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B2B sales

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!

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales – Building a Sales Plan That Works: Aligning Vision with Execution – E107

Join Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessy, your hosts on Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, as they delve into the crucial topic of building a comprehensive corporate sales plan. Fresh off last week’s enlightening episode with Richard Cogswell, Kevin and Sean are back to share actionable strategies for creating a robust sales plan that aligns with corporate goals, ensures sales team success, and drives growth. Whether you’re a VP of Sales or a business owner looking… Two Tall Guys Talking Sales – Building a Sales Plan That Works: Aligning Vision with Execution – E107

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales – Building a Mission-Led Sales Culture: Insights from Richard Cogswell – E106

In this episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey sit down with Richard Cogswell, a 20-year sales veteran and author who leads the APAC region in the FinTech space. Richard shares his journey from commission-only sales in the insurance industry to becoming a B2B sales leader in the complex world of payments. Together, they discuss the critical importance of developing a mission-led culture, the pitfalls of sales leadership without… Two Tall Guys Talking Sales – Building a Mission-Led Sales Culture: Insights from Richard Cogswell – E106

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Strategic Sales Planning: Finish Strong and Prepare for FY25 – E105

As the year winds down and football season takes over, Sean O’Shaughnessey and Kevin Lawson remind us that it’s time for sales leaders to focus on the coming year. In this episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, Sean and Kevin dive into actionable strategies for building a strong foundation in FY25, including compensation plan design, strategic projects, and investing in your sales team. Whether you’re a sales leader, business owner, or manager, this episode… Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Strategic Sales Planning: Finish Strong and Prepare for FY25 – E105

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Sales Success and Growing Pains: How to Build Systems That Scale – E104

In this episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey explore the complexities of rapid sales growth. While many companies aspire to grow, not all are ready for the operational strain accompanying success. The hosts share insights on scaling systems, optimizing sales operations, and ensuring growth doesn’t break your business. This episode offers actionable strategies for businesses facing fast-paced expansion, from onboarding salespeople to expanding infrastructure. Key Topics Discussed: Key Quotes: A… Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Sales Success and Growing Pains: How to Build Systems That Scale – E104

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Daily Habits for Deepening Sales Relationships: A Guide for Busy Sales Professionals – E103

In this insightful episode, Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey delve into practical strategies for deepening relationships and boosting sales without extensive outreach efforts. Whether you’re a seasoned sales professional or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable tips to enhance your sales approach by focusing on the people you already know. Key Topics Discussed: Key Quotes: Additional Resources: A Significant Actionable Item from this Podcast: Daily Personalized Outreach: Dedicate a few minutes daily… Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Daily Habits for Deepening Sales Relationships: A Guide for Busy Sales Professionals – E103

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Sales Strategy Deep Dive: How to Align Offers with Client Expectations – E102

Join hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey in a dynamic episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” where they dive deep into the essential elements of crafting an effective sales strategy. Whether you’re a sales newbie or a seasoned pro, this episode promises insights into refining your approach to acquiring new clients and boosting your sales performance. Key Topics Discussed: Key Quotes: Additional Resources: A Significant Actionable Item from this Podcast: Reflect on Your Client… Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Sales Strategy Deep Dive: How to Align Offers with Client Expectations – E102

Overcoming Ghosting and Other Modern Sales Challenges: A Proactive Approach

Many salespeople, sales managers, and company CEOs grapple with the unique problem of adapting their sales strategies to ever-changing market dynamics. This problem stems from an old-fashioned practice in which sales leaders tend to offer the same advice that made them successful when they were nascent salespeople. However, to remain competitive and productive, realizing that this traditional advice may no longer hold relevance in today’s sales world is crucial.

Let’s consider a sales leader who made his mark when the internet was still in its infancy, and email and mobile phones were not part of the sales process. If this sales leader continues to advise their team based on those past experiences, they will likely be setting them up for failure. Today, the sales world is no longer about physical gatekeepers but about navigating spam filters and phone blockers. The sales environment has evolved, and it’s time sales strategies do, too.

A typical issue salespeople face today is being ‘ghosted’ by potential clients. Ghosting, a relatively modern term, refers to the situation where the person you’re trying to reach is not returning your calls or emails. It’s a frustrating experience, but it also indicates a salesperson’s failure to be proactive and do the right things earlier in the sales cycle. Modern salespeople need to think ahead, plan better, and ensure they set up the next meeting before leaving the current one. This proactive approach can help prevent ghosting, keep the sales conversation going, and indicate progress.

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Designing Sales Compensation Plans That Drive Performance

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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Using Value Propositions to Stand Out in a Competitive Market

Understanding and effectively communicating your value proposition is crucial for success in B2B sales. It can be the difference between winning and losing a deal. Whether you’re a salesperson, a sales manager, or the CEO of a small company, this topic is extremely relevant.

A value proposition is not merely a catchy slogan or a well-crafted elevator pitch. It is a broader collection of reasons why a potential buyer should choose your product or service. A value proposition identifies the customer’s needs and goals and demonstrates how your product or service can address these.

One key aspect of a value proposition is its ability to resonate with the customer. This involves deeply understanding the customer’s needs and tailoring your proposition to their specific situation. This allows the sales team to find the match between the customer’s needs and your offer. To resonate effectively, you need to answer two key questions for the customer: Why act? And why now?

The ‘why act’ question establishes the need for your product or service. If the customer doesn’t see a need, they won’t be interested, no matter how great your offering is. The ‘why now’ question creates a sense of urgency. Without this, a customer may acknowledge the need for your product or service but see no reason to act immediately.

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