Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the...

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Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg

Transcript of Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the...

Page 1: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Cold Calling – Sales Training

Jim Tersteeg

Page 2: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.
Page 3: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Cold Calling

• What is it? – Cold calling is the process of collecting

the required information on your targeted prospects to enable you to secure the face-to-face meeting.

Page 4: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Challenges with Cold Calling

– Identifying the right people– Getting through the gatekeepers– Getting the actual meeting

• Four Most Common Response– I am happy with what I have– I am not interested– Can you call me back– Just send me some information– I really don’t need anything right now

Page 5: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Three Phases of Cold Calling

1. Information Gathering

2. Securing the Customer Visit

3. Following Up

Page 6: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Phase I - Information GatheringPhase I - Information Gathering

• No selling occurs during this phase

• Out of 100% of the time spent cold calling to

secure the customer visit, 60% is spent in this

phase simply gathering the required information on your targeted accounts

• This phase is the bottleneck of the entire process

Page 7: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Information You Must Have on Your Target Prospects

– Full official name of the organization– List of all of its branches, divisions, units,

and/or subsidiaries– Web site address– Names and titles of all officers of the

organization (the key decision makers)

It’s crucial that this information is organizedinto a spreadsheet

Page 8: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Who Are The Decision Makers – CEO, CFO– COO, CIO– VP’s– Directors

– Information must be accurate!!!

• Why do we need this information?– To have an understanding of the

hierarchy– To use the hierarchy as leverage

Page 9: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Start with These Leverage Points:

• The prospect’s boss• Their boss’s boss• Their peers in the organization• Other members of their decision

making team

Page 10: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Leveraging the Organization Chart

• Why is it so important? – Most of your prospects are more concerned with the

relationships they have with their superiors than what you are offering.

– Developing internal leverage will enable you to capitalize on leverage that is already in place within your prospect’s organization, even though you have little or no leverage of your own.  

– The higher up on the org chart ‘ladder’, the more others in that organization care what they do, say, and think.

– Using a 'top-down' approach can build automatic credibility at lower levels and will dramatically increase the possibility that people will want to pay attention to you.

Page 11: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Cold Calling: Creating your Spreadsheet

• Step One – Creating your spreadsheet– List your top 25 target accounts from your

prospecting list.• Prioritized from top to bottom using your prospecting

qualification criteria• Each account needs at least 5 to 6 contacts

– The following fields must be included:• Contact name• Account name• Phone• Title

Before Cold Calling

Contact Name Account Name Phone Number TitleExperianExperianExperianExperianExperian

Page 12: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Cold Calling: Populating the Spreadsheet

• Step II – Populating the spreadsheet:– Known sources

• Any pre-existing prospect knowledge• Databases such as CBI website• Personal and business contacts (4 questions)

– Are they the decision maker?– If no, can they you get you an appointment with a

decision maker?– If no, can they tell you who the decision makers are?– If no, can they provide any valuable insight into the

activities within the company?– If no, they are no help in this phase.

These four questions need to be asked of any business or personal contact that we intend to leverage.

Page 13: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Cold Calling: Populating and Validating

• Step III – Using Cold Calling to:– Populate the missing contacts

• You must complete the hierarchy to have leverage

– Validate the existing contacts• Accuracy is essential in phase II

After Cold CallingContact Name Account Name Phone Number TitleJIM Madison Experian 714-583-7002 CEOJeff More Experian 714-583-7003 CIOPam Frye Experian 714-583-7004 VPJoe Neal Experian 714-583-7005 Director of AppGreg Polanski Experian 714-583-7006 Director of Sec

Page 14: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Getting through the Gatekeeper

• The process of Cold Calling– Turning the company’s gatekeepers into

information givers by:• Going through the operator• Going through the CIO’s, CFO’s, and CEO’s office• Going through the helpdesk• Going through other departments• Using the Internet• Using the MIS department

• How do you do that?– Your looking to elicit a response by using a

combination of words or phrases that is your password to guarded information.

– The passwords in this case are the scripts you use.

Page 15: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Cold Calling Dialogue

• Scenario 1 – Initial call to account (main number)Operator: Hello, Experian, how can we help you? Jim: I am looking for your CEO. Do you know who

that would be?Operator: That would be Kevin Ryan (Transfers call)Assistant: This is Patty, Mr. Ryan’s office. How can I help

you?Jim: Hi Patty, this is Jim from Capgemini. I was

wondering if we can get on Mr. Ryan’s calendar

to talk about IT strategy and cost reduction? Assistant: He’s not the one you need to talk to. You need

to talk to Jeff More who handles ITJim: Does Jeff report to Mr. Ryan?Assistant: Yes he doesJim: Okay thank you.

1st

Contact

Name

2nd

Contact

Name

Page 16: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

• Scenario 1 – Initial call to account (main number)

Operator: Hello, Experian, how can we help you? Jim: I am looking for your CIO. Do you know who

that would be?Operator: That would be Jeff More. (Transfers call) Assistant: This is Mary, Jeff More’s office. How can I help

you?Jim: Is Jeff More the Director of Applications

Development?Assistant: No, he’s the CIO.Jim: Do you know who the Director of Applications is?Assistant: That would be Joe Neal.Jim: Does He report to Jeff?Assistant: No, he reports to Pam Frye.Jim: What’s her title?Assistant: She’s the VP of Information Technology.Jim: Does Pam report to Jeff?Assistant: Yes, she does.Jim: Does Joe also handle network security?

1st

Contact

Name

2nd

Contact

Name

3rd

Contact

Name

Cold Calling Dialogue

Page 17: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

• Scenario 1 – Continuation

Assistant: No, that would be Greg Polanski.

Jim: Does Greg report to Jeff?

Assistant: Yes, he does.

Jim: Okay. Thank you Mary.

4th Contact Name

4 contacts in one call

Cold Calling Dialogue

Page 18: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

• Scenario 2 – Initial call to account

Operator: Hello, Experian. How can we help you? Jim: I am looking for your CIO. Do you know who

that would be?Operator: That would be Jeff More. (Transfers call)Assistant: This is Mary, Jeff More’s office. How can I

help you?Jim: Is Jeff More the Director of Applications?Assistant: No, he’s the CIO.Jim: Do you know who Director of Applications is?Assistant: Who is this?Jim: This is Jim from Capgemini.Assistant: Sorry, we don’t take vendor calls.Jim: This is not a sales call. We just want to invite

Some IT managers to a seminar that we are having.

Assistant: The Director of Applications is Joe Neal.Jim: Okay. Thank you Mary.

1st

Contact

Name

2nd

Contact

Name

Cold Calling Dialogue

Page 19: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

• Scenario 3 – Initial call to account

Operator: Hello, Experian. How can we help you? Jim: Can I have the CIO’s office?Operator: (Transfers call to CIO’s Office)Assistant: This is Mary Joe, Jeff More’s office. How can

I help you?Jim: Is Jeff More the Director of Applications?Assistant: No, he’s the CIO.Jim: Do you know who the Director of Applications is?Assistant: Who is this?Jim: This is Jim from Capgemini.Assistant: Sorry, we don’t take vendor calls.Jim: This is not a sales call. We just want to

invite some IT managers to a seminar we arehaving.

Assistant: I cannot give that information out, why don’tyou forward it to me and I will pass it along.

Jim: Great. Thank you Mary.

1st

Contact

Name

Go tonextgatekeeper

Cold Calling Dialogue

Page 20: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Phase II - Securing the customer visitPhase II - Securing the customer visit

Getting the MeetingGetting the Meeting

–The goal is getting the customer meeting,

NOT SELLING!!!

Page 21: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Four Basic Components to the Initial Call

• Get the prospects attention• Identify yourself and your

company• Give the reason for call• Ask for the appointment

Page 22: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Securing the Customer Meeting• Goal

– To secure a face to face meeting with the customer using the contacts that you have gained from the Phase 1

• Assumptions– All accounts have at least 5 to 6 contacts– All contacts have been validated through Cold Calling

• Cold Calling – 40% of your time is spent in this phase– A cold call begins when someone picks up the phone

• On average, it takes 40 calls to get a voice on the other line

• Volume– Pick 25 prospects to work with in this phase

• 25 prospects X 5 contacts = 125 active contacts to cold call• 5 to 1 ratio of contacts that can give me a meeting

– Pick 5 prospects to actively work throughout the week• As soon as you secure a meeting, add a new prospect to your list

– Average 5 to 7 new meetings per week

Page 23: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Initial Call & Managing the Flow of Information

• Initial call – Opening dialogue tells prospect who you are and why they

should listen to you.– 30 seconds is long enough to give the necessary information

and elicit a response.

• The importance of managing the flow of information during the initial call – If you go into too much detail too soon regarding your services

it makes it far too easy for the prospect to say no without giving you an opportunity to meet in person.

– Avoid temptation to provide detailed information while on the phone even if the listener asks for it. Don’t sell on the phone.

– Give enough information to get the prospect interested, but not enough for them to come to a decision on your services without having met you face-to-face.

Page 24: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Example Dialogue

• Non-leveraged call– Scenario – Initial call to customerCustomer: Hello, this is Joe.Jim: Hi Joe. How are you?Customer: Fine. Who’s this?Jim: This is Jim from Capgemini. I was wondering

if we could come out and tell you about our

services?Customer: What kind of services?Jim: IT Cost Reduction, Application Support,

Application Integration and Portals Customer: How about this week?

Regulating the Information Flow.

This is where you have to control your desire to sell on the phone.

Follow the Script!!

Page 25: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Leveraged call– Scenario – Initial call to customer

Customer: Hello. This is Joe.Jim: Hi Joe. How are you?Customer: Fine Who’s this?Jim: This is Jim from Capgemini.

Pam Frye asked me to give you a call.We want to come out and tell you aboutour services. When is a good time for usto come out?

Customer: How about this week?

By applying the Leverage of the hierarchy, you changed the dynamic of the call

A leveraged approach will help you get into A leveraged approach will help you get into tough accounts when the non-leverage call fails.tough accounts when the non-leverage call fails.

Example Dialogue

Page 26: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Phase IIIIII – Following Up

The Goal: Ensure the success of the meeting

Page 27: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Confirmation

• Confirmation– Get their direct number if you don’t have

it.– Always ask for prospect’s email address.– Follow up with an email immediately.– Do no additional follow-up. Just show up.– Follow-ups only serve as a reason to

cancel.

Page 28: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Sample Confirmation Email

Subject: Capgemini Meeting

Dear Joe, Thank you for taking my call. This is to confirm our

meeting for Monday Jan 20th at 10:00 am.

Thanks, Jim

Page 29: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Jim’s Best Practices

– Only introduce yourself when asking for a meeting or when someone asks you who you are.

– Your focus should be on getting the meeting not selling. Use your service bullet points

– Stay away from elevator pitches and be less formal. – Building your organization chart is number one priority

– Be persistent, persistent, persistent

– Make as many calls as possible– Don’t take no for an answer.– Go from one gatekeeper to the next; from one contact to the next.– If your contact does not answer their line, have their boss’s office

transfer you to their line.

Page 30: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Jim’s Best Practices

– Stay focused on your objective.• Getting into your top 25 prospects. Focus on calling 5 at a

time.– Do not leave messages.

• Cold calling is the key to penetrating the prospect.• The cold call starts when the person picks up the phone.• You can’t leverage an answering machine.

– If the information giver is willing to share, fine, take it all.• Sometimes we don’t get a lot of information simply because

we don’t ask.– Eliminate your fear of rejection. – When dealing with gatekeepers, be very polite and respectful.– Do not cancel or reschedule a meeting.– Leverage your contacts as much as possible.

Page 31: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Cold Calling Tips• If your target audience agrees to schedule a meeting with you but asks you to

call back at a later time to schedule the meeting. The best way to handle it is to say, I wouldn’t mind calling you back but it’s very difficult to reach you. Can we set the meeting now? If your target audience says, “I don’t have time right now call me back”. Make sure you call them back the same day.

• When you request a meeting with your target audience and they respond by saying that they would be interested in hearing about your services. However, they have no current active projects, it’s effective to respond in the following manner. I understand we just want to come out and tell you about what we do so when you do have projects in the future we can help. When would be a good time for us to come out?

• When a prospect says why don’t you send me some information. Here’s how you turn that response around. Can’t we just get together? How about next Monday at 1:00?” Don’t get any fancier than that. Keep it simple. Remember most prospects don’t read the information or care about it.

 

Page 32: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.
Page 33: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

An approach by Edward Lowe Foundation

Handling Resistance/Objections

Page 34: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

The generic Sales Process

Step 1Sales Preparation

Step 2The firstcontact

Step 3Follow-upactivities

Step 4Createquotation

Step 5Close the deal

Marketing & Prospect Plan

Sales and ProspectManagement

Handle resistanceIntroduction of an offer

Close the deal

Selling A-Z

Selling Techniques

SalesPreparation

Page 35: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

There is no shame in selling?

Page 36: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

In selling, one definition of an objection:

"a reason given by the

prospective customer why they are not ready to buy your offer

or service."

Page 37: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Anticipating Objections

• An easy exercise for you to do before you make your presentation is to review it in detail. When you get to a point where you think there might be a customer objection, write it down on a separate sheet of paper. When you think you have exhausted all of the possibilities where objections could originate, continue to work on the solutions. Practice your answers. You may not be able to come up with all of the answers to make your presentation "objection proof," but you will surely have a handle on the presentation and be loaded with answers in the event the questions do come up.

• The ability to anticipate an objection is very important but not nearly as important as developing the skills necessary to overcome your prospect's concerns. No matter how hard you try to list every possible objection a client may have, there will still be those times when the prospect will have an objection that you never considered.

Page 38: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

The Inner Workings of an Objection• It is important to work with the prospect to understand the exact

character and extent of his objections. Using a client-centered approach where you provide all of the facts necessary will work well in overcoming the objections. When you welcome objections you are communicating to the prospect that his needs are important and will be addressed.

• "I understand what you are saying. Another client asked the same questions. Here's how I worked with him to satisfy his concern…"

• "I'm glad you mentioned that because it gives me the chance to show you how our product will solve that problem."

Page 39: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

5 Steps1. Expect them and allow the client to express them freely. 2. Welcome them when they occur because they indicate an interest on

the part of the client. 3. Affirm the objection by restating it in the form of a question to be

answered. "So what you are saying is that the delivery schedule is a concern to you, isn't it?"

4. Give complete answers to the objections. Draw upon testimonials, past experiences or whatever relevant information you have.

5. When the client presents an observation that's perceived as a real drawback, present an offsetting benefit such as, "Your concern about our plant location is justified, but we have air freight service to this area every day. Your orders will be delivered on time."

Do not respond immediately to a prospect's objection. Very often he will continue talking to clarify his position or to offer more information. When this happens, wait a few seconds and think about what he has said. Your pause shows a level of respect for what the prospect said.

Page 40: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

The Big Three

Objections which face salespeople the most are:

A. Skepticism

B. Misunderstanding

C. Stalling

Page 41: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

A. Scepticism, possible roots:• Promising too much. If you promise too much too soon or trivialize the

uniqueness of the prospect's situation you will surely lose him. • Failing to gain a rapport. You must listen and respond effectively. If the prospect

thinks you are patronizing him or saying what you think he wants to hear, his interest in you will diminish rapidly. Learn to listen and respond effectively.

• Not asking the right questions. Know enough about the prospect's needs to be able to ask probing questions. Asking good questions is just as important as giving good answers.

• Not fully answering questions. The prospect's questions are real. Try not to think that any of them are "dumb questions," and do not avoid a question because you think it is trivial. By not answering all questions, the prospect could think you are trying to hide something.

• Coming off as defensive. If you appear to be defensive to an objection, you might turn him off completely. Given a choice, you should choose to be responsive. Always respond enthusiastically, not defensively.

• Not client-centred. If you speak in general terms and do not address the specifics of the prospect's objection, you have not given him the answer he is looking for.

• A perceived lack of time. If you rush through your presentation or do not give enough consideration to the prospect's concerns, you could make the prospect feel uneasy. Don't linger endlessly on any one point, but don't give any quick answers either.

Page 42: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

B. Misunderstanding, possible roots:1. Inadequate definition of the need. A good salesman has the

ability to define and solve problems. By understanding the prospect's situation, you are better able to offer the help or answers he needs. Take the time to get the facts and offer the solutions necessary to close the sale.

2. Inadequate goal definition. You have to know what the prospect's goal is before you can try to suggest a path. If his main concern is to produce 2000 units in a month and your solution is a critical part in the units, speak in terms of providing the parts to do that. Don't try to improve his procedures. Help him to hit his goal.

3. Inadequate definition of benefits and features. You must provide specific examples of how the prospect will benefit from your offer and your proposed solution to his objections. Do not give global answers to specific problems

Page 43: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

C. Stalling , possible roots:1. He is not the decision maker (part of that group). If this is the situation, find out

who the decision maker is and ask to meet with that individual. This can be done by asking the prospect himself or trying to gain the information from the receptionist. A simple question, such as, "Mrs. Smith, I sell security solutions. Can you tell me who the persons/department is that is in charge of specifying and acquiring security solutions?"

2. He's not sold on your solution. Ask probing questions to determine what the problem is. "Are you not sure about our pricing?" "Is it your concern about our ability to deliver?" "What is holding you back in making your decision?"

3. He wants to get other proposals. Find out what his criteria is in the proposals. Also, see if you can determine what kind of information he is looking for. Ask if the project is going to be awarded on a competitive bid basis only. Try to be the last bidder to present.

4. He's too busy to talk right now. Ask him what his schedule is and when you can return or call him back. Also, it might be good to find out if the project is a reality and not just a fire drill.

5. The project is not budgeted. An excellent chance for you to show him cost benefits and be willing to adjust your scope of work to fit his time frame. "You have told me that his project has not been budgeted for this quarter. However, I can see that you need our solutions. I have spoken to our financial people and we are willing to invoice you at the start of the next quarter if you agree to commence within ten days."

Page 44: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Unvoiced Objections• "You can't possibly understand my business because it is unique." Answer: Stress your experience in the industry and how you have been able to help other

clients in similar situations.

• "Why should I do business with your firm?" Answer: Tell the prospect how you have helped other companies in the industry and be

ready to offer testimonials. • "Is the timing right for a change in suppliers?" Answer: Focus on the cost advantages and other benefits of doing business with your

company. • "Why are you calling on me at all; I already have a supplier? Answer: "With our knowledge of the industry and ability to help companies increase

production and maximize profits, we feel that we could be of benefit to you."

This will also give the prospect a new level of confidence in you because you were not avoiding any of the issues he was holding close to the vest. Whenever it appears that the prospect has an unvoiced objection, that's the time to probe for information. For example, "George, it appears that you have a question about what I just said. Am I right about that?"

Page 45: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Handling Objections – never do:• Never knock the competition. That takes the focus off of you

and your company and you never want to do that. • Never say anything negative about your company. • Never say anything negative about your offering or service. • Never tell the customer that they are wrong. • Never tell the customer that "you don't understand." • Never argue with a customer. • Never lie to a customer. Long term relationships are built on

trust and honesty. It is far better to say, "I don't know, but I'll find out and get right back to you."

• Never be defensive. That's not a positive approach to an objection.

• Never lose your cool with the customer. • Never let an objection go by without an answer

Page 46: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Handling Objections – please do:

• Always maintain a positive attitude and be enthusiastic. • Always remember that objections are a natural part of

the sales process and should not be considered as a personal affront.

• Always maintain good eye contact, even when under fire.

• Always listen closely to an objection. • Always acknowledge the objection and then give your

point of view. • Always be prepared to prove your position with

testimonials, references, and documentation.

Page 47: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Some of the More Common Objections and How to Handle Them• "We don't have it in the budget." Not quite the same as your price is

too high. The customer may have the money but is not convinced that your offer or service is worth the price you are asking. A good answer to the objection would be to build together a business case / trial products.

• "I can get it cheaper some place else.“ This is different from 1 and 2 since the client is saying, "I have the money, but you are not worth the difference in price." Two good answers to this objection are: "I understand what you are saying. But have you ever chosen the lowest price in the past and have been disappointed?" Or, "Is your primary goal price or are you also interested in service, quality, reliability,…?" Do measure strength applicable. Otherwise do not mention.

• "I don't have the time to discuss that right now." This may be a reality, but only up to a point. It is reasonable to respect someone's busy schedule, however, it's just as reasonable to ask when they will have the time to discuss the situation.

Page 48: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Some of the More Common Objections and How to Handle Them (2)• "I already have a vendor for that offer (service)." Your job here is to

convince the prospect that even though he has a supplier, you think you can do a better job and ask him to hear you out.

• "You only offer one part for my solution, I also need…" One solution is to tell the prospect that you have a company in mind that supplies the other part and you would be happy to coordinate the situation for him. money." Third, be sure that you can fit into his deadline and offer that possibility.

• "Your product (service) is not exactly what we are looking for." Ask the prospect where you are lacking. Once you have that information, you can then address the objections.

• "How long has your company been in business?" If region has a proven track record, present it for the prospect's review. Show testimonials, awards, printed recognition in the form of articles or press releases.

Page 49: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Summary

• Objections will stay. However, you can minimize those situations by preparing yourself in advance.

• Have a great presentation. Know it inside and out. Practice it in front of others.

• Be relentless in identifying objections within your proposal.

• And then, go out there and give it your best shot. You will win some and you will lose some.

• Just remember this little equation developed by Robert W. Bly:

SWL + SWL = SW

Page 50: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.
Page 51: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Exercise

Situation sketch: think of these possible objectionsand how to handle them, come up with your mostheard objection

• "Your price is way out of line.“

• "We don't have the need right now."

Page 52: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Workshop programme

Cold Calling - Sales Training

09.00 – 09:15Introduction & ObjectivesThe generic Sales Process

09:15 – 10:45Sales preparation: Conclusion

Cold calling

10.45 - 11.00 Break

11.00 - 12.30Prepare for Cold Calling (prospecting list, script & org. chart)

Plenary presentation by each team

12.30-13.15 Lunch

13.15 - 14:00 Preparing your calls in teams

14:00 - 15.00Handle resistance

ExerciseSales, sales, sales

15.00 – 15.15 Break

15:15 - 16:30 Make the call

16:30 – 17:00 Close the deal

Page 53: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.
Page 54: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Make the call . . .

• Overview your prospecting list & choose your “longest shot” to start with (least change to success)

• Make the call to your prospect using your excel sheet and call script

• Experience crossing borders!

Page 55: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Workshop programme

Cold Calling - Sales Training

09.00 – 09:15Introduction & ObjectivesThe generic Sales Process

09:15 – 10:45Sales preparation: Conclusion

Cold calling

10.45 - 11.00 Break

11.00 - 12.30Prepare for Cold Calling (prospecting list, script & org. chart)

Plenary presentation by each team

12.30-13.15 Lunch

13.15 - 14:00 Preparing your calls in teams

14:00 - 15.00Handle resistance

ExerciseSales, sales, sales

15.00 – 15.15 Break

15:15 - 16:30 Make the call

16:30 – 17:00 Close the deal

Page 56: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.
Page 57: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

ABC = ALWAYS BE CLOSING

Closing the Deal

Page 58: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

The generic Sales Process

Step 1Sales Preparation

Step 2The firstcontact

Step 3Follow-upactivities

Step 4Createquotation

Step 5Close the deal

Marketing & Prospect Plan

Sales and ProspectManagement

Handle resistanceIntroduction of an offer

Close the deal

Selling A-Z

Selling Techniques

SalesPreparation

Page 59: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Your own health check:

• Biggest mistake both junior and senior sales people continue to make is investing their time and company’s resources in prospects or resources with prospects that are never going to buy.

• the time to close is when you have earned the right to close.

Page 60: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Closing indicators:

• Direct statements: My company will be depending on the success of your products in our market

• Visual observations: willingness to listen to you interest in your success elsewhere, focussing on risks, etc.

Page 61: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Close in your own mind first

Develop a "closing consciousness" by deliberately setting out to "overthink" your prospect.

Turn finding the weakness or needs of a prospect into a sport. How fast can you discover them? How close were your predictions? How quickly were you able to close?

Always close easy ones first, whether you're in your office calling or out on the road. Build momentum; tell yourself you can't be turned down.

You must have full knowledge of your product/service and believe in it.

You must have full knowledge of your customers: maintain accurate and up-to-date files on prospects. Communicate regularly with existing clients. Be comfortable with the database.

Page 62: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Close in your own mind first (2)

Know every objection and have impregnable answers: write down every objection and a one or two sentence answer prepared in writing rehearse out loud the best way to answer a question

Know yourself, your strengths and weaknesses: do you talk too much? Not listen? interrupt? pursue tangents?

do you have special knowledge to share? a unique experience?

Page 63: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Exercise

What are in your opinion the factors of a good close?

Your last good Close?

Why?

What?

When?

Page 64: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Closing is starting a new relationship

Just married? You have got work to do:

keep the relationship fresh– Update regularly– Find concerns early– Establish solid financial grounds– Discover new needs– Get the ‘baby’s’ going…

So manage, manage and manage!

Page 65: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Success Story

Cambridge Technology Partners was a fixed time / fixed price strategy and implementation player. At Cambridge one would usually close out with a functionality-matrix, discovering:

the low risk, low costhigh benefits implementation areas.

Guiding the clients very quickly to the fist project successes. We later discovered that clients were using our functionality-matrix to question other vendors…

Page 66: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.
Page 67: Cold Calling – Sales Training Jim Tersteeg. Cold Calling What is it? –Cold calling is the process of collecting the required information on your targeted.

Questions ?