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138 articles by Sam Manfer · showing 38

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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Good Work Won’t Win the Next Sale

When people buy from you they expect good results. So when they get what they paid for, it’s really nothing special. Therefore, when it’s time to buy again, those same people will consider you because you delivered. But they won’t necessarily buy from you, because again, it wasn’t anything special. On the other hand, if there was a problem of any sort, you’re remembered as a problem, even if you corrected it. Consequently when it’s time to buy again your chances are slim.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Sales Management Training: Differentiating Your Business during This Recession

It’s amazing to me that most sales people, mangers and corporate officers believe they know what their prospects and clients are thinking and wanting. On the surface and/or in general terms they may be correct sometimes. However, it’s not the vague generalities that win sales. ...It’s amazing to me that most sales people, mangers and corporate officers believe they know what their prospects and clients are thinking and wanting. On the surface and/or in general terms they may be correct sometimes. However, it’s not the vague generalities that win sales.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***8 Ways to Get C-Levels and Gov’t Exec’s to Start Spending in this Depression

Right now corporate and government officials are keeping spending and capital investments to minimum. Even if government projects are funded and have nothing to do with budgets, they are still being put on hold. Why, because it’s not right to spend now. It looks badly and ultimately the fear ...Right now corporate and government officials are keeping spending and capital investments to minimum. Even if government projects are funded and have nothing to do with budgets, they are still being put on hold. Why, because it’s not right to spend now.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Sales Management in This Recession - Improve Your Sales Team’s Performance

We limit ourselves when it comes to selling and business development. Here is another story from my networking association meeting the other night. This article can help you or your people overcome self limiting sales beliefs and develop more business faster. Back to the two ladies I talked ...We limit ourselves when it comes to selling and business development. Here is another story from my networking association meeting the other night. This article can help you or your people overcome self limiting sales beliefs and develop more business faster.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Executive Reluctance: 5 Tips for Overcoming Fear and Making the Sale

What goes through you when your boss or your inner-self says you’ve got to get to the top decision maker for this deal, contract, renewal or sale? It’s probably not great. However, the executive suite is where you have to be to increase you chances of success. Most sales people quickly boast ...What goes through you when your boss or your inner-self says you’ve got to get to the top decision maker for this deal, contract, renewal or sale? It’s probably not great. However, the executive suite is where you have to be to increase you chances of success.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
2,775 views4.3/5 (3)
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

C-Level Selling: What’s in Your Solution Portfolio?

You sell products, services or both. But buyers don’t want things or services. What they really want are solutions to problems (stating it negatively) or desired results (stating it positively.) These solutions and desired results can sound abstract or intuitive when initially talking, but they are very poignant and constantly sought after. Your Solution Portfolio

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Preparations for C-Level Presentations Make Perfect

Your final test to win contracts is your presentation. How professional you look based on what needs to be heard will determine your success or failure. Remember these voters want what they want - not what you think they should want. They also want no risk and maximum gain. Therefore you’ve ...Your final test to win contracts is your presentation. How professional you look based on what needs to be heard will determine your success or failure. Remember these voters want what they want - not what you think they should want. They also want no risk and maximum gain.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***C-Level Selling Tip 12 – Level to Level Selling Is a Myth

CEOs and upper level people don’t refuse to meet with people because of their level or position. They reject them because there is no credibility. Titles indicate credibility, and that’s why it may seem easier for a senior executive to get a meeting with another senior manager. However, title credibility only lasts until the titled person opens his or her mouth. Transferred Credibility

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***The Two Most Neglected Selling Elements

There are two key tasks often overlooked, forgotten or not practiced when it comes to generating more sales. The first is getting to profit center leaders and other key executives after sales are made. Most high level people don’t pay attention to how well you or your sales people ...There are two key tasks often overlooked, forgotten or not practiced when it comes to generating more sales.r

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***C-Level Interviewing - How to Handle Lying Customers and Prospects

My daughter, who's looking for a house, recently said she doesn't trust realtors. Around the same time, some sales people I am coaching said that prospects always lie. So who is it that lies -- salespeople are customers? Well, as a sales person or sales manager, you probably hedge, embellish, wing-it, and stretch the truth at times. So does that mean you lied, and should be included in the generalization of never trust a sales person?

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

C-Suite Selling: Identifying the Ultimate Decision-Maker

Sometime it’s tough to know who actually makes the final decision. Well, the person responsible for profit and loss (P/L leader) is the ultimate decision-maker for anything of consequence in his or her domain. This person can be a CEO or a General Manager or a Plant Manager, or a Product-line Manager, or another title. But profit and loss are the keywords. Ask, “Who ultimately takes the hit if things go south?” These P/L leaders are very easy to identify. Just ask anyone or check the internet.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

C-Level Selling Tip 9 - Overcoming Executive Intimidation

Anxiety is the uneasy feeling that arises within you when thinking about approaching a senior level executive, doctor, high government official, etc. It surfaces because you are anticipating an unpleasant outcome or projecting a negative experience. So in essence, it’s your own imagination that creates executive intimidation.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***C-Level Selling -- The First Rule for Handling Gatekeepers and Blockers

Always assume you'll be blocked and rarely will you be incorrect. Suppose you meet with someone -- your initial contact – and you get along well. She or he likes what you have to say. She or he sees the benefits. Everything seems fine. What typically happens next? Well, you might ask for the ...Always assume you'll be blocked and rarely will you be incorrect.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***C-Level Selling: Move From Vendor To Preferred Supplier by Relationships Selling Corporate Leader$

Purpose, Focus, Confidence, Credibility and Performance are the path to the executive suite. Once there, sales come easily and continuously. Then you’ll move from vendor to preferred supplier and have a successful large account. The sad truth is that most sales people believe they are high ...Purpose, Focus, Confidence, Credibility and Performance are the path to the executive suite. Once there, sales come easily and continuously. Then you’ll move from vendor to preferred supplier and have a successful large account.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Sales Management - 7 Selling Tips on Handling Price, Price, Price

Price is tricky. Price could be what s/he wants if everything else is the same. Price could be what someone tells you when they want to get rid of you. Price could be for a resell and the final seller only knows how to sell low price. Price could be what a subordinate thinks the boss wants, as in, “Get us the best deal.” Price could be in this range, or within my budget, or what I can afford. Price could be, “We’re big and we know we can squeeze you.” So here are some tips to handle price.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

C-Level Selling: Sales Questions That Engage Prospects

Let’s say you’re a C-Level executive or a staff manager doing your job and someone comes into your office. Who would you rather sit opposite: (1) a detective trying to interrogate you about what you’re doing, or how you’re doing your business or (2) an interested person (maybe a friend) asking what kind of problems or challenges you’re having today with an aspect of your business ….., and what would you like to do about them? Interrogating

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***7 Reasons C-Level Relationship Selling Eliminates the Need for Low Price Bidding

1. I learned long ago the only way to use low pricing as a strategy is if you are the low cost producer. In this way you can outlast your competitors by losing less. Once they are out of business, you’ll own the market and can charge what you’d like. 2. The other thing I learned ...1. I learned long ago the only way to use low pricing as a strategy is if you are the low cost producer. In this way you can outlast your competitors by losing less. Once they are out of business, you’ll own the market and can charge what you’d like.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Eliminate 2 Common And Critical Selling Mistakes by Using C-Level Relationship Selling

The New Account Syndrome The biggest handicap to increasing sales and market share is the inordinate amount of time sales people feel they have to spend getting new accounts. These are tough sales, second only to the toughest - trying to introduce new technology or new services to new accounts. ...The New Account Syndrome

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***7 Advanced Sales Training Skills Required For C-Level Selling – Part I, Interviewing

Everybody knows that to present, ask questions, and listen are the basics of selling – not necessarily in that order. However, most sales people do not know the finesses associated with these basics because they never learned them. Selling typically is not a destination career. But when ...Everybody knows that to present, ask questions, and listen are the basics of selling – not necessarily in that order. However, most sales people do not know the finesses associated with these basics because they never learned them.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Networking Works Part II – The Message That Makes Networking Work

Your words and actions are critical for successful networking - not because you’re trying to trick anyone, but because you need your contact to understand what exactly you want from him or her. Without this understanding you’re liable to get random information and this can hurt you in many ...Your words and actions are critical for successful networking - not because you’re trying to trick anyone, but because you need your contact to understand what exactly you want from him or her. Without this understanding you’re liable to get random information and this can hurt you in many ways.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Increase Retail Sales By Being Attentive

I was on a mission to do a few things at the Mall the other day. I was what’s called a motivated buyer. I dashed into one of the optical chain stores, and there at the reception counter was a middle-aged woman talking on the phone to a friend about being reprimanded or something. After seeing ...I was on a mission to do a few things at the Mall the other day. I was what’s called a motivated buyer. I dashed into one of the optical chain stores, and there at the reception counter was a middle-aged woman talking on the phone to a friend about being reprimanded or something.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Selling At The C-Level - The 5 Elements: Part IV- Credibility

Everyone knows that “Those with the In, Win”. Sales people want to be connected at the top, but usually struggle. Sales managers to presidents wish their sales people could get connected and were schmoozing with the top executives. So this five part series is intended to help you easily and ...Everyone knows that “Those with the In, Win”. Sales people want to be connected at the top, but usually struggle. Sales managers to presidents wish their sales people could get connected and were schmoozing with the top executives.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Retail Sales: Acknowledge Potential Customers in Retail Selling

Wal-Mart may conger up some images for you, yet one thing Wal-Mart does is to have a Greeter to make people feel welcome. Even the old K-Mart use to announces “Welcome K-Mart shoppers.” Unfortunately, after the Greeter or the welcome message, you get lost in the sea of people and merchandise ...Wal-Mart may conger up some images for you, yet one thing Wal-Mart does is to have a Greeter to make people feel welcome.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***C-Level Selling: Executive Relationships - The Primer

For people new to C-Level Selling getting to executives, knowing who the right executives are is a problem. This is followed by getting to the executives and then developing professional relationships with them. The right executives are the profit-center leader and his or her staff. These ...For people new to C-Level Selling getting to executives, knowing who the right executives are is a problem. This is followed by getting to the executives and then developing professional relationships with them.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Sales Management: More, Better, Faster Requires Change

I’ve been doing some prospecting lately and found that every CEO and Sale Manager I speak with has issues with their sales, but few want to do anything significantly different about their sales issues. Sure they want everybody to do more, better and faster. However this is the classic ...I’ve been doing some prospecting lately and found that every CEO and Sale Manager I speak with has issues with their sales, but few want to do anything significantly different about their sales issues. Sure they want everybody to do more, better and faster.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Be Distinct Or Be Extinct

Customers select one company from the others based on getting something that’s important “better” from the one. “Better” simply boils down to three (3) factors – more benefits, less risks, and least effort. Many believe selection is based on price. I say not true. A “better” deal – yes. ...Customers select one company from the others based on getting something that’s important “better” from the one. “Better” simply boils down to three (3) factors – more benefits, less risks, and least effort. Many believe selection is based on price. I say not true. A “better” deal – yes.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***6 Actions To Get You Prepared For Networking

When prospecting or getting to higher-level people, most sellers suffer the rejection and futility of cold calling because they hate to ask people they know for help. Resulting Problem People lose motivation and waste time making cold calls. They get nowhere slowly. Even worse, the ... When prospecting or getting to higher-level people, most sellers suffer the rejection and futility of cold calling because they hate to ask people they know for help. Resulting Problem

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***It’s 11 PM. Do You Know Where You Are?

This was the opening of the 11 O’clock News in Western New York for years while I lived there. Only it asked, “Do you know where your children are?” My question is all about you and who’s watching out for you? See, we are usually watching out for our children, spouses, parents, etc and not ...This was the opening of the 11 O’clock News in Western New York for years while I lived there. Only it asked, “Do you know where your children are?”

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Getting Hired During A Recession

Getting a job is a sale and requires the skills of a top sales person. Unfortunately most people never learned how to sell, even most sales people. To complicate the matter further this sale is about you, which is very emotional. The good news is that your product knowledge is second to ...Getting a job is a sale and requires the skills of a top sales person. Unfortunately most people never learned how to sell, even most sales people. To complicate the matter further this sale is about you, which is very emotional. The good news is that your product knowledge is second to none.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***C-Level Relationship Selling: Selling at the Executive Level -The 5 Elements - Part II - Focus

Everyone knows that “Those with the In, Win”. Sales people want to be connected at the top, but usually struggle. Sales managers to presidents hope their sales people are connected and schmoozing with their customers’ top executives. So this five part series is intended to ...Everyone knows that “Those with the In, Win”. Sales people want to be connected at the top, but usually struggle. Sales managers to presidents hope their sales people are connected and schmoozing with their customers’ top executives.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***4 Quick Tips For Cross-Selling

Is cross-selling in your 2008 future? If not it should be. It is the easiest way to make more sales. That’s because you have relationships and if you know how to use them, it translates to easy sales, better pricing, elimination of any budget issues, and no competitive involvement. Now for the ...Is cross-selling in your 2008 future? If not it should be. It is the easiest way to make more sales. That’s because you have relationships and if you know how to use them, it translates to easy sales, better pricing, elimination of any budget issues, and no competitive involvement.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Lead with “You” For Proactive Relationship Selling

What do you say when you call on potential buyers or the top executives of your clients organizations? If you’re like most, you’ll do some chit chat and then say something similar to, “I just wanted to check on how we’re doing with the XYZ project.” Then probably before you leave, you’ll say, ...What do you say when you call on potential buyers or the top executives of your clients organizations?

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Slaying The Gatekeepers: How To Get To The Leaders And Win The Sale

“GO NO FURTHER.” That might as well be the sign implied, perceived or implanted in most people’s minds when it comes to dealing with gatekeepers. Yet, if left in place, these blockers can kill your chances of making the sale because they control where and how your message moves upward. It’s ...“GO NO FURTHER.” That might as well be the sign implied, perceived or implanted in most people’s minds when it comes to dealing with gatekeepers. Yet, if left in place, these blockers can kill your chances of making the sale because they control where and how your message moves upward.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***The Power Of Selling In The Executive Suite

Sales begin from the bottom-up or the top-down. They can begin internally from a perceived need, or they can begin exte ally from a marketing presentation. No matter how the sale initiates it ends with the executive in charge of the decision saying yes or no. Sales can turn into large ...Sales begin from the bottom-up or the top-down. They can begin internally from a perceived need, or they can begin exte ally from a marketing presentation. No matter how the sale initiates it ends with the executive in charge of the decision saying yes or no.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

***Sales Manager Coaching

If you’re not satisfied with your sales status looks to the coach of your team – your sales managers. Here’s a way to check how good they are. First, does your sales manager know where his/her sales will come from by account, by product / service for 2008? Or is it about, “Here is my number, ...If you’re not satisfied with your sales status looks to the coach of your team – your sales managers. Here’s a way to check how good they are.

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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By Sam ManferRecently published1 topic

4 Simple Steps for C-level Selling

The main reason companies and sales people lose orders is the sales person delivered the wrong message. It isn’t about price, or competition having something you don’t have. S/He hears his or her vision of what’s needed will be fulfilled by someone other than you. Bottom line and never forget it: The message the ultimate decision maker wanted to hear was not your message. Either you gave the wrong message or whoever gave it for you got it wrong or made it wrong. Therefore, if you want more sales and cross-sells, you have to start C-Level Selling 4 Simple Steps for C-level Selling

Primary topic: Sales Management Training
Sales Management Training
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