Ep 085 The Blend of Art & Science that is Sales

06/13/24 • 33 min

Mental Selling: The Sales Performance Podcast

Sales is a fascinating blend of art and science, combining human relationships with the right technology to foster and develop connections. It requires discipline, process, motivation, and resilience. In today's dynamic sales landscape, succeeding authentically demands a delicate balance between these elements. In this conversation Paul Fuller, Chief Revenue Officer with Membrain, talks about the importance of sales being a blend of art and science and emphasizes that successful salespeople prioritize integrity and genuine relationships over aggressive tactics. Paul also highlights the critical role of mindset in sales success, stressing the need for continuous learning and personal development. Join us as we learn from Paul's insights on sales, leadership, and the profound impact of empowering others to succeed in the dynamic world of business. In this episode, you’ll learn: Sales is a blend of art and science, relying on human relationships and technological tools to nurture and enhance these relationships. Technology should enhance, not replace, human interactions and sales strategies. Building servant leaders who embody discipline, integrity, and innovation is crucial to changing negative perceptions of sales. Mastering mindset is foundational for optimizing skill set and tool set effectiveness. Coaching should build mutual accountability and provide value to sales professionals. It should help others discover their "why" or purpose and stay motivated and focused on continuous improvement. Jump into the conversation: [02:22] Debunking Sales Misconceptions [05:48] Elevate the Sales Profession [09:40] How to Strategically Recruit and Develop Sales Talent [12:43] Renewing Mindset in Sales [18:53] Avoiding the "Quick Fix" Mentality in Sales Enablement [20:54] Real Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence [24:10] The Importance of Meaningful Connection [27:25] Mutual Accountability in Sales [29:37] What's Your Purpose? About Paul Fuller: Paul Fuller is a husband, father, and dedicated advocate for elevating the sales profession. His passion for empowering sales professionals stems from a deep belief in the impact of effective sales strategies on organizational growth. Through Membrain.com, Paul is reshaping the landscape of B2B CRM solutions by emphasizing technology, service, leadership, and strategic guidance. Membrain.com provides tools and insights that enable sales teams to thrive in today's competitive environment. Connect with the guest: Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psfuller/ Paul on X: https://x.com/membrain_com Membrain website: https://www.membrain.com/ The Art & Science of Complex Sales Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/73MtTJI3j5tsO51kr08XgK Connect with the host: Will Milano’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmilano/ Learn more about Integrity Solutions: https://www.integritysolutions.com/

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Ep 084 Listening to Understand in Sales

Technology often takes center stage in today’s world, and it's important to remember the human connection in sales. We need to find a balance between providing information and understanding our customers' needs because knowing is better than telling. By listening to our customers and truly understanding their needs, we can provide better solutions and build stronger relationships. In this episode, John Crowder emphasizes the concept of listening to understand in sales, building trust with customers, adopting a problem-solving mindset, and empowering sales professionals to take ownership of their interactions with clients. John points out that to have better outcomes in sales, sales professionals must take the time to truly understand their customers' needs and concerns so they can offer more tailored solutions to them. By actively listening, asking the right questions, and building trust, sales professionals can better meet their customers' needs and achieve success in their sales endeavors. In this episode, you’ll learn: The importance of active listening in understanding customer needs and concerns to provide tailored solutions. How adopting a problem-solving mindset enables sales professionals to identify and understand the specific pain points or challenges faced by their customers. The need for balancing technology and human interaction in helping sales professionals leverage data insights while maintaining authenticity, empathy, and rapport with customers. Jump into the conversation: [00:00] Introduction to Mental Selling [01:56] Moving Beyond the Tell-Sell Paradigm [06:36] Value Trumps Access [09:15] Listening To Understand [13:44] The Neuroscience of Selling [21:17] Mitigating Risk and Fear in Sales [24:11] The Art of Consultative Selling [28:05] Shifting Accountability About the guest: John Crowder is a former naval officer, football coach, and currently Vice President of the Healthcare Practice for Integrity Solutions, where he helps companies improve sales productivity, increase profitability, and create a culture that retains the best employees. John has over 25 years of experience in the medical sales industry. He worked for and led sales teams in medical device and pharma ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, spending a significant part of his career working in key account management, sales and leadership development, and marketing. Resources: John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-crowder/ Connect with the host: Will Milano on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/willmilano/ Learn more about Integrity Solutions: www.integritysolutions.com/

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Ep 086 Developing Executive Presence in Sales

Sales continues to evolve rapidly, but the one constant is that meaningful customer relationships lead to long-term success. To build genuine connections, sales professionals must establish trust, rapport and credibility—and Doug Dvorak is here to show us how to do just that. Doug Dvorak is not your average sales expert – he's the founder of the Sales Coaching Institute, a seasoned professional in sales, digital marketing, and motivation, and a master at solving big business problems. His insights are sought after by top organizations looking to revolutionize their sales strategies and cultivate high-performing sales teams. In this episode, Doug uncovers the misconceptions about sales, the critical role of developing executive presence, and the game-changing influence of embracing technology in sales. Discover the secrets behind Doug's approach of in-depth research, the significance of creating a motivational sales culture, and the impact of AI tools in boosting sales productivity. Packed with actionable advice, this episode of Mental Selling is a must-listen for sales professionals aiming to excel in their careers. In this episode, you’ll learn: The importance of building trust with customers through research, preparation, and authenticity How sales digitization and leveraging technology is a fundamental investment for success Why a magnetic sales culture attracts and retain high-performing salespeople Resources: Learn more about Doug: dougdvorak.com Doug’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-dvorak/ Doug’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/salescoach1064 Doug’s Books: Developing Executive Presence (The Essential Skills to Sell to the C-Suite), A Sales Leader’s Guide to Success, The Sales Coaching Playbook, A Sales Leaders’ Playbook, The Masters of Success Jump into the conversation: [00:00] Introduction to Mental Selling [01:41] Misconceptions the Sales’ Mindset [05:16] Building Trust and Rapport with Customers [09:29] Mentorship and Structured Onboarding for Sales Professionals [14:19] Selling into Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs) [17:27] Strategic Use of Technology in Sales [18:48] Developing Executive Presence and Understanding Business Drivers [22:19] Creating a Magnetic Sales Culture [35:27] Elevating Sales Performers into Leadership Roles