestones on your roadmap to success. They offer a dynamic, multi-dimensional gauge by which to measure, evaluate, and, most crucially, enhance performance.

Just as a ship’s captain would be rudderless without a compass, your sales team would navigate in the dark without well-defined benchmarks. These are not mere numbers but signposts in your journey toward sales excellence. They offer a vision of what could be and a measurement of what is. Establishing and adhering to these benchmarks provides direction, clarity, and a lens through which to transform challenges into growth opportunities.

Create A Great Sales Organization series, Sales Management, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Scaling from Your First 10 Customers to 50, 100 and Beyond – Episode 54

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Scaling from Your First 10 Customers to 50, 100 and Beyond – Episode 54

By soshaughnessey0 Comments

If you’ve got your first 10 customers and are wondering, “What next?” then this episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales is essential listening. Hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey explore the transformational journey from acquiring your first customers to scaling up your business. Dive into critical topics like product-market fit, market messaging, the role of the CEO as a salesperson, and much more. Arm yourself with practical, real-world advice to take your business to the next level.

Key Topics Discussed

The Crucial Jump from 10 to 50 Customers

Kevin and Sean examine the strategic shift required when you’re looking to grow from 10 customers to a more substantial customer base. They stress the importance of formalizing and aligning your offering with a well-defined buyer persona.

Understanding Buyer Personas

A recurring topic was the art and science of buyer personas. Kevin emphasizes the need to revisit and revise these as your business evolves. The objective is to understand who you’re selling to and what problem you’re solving for them.

Sales Leadership & Standardization

Sean explores the standardization of sales processes and offerings, particularly for scaling from a one-person operation to a multi-person sales team. This standardization is crucial for scalability and profitability.

The Role of the CEO in Sales

The hosts delve into the inevitable shift in the sales role of the CEO as the company grows. While the CEO might be heavily involved in sales initially, scaling to 50 or 100 customers requires a dedicated sales team.

Selling Tools vs. Selling Solutions

Sean provides a compelling analogy between selling tools and selling solutions. He emphasizes the importance of selling a standardized product rather than a customizable toolkit, using historical examples like Henry Ford and Steve Jobs.

Key Quotes

Kevin: “One challenge I see here that sales leaders need to solve is how to formalize and standardize the attraction process.”

Sean: “You need to really start focusing on who do you sell to, what problem do you really solve, and how do you sell this thing so that other people can sell for you.”

Summary

Don’t miss this episode if you’re gearing up for rapid growth. Both Kevin and Sean provide actionable insights that will equip you to transition from a startup to a scalable business. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and real-world advice, they lay down a roadmap for you to follow. Whether you’re a CEO doing sales, a startup looking to break into the market, or a sales leader aiming for standardization, this episode is your guide to elevating your sales game. Tune in now to pave the way for your business growth!

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – From Salesperson to Trusted Advisor: The Art of Problem Solving – Episode 50

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – From Salesperson to Trusted Advisor: The Art of Problem Solving – Episode 50

By soshaughnessey0 Comments

Dive deep into the heart of sales and sales leadership with Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey as they unravel the essence of problem-solving in the sales arena. This episode isn’t just about identifying problems but understanding the art of solving them. If you aim to transition from just selling a product to becoming a trusted advisor, this episode is your roadmap.

Key Topics Discussed:

  1. The importance of becoming a trusted advisor in sales.
  2. Building and maintaining long-lasting relationships with clients.
  3. The role of curiosity in understanding a client’s business.
  4. The significance of being well-read and informed about current business challenges.
  5. Networking is a tool for gaining insights and asking better questions.

Key Quotes:

  • Kevin: “How you become a trusted advisor is solving a business problem, not selling a product.”
  • Sean: “The key to the kingdom is to become a trusted advisor to your client. So that that advisor says, I wonder what Kevin thinks about this.”
  • Kevin: “Are you the person who’s reliable? Do you always cancel at the last minute? Do you put somebody to voicemail every time and forget to call them back? That’s a withdrawal from the trusted advisor list.”
  • Sean: “The key is don’t just show up as a salesperson. Don’t just show up as a vendor. Show up as an interested third party that is trying to figure out about their business.”

Additional Resources:

In this enlightening episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” Kevin and Sean emphasize the importance of evolving from a mere salesperson to a trusted advisor. They discuss the nuances of building genuine relationships, the significance of being curious, and the need to be well-informed about the business landscape. Whether you’re a sales newbie or a seasoned professional, this episode offers invaluable insights that can transform your approach to sales. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your sales game. Tune in now!

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
September Newsletter

September Newsletter

By soshaughnessey0 Comments
Embed Newsletter, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – From SWOT to Success: Navigating the Competitive Sales Landscape – Episode 46

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – From SWOT to Success: Navigating the Competitive Sales Landscape – Episode 46

By soshaughnessey0 Comments

In this invigorating episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey dive deep into the realm of competition in sales. From understanding the various forms competition can take to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence in competitive analysis, this episode is packed with insights and actionable advice for sales professionals at all levels.

Key Topics Discussed:

  1. The Essence of Competition in Sales: Why understanding and overcoming your competition is crucial.
  2. Recognizing Different Types of Competition: Beyond direct competitors, why the ‘no decision’ outcome is the hidden enemy.
  3. Leveraging SWOT Analysis: Sean and Kevin’s take on its relevance and how to use it effectively for competitive advantage.
  4. The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Sales: How tools like Chat GPT can help get a leg up on your competition.
  5. The Importance of Competitive Awareness: Why 57% of companies are at a disadvantage and how not to be one of them.

Key Quotes:

  • Kevin: “Every professional sports team watches game film… we’re sales professionals. We should be watching the game film of sorts.”
  • Sean: “Who is your prospect talking to? That is your competition.”
  • Kevin: “Doing nothing is unacceptable. It’s like prospecting. If you don’t prospect, that is an unacceptable behavior.”
  • Sean: “If you’re in a small company right now, you need to figure out, you need to be one of the 43%, not one of the 57%.”

Additional Resources:

Don’t be a part of the 57% that remains oblivious to their competition. Whether you’re in the early stages of your sales journey or a seasoned professional, Sean and Kevin’s insights from this episode offer invaluable strategies and tools to elevate your game. Tune in to “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales” to get the upper hand, understand your market better, and, ultimately, eliminate your competition.

Podcast, Sales Management, Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Ace of Spades: Understanding your client’s business: Researching Industry Trends: Stay updated on shifts in the market to provide relevant solutions.

Ace of Spades: Understanding your client’s business: Researching Industry Trends: Stay updated on shifts in the market to provide relevant solutions.

By soshaughnessey0 Comments

Sailing Through the Business Sea: The Imperative of Understanding Client Industries

In the intricate dance of sales management, salespeople often become profoundly attuned to their own products, services, and performance metrics. However, they sometimes lose sight of an elemental cornerstone: genuinely understanding the client’s business. This omission is akin to a sailor venturing into the sea without comprehending its currents and tides. A lack of this depth of knowledge can lead one astray, making the voyage uncertain and potentially perilous.

Let’s start with an underlying principle: triumph isn’t simply about the merit of your product or service in the sales ecosystem. It’s intricately tied to the bigger picture of your client’s sector, their unique requirements, and inherent challenges. For instance, a physician would never recommend a new drug without an exhaustive assessment. Similarly, a sales maven should not provide solutions without a comprehensive grasp of the client’s operational goals and challenges.

Picture the world of commerce as a sprawling symphony with its distinct sections – finance, technology, health, entertainment, and more. Introducing a novel element into this setting without recognizing its intended cadence and synchronization is like striking a discordant note amidst a harmonious performance.

Moreover, the essence of industries is not static. They’re akin to living entities, evolving and reshaping, influenced by many external dynamics. Remember the challenges of supply chains a few years ago during the global pandemic crisis, which was disruptive to nearly every industry. Reflect on the tech sphere, where an innovation leap of merely 10% can redefine market paradigms. Or ponder the fashion industry, where trends can instantly pivot demand dynamics. This underlines the paramount significance of monitoring industry currents. It’s about envisioning not just the present but anticipating the future trajectory. And this foresight isn’t just academic—it’s a tangible asset sculpting sales tactics, product innovations, and client dialogues.

With each industry wave comes a plethora of challenges and windows of opportunity. A sales expert attuned to these modulations can craft proactive strategies. For instance, if insights indicate a surging trend of telecommuting in a domain, a firm dealing in office essentials might transition towards catering to home office needs. The fulcrum here lies in actionable strategies. Recognizing a shift is the starting line. The finish line? Crafting aligned strategies saying, “We recognize your industry’s transition, and our solution is primed to cater to it.”

To the CEOs, sales leaders, and organizational vanguards heeding this narrative, the takeaway is obvious: arm your sales brigades with the arsenal to perpetually decode industry waves. Foster a culture of perennial learning through seminars, journals, or deep-dive analytical sessions.

The commercial realm doesn’t exist in isolation. A ripple in one segment can cascade through others. By ensuring your salespeople are enlightened about their relative industry and the overarching market landscape, you elevate them, and consequently, your enterprise, to a pedestal of relevance, cognizance, and adaptability.

Truly grasping your client’s domain transcends the immediate deal. It crafts enduring alliances, painting you as an ally, not merely a supplier. Demonstrating to a client your intrinsic understanding of their industry’s intricacies, evolutions, and potential paths carves an indelible impression. It resonates with the ethos, “As your domain transitions, we remain with you, presenting apt solutions at every juncture.”

In the fluctuating oceans of commerce, let profound insight and cognition be your navigating star, directing you toward triumph, pertinence, and perennial collaborations.


Business, Create A Great Sales Organization series, Sales Management, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
August Newsletter

August Newsletter

By soshaughnessey0 Comments
I hope you enjoy my August Newsletter

I hope you enjoy my August Newsletter

Published: Tue, 08/15/23

—
Sean O’Shaughnessey
CEO and President
New Sales Expert LLC
[email protected]
513.348.8700

6561 Bluegrass Way
Mason OH 45040
US

Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

Newsletter, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,