how touching

How touching - can increase the number of positive responses people give you.

I am not going to go into the science of this - we all know the value of a touch - yet we so seldom use this powerful tool in business.

All I am going to do in this topic is to tell you the results of an experiment that was conducted a few years ago. You can guess when it was by the fact that the experiment in volved a pay phone box - in the days when people used to use them (yeah I know you're too young to remember those).

Well here's what happened.

Coins were left in the return chute of the phone box, and researchers were hidden and able to observe. Without exception, people using the phone box took the money out of the chute and either used it for their call or pocketed it.

Upon leaving the phone booth, they were approached and asked had they found any money in the booth, as the asker had thought they had left some change in the chute. They had a 42% positive response.

Then the researcher repeated the above - except with one minor difference.On asking the question the researcher touched the arm or shoulder - it didn't matter where very briefly when asking exactly the same question.The positive response went up to an amazing 87%.

Some people in the second experiment were even prepared to admit that they had used the money to make a longer call, and they were sorry. This never happened in the 1st group.

Another experiment carried out by a group of researchers - where again the only difference was a simple touch, found that waiters increased their tips by over 50% just by that touch.

Powerful stuff. And it's a lot easier to do than you imagine, a simple touch on the forearm whilst you're talking to someone can make you appear more friendly - not creepy.

I run half, and one day sales psychology courses - so I may well treat you to some more of theselittle gems in the coming weeks

Keep smiling - keep selling - Paul

Turning weakness into strength

have had a varied and interesting sales career. I will tell you more about the unusual roles I have undertaken in future tips.
One job I had was as an RAC sales agent. It was my job to sell membership. I was paid commission only. I was working at a show on a Bank Holiday Monday. I had a "trekker" with me which was a little trailer 4ft x 3ft x 6ft high. It was a display unit only. A couple of hundred yards away was the AA display. It was quite grand. 2 patrol vans and a walk in and sit down trailer. It put my little effort to shame. I was thoroughly outclassed.
So how did I turn my rivals strength into a weakness? A few potential joiners commented on how pathetic my RAC display was compared to the 2 van and caravan set-up of the AA. It was time for some good salesmanship - or work a bank holiday for no pay.
What could I tell my customers to make me look good and give me the edge over my rivals? It was easy after I put a little thought into it.
"Sir, I can see you're not impressed with our little one trailer display compared to the 2 van AA display. Well let me tell you why there are no RAC vans here. It's Bank holiday Monday - the busiest day of the year on the roads. That means more breakdowns and incidents than any other time of the year. We care passionately about our members. Every RAC van is out on the road waiting to respond to our members' needs. Would you like to join an organisation that is passionate about service to it's members, or one that is passionate about making money for it's shareholders?"
Using this strategy I had a very sucessful and profitable day. Keep smiling - Keep selling - Cheers Paul
ps - for some reason my wife thinks the phrase "we care passionately about our members" is amusing.

Referrals

If you want referrals just ask! Heard that before? Does it work? The client says yes I'll certainly pass your name on. If you don't get a name and phone number straight away, you probably won't. So what is the best way of getting referred? It's quite easy really.
When you have concluded a deal with a client, or done a piece of work for them, tell them that you have enjoyed working with them. Tell them that they are the sort of client that you like best. Tell them that you appreciate having their business.
We all like compliments. We all like to be appreciated. We like people who pay us compliments. People we like are people we recommend. I have had a great many recommendations over the years on the various jobs I've done, however, none of them because I've asked.If you want referals just ask! Heard that before? Does it work? The client says yes I'll certainly pass your name on. If you don't get a name and phone number straight away, you probably won't. So what is the best way of getting referred? It's quite easy really.
When you have concluded a deal with a client, or done a piece of work for them, tell them that you have enjoyed working with them. Tell them that they are the sort of client that you like best. Tell them that you appreciate having their business.
We all like compliments. We all like to be appreciated. We like people who pay us compliments. People we like are people we recommend. I have had a great many recommendations over the years on the various jobs I've done, however, none of them because I've asked.

buyers remorse

We don't want our clients to suffer from buyer's remorse do we? - so what steps can we take to avoid it. A single word answer springs to mind - Consolidation.
So how and why do we consolidate, and indeed what is consolidation? The process comes after the sale, the order is taken, and most importantly - where appropriate - the NON returnable deposit taken. (More on this in another article). Consolidation is a process of both checking the client is happy with his / her purchase, and that they understand what they have bought - and most importantly what the product / service is going to do for them.
When we were selling the product we were majoring on the BENEFITS that the product will give the client. In consolidation the ideal process is to list the FEATURES and get the client to tell you the benefits, that the product will give him. So whats the best way of going about this? Here is a simple method.
"Mr Client, congratulations on your purchase of an ACME 128C Gizmo. To make sure you get the best out of it for the next 43 years - that's how long a client in Stoke has been using his old 121c model - I just want to check your understanding of all the features of it to make sure you derive the full benefits and savings it will give you."
When you have run through this recap it should be safe to ask "So, Mrs Client - are you happy with what we have done today?" Hopefully the answer is YES and it is given without hesitation or reservation. If its not then you need to ask the client "What is it you're unsure of ?"
Once you have got the client to agree the product or service is the right one, then you have the right to ask for a recommendation or introduction.
Happy Selling Guys n Gals. Have your tried Paul's Sales Tips forum ? I think its rather good.

Small Businesses and the recession

Cutting costs needs to be done - but never on EFFECTIVE marketing and advertising.

Following up all leads is essential. Reviewing sales process is essential. Can people find you, and when they do - how do you nurture that relationship?

Also think about this. If the spend in your line of business is down 30% and you carry on as before, your take will be down 30% - WRONG.

Your take will be down even more because some of your competitors are taking action to preserve their market share. Having put in that effort they may even INCREASE their market share.

Sales skills are easily learned. Just think about the things you have bought recently, good sales people don't have to be particularly charismatic - although that can be taught as well - they do have to be knowedgable, well trained, and helpful. A good sales process will help keep you or your staff on the right lines.

2 questions to ask yourself about your product or service.

• Why should anyone buy that off me
• Why would anyone want to come back or recommend me.

Good luck - but that comes with good effort and good focus. Paul

Treat other people as you would like to be treated. A potential recipe for disaster.

We like to deal with, or buy off, people we like. So who do we like, and who gets on our threepenny bits.
When it comes to doing business - Who annoys you most - People who:
· Would rather chat than get down to business
· Are too interested in facts and figures
· Are just too eager to do business – with no time for people
· Are looking for a deeper meaning to everything – want to know why about everything

Well, the answer to that question would be different for all of us.
Not surprisingly though, people in one group, will tend to annoy, offend, or upset people in one of the other groups.
So if we want to sell to, or hit it off with other people, then we must at least initially, try and match out energy and style with theirs.
This doesn’t mean that we abandon our sales process or more importantly, let the client lead the process, or we will just get dragged along behind them, never quite getting into our stride. But what we do is this. We initially match the price, style and energy with the client.
If they come in, and quietly ask you for some facts and figures, get your brochure out, and sit with them, and circle the relevant figures and facts.
If they come in and say – “It’s nice to see a bit of sunshine. I see they’ve still not finished the roadworks on Water Street yet”. Then don’t even think about talking of products or services, until you’ve asked them how far they’ve come, how many kids they’ve got and how long they’ve lived there and so on.
So what we’re doing is matching or mirroring them. And guess what happens – they like us. “Hey that Guy’s ok you know.” Then we can start slipping into our style and process after a few minutes - taking the client with us. We show we still understand the client by using phrases like (depending on the client type) –
Maybe - Oh I could chat all day – but I want to do a proper job for such a nice lady as you so I’ll just get a few facts off you......
Or perhaps – I know you’re a busy man but to save time in the long run, and to get it right first time – I’ll just need to.....
Or perhaps – I know getting the right specification is absolutely crucial, but let’s have a look a what the product can do for you – then if you like we can make sure it fits your spec.............
This really works - giving them a little time in their style – will gain their attention and respect.
Happy selling . If you are interested incoming to one of my sales seminars in your area please email me - Paul

Buyer’s Remorse Blog

Buyer’s Remorse Blog

We don't want our clients to suffer from buyer's remorse do we? - so what steps can we take to avoid it. A single word answer springs to mind - Consolidation.

So how and why do we consolidate, and indeed what is consolidation. The process come after the sale, the order is taken and most importantly - where appropriate - the NON returnable deposit taken. (more on this in another article). It is a process of both checking the client is happy with his / her purchase, and that they understand what they have bought and most importantly what the product / service is going to do for them.

When we were selling the product we were majoring on the BENEFITS that the product will give the client. In consolidation the ideal process is to list the FEATURES and get the client to tell you the benefits, the the product will give him. So whats the best way of going about this. Here is a simple method.

"Mr Client, congratulations on your purchase of an ACME 128C Gizmo. To make sure you get the best out of it for the next 43 years - that's how long a client in Stoke has been using his old 121c model - I just want to check your understanding of all the features of it to make sure you derive the full benefits and savings it will give you."

When you have run through this recap it should be safe to ask "So, Mrs Client - are you happy with what we have done today?" Hopefully theanswer is yes and it is given without hesitation or reservation. If its not then you need to ask the client "What is it you're unsure of ?"

Once you have got the client to agree the product or service is the right one, then you have the right to ask for a recommendation or introduction.

Happy Selling Guys n Gals.