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The Center for Sales Strategy Blog

RUDY, RUDY, RUDY…. A Story about Passion and Persistence

RudyOver the weekend I saw "Rudy," one of the most inspiring movies in sports. For those of you that have not seen Rudy, it’s all about a person’s passion and persistence to accomplish a dream.

Topics: sales performance Sales

Zig Ziglar—Motivation is the First Step to Becoming a Great Salesperson

zig ziglarWith the passing of Zig Ziglar yesterday, we have truly lost one of the world’s greatest motivational speakers and sales coaches. Similar to other great motivational speakers like Anthony Robbins, Ziglar focused on motivating the masses, and his message reached most of his audience through his popular CDs and "Get Motivated" speaking tours. Recently he had branched out and started a series of webinars and eBooks that have become very popular with a younger audience.

Topics: sales strategy Sales

Why should you be happy when you fail?

sales goalsYou shouldn’t be satisfied if you nail your objectives 100% of the time. If you hit the bull’s eye every time, you are standing too close to the target. Challenge yourself and your team to stretch—to achieve great things. When you succeed, celebrate! When you don’t, congratulate the team for being willing to shoot for a tough goal. Then analyze what went well, discuss what could have gone better and set your next goal. 

Topics: setting expectations Sales

Attack of the Zombies—Cyber Monday

inbound marketingI woke up this morning, dreading the 525,600 Cyber Monday emails I would have to sift through to get down to real business today. It was worse than just Cyber Monday email—since I was out of town for Thanksgiving, I hadn't touched a computer since Wednesday afternoon... which meant I also had all the pre-Thanksgiving, early bird and Black Friday notices filling up my inbox.

Topics: email content marketing Lead Nurturing Digital Inbound Marketing

You’ve Got the Appointment – Now What?

sales appointmentOne of the most difficult aspects of selling is getting the first appointment with a new prospect. That is a fact, but it shouldn’t be the only focus. Simply getting the appointment is not the goal; the goal is to get a good appointment.

Topics: customer satisfaction setting expectations sales performance Sales

THAT fast

TwitterA CMO wanted a PR firm that can get to the point. So they sent out an RFP via Twitter. Asked for responses via Twitter.  

Topics: content marketing Needs Analysis Inbound Marketing Sales

Look like you know more about digital than you do. Here's how.

digitalI was at my usual Starbucks getting my usual morning beverage, and while I waited, checked my email as usual. A gentleman in his 70s was behind me asking if I was reading a book on an eReader; apparently he saw me reading one of my lengthy emails and did not know what an eReader looks like.

Topics: Digital

Three Big Social Media Stories and How They Affect Your Content Marketing

inbound marketingThis was a big week for social media changes. Here are three stories we think you need to be aware of... and why you should care!

Topics: Social Media content strategy Digital Inbound Marketing

Plan Now for a Successful New Year

annual planning in salesThe holidays are almost upon us, and right behind them looms the New Year! It makes sense to think about what your priorities will be for 2013.

Topics: Sales

Overcome an Outdated Prospecting Process—Inbound Marketing Forum 2012 Recap

Inbound MarketingThe Center for Sales Strategy's Inbound Marketing Forum was this past week in Atlanta, and I had the honor of being able to attend and to speak at the event.

Topics: content marketing content strategy Inbound Marketing Sales

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should (improvise)

photo by Mike Anderson
Topics: Needs Analysis Sales

Don’t assume you know what is important to the people you manage

coaching salespeopleTake a moment and think about what motivates you to perform more effectively and more efficiently? What makes you WANT to work harder and smarter? What makes you want to give it your all?

Topics: Sales

Great Salespeople Make Their Customers The Star!

customer needsWhat if every time your prospect or customer felt like you were pushing your products, rather than focusing on his business, he transformed into a Hollywood Director and screamed, “Cut. Boring! Let’s talk about MY business!” Assessing your approach to sales, how many times do you think you’d hear that? 

Topics: customer satisfaction Needs Analysis Sales

Everything I Ever Learned about How to Have an Effective Meeting... I Learned in Kindergarten!

setting expectationsI recently visited my daughter’s kindergarten class as a volunteer. There were many routines the children followed including putting book bags away, sitting crisscross applesauce in circle time, and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. But one part of the daily morning routine really hit home. It was called “The Daily Itinerary.”

Topics: setting expectations Needs Analysis Sales

Raising Teenage Twins—No Better Way to Learn About Managing Sales Talent!

coaching sales peopleCome over to my house sometime and meet my kids. You will learn everything you need to know about managing a sales team. How is that possible? Because people don’t change.

Topics: developing strengths Sales

Top Managers focus on keeping their blood pressure in check

sales strategyAt a recent routine doctors’ visit, I was told my blood pressure was normal. It’s always re-assuring to hear this, but as I thought about this a little more, I started wondering... what is blood pressure, and what happens when it’s not normal. Blood pressure is the amount of force that the blood puts on the walls of the blood vessels as it passes through them.

Topics: developing strengths Sales