The One Thing That Impacted Your 2007 Sales Results Most
Written by Jan Visser on December 29, 2007
If you could point out one thing you did in 2007 that really impacted your sales or business results, what would it be?
One thing only. Something you personally did. Or maybe something you stopped doing.
Whatever it was, it had significant effects on your sales or business performance in 2007.
What would you say? That’s what we’ve been pondering this Holiday Season.
And curious minds want to know! So, to kick off the year - we decided to ask the following question.
7 Popular Posts From 2007
Written by Jan Visser on December 26, 2007
With the Holiday Season upon us, there’s plenty of time to reflect, to spend some extra time with your loved ones and to make plans for a successful 2008.
Here at SalesTeamTools, we’re using this brief Holiday break to do all of the above.
Part of our reflection is the opportunity to say a heartfelt “thank you” for those of you who have been part of the conversation on this blog - either by reading or responding or both.
With new and exciting ideas for 2008 under way, here’s a quick look in the rearview mirror at a few posts that were well received in 2007.
Keep your comments coming - ideas, thoughts and feedback are what makes this blog thrive.
Are You Ready to Get Your Deals Signed Quicker?
Review Online Contact Managers
Why Getting Rid of Voice Mail Makes You More Responsive
Disciplined Steps for Managing Leads
7 Must-Have Sales Tools (Part 1)
Sales Tools to Help Your Prospect Research
7 More Great Sales Tools (Part 2)
Thank you for a great year. We’re looking forward to another year of conversation, controversy and fun.
Happy Holidays From SalesTeamTools!
Written by Jan Visser on December 23, 2007
Here’s to a safe and joyous holiday season for you and your loved ones.
Posting will be light during the next week or so but we’ll be back in full force in 2008!
In case you’re looking for something to read during the holiday season, here’s a link to our archive - full of tips, tools and technology you need to sell in the 21st century.
Free Download - David Allen’s Articles
Written by Jan Visser on December 23, 2007
Here’s a good reading suggestion for the Holiday.
David Allen, author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Among the titles are Are You Micro-Managing Your Mind, Make It Up and Make It Happen, The Productivity Investments and Managing Work on a Vacation
You can download them here. Enjoy!
10 Reasons You Should Use Instant Messaging in Sales
Written by Jan Visser on December 21, 2007
“Email is for old people.”
That’s what my 18 year old nephew said the other day.
He didn’t quite use the word old, but that was clearly what he meant. And just so you know, for him everyone over 25 fits that general description.
People under 25 rarely use email. it’s all about getting an immediate response and short, to the point communication. They find it in Instant Messaging on a PC or via SMS (”texting”) on their cellphone instead.
But Instant Messaging (IM) is not just for kids and young adults. In fact, I think IM can be a pretty powerful tool for business to business sales professionals and small business owners as well.
Here are the 10 reasons I love using Instant Messaging in Sales.
What’s on Your List of Best Sales Books?
Written by Brandon Hull on December 21, 2007
Some people live by the training materials their company gives them. What a shame.
The best salespeople believe in continuing education. What titles are on your list of the best sales books out there?
We’ve started the conversation (debate?) with an initial 13 books that you’ll find at 22books.com, a new place for people to share lists like this. In the past, we’ve reviewed a handful of books (and have plans to do more).
It’s important to keep your social, interviewing, presentation, and negotiation skills sharp. You won’t do that by twiddling your thumbs, waiting for your company to train you. And you certainly won’t do it by practicing poor skills sales call after sales call. Be smart and keep up.
It’s Time to Pimp Your Blackberry
Written by Brandon Hull on December 20, 2007
I’m one of those annoying Blackberry addicts who barely watches where he’s walking while he thumb-types away.
At least I can admit it. But only getting my email and taking calls on the same device is so 2002.
I’ve been tricking out my Blackberry lately to let me do a variety of things faster. And while there are a ton of free applications you can download (here are a couple sites highlighting them), there are three that I’m using routinely now.
I won’t be so silly as to say “they’re indispensable,” but they’ve proven to be nice time-savers and productivity enhancers.
Metaphorically Selling: Book Review
Written by Paul McCord on December 19, 2007
A guest post from Paul McCord.
Do your presentations grab your listener—or send them into a coma?
Are they filled with charts, data, facts and figures—or do they show your prospect why they should invest in your product?
Do they make your listener yearn for relief from the agony of the presentation–or light up their eyes with interest and enthusiasm?
How deeply you touch your prospect will determine just how well your presentation will communicate. If you kill ‘em with boredom, you lose; if you get them involved to the point they see and feel your words, you stand a great chance of winning.
Are You Promoting Yourself Or Your Prospects and Customers?
Written by Jan Visser on December 18, 2007
Not strictly sales tools related - but a reminder, nevertheless, that should hit home for all of us.
The guys over at 37signals, known for their Highrise Contact Manager (reviewed here) write a post about, what they call, self-promotion.
Seth Godin picks it up and comments - making the undeniable point that instead of self-promoting, the team of 37signals is actualy promoting products and tactics that benefit the person to whom they’re reaching out instead. “You-Promotion” is what Seth calls it.
It immediately made me think of Bill Caskey, who in his sales consulting approach (sales podcast here) often refers to the “Inner Game” - a salesperson’s true intent, someone’s genuine objective.
As a salesperson, are you pushing your product and countering these pesky objections that stand between you and the deal? Or are you truly focused on solving a customer’s problem - even if that involves walking away from a deal and perhaps even recommending someone else.
When push comes to shove, what is most important? Your own need to make plan, supported by the tricks and techniques that help you get there - or your genuine desire to solve your customer’s problem?
High intent and an honest inner game always win. Prospects feel it. Customers see it. And you should focus on it.
Does ACT! Have Answers to Online Contact Management And Sales 2.0?
Written by Jan Visser on December 18, 2007
Put yourself in ACT!’s shoes for a minute.
You’re the de facto leader in contact management on a PC. And you have been for the past 18 years.
All of a sudden, you get slapped on the back of the head by a bunch of fancy-schmancy sales tools that no longer require any software to run on a computer, need no installation and maintenance, let salespeople share their data with others easily and offer all-inclusive “pay-as-you-go” subscription fees.
Ouch. That could hurt a bit.
ACT does have some answers and they’re called ACT for Web and Remote Act. We’re not sure we’re convinced just yet, but we’ll update our list of Online Contact Managers with these 2 products later this week.
Stay tuned, make sure you subscribe to our RSS or Email updates and we’ll let you know when it’s up!
