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Skinned Knees Blog

What An MBA Didn’t Teach You About Sales

The sales profession is challenging. You need to work hard at it to succeed. You need to learn from the best. You need to improve your skills continuously. If you think you can sell since you are a hit at parties and have a lot of friends, you may soon find that you are a failure as a salesperson. Blunt truth:

because the sales profession is so hard, you have to focus on doing everything in sales very well, or you will be considered a failure.

I call this blog, Skinned Knees because I try to relate all of the learning that I have done over the past 4+ decades (while skinning my knees in the learning process).

I hope that you learn from my mistakes so that your business will grow!


Crafting Your Path to Success: Strategic Sales Planning for Small Businesses

The foundation of success in B2B sales lies in the ability to close deals and the strategic planning and objective setting that precedes any sales activity. This article offers a roadmap for salespeople, sales managers, and CEOs of small companies keen on refining their sales strategies and bolstering their management capabilities. Connecting your sales objectives with your company’s long-term goals is central to developing an effective sales strategy. Sales leaders should cast a vision for… 

Strategizing Success: A Small Business Guide to Sales Mastery

Understanding the intricacies of sales plans, processes, and methodologies is beneficial and crucial for sustained growth and success in B2B sales. This deep dive offers invaluable insights for salespeople, sales managers, and CEOs of small companies looking to refine their sales strategies and enhance management capabilities. A sales plan is more than just setting targets; it’s about crafting a roadmap to market success, focusing on who you’re engaging with and the value you bring to… 

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Sales Mastery with Tom Daly: Transforming Newbies into Business Leaders – E80

Join hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey on “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales” for another enriching episode, this time featuring the insightful Tom Daly from Focus Insights Group. Building on the momentum of our previous conversation in the last episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, Tom delves deeper into the world of sales, sharing his expertise on nurturing new talent and guiding companies to refine their sales strategies for sustained success. Whether you’re a… 

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Scoring Big in Sales: Lessons from March Madness – E79

In this sports-oriented episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey dive into the fascinating parallels between March Madness NCAA basketball tournaments and sales strategies. Kevin and Sean take this opportunity to explore how the tournament’s structure and the season leading up to it offer valuable lessons for developing winning sales strategies. Key Topics Discussed: Key Quotes: Additional Resources: MEDDPICCC for sales strategy and the importance of opportunity qualification –… 

Keep Your Client’s Outcomes in Mind When Creating Decision Timelines

I regularly talk to my clients who have long and complicated sales processes regarding the need to adopt a Decision Timeline. These are known by many different names, but regardless of name, they are a list of action items that both companies need to check off either independently or mutually. This allows both the selling and buying teams to have a project plan to arrive at a decision to move forward with a financial transaction… 

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Building Trust and Credibility in Sales: A Conversation with Tom Daly – E78

Dive into the sales world with “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” where hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey engage candidly with Tom Daly from Focus Insights Group. This episode, rich with insights and anecdotes, peels back the layers of what makes or breaks sales strategies, highlighting the crucial elements of successful sales encounters. Join us as Tom shares his wealth of experience, offering invaluable advice to sales novices and veterans alike on how to excel… 

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales – Carving Success: Chris Spanier on Sales-Marketing Synergy – E77

This episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales” is essential listening for small business owners, sales leaders, and marketing professionals striving for growth in a competitive marketplace. Chris Spanier shares invaluable insights on making the most of limited budgets, the critical importance of sales and marketing collaboration, and strategic approaches to achieving company-wide success. Through real-life examples and practical advice, Chris, Kevin, and Sean illuminate a path forward for businesses looking to cultivate a powerful synergy between sales and marketing. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a marketing expert dedicated to helping companies seize the day and achieve their goals.

Ready to transform your sales and marketing strategy? Download this episode now for expert guidance on driving profitability and growth in your business.