Management By Objective

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!

The High Cost of Discounts: Navigating Sales Strategies for Maximum Profitability

by Sean O'Shaughnessey

This article, “The High Cost of Discounts: Navigating Sales Strategies for Maximum Profitability,” delves into the nuanced implications of discounting strategies within the B2B sales arena. It critically examines the traditional practice of offering discounts to boost sales volume and its potential adverse effects on profitability. By exploring key financial metrics such as Gross Profit, Net Profit, COGS (Cost of Goods Sold), and SG&A (Selling, General & Administrative Expenses), the article sheds light on the essential balance businesses must maintain between generating sales and sustaining profitability. It challenges the conventional sales approach, advocating for a more strategic application of discounts and emphasizing the importance of aligning sales strategies with the company’s broader financial objectives. Through a detailed analysis, it reveals how indiscriminate discounting can undermine net profit margins, necessitating a significant increase in sales volume to maintain overall profitability. The article concludes by suggesting a shift towards value-based selling, strategic negotiation, and aligning product offerings closely with customer needs as effective strategies for enhancing profitability without relying on discounts.

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales – Mastering Sales Compensation: Strategies for Business Growth – Episode 58

by Sean O'Shaughnessey

Don’t miss out on this episode if you’re looking to revamp or create a sales compensation plan that truly works. Kevin and Sean offer a comprehensive guide that covers everything from the timing of releasing plans to aligning them with your business goals. Tune in to Two Tall Guys Talking Sales and equip yourself with the knowledge to build a compensation plan that not only retains but also attracts top sales talent. Start setting your sales team—and your business—up for success today!