Thoughtful Thursdays – New to sales, or perhaps not?
Some fear them. Others live by them. Still others seem to be obsessed with them.
Today’s Thoughtful Thursdays sales topic is about two lists that may be your ticket to your first sale or a new customer.
I had the pleasure of graduating a group of newly minted entrepreneurs today. The common task for all of them now is to execute their business plans and make sales. Having been in class for the past two months, there will inevitably be let down to work through. There is no better time to get working on your lists.
My suggestion to the group was to block off a chunk of time and make two lists.
On the first list, write down the name of everyone they knew with contact information. One name for each line.
The second list is everything that you need. Examples include finding sources of materials, a references to potential prospects.
The next part of the process is to see if anyone on your list of people would be able to help you with what you need. Even if there are few dots that connect, there is no better time to contact everyone you know and let them know about the business. Remember that these are people you know or have known. Do not worry about time spans since the last conversation you had. Most people will want to know, and be interested in what you are doing now.
This is a good process to run through for seasoned sales professionals as well. People may have pursued new opportunities and that may mean opportunities for you.
It is not easy out there and any advantage you can give yourself may lead to closing a sale a day earlier, invoicing a day earlier and getting paid a day earlier.
Good Selling,
Richard
Have a question about sales? Contact Sakanashi and Associates Inc. and I will respond.
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