entrepreneur

The Customer Connection, Part 1

Whether in life or in business, we share the planet with others. And it’s only through successful personal interaction that we achieve our goals. And the way to successfully interact with others so that we succeed is quite simple: Help THEM to succeed. This approach works in all aspects of life, and it will bolster […]

The Customer Connection, Part 1 Read More »

The Silent Salesman

Yeah, you’re busy. Join the crowd. We all are. Most of the world is. Deal with it… But have you considered perhaps a little patient quiet time might actually increase your sales? Most of us don’t realize it, but we hate the sound of silence, and if we’re questioning a prospect and don’t get an

The Silent Salesman Read More »

Why You Are Losing Sales, Part 1

While many reasons contribute to losing a sale, the top reason by far is simply not following the selling process. Like a dancer who doesn’t know the steps looks foolish on the dance floor, a sales person not following this process appears disjointed and unprofessional, loses connection with the prospect, and forfeits the sale. Mike

Why You Are Losing Sales, Part 1 Read More »

Can We Agree?

Making the sale ultimately requires the customer’s agreement to the product, price, terms, delivery, payment method, and to you. To get to this ultimate agreement requires a series of smaller agreements along the way that build toward the close of the sale. The sooner in your presentation you start building this pattern of ‘yeses’ the

Can We Agree? Read More »

Willing to Try and Able to Buy….

Willing to Try and Able to Buy…. This is the mantra of prospect qualification. If either quality is missing you’ll never make the sale. A prospect – even one with a LOT of money – who’s unwilling to try your product cannot really be considered a prospect. Instead they’re merely a disinterested party. And it’s

Willing to Try and Able to Buy…. Read More »

Everyone Listens to Station WIFM….

  This long-ago learned mantra has served me well throughout the years: Everyone listens to station WIFM…What’s In it For Me? It seems every sell sheet lists features and benefits but, while important, does anyone really care? Most people instead want to know what problem it’s solving plus how well and how cost-effectively it will

Everyone Listens to Station WIFM…. Read More »

Stalking the Sale

Imagine the majestic lion on the African Serengeti. Lying under the shade of an acacia tree, he observes gazelle grazing on nearby grass. His tail whips away a fly, yet he does not move. Hungry, he takes no action. But unless he chases and catches one of the gazelle, he will not eat today. Instead

Stalking the Sale Read More »

The Toothpaste Factory Solution

A Short Story for Engineers And you don’t have to be an engineer to appreciate this…. This was sent to me by my dad on 1/6/2012, and it’s not mine. But it illustrates a really terrific point, so I’m sharing it with you. If anyone knows the original author, please let me know so I

The Toothpaste Factory Solution Read More »

Giving Thanks for the Wonderful Opportunity of Today

You turn on the TV or radio, or pick up a newspaper or magazine, and you would think that Thanksgiving would be an inappropriate holiday this year with economic turmoil, global unrest, and pandemic outbreaks of the swine flu. But those, as important as they are to the news media, are just temporary side issues

Giving Thanks for the Wonderful Opportunity of Today Read More »

Celebrate Independance Day Entrepreneurial Style

Concerts, parades, barbeques, and fireworks come to most peoples’ minds when they think of the Fourth of July. And we’re no different, even though we may be entrepreneurs at heart. While we join in the celebration of our nation’s independence, we understand as well that it is for our own individual independence that we are

Celebrate Independance Day Entrepreneurial Style Read More »