score

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 – Special Episode: CEO Workshop – Defining Your Corporate Sales Strategy – E63

by Sean O'Shaughnessey

Sales Strategy Isn’t Just About Hitting Numbers: It’s Your Operational Backbone for Success A well-defined sales strategy is indispensable for long-term business success. Importance of Market Segmentation Don’t fall into the trap of a one-size-fits-all approach. Market segmentation is your tool to tailor unique strategies for distinct customer profiles, ensuring maximized reach and impact. Crafting a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) A compelling USP is your golden ticket in a saturated market. Your competitive edge makes… Two Tall Guys Talking Sales – Special Episode: CEO Workshop – Defining Your Corporate Sales Strategy – E63

Queen of Spades: Providing Constructive Feedback: Give Actionable Advice to Aid Improvement

by Sean O'Shaughnessey

In B2B sales, where every interaction and every closed deal matters, providing constructive feedback is not merely an addendum to the daily operations—it is a pivotal aspect of the sales narrative, a determinant of success. The intricacy of feedback, however, cannot be overstated. It is a craft that, when honed, can propel the underperforming to new heights of achievement and the proficient to unprecedented mastery. The Anatomy of Actionable Feedback Consider the feedback mechanism as… Queen of Spades: Providing Constructive Feedback: Give Actionable Advice to Aid Improvement

Nine of Spades: Addressing Salesperson Underperformance: Setting Performance Benchmarks: Define standards for success to measure against.

by Sean O'Shaughnessey

Understanding the Nature of Sales Benchmarks Let’s start by grounding ourselves in the foundational premise: Sales benchmarks are not merely numerical goals but the defining coordinates of success. If you will, consider them as your organization’s North Star, guiding your sales team through the complexities of quotas, customer relationships, and revenue targets. Benchmarks transcend the limitations of raw numbers and extend into the realm of qualitative assessment—whether it’s the ability to understand customer needs or… Nine of Spades: Addressing Salesperson Underperformance: Setting Performance Benchmarks: Define standards for success to measure against.

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Understanding and Adapting to the Buyer’s Journey for Sales Success – Episode 33

by Sean O'Shaughnessey

In this thought-provoking podcast, hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey dive into the challenges salespeople face when their sales process doesn’t align with the buyer’s journey. Using the example of a beer industry manufacturer, they explore the difficulties encountered when dealing with prospects who are only interested in the price and user count and how this can lead to feeling like a commodity. This insightful discussion underscores the importance of adapting to the buyer’s journey… Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – Understanding and Adapting to the Buyer’s Journey for Sales Success – Episode 33

Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – The Power of Service: How Giving Back Can Drive Sales Success featuring Jim Hardwick, Chief Community Officer of Sales Xceleration – Episode 31

by Sean O'Shaughnessey

In this inspiring episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” the hosts, Sean and Kevin, welcome Jim Hardwick, Chief Community Officer for Sales Xceleration and Fractional VP of Sales. As a seasoned sales professional with 36 years of experience in healthcare, Jim shares his journey from climbing the corporate ladder to finding purpose and joy in his current role. He attributes his newfound happiness to a paradigm shift towards serving others, a realization sparked by… Two Tall Guys Talking Sales Podcast – The Power of Service: How Giving Back Can Drive Sales Success featuring Jim Hardwick, Chief Community Officer of Sales Xceleration – Episode 31