sales
282 posts
A Good Job
George is in his seventies. His hearing has deteriorated over the years, but he’s reluctant to wear a hearing aid. He hates missing out on parts of conversations and often feels isolated because he can’t hear what’s going on. He’s embarrassed about his disability. But he feels self-conscious about w
The Value Conundrum
When I was growing up, my mother tried selling various products from home to earn extra money to support our family. I remember cookware and cosmetics being demonstrated to small groups of her friends over cups of tea and homemade sponge cake in the living room. From day-to-day, Mum used the same ol
To Whom It May Concern
When an aspiring author is pitching her work to a publisher or agent, she needs to address the agent directly. In her query letter, it’s not enough to be aware of her book’s strengths—she must also know who it’s for and why this particular agent will care enough to read the first few chapters. It…
Say It Like You Mean It
Empathy is an essential skill for anyone who wants to make a living by serving others. A big part of our job is to show those people that we see, hear and can help them. But there’s a fine line between fake intimacy and genuine sincerity in a sales conversation. We’ve all been subjected to…
Why Should They Care?
The ‘For Lease’ sign attached to the first-floor window of the shopfront is one of half a dozen along Gertrude Street. And the sales copy on each of them does nothing to differentiate one premises from the other. The signs give us dimensions, details about the facilities and ‘good natural light’. Th
Valuing Your Expertise And Effort
My dad had many manual jobs during his working life, but the one he loved most was being a painter and decorator. It was the only job he did, where he could stand back and find joy in his creative output at the end of the day. Painting was something he could say he was…
Consistent, Persistent And Patient
The slim woman dressed in activewear, in line at the cafe next to the gym, orders a black coffee. As she’s handing over her card when the barista asks her the question he’s asked every single customer who ordered a takeaway coffee that morning. ‘Would you like a glazed doughnut for just $2 to go…
Showing Value
We can all benefit from learning to demonstrate, not just explain the value we create. Marketing and sales are about showing and telling.
The Lost Art Of Storytelling
What stories will you tell today and why will they matter to the people who hear them?
Only Human
We need to constantly remind ourselves that we are neither all head or all heart and act accordingly.
Worthy
The people you’re trying to reach and resonate with are filtering. From the contacts you try to add on LinkedIn, to the clients you’re hoping to attract. They are deciding who is worthy of their permission and their time.
The Value Of Discernment
The better we are at discerning who our right people are the more shared value we can create.
The Power Of Owning Your Work
When we own the work we’re proud of it becomes more valuable to the people we serve. How are you owning the work you’re proud of?
On Persuasion
Persuasion is less about making people have a complete change of heart and more about finding common ground.
Make Your Customer The Hero
The best marketers give people something to believe in, not just something to buy.
Better Marketers Show And Tell
Every day, we sell ourselves in adjectives that sell us short. Leader, expert, communicator, specialist, efficient, experienced, better, faster, cheaper. We’ve forsaken the effort of showing, for the convenience of telling. There is a better way. Don’t just tell us about the features and benefits of
Do’s AND Don’t Do’s
It’s worth remembering that it isn’t only what we do that people notice— sometimes it’s what we don’t do that determines our results.
Purposeful Connection
It turns out that we don’t have to build trust and connection on the fly. We can do it on purpose.
Being Heard Is Overrated
It’s easier to be heard when we shout. But being heard shouldn’t be our ultimate goal.
Your Brand Is What You Consistently Do
What you consistently do—every time, without fail, differentiates your business.
