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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!

Elevating Your Sales Game in the New Year: The Essential Guide to Social Selling – Video 8 of the New Year Motivation Series

Leveraging social selling is essential in today’s digital-first business environment. This guide offers advice on creating a professional digital persona, engaging with prospects, and setting consistent interaction goals on platforms like LinkedIn. It emphasizes the importance of activities such as updating profiles, sharing relevant content, and attending virtual events to build connections and increase sales success. A focus is placed on using LinkedIn’s Social Selling Index (SSI) to measure and improve social selling effectiveness, aiming to make the New Year a milestone in sales achievement.

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales – Expanding Your Sales Horizon: Conquering New Territories in Consumable Sales – E71

In this episode, Kevin and Sean provide a comprehensive guide on effectively breaking into new territories, especially in industries where products are consumed regularly. They emphasize the importance of being more than just a salesperson; being a trusted advisor and an integral part of the customer’s business. The discussion covers strategies for differentiating in a competitive market, leveraging non-traditional client profiles, and building sustainable customer relationships. This episode is a must-listen for sales professionals looking to expand their reach and deepen their impact in new territories. Join us next week for more insights on “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales.”

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales – The Trusted Advisor: Excelling in Consumable Product Sales – E70

In this episode, Kevin and Sean provide a deep dive into the world of consumable sales, emphasizing the importance of being more than just a salesperson – being a trusted advisor. They discuss the necessity of understanding your product and your customer, crafting a unique selling proposition, and the critical role of sales managers and CEOs in empowering their teams. Whether you’re a seasoned sales professional or just starting, this episode offers practical advice and strategies to excel in the competitive market of consumable sales. Tune in to “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales” for these and more invaluable sales insights.

The Follow-Up Formula: Driving Sales Success in the New Year – Video 7 of the New Year Motivation Series

Effective follow-up is essential for sales success in the New Year, as emphasized in a video series covering best practices. Promptly thanking clients, utilizing a CRM efficiently, scheduling the next meeting immediately, and adapting follow-up strategies to industry rhythms are crucial steps. These actions distinguish a good sales year from a fantastic one, underlining the importance of follow-up in building relationships and achieving sales targets.

From Features to Solutions: Rethinking Sales for the New Year – Video 6 of the New Year Motivation Series

In the New Year, sales professionals should focus on problem-solving to enhance their approach. Successful sales hinge on understanding a client’s core issues and how a product can solve them. Proposals should tell a compelling story, supported by relevant case studies. Transitioning from a feature-focused to a solution-oriented strategy will differentiate one in the market and foster long-lasting relationships.

Unleashing Your Sales Potential in the New Year: The CRM Game-Changer – Video 5 of the New Year Motivation Series

As the new year unfolds, the urgency to hit the ground running in sales is paramount. My mission is to guide you toward a robust sales strategy. The cornerstone of this strategy? Mastering your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The Critical Role of CRM in Sales Success A CRM is more than just a tool; it’s the lifeline of your sales process. If you’re still on the fence about using a CRM or struggling with… Unleashing Your Sales Potential in the New Year: The CRM Game-Changer – Video 5 of the New Year Motivation Series

Elevate Your Sales Game: New Year’s Guide to Advanced Client Relationship Building – Video 3 of the New Year Motivation Series

To achieve sales success, focus on building enduring client relationships by personalizing communication and maintaining regular contact. Prioritize both existing clients and new prospects, aiming for one new client relationship per month. Utilize a CRM system to track interactions and attend networking events for valuable introductions. For more insights, watch the latest video.

Elevating Product Knowledge: Creating Sales Growth in the New Year – Video 2 of the New Year Motivation Series

In today’s evolving business environment, continuous improvement of sales strategies is crucial. Comprehensive product knowledge and understanding the unique value of offerings are essential. Regular product training, client scenario practice, and creating a product FAQ are recommended. Tailoring conversations to decision-makers and integrating new features and client success stories can enhance sales effectiveness.

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales – Selling Repeat Products: A Guide to Thriving in Consumable Product Sales – E69

In this episode, Kevin and Sean provide valuable insights into the world of selling consumable products. They emphasize the importance of understanding the unique challenges of this market, including the need for a strong value proposition and the crucial role of the salesperson in understanding and meeting customer needs. The discussion also covers effective territory management and the benefits of leveraging team strengths for cross-selling. This episode is a must-listen for sales professionals looking to excel in the consumable products market and for those seeking to enhance their sales strategies in competitive environments.

Listen to this episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales to gain valuable insights and strategies for excelling in the consumable products market, and to learn how to effectively grow your sales territory and manage customer relationships