How to Beat a Personal Sales Slump

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  dave.stein@...07/08/08 Report as spam
  1

  Sales Slump...

  Ah! Tony Robbins. "Tested in the fire..." How can I forget walking across those hot coals. I can practically see him thumping his chest...
  
  A few more ideas:
  
  * Go for some small wins to help rebuild your confidence, like getting a couple of good referrals from your best customers or really digging into that new product line until you completely understand how to sell it. By the way, getting out and visiting customers has really helped salesreps I've known who were in this situation.
  * Talk to your boss about it, if they are of the type that would understand and be supportive. Being in a slump is much worse if everyone knows you're in it, but you can't solicit anyone's help or support.

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  bighit07/08/08 Report as spam
  2

  RE: How to Beat a Personal Sales Slump

  Rush headlong out of your comfort zone and work harder at cold calling, following up, and offering solid recommendations to any prospect who will give you even a few minutes.
  
  Among the best cures is engagement with others whom you can help. If you don't actually believe that you can help your prospects, consider looking at firms that you think are doing it right and sell you personal services to them via job interview.
  
  May you enjoy a match made in heaven! Good luck.

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  ollyl@...07/08/08 Report as spam
  3

  RE: How to Beat a Personal Sales Slump

  I applaud your very positive strategies suggested. Probably the best advice I give people I train in sales is to ensure that you retain a passion for what you do. How to do that when you are down?
  
  Go over in your mind the times you have really helped clients and recall the feeling of worth you experienced at the time. By all means beat your chest and shout affirmations if you will. But, above all, be certain that what you have done is ethical and actually helped people.
  
  Then, om a gradient scale, go back to your basics and insist to yourself that you WILL HELP SOMEONE TODAY.
  
  As your wins come, build on them and you will soon be flying again.
  
  Ollie Lind
  howcani.com.au

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  ndlicht107/08/08 Report as spam
  4

  RE: How to Beat a Personal Sales Slump

  Work your Sales Cycle
  
  This may be the most important part of bating your slump- get back into the game full speed and forget about quota pressure.
  
  First, however, tale a look at how you have been playing the game. I'll bet there are steps being left out of your selling process that you formally used when not in your slump.
  
  Also, revisit your "lost Prospects" and ask them why your solution was not selected and why the competion was. Don't take price as the answer. Thats not the reason.
  
  Do this softly as a conversation and appeal to the former prospect's human side-they will help you if you do that right. Since you are so close to the process in a sense, you may not be able to see where you missed the mark.
  
  Lastly, when you jump back in and work your sales cycle process, be sure in your prospecting that you qualify well immediately up front and don't start selling without knowing 3 important things:
  
  1. Why you have something worthwhile to your prospect - your prospect must affirm its possible value right up front and why.
  
  2. Clearly understand the Evaluation/decisionmaking process up front - ask "who alomg with you" participates in evaluating and making buying decisions - whats the process?" Use that info and factor it into your sales cycle process early on.
  
  3. If you get a warm and fuzzy re possible needs, state and relate possible costs and determine if such a solutions budget exists and if not, what the process is for getting funded and how long it usually takes. Know that answer before you start.
  
  Now you wont spin your wheels with folks who can not buy noe have the money to buy. You will also see a better more valuable ROI on your prospecting and you will control the steps needed to get to yes.
  
  neil licht answers@ucanpreventbadhires.con

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  DanAuito07/08/08 Report as spam
  5

  One Shot in The Arm, coming up!

  That's some outstanding advice above. Nothing beats getting one on one and getting into the other persons shoes! Everything else falls away when you engage your mind on problem solving for someone else's situation.
  
  Definitely pre-qualify the prospect for ability and motivation to buy otherwise you lose valuable time and momentum.
  
  Your wedding butterflies are coming from getting pushed out of your normal grooves, you'll most likely make the greatest progress after the big day in really nailing new sales on a consistent basis.
  
  Stay positive, take action steps to create order and structure activities, wedding planning will definitely cramp your work schedule over the coming weeks.
  
  This may help overall: http://www.changethis.com/14.PositiveAttitude
  
  Dan Auito
  Franchised sister sites available: http://www.CitrusCountyClassifieds.com
  
  P.S. Advertising should invigorate you! Go out and get results!

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  Wm. T.07/09/08 Report as spam
  6

  RE: How to Beat a Personal Sales Slump

  This may be a guy way to drag oneself out of the merde pile. I note there are no replies by women. Suspect they'd be more inclined to discuss it with someone then try to fight it alone. What about the poor dude's bethrothed? Couldn't she "help" Mr. Slump hop out of the hole?

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  Aimee33307/09/08 Report as spam
  7

  There Myself

  Great advice. I'm in Real Estate...kinda- We handle a lot of Tax deffered exchanges...guess what- NO ONE IS DOING ANY! Talk about slump- I'm dying here. It makes it real hard to continue to call on my Brokers and Realtors. All I can do is continue to stay in the top of their mind, just in case something comes around.
  
  Great advice, By the way! Thanks

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  snadler07/09/08 Report as spam
  8

  RE: How to Beat a Personal Sales Slump

  I wholesale insurance to retail insurance agents and they sell it to the consumers. My product is specialty lines and professional liability. I have never worked for a wholesaler and I am not getting close to my quota. Of course, the job isn't exactly what I expected because of all the administrative duties that I now am required to do but I accepted the position and want to make it work. I am a marketing and a sales person at heart. I find it difficult to actually find the right clients. Many retail agents are auto or personal lines. The commercial lines agents already have relationships with other wholesalers and it is difficult to break in. My challenge is finding the right client. Do you have any suggestions?