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sales strategy

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 Productivity in Sales Meetings: Key Principles and Best Practices

Sales meetings are the lifeblood of any sales-driven organization, providing an essential forum for communication, collaboration, and strategy development. Yet, despite their significance, many salespeople, managers, and CEOs struggle to conduct productive and efficient meetings. This issue often stems from a lack of understanding of key meeting principles and best practices, particularly in the areas of time management, content planning, and participant engagement.

The adage “time is money” holds especially true in sales. Every minute counts, and wasted time equates to lost opportunities. This is why punctuality is of the utmost importance. A meeting that starts late or runs over time is disrespectful to participants and detrimental to the team’s overall productivity. 

To avoid this pitfall, sales leaders should ensure they always arrive early to meetings and start them on time, without exception. This requires careful planning and preparation, as well as a commitment to respecting the time and schedules of others. The same principle applies to the end of the meeting. Sales leaders should always strive to conclude meetings on time, which requires careful meeting agenda management and a willingness to keep discussions focused and on track.

Content planning is another crucial aspect of effective meeting management. Just as a ship needs a compass to navigate the seas, a meeting needs an agenda to guide its proceedings. A well-crafted agenda provides a clear structure for the meeting and helps to keep discussions focused and productive. It also sets clear expectations for participants and helps to ensure that all relevant topics are covered.

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Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – The Four Pillars of Sales Success with Veteran Advisor Chris Goade – E89

Join Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey in this compelling episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” featuring seasoned sales acceleration advisor Chris Goade. As a pioneer in the field from Dallas-Fort Worth, Chris brings a wealth of experience from top companies like Dr. Pepper, PepsiCo, and 3M. Delve into the intricacies of building effective sales processes and learn firsthand about the transformative power of structured sales strategies.

Key Topics Discussed

  • Building Effective Sales Teams: How creating structured processes can accelerate sales performance.
  • Sales Process Fundamentals: Chris outlines the critical pillars of a successful sales process, including lead generation and customer relationship management.
  • Transitioning from Corporate to Consulting: Chris shares his journey from corporate sales to starting his own consulting business and the lessons learned.
  • The Evolution of Sales Tools and Techniques: Discussion on how sales strategies have adapted over time, especially in response to technological advancements.
  • Maintaining Customer Relationships: The importance of nurturing existing relationships to foster long-term business growth.
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Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Fundamentals First: Building a Winning Sales Team with Tom Morgan of Sales Xceleration – E88

Welcome to another insightful episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” where we continue our vibrant discussion this week with special guest Tom Morgan, a former collegiate basketball coach turned sales strategy guru. Diving into the parallels between sports coaching and sales management, this episode is packed with strategic insights to enhance your sales team’s performance as the quarter and year draw to a close. Key Topics Discussed: Key Quotes: Summary: Whether you’re a sales… Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Fundamentals First: Building a Winning Sales Team with Tom Morgan of Sales Xceleration – E88

From Crisis to Control: Managing Expectations in Sales Leadership

The concept of “managing up” emphasizes the importance of aligning a sales team’s objectives with the expectations of upper management. This approach is particularly crucial during periods of sales turnaround, where the usual metrics might falter and innovative, agile responses are required. “Managing up” involves treating higher management as an internal customer whose needs must be understood and met with the same diligence as those of external clients. For sales leaders, this means crafting a… From Crisis to Control: Managing Expectations in Sales Leadership

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – The Gap Analysis Advantage: Bridging Client Needs with Optimal Solutions with Chris Cocca – E86

Welcome to this week’s episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, where hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey are joined by Chris Cocca, a sales expert, to discuss the vital aspects of discovery meetings and qualifying prospects for a robust sales pipeline. Tune in as they delve into the methodologies that distinguish successful sales strategies, particularly focusing on the RAIN training concept and the essential practice of understanding client aspirations and afflictions. Key Topics Discussed:… Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – The Gap Analysis Advantage: Bridging Client Needs with Optimal Solutions with Chris Cocca – E86

Optimizing Sales Territories for Growth and Efficiency

Territory design is critical for ensuring efficient revenue generation and optimal team performance. Sales leaders, especially those at the helm of small—to mid-sized companies, must revisit and potentially recalibrate their territory strategies to accommodate growth and maintain competitiveness. Effective territory management starts with a clear understanding of the business landscape. Ensuring that each salesperson has a viable area with ample opportunity is crucial. This may sound straightforward but involves a delicate balance of geographic and… Optimizing Sales Territories for Growth and Efficiency

Building High-Performing Sales Teams: Accountability, Strategy, and Success

Navigating the complexities and ensuring a robust and productive team are pivotal to achieving sustained success in sales. Accountability within a sales team requires pinpointing underperformance and creating an environment where feedback is constructive and growth is nurtured. The notion that no team member should be surprised by a change in their employment status underscores the importance of transparent communication. Setting realistic expectations and having regular discussions ensures that salespeople know where they stand and… Building High-Performing Sales Teams: Accountability, Strategy, and Success

Building High-Performing Sales Teams through Strategic Alignment

The challenge of aligning the right people with the right organizational roles is paramount. As sales leaders and CEOs of small companies, understanding the intricacies of building and maintaining a proficient sales team is crucial for driving growth and achieving success. The concept of having the “right people in the right seats” is not just a matter of recruitment but an ongoing process of evaluation, development, and strategic alignment. It’s essential to recognize that the… Building High-Performing Sales Teams through Strategic Alignment

The Key to Extraordinary Sales: Developing a Compelling Unique Selling Proposition

In B2B sales, professionals grapple with many challenges that can make or break their success. Clearly articulating a unique selling proposition (USP) stands out as a cornerstone for distinguishing oneself from the competition. This capability is not just a nicety—it’s a necessity. As businesses strive to carve out their niche in crowded markets, understanding and communicating what makes them distinct becomes paramount. The concept of a USP or value proposition is often used interchangeably, yet… The Key to Extraordinary Sales: Developing a Compelling Unique Selling Proposition