The Sales Leader Blog

Test your sales knowledge with this Sales Quiz. Just answer the topical sales question below and see Colleen’s answer. Then check out the article below to learn more…

A healthy prospecting sales funnel requires both new and existing client opportunities?

1. True
2. False

Pick your answer and see how you do!

The Good Karma of Being Nice

Want to improve your sales performance? Be nice to people. On impulse, it’s an easy thing to do, but being really good at it means you have to keep an eye on what you do on a regular basis. Here are three ways you can attain the good karma of being nice…

Be consistent. It’s not enough to remember a customer’s birthday just once. Demonstrate that what you’re doing is about more than the fact you woke up one morning in a great mood. Show that caring is something you do as a matter of habit.

Be prompt. Don’t wait a month before sending out thank you cards after hosting that great party. Do something while the memory is still fresh in everyone’s minds. You’re sending a powerful message to people about what matters to you in your life.

Be thoughtful. There are no limits to how much you can care for others. Take the time to get to know your customer, including their favorite restaurant, or even just their favorite kind of chocolate or wine, so your actions live up to your words when you say: “I’ve been thinking about you.”

Dedicated to making this your best year yet!

I was delighted to be part of the conversation with other top thought leaders in the world of sales about how early and expansion stage companies can improve their overall sales processes. In the first of this three-part series, sales strategists Rich Chiarello, Jonathan Farrington, me! – Colleen Francis -  and GuruGanesha Khalsa discuss some of the common sales pitfalls that young companies should avoid.

Check out my submission

I wanted to make sure you know about tomorrow’s web class - Bidding, Quoting and Proposals – Oh My! - tomorrow, Tuesday, August 23rd at 4pm Eastern - and how you can attend for absolutely no cost!

If you are not prepared, the proposal process can be a veritable mine field. How to write proposals, deliver them and win them while navigating the purchasing department…

You won’t want to miss this webinar where you’ll receive the exact template I use to secure five and six figure contacts for Engage and the model for presenting a proposal that can increase your win rate by up to 50%.

My monthly web classes are for Lead-Up! program members exclusively. Lead-Up is the sales coaching and mentoring program where I provide you with up to the date sales strategies proven to work in this economy – and then hold you accountable for their implementation!

I want you to join us on this web class to see how you can turn customer service challenges into sales results! So, I’m making this special offer: join our Lead-Up program for one month at absolutely no cost!

Take advantage of all the resources including tomorrow’s web class. During this free month, if you’re not convinced that the strategies and tactics you use won’t make an immediate and lasting impact to your sales, just let us know that you don’t want to continue and you won’t pay a thing!

What have you got to lose – except sales!

To learn more about our Lead-Up! sales coaching program and take advantage of this special offer, click here

I hope to see you on tomorrow’s web class!

Dedicated to increasing your sales,

Colleen Francis

P. S.  Don’t miss your chance to attend this web class at no cost… and discover new, proven strategies that will ignite your sales, even in this economy: www.engageselling.com/leadup

Be a giver, not a sucker

Adversity in life drives salespeople into becoming either suckers or givers. Suckers blame others for misfortunes; givers take responsibility and ownership for their actions and get results.

Top sales people are always looking for solutions to challenges. They embrace how their jobs require that they act responsibility. They are givers. And they are that way as a matter of choice.

Bad things can happen even to the best salespeople—losing a sale before you had the contract signed, or because of a budget freeze, for example. We can’t control events, but we can choose how we react to them. When do mistakes happen, be honest. This makes you more trustworthy and earns you something that’s truly invaluable—a reputation for integrity.

Avoid surrounding yourself with suckers—those who always find excuses faster than solutions. Instead, stick with the givers. Being around positive people will improve your outlook and keep you focussed on your job: selling more in less time.

Dedicated to making this your best year yet