2024 – Page 5

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – From Zero to Sales Hero: Steve Caton’s Strategies for Small Business Growth – E95

By Sean O'Shaughnessey

In this episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey are joined by Steve Caton, CEO and Founder of Altezza Solutions. Steve shares his insights on how to build effective sales systems for emerging growth companies and provides a unique perspective on hiring part-time experienced salespeople. Dive into this episode to learn about the challenges and solutions in developing a robust sales strategy for small to mid-sized businesses.

Key Topics Discussed

Introduction to Steve Caton and Altezza Solutions (00:00:15)
- Steve discusses the inception of Altezza Solutions and his motivation behind starting the company.
Challenges of Hiring Salespeople for Emerging Companies (00:02:36)
- Steve talks about the common difficulties small companies face when hiring their first salesperson and offers an innovative part-time solution.
Importance of Sales Infrastructure (00:04:55)
- The hosts and Steve explore the critical components of a sales infrastructure necessary for a sales team to thrive.
Salesperson Integration and Training (00:11:44)
- Steve outlines a detailed onboarding process for new salespeople, emphasizing the first three months of integration.
Preparing for Business Exits (00:07:12)
- Discussion on how business owners can enhance their company’s valuation by building a self-sufficient sales team before planning an exit.

Key Quotes

Steve Caton: “The convincing piece wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be because it was almost like the reaction was, ‘Dang, I never even thought about that. That makes a ton of sense.’” (00:03:58)
Kevin Lawson: “Sales organizations that are evolved, mature, robust, they attract talent…let’s build the organization we all want to work for that attracts the right talent.” (00:10:15)
Sean O’Shaughnessey: “One of the challenges that I have heard from my business broker friends is that when the CEO is the salesperson…they really struggle with the selling of the company.” (00:06:53)

Summary

Don’t miss this enlightening episode with Steve Caton, where he shares invaluable advice on building a scalable sales infrastructure and the benefits of hiring part-time sales professionals. Whether you’re a business owner looking to strengthen your sales team or a sales professional seeking new strategies, this episode offers practical insights and actionable steps. Tune in next week for more in-depth discussions with Steve on creating successful sales organizations.

The Multifaceted Role of a CEO in a Sales-Driven Business Environment

By Sean O'Shaughnessey

In the business world, the role of a CEO extends beyond just leading the company. It involves taking responsibility for the sales environment, shaping the company culture, and setting the vision for the future. This is particularly important for small companies where the CEO may also be the primary salesperson or sales manager.

One of the critical responsibilities of a CEO in a sales environment is to address and resolve problems. When a client is dissatisfied, the CEO must apologize and take responsibility for the issue. This doesn’t mean placing blame but owning the problem and finding a solution. It is also essential to have a plan in place to prevent similar issues from recurring in the future.

In addition to problem-solving, a CEO plays a significant role in shaping the company’s culture. The company’s culture should reflect the core values that the CEO and the team believe in. These core values should guide the company’s actions and decisions. For example, suppose one of the company’s core values is extraordinary service. In that case, every team member, from the CEO to the junior account person, should strive to provide exceptional client service.

As a CEO, it is also important to be the company’s visionary. This includes setting goals and communicating these goals to the team. The vision should inspire and motivate the team to strive for excellence. It should also give a clear direction on where the company is headed and what it hopes to achieve.

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Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Happy July 4th – E94

By Sean O'Shaughnessey

Welcome to a special edition of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales with your hosts, Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey. As we celebrate Independence Day this week, we’re bringing you a brief yet powerful episode filled with actionable sales insights and heartfelt holiday wishes. Whether you’re relaxing with family or catching up on work, this episode is designed to give you a quick boost of sales motivation and inspiration.

Additional Resources:

Lighthouse Sales Advisors – https://www.lighthousesalesadvisors.com/
Lighthouse Sales Advisors Resources – https://www.lighthousesalesadvisors.com/salesresources
Sean’s New Sales Expert Page – http://newsales.expert/
Sean’s Skin Knees Blog – http://newsales.expert/blog/

Mastering Sales in the Digital Age: A Case Study on Megan O’Hara

By Sean O'Shaughnessey

The sales landscape constantly evolves, and the tools and techniques used to reach potential clients are continually refined and reimagined. One such innovative approach to sales and marketing is pioneered by salespeople and sales managers leveraging technology to add value to their client relationships and boost their sales figures.

Megan O’Hara, an executive solution specialist in Columbus, Ohio, is at the forefront of this movement. She has developed a unique method of reaching out to clients that adds value to their lives, increases her customer access, and builds her credibility. This method is simple yet impactful: Megan sends a weekly tech tip in a short video format every Monday.

This approach is designed to keep her name at the top of her clients’ minds. In a world where attention spans are increasingly limited and competition for customer attention is fierce, being the first person a client thinks of when they need a product or service is vital. By sending out these tech tips, Megan is providing a valuable service to her clients and ensuring that she remains at the forefront of their minds.

The success of this approach is evident in the response Megan has received from her clients. Many have contacted her after receiving her tech tips, expressing appreciation for her added value to their lives and initiating further business conversations. This is a clear testament to the power of this approach in building strong client relationships and driving sales.

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Building a Successful Sales Team: A Guide for CEOs and Managers

By Sean O'Shaughnessey

You can overcome obstacles and significantly improve your sales performance with the right mindset, strategies, and tools. For salespeople, sales managers, and CEOs of small companies, the journey to sales excellence is paved with lessons and insights that can be invaluable in improving management capabilities and driving revenue growth.

The sales process is a critical aspect of any business. It’s the engine that drives revenue and growth and the platform on which customer relationships are built. However, businesses often encounter a unique problem in their sales process. The problem isn’t necessarily about the product or service being sold, the market, or the competition. Rather, it’s about the people involved in the process—the salespeople.

Being a salesperson is a challenging profession. It requires a unique set of skills, a deep understanding of the product or service being sold, and a certain level of resilience to face the inevitable rejections that come with the job. But more than that, it requires a mindset that embraces growth, learning, and continuous improvement.

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Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Leading with Generosity- The Servant Leadership Approach to Sales with Tom Daly – E93

By Sean O'Shaughnessey

Welcome to another enriching episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” where hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey dive deep into the art of sales with special guest Tom Daly from Focus Insights Group. In this episode, we explore the concept of servant leadership in sales and how giving more can ultimately lead to receiving more in business and personal growth.

Key Topics Discussed:

Servant Leadership in Sales [00:01:00 – 00:10:00]: Tom Daly discusses the importance of building productive referral networks and how servant leadership has helped him succeed in sales.

The Power of Giving Freely [00:05:00 – 00:08:00]: A detailed exploration of how giving without expecting immediate returns can foster long-term business relationships and personal satisfaction.

Balancing Generosity with Business Acumen [00:05:20 – 00:06:30]: Kevin probes the delicate balance between generosity and ensuring business viability.

Community and Collaboration [00:06:43 – 00:07:33]: The significance of a supportive community within the sales acceleration network, emphasizing collective success over individual gains.

Sales as a Helping Profession [00:08:21 – 00:09:52]: Sean reflects on the philosophy that sales should focus on helping and solving problems rather than just transactional interactions.

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Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Activating Your Sales Ecosystem for Growth – E92

By Sean O'Shaughnessey

Join Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey in a compelling episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” which delves into the power of networking and relationship management in sales. Whether you are a seasoned sales professional or just starting, this episode offers invaluable insights into maximizing your sales ecosystem without overwhelming your contacts.

Key Topics Discussed:

Activating Your Network [00:00:00]: Kevin highlights the importance of leveraging existing relationships and simple, actionable strategies to enhance your sales pipeline.
Realistic Relationship Management [00:01:36]: Sean discusses the practical aspects of maintaining a manageable network that can drive business growth.
Frequency of Contact [00:04:54]: Explore how often to engage with your network, including referral partners and past customers, without becoming a nuisance.
Digital Communication vs. Personal Interaction [00:06:00]: This section dissects the balance between digital outreach and personal connection to optimize relationship value.
Segmenting Contacts [00:08:29]: Sean shares his method of categorizing contacts into A, B, and C lists to tailor communication frequency and maintain effectiveness.

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Drive New Sales In Your Company – Newsletter – June 2024

By Sean O'Shaughnessey

Transform Your Sales Strategy with the Three-Legged Stool Approach: Resonate, Differentiate, Substantiate

By Sean O'Shaughnessey

Business-to-business (B2B) sales is more than selling a product or service. It involves a strategic approach that includes understanding the customer’s needs, differentiating your offering, and building trust. This strategic approach is often called the three-legged stool of sales: Resonate, Differentiate, and Substantiate.

Resonating with customers is the first step (leg) in the sales process. It involves answering the questions “Why should the customer act?” and “Why should they act now?” To resonate with customers, you must understand their goals and how your product or service can meet them. This requires careful listening, understanding, and empathy.

The second leg of the stool is differentiation. This answers the question, “Why choose us?” Differentiation is all about highlighting what makes your product or service unique from the competition. This could be anything from superior quality and innovative features to excellent customer service. It’s crucial to communicate this differentiation clearly and effectively to the customer.

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Designing Sales Compensation Plans That Drive Performance

By Sean O'Shaughnessey

The success of any sales-driven organization in the business-to-business (B2B) space hinges on the sales team’s compensation plan. Over my four decades in B2B sales, I’ve observed that nothing influences the performance of sales personnel more directly than the design and implementation of their compensation plans. Compensation is not merely about rewarding sales achievements but crafting a strategy aligning individual salespeople’s goals with the company’s broader objectives.

A well-structured compensation plan acts as both a motivator and a guide. It compels sales teams not only to meet but exceed their targets, fostering an environment where continuous improvement is not just encouraged but becomes a natural byproduct of the system. For small business CEOs, understanding this dynamic is critical for sustaining and driving growth. Sales compensation is more than just a cost; it’s an investment in the company’s future.

In any sales environment, whether the market is brimming with potential or tightly contested, the compensation plan must be a living document that evolves in response to market conditions, company goals, and team performance. With this adaptability, companies can avoid stagnation or regression in their market positions. As businesses strive to scale and adapt, constructing a compensation plan that genuinely drives the right behaviors becomes all the more pertinent.

To delve deeper into this vital subject, CEOs should consider the immediate impacts of their compensation strategies and their long-term implications on sales culture and employee retention. For those ready to explore the intricacies of effective sales compensation and ensure their strategies are well-suited to their specific business contexts, I am here to lend my expertise. With extensive experience tailoring compensation plans to enhance sales productivity and company profitability, I invite you to reach out for further guidance on crafting a plan that meets and exceeds your strategic goals. You can set a time to talk to me using my link above Book Appointment With Sean.

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