Think Like Dr. Phil and Maximize Your Sales

Find the Pain

Becoming a total solution provider means everybody has a role to play in the process. It's about finding the customer's pain. What are the real rules of engagement with the customer? Make no mistake.... The customer sets those rules and it's really not about what you are selling. It's about what the customer is buying. Let me put it in perspective using an analogy from Tom Winninger - Americas Marketing strategist.

Tom Says - "Think about BMW --- they don't sell cars --- You buy a driving experience."

"Kodak doesn't sell film ------ You buy magic moments - memories."

"Hertz doesn't rent you cars - They get you out of the airport faster."

That's their value proposition ---- what is yours? You have to figure out what the customer is really buying. Understand the following simple concept.

"Perceived value drives customer expectations"

"Performance value drives customer satisfaction"

The higher you raise the customer's perceived value of you as a company --- the closer you come to creating competitive advantage.

Be careful - if you raise expectations too high and can't perform ---- you can shoot yourself in the foot.

Perceived value varies --- it can mean different things to different customers. It depends on what that customer is really buying. It relates to value added and what is in it for the customer. Value added must become not only a common term but it must become engrained in your sales culture. Every decision you make should consider the question WIIFMC? (What's In It for My Customer?) This is the baseline for your value propositions. It's part of the psychology of selling. It's part of acting like Dr. Phil.

How Do You Sell Your Value Proposition?

The first step is to really understand and define your value propositions. Remember, your company has value propositions, your products have value propositions and you personally have value propositions in your relationship with the customer. In defining your value propositions you must maintain your customer at the center of attention and define value in relationship to them.

Next, separate selling from problem solving. Take all of your industry experience and knowledge to understand the customer's needs. Present alternative solutions.

Clarify your value propositions in terms of WIIFTC and let the customer decide.

------------------------------------Think like Dr. Phil.--------------------------------------

Apply your knowledge and experience to the customer's pain as if it his/her company was your company. Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you are ready for and committed to success.

? Can you educate the difference between price and cost? What makes the low price the high cost?

? How committed are you to your industry?

? How well do you know your customers objectives

? How adept are you at identifying pain

? Are you more concerned with your employer's success than their own? Your customer's success?

? How well do you accept personal responsibility for failures?

? Do you know the five largest customers of your customers five largest customers?

? What are the 3 largest sources of pain in your customer's lives?

? What are your customers' key profit and growth drivers?

? What are you doing with that knowledge?

? How would the customer describe your efforts to improve their business?

Focus Has Changed

Focus must now be on planning for the development of customers and increased penetration of current high potential customers. The main responsibility of the sales person is NOT TO INCREASE SALES, but to systematically and consistently increase the number of customers that call you Supplier of Choice (SOC). If you truly practice becoming a total solution provider for your customers, can validate and sell your value propositions, if you can find their pain and make it go away, you will become their SOC. That means you'll always get the first call and the last look. It starts by acting like Dr. Phil and searching for their pain.

A" Player Results and Habits

Professional sales people are always striving for improvement. They gain the majority of their targeted customers' business. They increase market share. Transactions flow through a well-managed relationship that they have established. Their time is focused on growth rather than transactional service.

Professional sales people constantly seek to enhance their selling skills and the knowledge base of the industry they serve. They no longer focus only on product knowledge. They focus on their customers' needs and industry knowledge. They have fine-tuned the basic habits of success:

? The habit of prospecting within the account for growth potential

? The habit of planning

? The habit of using a professionally prepared sales presentation

? The habit of goal-setting

? The habit of record-keeping

? The habit of efficient time control

? The habit of self-development

? The habit of continuous development of their industry knowledge

? The habit of self discipline

Today, salespeople must be problem solvers able to generate solutions for customers in their time of need. That's what being a professional is all about. Therefore, they must possess a great deal of knowledge about their customers' business. Often, they must actually define what those needs are because the customer may not know, nor take the time to explain. Customers want the professional sales person to have the knowledge and intelligence to comprehend and analyze their problems before showing up at the door. Customers will listen and buy from the salesperson that finds the "pain" and takes it away. They want solution providers, not the "coolest technology" with three adjustable speeds.

Act like Dr. Phil and find the pain and make it go away, even if it has nothing to do with your product. It's about being a total solution provider. Today's formula works because it creates competitive advantage. It is the secret to success for the "Sales Force of the Future."

Check out Rick's new CD series and workbook "Unlocking the Secrets to Amazing Sales" @ http://www.ceostrategist.com/resources-store/unlocking-the-secrets-to-amazing-sales-incredible-profits.html It is a must addition for your sales training initiatives. Order today and get a bonus copy of Rick's book "Turning Lone Wolves into Lead Wolves ----56 ideas to maximize sales.

www.ceostrategist.com - Sign up to receive "The Howl" a free monthly newsletter that addresses real world industry issues. - Straight talk about today's issues. Rick Johnson, expert speaker, wholesale distribution's "Leadership Strategist", founder of CEO Strategist, LLC a firm that helps clients create and maintain competitive advantage. Need a speaker for your next event, E-mail rick@ceostrategist.com Don't forget to check out the Lead Wolf Series that can help you put more profit into your business.