The Center for Sales Strategy Blog

Let's face it, sales isn't for the faint of heart. It's a battlefield of "no's," rejection emails, and voicemails that mysteriously transform into black holes, swallowing your carefully crafted messages whole.

But before you drown your sorrows in a pint of Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla (hey, emotional eating is a valid sales strategy, right?), hear me out: persistence is the secret weapon in your sales arsenal.

Spending time observing salespeople is something all leaders should do occasionally. You can learn so much more by observing first-hand how your salespeople interact with clients and customers.

This can work by physically accompanying a salesperson in the field or translating to online sales by listening to sales calls or observing emails and chats.  

The good news: most of the sellers surveyed for the 5th Annual Media Sales Report knew what their sales talents were and how to put them to use.

The bad news: 11% reported that they had NEVER received feedback on their sales talents.

Think about it. Those 11% are at an automatic disadvantage. When projects come up, they may not know if those projects suit their talents. When reaching out to clients, they may not be aware of how to showcase their strengths. And when possible promotions are offered, they may not know if this would be a smart career move based on their talents.

The goal of any discovery meeting is to truly learn about the needs of a prospect or client.

So why doesn’t it happen on every discovery call?

Why do some meetings end without a clear understanding of the business results the account wants to achieve?

Your next hire is important! Right?

It’s probably one of the top reasons managers tell me their job is hard. Finding talented people is difficult, and once you find them, hiring them and getting them onboarded is time-consuming and stressful.

You have a lot to do, but investing time and energy in a few important onboarding disciplines can give you and your new hire a better chance for success.

Negotiation is an art, often perceived with a mix of hesitation and intrigue. It's a dance that occurs in various aspects of life, from buying a car to brokering major business deals.

Especially in sales, negotiation is not just a skill; it's a necessity. But the essence of effective negotiation lies in the approach: it's about collaboration, not confrontation.

Employee turnover is an inevitable reality.

However, underestimating the far-reaching consequences of losing experienced sales representatives can have detrimental effects on a company's overall growth and profitability.

The ripple effects of sales team turnover extend far beyond the immediate vacancy, creating a wave of challenges that can impact an organization in the short, mid, and long term.

Every sales organization dreams of having a team composed entirely of superstars. Imagine a workforce where each member consistently exceeds targets, possesses exceptional communication skills, and demonstrates unwavering dedication.

While building an entire team of superstars may seem ambitious, it's a goal worth pursuing.

In the intricate dance of human interaction, understanding the underlying psychology that governs why people say "yes" can be a powerful tool.

Robert B. Cialdini's groundbreaking work, "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion," dives deep into the psychological principles that drive decision-making and provides invaluable insights on ethical persuasion.

Here are six compelling lessons from the book that can be applied across various contexts and industries.

Depending on the organization, the person leading a sales team may be called a manager, a leader, or a coach.

For many people leading a team and for their team members, the name doesn’t matter because the job description is the same. They are the person responsible for guiding their team toward hitting their sales goals.

But the difference between managing and coaching has become a hot-button issue. Why? Because Gen Z cares, and they are set to become the dominant group in the work force by 2025.