Monitoring Client News and Updates: Stay informed about client updates to address their changing needs  – Driving New Sales: Transforming Small Businesses into Sales Powerhouses – Episode 5

Monitoring Client News and Updates: Stay informed about client updates to address their changing needs  – Driving New Sales: Transforming Small Businesses into Sales Powerhouses – Episode 5

Welcome to the latest episode of “Driving New Sales: Transforming Small Businesses into Sales Powerhouses,” where we dive into the critical aspects of B2B sales. Today, Sean O’Shaughnessey, a seasoned consultant in sales organization enhancement, sheds light on the importance of staying updated with client news and updates. This episode is proudly sponsored by “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” a podcast by Sean O’Shaughnessey and Kevin Lawson focusing on boosting sales management and methodologies.

Key Topics Discussed

  1. The Power of Staying Attuned to Client’s Business World: Sean discusses the significance of being proactive and informed about clients’ activities and how this approach transforms sales teams into strategic forces in B2B sales.
  2. Practical Tools and Strategies for Monitoring Client Updates: Explore the utility of Google Alerts and the role of social media in gaining insights into clients’ strategic moves.
  3. Interpreting Client News as Opportunities: Understanding how to read between the lines of client announcements and news for potential sales opportunities.
  4. Context and Timing in Sales Outreach: The importance of timing your sales outreach to align with clients’ immediate needs or strategic goals.
  5. Leveraging Analytics and CRM for Comprehensive Understanding: How to use analytics and CRM software to analyze client data and market trends for a more informed sales strategy.
  6. Aligning Monitoring Efforts with Sales Objectives: Ensuring all gathered information is strategically used to drive sales goals.

Key Quotes

  • “Staying informed about your clients’ activities is not just advantageous; it’s essential.”
  • “Google Alerts is a straightforward yet powerful tool… It’s about maximizing efficiency and staying one step ahead.”
  • “Data and tools are only as effective as the strategy behind them.”

Additional Resources

Action Items You Can Do Today

  1. Set Up Advanced Google Alerts: Tailor your alerts with specific queries for each client to filter the most relevant information.
  2. Actively Engage on Social Media: Monitor and engage with your clients’ social media activities to build relationships and gather insights.
  3. Analyze Client Structural Changes: Stay informed about your clients’ mergers, expansions, or layoffs and adapt your sales strategies accordingly.
  4. Conduct In-Depth Report Analysis: Regularly review clients’ quarterly and annual reports to tailor your sales approach effectively.
  5. Perfect Your Outreach Timing: Use your insights to determine the best timing for your sales approach, making it as impactful as possible.

Conclusion

In today’s episode, Sean O’Shaughnessey has provided invaluable insights into how monitoring client news and updates can revolutionize your sales strategy. Remember, successful sales are not just about the transaction; they are about offering timely, relevant solutions that align with the client’s current state and needs. Stay tuned for more episodes to continue transforming your business into a sales powerhouse.

Sponsor

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” where Sean O’Shaughnessey and Kevin Lawson discuss a single sales topic.

Kevin and Sean together have about 60 years of experience in professional selling. This podcast helps people in sales, sales leadership, and business leadership or company owners realize the maximum value of their company by improving their revenue generation capability. This podcast is designed to help those people enhance their companies’ sales management practices, methodologies, processes, teams, and messaging.

Sean O’Shaughnessey and Kevin Lawson are Fractional Vice Presidents of Sales. They operate their own companies separately but have partnered for this podcast to advise salespeople and SMB companies on successful strategies and methodologies.

Kevin is the CEO of Lighthouse Sales Advisors. Lighthouse Sales Advisors is a sales leadership solution provider for small businesses. Lighthouse helps business owners navigate the potential pitfalls around sales growth, sales turnaround, or scaling up by leveraging sales acumen and decades of experience to build effective sales teams. https://www.lighthousesalesadvisors.com/

Sean is the CEO of New Sales Expert. He helps company owners realize the maximum value of their company by improving their revenue generation capability. He helps owners enhance their sales management, methodologies, processes, teams, and messaging.

Contact Sean

You can learn more about Sean O’Shaughnessey at www.NewSales.Expert. You can drop him an email at Sean@NewSales.Expert. You can connect with Sean on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/soshaughnessey/

Discover how to stay ahead in the competitive world of B2B sales with Sean O’Shaughnessey’s expert insights. This episode of “Driving New Sales” is an essential listen for any sales professional, manager, or small business CEO looking to elevate their sales strategy and stay attuned to their clients’ evolving business world. Tune in now for strategies that will transform your approach to sales!

Analyzing Customer Goals: Understand customer goals and their desire to achieve them to tailor your solution – Driving New Sales: Transforming Small Businesses into Sales Powerhouses – Episode 3

Analyzing Customer Goals: Understand customer goals and their desire to achieve them to tailor your solution – Driving New Sales: Transforming Small Businesses into Sales Powerhouses – Episode 3

Welcome to an enlightening episode of “Driving New Sales: Transforming Small Businesses into Sales Powerhouses,” where we unlock the secrets of turning sales into an art form, much like a tailor crafting a custom-made suit. Sean O’Shaughnessey offers a deep dive into aligning your sales strategies with a client’s multi-dimensional objectives. Elevate your role from a mere vendor to a strategic partner. Tune in to not only understand the theoretical framework but also to arm yourself with actionable steps for immediate implementation.

Key Topics Discussed

The Art of Sales and the Power of Alignment: Why sales is an evolving art form akin to tailoring and the role of ‘alignment’ in contemporary selling.

Understanding Multi-Dimensional Objectives: Breaking down your client’s surface-level goals into a complex tapestry of layered objectives.

The Role of Consultations and Research: Why consultations should not be one-sided show-and-tells, and the importance of comprehensive research in crafting a potent sales strategy.

Unlocking the Goldmine of Annual Reports: A thorough explanation of why and how to read and analyze annual reports to gain deep insights into a company’s goals and challenges.

From Vendor to Strategic Advisor: How to evolve your position in your client’s eyes, transcending from being just a vendor to becoming a strategic advisor.

The Pinnacle: The Final Pitch: Leveraging insights to make your final pitch an act of alignment that seamlessly fits into your client’s broader objectives.

Key Quotes

  • “Solutions explicitly aligned with a company’s goals have a 60% higher probability of being considered.”
  • “You’re not just identifying opportunities; you’re crafting a solution that aligns with multiple facets of the prospect’s strategy.”
  • “You’re proving that you understand the intricacies of their business ecosystem, thereby making your solution not just a ‘good-to-have’ but a strategic imperative.”

Action Items You Can Do Today

Prioritize Listening: Begin consultations by mapping out the intricate goals that guide your potential client’s strategies.

Research Deeply: Dive into annual reports, press releases, and customer reviews to understand your prospects better. Look for recurring themes, as these usually indicate a crucial goal or challenge for the company.

Engage with Stakeholders: Use the Power Matrix to identify and converse with critical people across the organization for a well-rounded view.

Ask for Feedback: Always ask for feedback after initial consultations or presentations to refine your approach.

Sponsor:

Strategic Marketing and Execution is a Fractional CMO business that provides marketing leadership to businesses that have an emphasis on growth. The marketing agency churn and burn is real. This is often because there is no strategy. Start with a strategy with an emphasis on revenue growth, and then execute. Strategic Marketing and Execution helps small businesses identify who they are, who to market to, and how to differentiate. Align your marketing efforts with your sales team, and growth will follow. You can learn more at STXMKT.com about the process and people and how a fractional marketing leader might be the best fit for your business.

Contact Sean

You can learn more about Sean O’Shaughnessey at www.NewSales.Expert. You can drop him an email at Sean@NewSales.Expert. You can connect with Sean on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/soshaughnessey/

When you listen to this episode, you are taking a transformative step towards redefining your approach to sales. Sean O’Shaughnessey delves into the intricacies of aligning your product not just with the apparent goals but the intricate, layered objectives of your client. Master the art of turning each sales pitch into a finely crafted solution, transforming your role from a mere vendor to a strategic partner in your client’s journey. Hit play to elevate your sales game today!

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Special Episode: CEO Workshop – Understand Your Client’s Business To Sell More Effectively – Episode 52

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Special Episode: CEO Workshop – Understand Your Client’s Business To Sell More Effectively – Episode 52

This special episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales comes from a recent CEO Workshop put on by Sean O’Shaughnessey and Kevin Lawson. It was taken from a LinkedIn Live presentation that aired on September 29, 2023. You can listen to this episode or click over to the LinkedIn Live presentation at https://www.linkedin.com/events/ceoworkshop-understandyourclien7106962760084688896/

Are you a sales leader or CEO looking to supercharge your sales strategy? In this episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey delve deep into the art of understanding your client’s business to sell more effectively. Sean, a seasoned sales expert, shares invaluable insights on transitioning from being just a vendor to becoming a trusted advisor. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable advice, real-world examples, and strategies that can be immediately implemented to elevate your sales game.

Key Topics Discussed

  1. The Power Matrix: Learn how to identify and engage with key stakeholders in your client’s organization, from decision-makers to influencers.
  2. Consultative Selling: Discover the essence of becoming a trusted advisor rather than just a vendor and how this approach can significantly impact your sales.
  3. Financial Acumen: Understand why knowing your client’s financial position can give you a competitive edge and how to gather this information.
  4. Interdepartmental Relationships: Sean discusses the importance of having touchpoints across various departments in your client’s organization and how it can lead to a more tailored sales pitch.
  5. Customer Journey Mapping: Learn how to map out the customer journey to gain a 360-degree understanding of your client’s needs and motivations.

Key Quotes from Sean

  • “You elevate yourself from a vendor to a partner in the B2B sales arena.”
  • “Your proposition becomes not just a response to an RFP, but a comprehensive strategy of partnership.”
  • “This alignment leads to a consultative selling approach, one that evolves from being transactional to being deeply relational.”

Additional Resources

Summary Paragraph

Don’t miss this enlightening special episode that promises to transform your approach to B2B sales. Whether you’re a seasoned sales professional or a CEO looking to revamp your sales strategy, this episode offers a comprehensive guide to understanding your client’s business like never before. Tune in to “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales” and equip yourself with the tools and insights to become not just a vendor but a strategic partner in your client’s success journey. Subscribe today and stay ahead of the sales game!

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – From Salesperson to Trusted Advisor: The Art of Problem Solving – Episode 50

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – From Salesperson to Trusted Advisor: The Art of Problem Solving – Episode 50

Dive deep into the heart of sales and sales leadership with Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey as they unravel the essence of problem-solving in the sales arena. This episode isn’t just about identifying problems but understanding the art of solving them. If you aim to transition from just selling a product to becoming a trusted advisor, this episode is your roadmap.

Key Topics Discussed:

  1. The importance of becoming a trusted advisor in sales.
  2. Building and maintaining long-lasting relationships with clients.
  3. The role of curiosity in understanding a client’s business.
  4. The significance of being well-read and informed about current business challenges.
  5. Networking is a tool for gaining insights and asking better questions.

Key Quotes:

  • Kevin: “How you become a trusted advisor is solving a business problem, not selling a product.”
  • Sean: “The key to the kingdom is to become a trusted advisor to your client. So that that advisor says, I wonder what Kevin thinks about this.”
  • Kevin: “Are you the person who’s reliable? Do you always cancel at the last minute? Do you put somebody to voicemail every time and forget to call them back? That’s a withdrawal from the trusted advisor list.”
  • Sean: “The key is don’t just show up as a salesperson. Don’t just show up as a vendor. Show up as an interested third party that is trying to figure out about their business.”

Additional Resources:

In this enlightening episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” Kevin and Sean emphasize the importance of evolving from a mere salesperson to a trusted advisor. They discuss the nuances of building genuine relationships, the significance of being curious, and the need to be well-informed about the business landscape. Whether you’re a sales newbie or a seasoned professional, this episode offers invaluable insights that can transform your approach to sales. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your sales game. Tune in now!

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Beyond the Pitch: How Trust and Personal Brand Shape Sales Success – Episode 49

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Beyond the Pitch: How Trust and Personal Brand Shape Sales Success – Episode 49

Join hosts Sean O’Shaughnessey and Kevin Lawson as they delve deep into the art of sales, emphasizing the importance of trust, personal branding, and the role of a salesperson in today’s market. In this episode, they discuss the nuances of transferring trust, the significance of personal branding, and how sales leaders can guide their teams to success.

Key Topics Discussed:

  1. Transferring Trust: The essence of sales lies in transferring trust from the salesperson to the prospect, ensuring decisions are made in the desired timeframe.
  2. Three Pillars of Sales: Selling your company, your product, and most importantly, yourself.
  3. Personal Branding: The importance of building a personal brand that accelerates trust and how sales leaders can foster this among their teams.
  4. LinkedIn and References: Utilizing LinkedIn as a tool for validation and building credibility.
  5. Professional Appearance: The impact of a salesperson’s appearance on the perception of trust and professionalism.
  6. Empathy and Curiosity: Starting conversations with genuine interest and understanding of the client’s business.

Key Quotes:

  • Kevin: “To build trust early, you have to be referenceable… People could commercially find us, so to speak.”
  • Sean: “You sell your company. You sell your product, and you sell yourself.”
  • Kevin: “Nine-tenths of the law is perception.”
  • Sean: “The more you understand your client’s business, the bigger your brand will be.”

Additional Resources:

  • LinkedIn – A platform for professional networking and validation.
  • WKRP in Cincinnati – A classic TV show mentioned in the context of professional appearance.

In a world where trust is paramount, Kevin and Sean highlight the significance of personal branding in the sales process. From the importance of being referenceable on platforms like LinkedIn to the impact of professional appearance, this episode offers a comprehensive guide for salespeople and leaders alike. Whether you’re a seasoned sales professional or just starting out, the insights shared will undoubtedly enhance your approach. Tune in to “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales” every Tuesday for more invaluable sales advice!

Don’t miss out on this enlightening conversation about trust, personal branding, and the evolving world of sales. Listen now!

September Newsletter

September Newsletter

Two of Spades: Understanding your client’s business: Identifying Key Decision Makers: Know who holds influence to target presentations and pitches effectively.

Two of Spades: Understanding your client’s business: Identifying Key Decision Makers: Know who holds influence to target presentations and pitches effectively.

Precision in Sales: Identifying Key Decision Makers

Navigating the labyrinth of modern sales requires more than just a sharp understanding of your product. It requires clarity about your audience – the pivotal decision-makers who shape the trajectory of business deals. Drawing an analogy, consider a seasoned archer. The archer’s prowess is not merely in the pull of the bow but in the precision with which he identifies and hits the target. For those vested in sales, this target comprises the key decision-makers within a prospective client’s organization.

To lay the foundation, it’s essential to grasp that today’s corporations are not simplistic entities with a lone decision-making authority. I spend time explaining this in my book Eliminate Your Competition and in the blog posts supporting that book. Picture modern corporations as sprawling metropolises. Yes, there’s a mayor, but a host of other influencers – the business tycoons, policy advisors, and community leaders – each plays a part. Translating this to a corporate setting, beyond the towering presence of the CEO are the department heads, procurement officers, and sometimes, external consultants who play a role in decision-making. A revealing statistic notes that in many large corporations, the buying decision isn’t just the purview of one but a collective of 7-8 individuals, each bringing their perspective to the table.

Dive deeper into the implications of this. Operating blindfolded, with a broad target group of 100 potential influencers in the prospective corporation, your chances of engaging the right decision-makers is a mere 7-8%. However, with precise identification, you amplify your engagement effectiveness to over 90%. The magnitude of this difference in approach isn’t just quantitative but profoundly qualitative, influencing the trajectory of the sales process.

But the path to this precision is laden with challenges. Today’s organizations are evolving, with flatter hierarchies and collaborative decision-making. Unlike earlier times, the decision-making power is not solely with the top-tier executives; influence has become democratized. Though not wearing any significant title, stealth influencers can sometimes significantly steer decisions.

So, how does one maneuver through this intricate maze? The key lies in a blend of practical action and analytical discernment:

  • Industry-Specific Acumen: Every industry has its unique structural DNA. Understand this. The decision-making dynamics in a budding tech startup differ vastly from a century-old manufacturing giant.
  • Relationship Building: Frontline managers and executives, often overlooked, are reservoirs of insights. Their vantage point provides a clearer picture of the organization’s internal decision-making landscape.
  • Digital Platforms: Tools like LinkedIn are not just professional networking platforms but a goldmine for insights. Here, you can go beyond official titles and delve into an individual’s influence, judging by their professional endorsements, content shared, and network strength.
  • Networking at Industry Events: Beyond product showcases, industry events serve as platforms to understand the industry’s influencers.
  • Direct Queries: In your interactions, never hesitate to ask, “Who are the other decision stakeholders?” This showcases your earnestness and intention to cater to all relevant influencers. It is also worthwhile to ask, “The last time you bought a product like mine, can you describe how that decision-making process worked and who was involved?”

Using a tool like the Power Matrix, which I explain in great detail in my book, Eliminate Your Competiton, is worthwhile. The Power Matrix is an excellent tool for understanding the organization. I promise that if you can successfully fill out the Power Matrix in every account, you will be phenomenally successful.

Armed with this understanding, the sales strategy transforms. Recognizing that each decision-maker brings a unique perspective, sales pitches can be tailored. The concerns of a CFO would differ from those of a CTO. Precision targeting ensures your sales narrative addresses these nuances, elevating the pitch from a generic presentation to a tailored engagement.

For CEOs and sales professionals attuned to this discourse, the path to success in sales is akin to a symphony. Each note, each pause, and each crescendo is intentional. By understanding who pulls the strings in decision-making, you elevate your position. Your transition from being just another vendor to a strategic partner who doesn’t just aim to sell but aims to resonate. It’s about precision. It’s about forming lasting relationships. It’s about being in sync with the orchestra of decision-makers, ensuring your notes are pitch-perfect every single time.

You may purchase my book Eliminate Your Competition from your favorite book retailer. The ebook version is available at the most popular retailers, such as Apple, Amazon, Barnes & Noble. The paperback version is also widely available at retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books A Million.

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Driving Sales Success: Why KPIs Are More Than Just Numbers – Episode 45

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Driving Sales Success: Why KPIs Are More Than Just Numbers – Episode 45

Get ready to unlock the secrets of mastering the sales game with Two Tall Guys Talking Sales! This episode delves into the nuances of key performance indicators (KPIs), their significance in measuring sales efficiency, and the art of mentorship among salespeople. Listen as our hosts Sean and Kevin uncover the analogy of KPIs and share insights about setting the right measures for salespeople at various career stages.

Key Topics Discussed:

  1. Understanding Leading vs. Lagging Indicators: Foreseeing future trends and not just measuring past achievements is important.
  2. KPIs and the Marriage Analogy: Setting the right measures to cultivate relationships, just as one nurtures a romantic relationship.
  3. Differentiating KPIs for New vs. Veteran Salespeople: Tailoring strategies for those new to the profession, the company, or the industry.
  4. The Power of Mentorship: Leveraging the experiences of veteran salespeople and fostering growth among younger salespeople.
  5. Sales Training and Coaching: How combining formal sales training with hands-on coaching can amplify results.

Key Quotes:

  • Kevin: “KPIs are not about only the number of deals you sold. It’s about, ‘Am I doing the right behaviors over time?'”
  • Sean: “Those KPIs can’t be a hundred percent looking backward. We need to look ahead and say, what are we doing to generate business?”
  • Kevin: “Activity measures for new salespeople are different. I’m talking about doing the well-researched, planned prospecting call.”
  • Sean: “The real advantage of The RAIN Group is its training combined with my coaching.”

Additional Resources:

With a blend of engaging analogies, actionable insights, and personal experiences, Sean and Kevin illuminate the complex world of sales KPIs. Whether you’re a seasoned salesperson or just beginning your journey, this episode is packed with nuggets of wisdom that can transform your approach to sales. Dive deep into the essence of mentorship, discover the right measures for tracking success, and unearth the significance of forward-looking indicators. Don’t miss out on this chance to elevate your sales strategies and metrics. Listen now and redefine your sales mastery with Two Tall Guys Talking Sales!

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Revamping Your Outbound Sales Approach: Value Proposition, Touch Points, and Tactics – Episode 43

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Revamping Your Outbound Sales Approach: Value Proposition, Touch Points, and Tactics – Episode 43

Welcome to another exciting episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales with hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey. This episode delves into the vital world of outbound sales in a post-COVID landscape. We discuss strategies for creating an effective outbound pipeline, reflecting on our experiences with trade shows, and how to nail your unique value proposition. Discover how to master omnichannel outreach and understand why persistence is key in today’s competitive market.

Key Topics Discussed:

  1. The Trade Show Experience: Kevin and Sean open up about the highs and lows of trade shows and how the pandemic has shifted the industry’s focus from this traditional method of sales and marketing.
  2. Creating an Effective Outbound Pipeline: Our hosts emphasize the importance of having a clear, unique value proposition and understanding how it can resonate with your potential customers.
  3. Omni Channel Outreach: Kevin and Sean highlight the significance of reaching out to prospects across various channels – emails, phone calls, social media, and even traditional mail. They discuss the need for persistence in reaching out and making numerous touches to get a prospect’s attention.
  4. Prospecting and Value Proposition: Sean shares insights on how a value proposition can differ based on the industry and target audience. They talk about understanding and tailoring your value proposition to your audience for better customer engagement.
  5. Leveraging Tools for Sales Outreach: The hosts discuss a range of tools that can assist in streamlining and tracking your outreach efforts, from LinkedIn prospecting tools to CRMs and even task management tools.

Key Quotes:

  • Kevin: “Trade shows in a pre COVID environment were the lifeblood of many sales organizations… But here we are in a post-COVID world, and what we saw in the midst of COVID was pipeline evacuation.”
  • Sean: “The first thing I tell everybody is, “What are you going to say, and what makes it unique and valuable to your prospects?”
  • Sean: “Your unique value proposition may be targeted to a specific customer and you might have a different one targeted to a different customer… but then you need to make unique messaging for every one of those and unique tries for each one of those.”

Additional Resources:

  • CRM Tools
  • LinkedIn prospecting tools
  • Task management tools (Asana, Trello, Monday.com)

Summary:

In this episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey offer a practical, insightful guide to successfully navigating outbound sales in our new normal. They share their expertise in creating a compelling, unique value proposition, omnichannel outreach’s importance, and persistence’s role in sales. You’ll gain a wealth of advice, from understanding your value in a specific industry to leveraging various outreach tools to streamline and enhance your prospecting process. Listen to this episode for a deep dive into the tactics and strategies that can reshape your approach to outbound sales.

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Building and Scaling Successful Sales Teams: A Conversation with Tim Warren of Helium SEO – Episode 27

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Building and Scaling Successful Sales Teams: A Conversation with Tim Warren of Helium SEO – Episode 27

In this podcast, Kevin and Sean talk to Tim Warren, the founder, and CEO of Helium SEO. Tim talks about his background and how he got into sales. He discusses his experience building technical engineering-focused SEO and SEM campaigns for mid-size and enterprise clients. He also explains how his company has been able to drive higher ROI for its clients.

Tim shares his leadership journey as a sales leader and how he has learned that star salespeople don’t always make great coaches. He emphasizes the importance of having a sales process in place and training salespeople effectively to ensure consistency in performance. Tim also talks about the challenges of growing a sales team, such as hiring the right people and scaling the team without sacrificing quality. He reinforces why his LinkedIn profile says he is “Recruiting rockstars to build Helium to $100M. Are you ready to take your career to the next level?”

This podcast provides insights into Tim Warren’s sales journey and his approach to building and leading successful sales teams.