It’s a great asset to your company to have an effective sales team. The sales team is the face of your company, and it’s not the size of the sales team that translates into more sales. Have an established and well-defined sales process. By “sales process” we mean a systematic and tested approach that help your sales team close deals and reduce friction in introducing products or services to the customer.
2. Define Your Sales Process
It’s a great asset to your company to have an effective sales team.
The sales team is the face of your company, and it’s not the size of the sales
team that translates into more sales.
Have an established and well-defined sales process.
By “sales process” we mean a systematic and tested approach that help
your sales team close deals and reduce friction in introducing products or
services to the customer.
2
3. Why Sales People Need A Process
A poor sales process will hinder a sales person’s ability to succeed.
The majority of those who choose a career in sales will only hit their stride if
there is a tried and true sales method.
The benefit of defining your sales process is twofold. You can increase your
overall sales and develop more productive sales people.
3
4. Put In The Time - See The Results
4
Defining your sales process requires a
lot of time and effort.
Building a sales method is not a “one
and done” type of situation.
There are many benefits to your
company when you have a well defined
sales process.
.
5. Put In The Time - See The Results
5
Identify Opportunities and Potential Problems
With an established sales process it’s easier to determine reasons for falling short of
goals.
Always set proper expectations with clients this will create a more enjoyable customer
experience.
Predict Revenue
Having a well-defined sales process will give you a better understanding what will work
and what won’t work. This will help you more accurately predict the number sales to be
closed in a giving time frame.
Make Success Repeatable
A great sales method eliminates random variables because you have a set structure
that you work with each time.
Increase Onboarding and Training Efficiency
With a proven framework that can turn leads into sales, it’s easier to insert new sales
people and bring them up to speed.
6. Put In The Time - See The Results
6
Get Everyone On The Same Page
When everyone is speaking the same language, it is much easier to maintain a level of
visibility into your current successes and failures.
Set Evaluation Standards
How efficient is your sales team? A good sales process makes it easier to set your own
standards and evaluate the team.
Better Team Meetings
Team meetings will become far more structured because you are reinforcing the
established best practices.
More Measurable Results
You won’t have to guess the sales team performance anymore. You will know where
sales need to be and where you’re currently at.
Higher Profit Margins
Having a well-defined sales process will give you a better understanding what will work
and what won’t helping you predict the number of sales that need to be closed.
7. Things That Might Influence Your Sales Process
As you design your sales process, it’s important to take into
account several factors that are unique to your business or
industry.
Factors you need to include:
Current sales team
Industry trends
The company’s current assets
The product/service offerings
Any changes to the product lineup
Financial limitations
7
9. 9
Building A Strong Foundation
Every company has it’s own needs and requirements, but there are basics
you will find in every effective sales process.
If you include these steps in your sales process, you will have a strong
foundation.
The Four-Part Foundation
1. Prospecting
2. Qualifying
3. Presenting
4. Closing
10. The Four-Part Foundation
1. Prospecting
Make contact with leads, discover their
needs, and match those needs with
service the company is offering. Define the
contact type. This will inform you on how
to approach them and make sure they are
receiving the proper attention.
2. Qualifying
Now that you’ve decided how to approach
them, it’s time to find out more information.
Determine if the have the budget and
criteria to match your company.
3. Presenting
The sales person is to take everything they
have learned about their leads and
create a proposal that meets their
needs. Their may be some negotiation
in this step which is fine as long as the
deal is beneficial to both parties.
.
4. Closing
The closing is not the end of the process.
This is where the deal is finalized, see
that payments are made, and services
tendered. This step is critical for
developing repeat and long-term
customers, even though the deal is
done there is potential for customers to
keep coming back.
11. Define Every Step
Once the basics have been integrated into your sales process, encourage
your sales team to work their way up the steps as consistently as possible.
Think of the four steps as milestones.
Figure out a process that takes you from one step to the next.
Keep all steps and milestones as simple as possible.
For Example:
Prospecting means engaging with a potential customer
Qualifying means assessing their needs and determining what is driving them to
you.
Presenting means developing a proposal that is both appropriate and timely.
Closing means making sure the check is in the mail.
13. When Do You Know A Deal Is Ready To Close?
A trained sales person can learn specific questions or statements to help
determine their readiness.
If ready to buy look for questions like:
What other options do I have?
How fast can this project start?
How long until completion?
In need of more reassurance:
What could happen if my needs change in the future?
How long will this really last me?
Not ready at all:
My friends said I’m better off with [blank].
Can I get my money back if I don’t like it?
14. Closing The Deal
How to make it easier for someone to pay for your service?
Remove as much friction as possible. Friction includes concerns over price or
warranty.
What steps must be completed before client can be moved to the “closed”
category?
This question can only be answered by the sales process. This should be a
simple method where sales people know what to complete before client can be in
“closed” category.
Customer Retention
Keep your customers coming back to repeatedly do business with you. Closing a
deal and leaving it is counterproductive.
15. Tool Up Your Sales Process
Reliable Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is critical.
With the right program you can:
Map out every step of the sales process with every customer
Stop relying on your own memory.
Capture and organize every communication.
Create visibility with each lead entry.
Be prepared to go beyond your CRM
Keep collecting data and use it to strengthen sales process.
Always be aware of your options there are several options that can help
your business grow and expand.
16. Seek and Use Feedback
The sales process is not something you should develop without consulting
the sales team.
Your team will adapt to the sales process when they feel like they have had
a hand in its creation.
Gather actionable data that will constantly improve your process.
For example
Work with top performers and see what they’re doing right, and how it can be
used to develop your sales process.
Work with low performers to see how they can make better use of tools and
improve their efficiency.
17. Expect Adherence And Plan For Growth
Expect Adherence
As your company evolves make sure
everyone is on board with the
program and will be judged according
to the process.
When everyone is working with the
same tools and resources it’s easier
to build a unified team.
Plan For Growth
When you define your sales process,
you create a framework which your
sales team can help you build your
business.
By defining your sales process you
can discover new ways for your
company to grow.
10/15/14