As business owners, managers, and accountants sit down to take stock of their respective budgets, the first place they look is the major expense column. And the major expense item most difficult to quantify in terms of value provided is the cost of marketing products and services. Marketers, both in-house and agency-based, are regularly cross-examined: […]
If your customers do not perceive the value in what you are selling, they will most likely buy from your competitors. Focusing on the “drivers” that influence your customers’ perceptions of value can help you position your product or service as a solution to the challenges they face. Here are their primary concerns: Financial. Your […]
Successful salespeople are better listeners than talkers. Instead of talking about how valuable they are, they carefully listen for how they can be of value. Here are three steps to help salespeople develop “20/20” hearing: 1. Tune in totally. Before meeting, decide to listen 80% of the time and talk only 20% of the time. […]
Value-added selling is an ongoing process and, as such, contains four steps that repeat themselves constantly. 1st – Preparation. Commit to the value-added attitude. Become a student of sales and study. Focus strategically on the types of customers from whom you think you can get the return you need. 2nd – Planning. Planning is call […]
Tired of meetings where no one contributes? Schedule a mandatory meeting and tell team members their “admission ticket” will be an index card with an original idea written on it. Collect the tickets at the door, and start the meeting by reading every member’s idea.
