Dive into the sales world with “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” where hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey engage candidly with Tom Daly from Focus Insights Group. This episode, rich with insights and anecdotes, peels back the layers of what makes or breaks sales strategies, highlighting the crucial elements of successful sales encounters. Join us as Tom shares his wealth of experience, offering invaluable advice to sales novices and veterans alike on how to excel in the sales domain.
Key Topics Discussed
The Journey from Sales Novice to Expert: Tom reflects on the early, often challenging days of sales, underscoring the importance of mentorship and learning.
Aligning Sales with Business Goals: How to ensure that sales strategies are effective and align with broader business objectives.
The Role of a Salesperson as a Business Advisor: Moving beyond the traditional sales role to become an indispensable client partner.
Building Trust and Credibility in Sales: Strategies for salespeople to become trusted advisors, leading to long-term client relationships and referrals.
The Importance of Process and Structure in Sales: Tom emphasizes the need for a disciplined approach to sales, akin to accounting, for scalability and predictability.
Advice for CEOs on Sales Process Management: Insights on how CEOs can foster a more structured and effective sales process within their organizations.
Key Quotes
Tom Daly:
“The professionals that are awesome at sales, they just simply like helping. And they like helping people in a critical way where they can’t help themselves.”
Sean O’Shaughnessey:
“Sales is about transferring trust… It’s easier to transfer trust when it’s your company. It’s harder when you’re a salesperson.”
Kevin Lawson:
“Understanding your market and understanding your value proposition is really important. When you marry those together… you become that trusted advisor.”
Focus Insights Group, LLC: Learn more about Tom’s consultancy, aiding clients to achieve their best sales year. – Focus Insights Group, LLC
Summary
This episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales” delves into the essence of successful selling, from the foundational days of learning the ropes to mastering the art of becoming a business advisor rather than just a salesperson. Tom Daly, with his extensive experience and passion for sales, shares practical advice on how salespeople can truly make a difference by focusing on their clients’ needs and dreams. Whether you’re a budding salesperson looking to improve your skills or a CEO striving for sales excellence within your organization, this conversation offers a trove of insights and strategies to help you achieve your goals.
Tune in to this episode for a compelling dive into effective sales practices with Tom Daley, and discover how to transform your sales approach from transactional to transformational.
Welcome to another insightful episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” where hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey delve into new territories’ challenges and strategies, especially in consumable sales. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for salespeople and leaders navigating the competitive landscape of selling products that are regularly consumed by customers. Whether you’re a seasoned sales professional or just starting in a new territory, this episode offers valuable insights into crafting successful sales strategies.
Key Topics Discussed
Strategies for New Salespeople in Established Territories: Understanding how to enter and grow in a territory with established competition.
Importance of Being a Trusted Advisor: The role of salespeople in becoming integral to their customers’ operations and decision-making processes.
Selling Beyond the Product: Emphasizing the value of the salesperson and the company in addition to the product itself.
Differentiating in a Competitive Market: How to stand out when selling products that are similar to what competitors offer.
Leveraging Non-Traditional ICPs (Ideal Client Profiles): Finding success by targeting non-traditional clients who may only purchase specific items from the sales line.
Building and Sustaining Customer Relationships: Strategies for maintaining long-term customer relationships in consumable sales.
Key Quotes
Kevin: “You’ve got to give somebody enough reason to give us a try. Whether you’ve gone through Sandler, that ‘give us a try’ is a strategy or it’s a pricing strategy, product strategy, and where you play in the market.”
Sean: “You need to get that prospect, that company that isn’t buying from you today, to buy something from you. You need to start to develop that relationship. You earn the right to sell more to them.”
Additional Resources
Book: “Challenger Sale” – Recommended by Sean for understanding how to challenge and drive customer businesses – https://a.co/d/hOtMIGp.
Sandler Training – Mentioned by Kevin as a resource for sales strategies – https://www.sandler.com/.
Summary
In this episode, Kevin and Sean provide a comprehensive guide on effectively breaking into new territories, especially in industries where products are consumed regularly. They emphasize the importance of being more than just a salesperson; being a trusted advisor and an integral part of the customer’s business. The discussion covers strategies for differentiating in a competitive market, leveraging non-traditional client profiles, and building sustainable customer relationships. This episode is a must-listen for sales professionals looking to expand their reach and deepen their impact in new territories. Join us next week for more insights on “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales.”
Welcome to another insightful episode of “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales,” where hosts, Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey, delve into the often-overlooked realm of consumable sales. In this episode, they explore strategies for making that initial sale and ensuring repeat business in a competitive market. Whether you’re selling paper, steel, lubricants, or any consumable product, this episode is packed with valuable insights for sales professionals at all levels.
Key Topics Discussed
The Importance of Being a Trusted Advisor: Understanding the significance of building solid customer advisory relationships in consumable sales.
Selling Beyond the Product: How to add value and differentiate yourself when selling widely available products that are similar across competitors.
Strategies for New Territory Development: Tips for sales leaders and salespeople on effectively breaking into and growing new sales territories.
Crafting a Unique Selling Proposition (USP): The necessity of developing a compelling USP, even for distributors of similar products.
Role of Sales Managers and CEOs: The importance of leadership in providing tools and processes to support the sales team in delivering value.
Maintaining Customer Satisfaction: Strategies for keeping customers engaged and ensuring repeat business in a competitive environment.
Key Quotes
Sean: “The value you bring is you. The value you bring is your ability to understand the prospect, your ability to guide the prospect.”
Kevin: “Figure out for yourself what makes the most value for your customers. When they say, ‘thank you,’ what do they say thank you for?”
Additional Resources
Book: “Challenger Sale” – Recommended for understanding the concept of challenging and driving customer business – https://a.co/d/cIUwphe.
Book: “Eliminate Your Competition” by Sean O’Shaughnessey https://a.co/d/4qCVNEP.
Summary
In this episode, Kevin and Sean provide a deep dive into the world of consumable sales, emphasizing the importance of being more than just a salesperson – being a trusted advisor. They discuss the necessity of understanding your product and your customer, crafting a unique selling proposition, and the critical role of sales managers and CEOs in empowering their teams. Whether you’re a seasoned sales professional or just starting, this episode offers practical advice and strategies to excel in the competitive market of consumable sales. Tune in to “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales” for these and more invaluable sales insights.
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
The Power Matrix: Learn how to identify and engage with key stakeholders in your client’s organization, from decision-makers to influencers.
Consultative Selling: Discover the essence of becoming a trusted advisor rather than just a vendor and how this approach can significantly impact your sales.
Financial Acumen: Understand why knowing your client’s financial position can give you a competitive edge and how to gather this information.
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.
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
Sean’s book on sales strategies, “Eliminate Your Competition,” You may purchase “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 such retailers as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books A Million.
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!
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:
The importance of becoming a trusted advisor in sales.
Building and maintaining long-lasting relationships with clients.
The role of curiosity in understanding a client’s business.
The significance of being well-read and informed about current business challenges.
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.”
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!
The Art of Tailored Sales: Aligning with Customer Goals
In the sophisticated arena of modern business, it’s essential to view sales as less of a transaction and more as an art form akin to bespoke tailoring. Visualize the meticulous process a tailor undertakes: measuring every contour, considering every preference, and ultimately delivering a piece that feels personal and perfect. This analogy is apt for sales professionals who prioritize understanding their clients’ distinct goals, like crafting a suit that impeccably fits its wearer.
Establishing the central idea: every company operates within an ever-evolving ecosystem, pivoting and maneuvering based on various factors ranging from market flux to competitive forces. Amidst this complex dance, firms constantly search for products and partnerships that propel them closer to their targets. To cement this concept further, let’s reflect on a striking study postulated that solutions explicitly aligned with a company’s goals have a 60% higher probability of consideration than generic offerings. What’s underscored here isn’t merely a trend but a resounding preference for tailored solutions.
Now, understanding these goals isn’t as straightforward as it seems. It’s not about a singular, monolithic ambition but rather a rich tapestry of layered objectives. Beneath an apparent goal of, say, a 10% market share growth, there might lie nuanced purposes, like refining brand perception or tapping into fresh demographics.
Yet, diving into these layered objectives presents its own set of challenges. Not every goal is transparently communicated. It demands keen discernment and a nuanced understanding of various stakeholders’ perspectives. For instance, while a CEO is often zeroed in on amplifying shareholder value, a CMO might be more engrossed in sculpting brand narratives, and concurrently, a COO could be engrossed in streamlining operations.
So, how should a sales professional proceed in the face of such complexities? The strategy unfolds in multiple stages. Begin with attentive consultations; these sessions should prioritize listening and discerning as much as they do showcase your product. Dive deep into available resources – from press releases to annual reports – offering a view through which a company’s broader goals can be perceived. Engaging with multiple stakeholders provides a more rounded perspective, ensuring no aspect of the company’s ambition remains obscure. And, of course, always prioritize feedback, as this often serves as a goldmine for insights on company priorities.
Such comprehensive preparation sets the stage for a transformative approach to selling. Armed with these insights, the final pitch transitions into an act of alignment. It accentuates how the proposed solution doesn’t merely address a challenge but seamlessly integrates with the company’s aspirations, acting as a potent catalyst.
This methodology doesn’t just elevate the sales process; it completely redefines the relationship dynamic. As a sales professional adopting this approach, one is no longer perceived merely as a vendor but is recognized as a strategic partner. Someone who doesn’t just understand the metrics but grasps the dreams, aspirations, and challenges underlying those numbers.
It’s imperative for CEOs, sales managers, and all sales professionals to internalize this approach. Just as the world’s top tailor doesn’t merely produce a garment but crafts a personal experience, so should a sales professional. By understanding, aligning, and delivering with such precision, your product transcends just being an option for your prospect to consider; your product is elevated to an indispensable choice. Remember, in the intricate ballet of business, the nuanced understanding and tailored approach wins the day. Aim to be that master tailor in the world of sales. Understand with depth, align with precision, and watch your solutions become the favored choice.
Bob Robinson, Jr., and his mechanical-engineer father, Bob Robinson, Sr., came up with the idea for a product the world truly needed 25 years ago: a “no-touch” restroom cleaning machine. Their company, Kaivac, is a Hamilton, OH-based manufacturer of cleaning machines. Hamilton is a suburb of Cincinnati, OH.
Bob Robinson, Jr.
“We were on our hands and knees, crawling around the bathroom,” recalls Bob, Jr. “It was disgusting. We said, ‘There’s got to be a better way.'”
Through hard work and dedication, the Robinsons created the KaiVac to help solve that initial problem in public restrooms. Over the years, they grew the idea to create dedicated machines to clean kitchen floors, hallway floors, and grocery displays. Beyond its bathroom cleaning technology, it has expanded into floor cleaning and spill response machines and has 18 patents with 16 pending.
Along with growing their manufacturing capabilities, they also grew their sales capabilities. They adopted a hybrid strategy of selling through distribution and selling directly to key customers. Their direct team, under the leadership of Bob Robinson, Jr., who had taken on the role of VP of Sales, closed many enviable customers with massive deals, including Walmart, Kroger, and Target.
They realized that they needed to step up their sales professionalism after having a down year during COVID after having a record-breaking year the year before. They wanted to grow to $75 million in annual revenue within three years and a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) of $1 billion in annual revenue within 20 years.
Bob Jr. says Kaivac is just getting started. “At 20 to 25 years in business, you’re at an inflection point where you’ve got resources, tenure, and history and have been through ‘adolescence,'” he says. “Now is the chance to build a professionalized organization.”
They contacted New Sales Expert LLC as the nation was coming out of the global pandemic, but before all the supply chain problems had paused. New Sales Expert LLC is a fractional vice president of sales consultancy. Sean O’Shaughnessey, the CEO of New Sales Expert, is aligned with SalesXceleration and has 38 years of experience in sales and sales management.
According to Sean, “Kaivac is a joy to work with. They are the shining star of Hamilton, OH, and Butler County. They had so much raw potential when I walked in the door; all I had to do was to focus their energy and enthusiasm on working smarter and just a little harder.”
Building an organization with a heart
Bob Robinson, Sr.
Kaivac had a great culture to build on to make a great sales culture. Before Sean showed up, the company leadership had already developed their One-Page Strategic Plan and their “Why?” statement that reflects the owners’ Christian faith: “To glorify God by using KAIVAC as an instrument for Good.”
In addition to the “Why?” statement, they had drafted an acronym called FIGS that conveys the “heart” of the company. FIGS—which appears on signs that hang on the factory floor and in break rooms—stands for
F: “First shall be last, last shall be first.”
I: Integrity—as in “The truth shall set you free.”
G: Golden Rule—meaning “treat others how you want to be treated.”
S: Servant’s Heart, as in “We are in a race to help people.”
The company uses the first three letters of its name–KAI–to inspire the team’s thinking and actions. These letters stand for inspiring phrases such as: “Keep At It,” “Keep Always Improving,” “Keep Attempting the Impossible,” and “(creates) Kick-Ass Inventions.”
Prioritizing net income and growth
Sean’s first change was to make a compensation plan that motivated the sales team to sell bigger deals and to sell them quickly. Kaivac implemented a 50/50 plan in concert with defined territories to keep the Key Account salespeople focused on the goal of more significant and profitable orders.
After the motivation component was in place, it was time to help the team learn how to sell big deals more repeatedly. The big deals of the past had been challenging to work on and, while very profitable, had been disruptive to close. Sean encouraged the company to read John McMahon’s book, “The Qualified Sales Leader,” and with that tome as inspiration, quickly deployed MEDDPICCC to help them qualify deals.
MEDDPICCC by itself is not enough. The company had already licensed Salesforce, one of the highest-rated CRMs on the market, but Sean put MEDDPICCC into the various stages of the sales process to ensure that the salespeople knew all the required information about a big deal. Sean also created dashboards within Salesforce to track deal progress at the management level. The company implemented Sales Plans for Key Accounts and the Power Matrix to document the most influential people in the customer’s decision-making process.
The very first big deals that the company found after Sean started to help them also benefited from the Decision Timeline. The Decision Timeline is a tool to allow the sales team to walk through the entire decision-making process of the customer to understand all of the steps required to make a significant investment decision. It allowed frank and honest conversations to take place with the prospect as the team worked to close the largest deal in the company’s history to date.
Time to run on their own
Mike Perazzo, Allen Randolph, Bob Robinson, Jr., and Nick Wehby after passing their Certified Sales Leader exams.
As with most of the assignments with New Sales Expert, LLC, the goal is to allow the company to run independently. Bob Robinson Jr. was the company’s VP of Sales. Still, he needed to shed those responsibilities to help run the entire company. To finish the transition, Bob and three of his leaders took SalesXceleration‘s Certified Sales Leadership course delivered by Sean O’Shaughnessey.
The Certified Sales Leader (CSL) designation is the country’s most comprehensive sales leadership certification program offered. CSL leadership training and certification will prepare you with the analytical, tactical, and strategic sales management skills needed to drive revenue growth now…and into the future. CSL training expands the skill set of a Sales Manager by providing coaching, techniques, and tools to lead a successful sales team.
All four Kaivac leaders passed the CSL test. One of them, Mike Perazzo, was tagged to take over as Executive Vice President of Sales. According to Mike, “Sean is a master coach for helping shape sales process and methodology. Following his methods will help grow sales faster, transactionally, and strategically. Often a couple of pieces of the puzzle are missing, and Sean helps quickly identify them.
You have everything to gain by having Sean look at your current approach. He is a change agent and disruptive to the status quo. Pushing the pace and flow of deals is his sweet spot. I am a better sales leader because of my time with him.”
Bob Robinson, Sr., and Jr. with their sales team celebrating a recent patent award
Sean O’Shaughnessey of New Sales Expert, LLC states, “Kaivac is a wonderful company. They have created a line of machines that gives pride to the workers in one of the toughest jobs in America – keeping things clean. They are focused on the success of their customers and their employees. They had all of the raw skills within their sales team to be a great sales organization; they only needed me to focus them on activities and techniques that allowed them to close bigger deals faster and at a higher profit level.”
“If anyone works in a clean building with clean restrooms and hard surface floors, they are either cleaning it with Kaivac technology or paying too much for that cleanliness,” Sean explains.
Revenue and profitability have grown since Sean helped Kaivac develop a higher level of sales professionalism. Recent results have shown a dramatic increase in revenue and profitability. The sales and revenue growth have allowed the entire family of Kaivac to prosper. The Robinsons have always considered their employees an extension of their family. The company’s prosperity is passed along to team members through a bonus structure for the whole company. It all fits into the spirit of Kaivac. Bob Jr. says, “Our organization was built to have heart.”
In this dynamic episode of the “Two Tall Guys Talking Sales” podcast, hosts Kevin Lawson and Sean O’Shaughnessey, delve into the importance of strategy in successful sales performance. Using a navigational analogy, the hosts discuss how just like using an app like Waze, successful sales also requires anticipation and understanding of the challenges on the way.
Drawing parallels between navigation and sales, Kevin and Sean underscore the value of proactive strategic planning. From the importance of mapping out the sales process akin to charting a route on a map to responding to unforeseen challenges, just like navigating detours on a road trip, they highlight how a robust strategy can guide salespeople from the starting point to their goals effectively.
Touching on subjects like the sales process, tactics, and mid-year sales strategy, the hosts shed light on the importance of a sales process, likening it to a paper map providing a general path. They discuss how technology today allows for more dynamic navigation, reflecting on how modern sales techniques can help efficiently reach sales targets.
Kevin shares the difference between strategy and tactics, comparing a sales strategy to a commander’s intent in the military, emphasizing that strategies are generally long-term. Sean continues the conversation, sharing how salespeople can be proactive in their strategy, planning in advance for predictable stages in the sales process.
On a practical note, the duo also discusses how sales leaders can help their teams distinguish between strategy, tactics, and to-do items, nurturing their understanding and development in the sales process. Lastly, the hosts touch on the importance of strategic planning for the coming year, even in the middle of the current one.
Listeners are sure to find actionable insights and practical advice in this episode that could help them to formulate effective sales strategies and tactics, streamline their sales processes, and drive their sales performance forward.
In this episode of Two Tall Guys Talking Sales, Sean O’Shaughnessey and Kevin Lawson discuss the importance of standing out and differentiating oneself in the competitive world of sales. They explore how salespeople can escape the commodity mindset and become trusted advisors to their clients, ultimately leading to more money and success.
Key takeaways from the episode include:
The importance of differentiating oneself in the sales process
Understanding and embracing the role of an expert in your field
“The Challenger Sale” book’s approach, and its impact on sales success
The dangers of proposing too early and devaluing your offering
Creating value for your clients by helping them be successful
Evaluating and improving your sales pipeline to increase revenue
The hosts also mention insightful books and previous podcast guests, such as Kelly Crandall and Jim Hardwick (both Fractional Sales VPs aligned with Sales Xceleration), who provide valuable perspectives on sales and leadership.
Sean and Kevin encourage our listeners to reach out with any questions or topics they would like to see covered in future episodes.
Don’t miss this episode full of practical advice and insights on improving your sales game, adding value to your clients, and ultimately making more money. Listen now to learn from the experts, and start transforming your sales approach today!
In this episode of the podcast, Kevin and Sean discuss the necessity for sales leaders to adapt their advice and strategies in today’s ever-changing environment. With the numerous changes and challenges that businesses face daily, sales leaders must constantly evolve and stay ahead of the curve to help their teams succeed.
The discussion touches on how being a trusted advisor to clients is crucial for success regardless of market shifts and economic turmoil. The ability to understand and professionally empathize with clients and their challenges allows salespeople to guide clients and prospects toward solutions effectively. Emphasizing the significance of leading indicators in sales activities and reframing value propositions according to clients’ perspectives is vital.
To achieve enduring success, sales leaders must instill the importance of understanding a prospect’s business, its competitors, and its market value to the sales team. This will ultimately make them trusted advisors to their clients and help them navigate the complex and ever-changing business landscape.
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