The Advanced Selling Podcast: Sales Training | Leadership Coaching | B2b Sales Strategy | Prospecting Tips

Kevin Eikenberry is our guest today. He just wrote a book called From Bud to Boss...where he addresses what it's like when one gets promoted from a peer to a manager. We address this in the sales realm. So, if you're a sales manager who has recently been promoted from the field--or, if you're angling toward a promotion where you will lead your team, you will get great value out of this cast. He speaks of the three specific things you can consider as you lead teams or are led by a former peer.You can order the book at www.frombudtoboss.com and find out more about Kevin at www.kevineikenberry.com

Today, Bill records a cold (voicemail) call from a vendor and dissects it with Bryan. The attempt here is NOT to disrespect the person making the call...but to use it for learning purposes. Listen as they analyze the process the caller goes thru...and then the recommendations they make to them--or anyone else if you MUST do cold calling.

We get great questions from our listeners. Today's episode actually references back a few episodes to an unfinished topic. Bill & Bryan will address, "How do you adopt the attitude of a business person vs a salesperson?" And, "How do you coach yourself so you will be clear to the buyer about what you do?"They'd love to hear from you. You can ask your own questions by going to ASK BILL & BRYAN or email them at: listener@advancedsellingpodcast.com

What is there about it when a prospect brings up your competition that causes you to get fearful? I know...I know... you're not afraid, right? Well, maybe not, but I'll bet something goes through your mind when you hear someone mention your competitor.In this episode, Bill and Bryan address that as well as how to handle it when it comes up.

This is the conclusion of a 2-Part Live Series recorded in Indianapolis in front of a studio audience. In this segment, Bill and Bryan took questions from the live audience and answered them as they came. In this podcast, the questions had to do with Cold Calling, Discussing Money, and Getting to the Decision Maker. Enjoy.

Bill and Bryan this week stop in at the Jazz Kitchen for ASP LIVE!, our first of many live events this year. In this podcast, they address the specific things salespeople do - inadvertently - to confuse the prospect and lead to a 'no sale.' Next up on the LIVE! tour is San Jose, CA on March 17th at theSonoma Chicken Coop and then back in Indy for an April event at the Jazz Kitchen.

In this episode, Bill and Bryan address the search for sales talent and how most managers fail. To be clear, this is a podcast for sales managers BUT it's also an episode that might cause YOU to rethink your own talent. Ask yourself if you are good at these things - and where you might fall short. Email us at:listener@advancedsellingpodcast.com if you have other opinions.  

Well, of course you do. No one in their right mind would admit they didn't care. We used to say, "You can tell how much someone cares by the questions they ask." But is that all there is to it? And what is the intent of the set of questions you ask? This podcast will help you re-frame why you ask questions and what else you can do to differentiate your value.  Don't forget the ASP LIVE! event on January 28, 2011 (1130-100EST). Go to http://www.advancedsellingpodcast.com/live to register. ($12 includes lunch).

In this episode, Bill and Bryan plead with you - beg you - to take a broader view of customer objections rather than merely thinking "how am I going to overcome this?" The "broader view" is not for every sales person in every situation - but it is a way to change your thinking so that you no longer feel pressure to overcome objections.

In this week's episode, Bill and Bryan address a question that one of their clients had about their sales team--and the professionalism (or lack thereof) in their team. They detail the six characteristics of a highly skilled sales professional in this modern era.  Also, look for more information on the Advanced Selling Podcast Live event at the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis on January 28 (Friday) at 11:30. Lunch-$12.00. Podcast listening-Free.

There is an entire art to "call management" which is the study of how a sales call works, how it flows, how it ends...and what you can to do get the optimum outcome. In this episode, Bill and Bryan address "call management" and how you can start the call in the optimum way.

No one would ever admit that they're an "old school salesperson." It brings so much negative to mind. But that doesn't mean that there aren't some basics that you need to pay attention to. In this episode, Bill and Bryan each discuss a story of how they were approached by an OSS (old school seller) and what happened. They also give you some basic tips on how not to become an OSS.

Bill and Bryan address the biggest problem they get asked about from all the listener emails they get.  They each took a current client they're working with and outlined a struggle they had with this exact issue--stalled deals--and worked thru it so listeners can learn what to do. If you have a question, email them at listener@advancedsellingpodcast.com.

Do you use worthless buzzwords and vernacular that means nothing to prospects? Is it possible that your use of those actually stalls the sale? It seems like we are so impressed with our own terms and concepts, that we use them freely. But what if the customer doesn't understand what you're talking about--and they never tell you that? Can you make the prospect psychologically NOT OK by your use of buzzwords? We think the answer is "Yes." Bill and Bryan address the hazards of buzzwords and how to avoid them.

Bill and Bryan take a look at how to react to upset, annoying, frustrating clients. This comes from an actual letter that one of Bryan's clients received from a customer. You may not experience this client behavior too often, but when you do, they reveal some ways to think through it prior to reacting.

We get the following questions all the time: "How do  I generate more leads?" "How do I close more sales?" "How do I position my product so my customer sees my value?" So many of those questions...that we decided to answer them once and for all by telling you how we would operate your business if we were in your shoes. In this episode, Bill and Bryan go through a few of these and then you can also download the full report on your iphone app.

Today, Bill and Bryan discuss an email that came in about a listener's sales manager who is rooted in the 'old way of selling' and he wonders how he can use the 'podcast content' in a way his sales manager accepts. The hosts also address the new rules of selling--and how every sales person can begin to adopt new ways to solve old sales problems.

We are forever talking about how we avoid being lied to by prospects...but what about the lies we tell ourselves? Yes, that's right. We lie to ourselves about many things. In this episode, Bill and Bryan detail four lies we tell ourselves and what impact that has on how we sell--and how people buy. As usual, you're encouraged to send us your comments at listener@advancedsellingpodcast.com.

What does it mean to be new in sales? And what can we learn from this? The answer is, "Telling Your Story." One thing we all struggle with is "standing out" or "differentiating" ourselves when in front of clients (or in front of prospective employers).  In this episode, Bill and Bryan get into detail about how much of your "story" you should tell when in front of people who can hire you. Mail questions to listener@advancedsellingpodcast.com and they'll handle them in future episodes.

There are some very distinct sales/achievement philosophies that Bill and Bryan have that inform all past episodes of the podcast. The two they address today are COMPETITION and PRICING, both controversial in the eyes of most sales observers. It's their belief that if you want to make radical changes in your results, your mind has to change around some key portions of business. This is the first of a 'several part' series on the philosophies that will change your perspective on selling.