The Center for Sales Strategy Blog

In species terms, a hippo is the world’s third largest mammal, but in business terms, a hippo refers to the Highest Paid Person’s Opinion.

Have you ever been in a meeting where people ask for opinions, but no one speaks up until the HiPPO in the room speaks? Or maybe you’ve been the HiPPO in the room, and everyone’s simply always agreed with everything you’ve said. When the HiPPO dominates the conversation, other team members' ideas and perspectives can be overshadowed.

In the world of sales, the ability to effectively communicate, negotiate, and understand products is imperative. While traditional training methods often involve presentations and role-playing, integrating games and activities into sales training can be a game-changer.

These interactive approaches not only enhance engagement but also foster skill development in a more immersive and enjoyable manner.

How we work and live has changed in unprecedented ways over the last few years. We have experienced both the benefits and the challenges of remote, hybrid, and return-to-office work models, and most have strong opinions and preferences on the subject.

In the dynamic world of sales, striking a balance between professionalism and pressure is a delicate art. While closing deals is the goal, maintaining professionalism is crucial for building lasting relationships and fostering trust with potential customers.

Here are some best practices to help you move sales forward without crossing the line into pushiness.

Interviewing potential employees allows you to assess someone’s fit with your company while also allowing the candidate to evaluate your company as a potential employer. Hiring the right person is critical to your time and success.

There are a few do's and don’ts to keep in mind to ensure that both sides walk away feeling good about the decisions made in the hiring process.

Most of us have posted so much on social media, it’s hard to remember it all. But the internet doesn’t forget. When was the last time you did a brand audit of yourself?

If you’re a professional in sales or leadership, will your online brand send the message you want?

Strategic planning is a crucial aspect of any organization's success. However, creating your strategic plan is just the beginning!

To ensure success, it's essential to review progress regularly. Organizations that establish a plan to review progress reap the benefits. Set it and forget it seldom, or should I say, never have I seen it work.

Sales managers, let’s be honest… it’s hard to watch a salesperson that seems to be flailing in shallow water when they are on a prospect or client call. However, if you take a step back, you realize they are probably going to find their feet and be able to stand up and be fine.

Recently, I attended one of The Center for Sales Strategy's Talent Focused Management workshops led by Matt Sunshine (CEO), and I walked away with a few reminders.

The path to sales success is rarely a straight line. But what if I told you that there's a way to navigate this winding journey with a bit more clarity?

Enter the world of diagnostic assessment. It's not a magic wand, but it's pretty darn close. Let's dive in.

There is nothing more impactful than adding the right seller to your team. Conversely, nothing is more impactful than adding the wrong seller to your team!

Here’s a list of six scenarios managers find themselves in when hiring sellers that lead to hiring the wrong person, plus things managers can do to avoid them.