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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!


Maximizing Sales Team Productivity: The Importance of Effective Sales Meetings

Numerous factors can contribute to a sales team’s success or failure. Two key aspects that are often overlooked yet hold immense importance are the structure and content of sales meetings. These gatherings are not just about reporting numbers or discussing targets. They are platforms for learning, sharing, and strategizing that can significantly boost a sales team’s performance.

One of the fundamental principles of a productive sales meeting is having a clear plan. This doesn’t mean having a rigid agenda without room for spontaneity. On the contrary, it’s about having a framework that guides the discussion and ensures that the meeting stays focused on the key topics at hand. 

A common mistake many sales leaders make is covering too many topics in a single meeting. In an attempt to address every issue, they often skim the surface of each topic without delving deep into any. The result is a meeting lacking depth and tangible insights or solutions. Limiting the number of key topics to one or two per meeting is advisable to avoid this. This allows for a more in-depth discussion and a better understanding of the issues at hand.

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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.

Unlocking Sales Potential with MEDDPICCC: A Comprehensive Guide

Elite sellers are the linchpin of any successful sales organization. These high-performing individuals are often the highest-paid employees within a company—and for a good reason. Their skills in identifying, qualifying, and closing opportunities bring in significant revenue and provide a competitive edge in the marketplace. So, how can you groom an average salesperson into an elite seller? Enter MEDDPICCC, an advanced sales qualification methodology that serves as a roadmap for understanding every component of a… Unlocking Sales Potential with MEDDPICCC: A Comprehensive Guide

August Newsletter

I hope you enjoy my August Newsletter Posts Subscribe I hope you enjoy my August Newsletter Published: Tue, 08/15/23 I hope that you enjoy my latest newsletter View the online version of this email. Football is starting at your local school and in the NFL. That used to mean that we were in Autumn, but now it means that we are simply in the dog days of summer. I hope the summer has been great… August Newsletter

20 Activities That a Virtual Assistant Can Perform To Help a Sales Leader Be More Effective

A Vice President of Sales plays a critical role in the success of a business by overseeing and leading the sales team to achieve revenue targets. To be effective in their position, the VP of Sales must be able to focus on strategic decision-making and high-level planning while delegating operational tasks to a capable team. One way to facilitate this delegation is through a virtual assistant, who can perform various functions that support the VP of Sales and the sales team. Here are some ways a virtual assistant can add value to the role of VP of Sales.

Tip #6 of 12 – How To Start The New Year STRONG! – Embrace new technology

New technologies are dramatically changing how businesses operate across all industries, from analytics to artificial intelligence and from automation to social media. As our world becomes more technologically advanced, so does the competitive landscape for salespeople looking to grow their organizations. To stay ahead of this curve, salespeople must learn to embrace these growing technological trends and leverage them for competitive advantage to remain successful in today’s marketplace. In this video, we’ll explore how these… Tip #6 of 12 – How To Start The New Year STRONG! – Embrace new technology

Tip #4 of 12 – How To Start The New Year STRONG! – Improve Time Management

As we turn the page on a new year, it’s time for salespeople and sales managers to put their best foot forward by establishing efficient and practical time management habits. Every successful salesman knows that prioritizing goals correctly, staying ahead of deadlines, and honing in on your target audience are hallmarks of a successful selling approach. By beginning the new year off with practical strategies for better utilization of time spent working, you can create… Tip #4 of 12 – How To Start The New Year STRONG! – Improve Time Management