

	Sales Training	Search the Directory:

Being Politically Correct When Selling Can Cost You Sales

In our culture it is basically un-American for a prospective customer or client to help a sales representative or service industry professional in the selling process, by answering the probing questions required in an effective consultative selling approach. However, many sales trainers, coaches and managers teach that to be "politically correct," polite or to look professional, you must ask permission if you want to probe for information.

Don't believe it!

DON'T DO IT!

If you believe you must ask permission to ask questions, you dramatically reduce your ability to access the information needed to consistently close your sales, because most prospects have an inborn resistance to helping you make your sale.

The problem with "asking permission" to ask questions, is based in the same psychology that a person has when approached by a clerk in a retail store who asks, "May I help you?" Even if the customer knows what she wants, and could use the assistance, the question, as suggested in another myth, will often trigger the words, "No thanks I'm just looking."

To overcome a prospect's inborn resistance to answering questions that will help you make your sale, use the "provocative question/takeaway transition" method outlined in detail in several of The $elling Edge, Inc. publications. This proven technique is designed to set the stage for asking in-depth, probing questions that will not be resisted and will actually produce the opposite effect in your prospective customer or clients. Check out our manuals at: http://www.TheSellingEdge.com/book1.htm.

VIRDEN THORNTON is the founder and President of The $elling Edge®, Inc. a firm specializing in sales, customer relations, and management training and development. Clients have included Sears Optical, Eastman Kodak, IBM, Deloitte & Touché, Bank One, Jefferson Pilot, and Wal-Mart to name a few. Virden is the author of Prospecting: The Key To Sales Success and the best selling Building & Closing the Sale, Fifty-Minute series books and Close That Sale, a video/audio tape series published by Crisp Publications, Inc. Menlo Park, California. He has also authored a Self-Directed Learning series of sales, coaching & team development, telemarketing, and personal productivity training guides.

Virden assists clients through a unique personal coaching (telephone)program. He has taught at the Center For Professional Development, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas and the School Of Entrepreneurship, Marriott School Of Management, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. You can contact Virden at: Virden@TheSellingEdge.com. or learn more about him at: http://www.TheSellingEdge.com

MORE RESOURCES:

RELATED ARTICLES

Getting People to Buy Without Selling
In my youth I landed a job selling encyclopedias door to door. I worked for commissions.

10 High Powered Ways To Magnify Your Sales
1. Give your prospects a f~ree trial of your software product, service, or let them read the first chapter or two of your informational product.

Emotions That Sell, Part 2
In the last article, we looked at three emotions (besides fear and greed) that you can use to connect with your prospects and enrich your marketing campaigns. This time, we're digging a little deeper into the sales psyche.

Transforming Problems into Sales
My silent fish tank was no more. Enough water had evaporated to make the filter gurgle.

Top 7 Psychological Triggers For Unlimited Sales
Did you know that there are specific psychological triggers you can use to influence the decisions of peoples and persuade them to buy what you are selling?By knowing and using these psychological triggers you will have an edge on your competitions and make more sales in the process.Here are 7 psychological triggers you can start using in your sales letter today!Psychological trigger #1: BE SPECIFICIt's important to be as specific as possible.

Do You Fold Like A Taco?
Have you ever eaten a soft taco? The shell isn't hard - it is soft - and folds over really easily. They are delicious! In business, however, I see too many people fold like a taco when they are negotiating with a customer.

Sales Language: Whats Wrong with But?
Language is one of the most important tools you have to influence someone. The most successful salespeople and persuaders use positive, active sales language that instills confidence in them and their capabilities.

Spend More Time Selling
On average a sales person spends less than two hours per day selling their products. This statistic never seized to amaze me, even though I had often found myself being an active participant of its findings.

Visual Science of Selling
Statistics state that 55% of people judgments are made based on what is seen visually, as opposed to 38% based on voice and the message you give. That means what you promote using images is the most important factor in making the right connection.

4 Easy Ways to Boost Your Sales
Here are 4 easy ways you can boost your sales for little or no new expense ..

11 Powerful Methods of Sales Lead Generation
Are you searching for new and innovative ways of sales lead generation? Are you lacking in sources of good quality leads? Are you tired and bored using the same methods for generating sales leads?If you answered No to these questions you're either satisfied with the income you're earning - or you're not interested in earning a 6-figure income in sales. Please stop reading this article.

Sell Yourself - Sell Anything!
Each of us sells every single day. We are all sales people.

The Art Of Persuasion: 7 Tips To Successfully Persuade Anyone
The saying "No man is an island" is an undeniable truth. We need the support and cooperation of other people to help us in reaching our goals.

Do You Want Fries With That? - Using Suggestive Selling to Increase Your Sales
Suggestive selling is a powerful tool that can increase your revenues-and your bottom line-significantly. We are all used to the order taker at a fast food place asking if we want fries with our burgers, or if we would like to "Jumbo-Size" our orders, but suggestive selling can work in any business.

3 Steps To Immediately Increase Sales
Want to increase sales within your company? It's not as hard to do as some might have you believe. Though we as a nation are in the midst of an economic downturn these past two years, your company does not have to be.

One Simple Persuasion Secret That Will Blow The Roof Off Your Sales
The next time you're shopping for clothes in a department store, take a closer look at the price tags. You'll probably notice that each price tag starts with one price, but then counters with another.

Separating Yourself from the Crowd (Part One of Two)
Warren Buffet says that insurance is a commodity and price is the main factor in the market place. It seems that nowadays, lowest price wins, regardless of the other factors.

7 Ways to Cut Loose from Old Sales Thinking
Sooner or later, we all backslide into old ways of thinking about selling that lead us down the wrong path with potential clients.A few weeks ago, I had a phone conversation with Julie, who has been struggling with the old-style selling methods that her manager insists are the only way to sell their company's technology solution.

Practice Building: Create a Powerful and Targeted Call to Action for Your Prospects
A "Call To Action" is an invitation for your prospective clients to actively engage you in some way- directly or indirectly.Most prospective clients, even if they are very interested in working with you, often need a way to build a relationship with you in bite-sized pieces to work up to engaging your services.

Your Business Approach Can Make or Break a Business Deal
Every sales presentation should start with the approach, or introduction. Your approach should be a well-defined statement that can be easily adjusted for any situation.