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Quiz: Can You Land the Appointment?

October 21st, 2009 @ 5:30 am

2 Comments

Categories: Closing, Cold Calls, Pitches, Sales Skills, Sales Tips

Tags: Response, Games, Sales Strategy, Sales Force Management, Personal Technology, Sales, Geoffrey James

During a cold call, you must make quick decisions based on your reading of the prospect’s state of mind. Here’s a quick test of your acumen in responding to a prospect’s attitude.

SCENARIO: You got through to a prospect and just gave him your elevator pitch. You sounded great (at least to yourself) but the prospect says: “Well, that sounds sort of interesting, but I’m not sure.”

Pick the response most likely to move the opportunity closer to an actual sales appointment:

  • #1: Click HERE. “What would your thoughts be on having an initial conversation with us about [something of value to the customer]? What is your availability over the next few weeks?”
  • #2: Click HERE. “If we really could do [something of value to the customer], what would your thoughts be on having an initial conversation with us to hear more?”
  • #3: Click HERE. “I would love to have an initial phone conversation with you about [something of value to the customer]. What is the best way to get on your calendar?”
  • #4: Click HERE. “How do I get on your calendar, please?”

BTW, this post is based on a conversation with sales trainer extraordinaire Barry Rhein.

This Blog's Best Post: The Ultimate Cold Calling Tool

 
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    1

    mrpotter1

    10/22/09 | Report as spam

    RE: Quiz: Can You Land the Appointment?

    Hmmm... I have a hard time buying into the "If I can do "X", then will you buy? That is an overused used car sales tactic that B2B buyers can see coming a mile away. As a business owner, when I hear that I run. I often respond, if you can't "do X' then will you pay me back the hourly equivalent for wasting my time? I don't get takers.

    In reality how can a cold caller possibly know that they can deliver without an interview? What happens if you show up and you cannot deliver? I prefer to use a position of confidence that I know what I'm doing, I have a track record of success, I promise I won't waste your time, lets take a look at our calenders and find a good time that works for both of us.

  •  
    2

    Geoffrey James, Sales Machine

    10/22/09 | Report as spam

    RE: Quiz: Can You Land the Appointment?

    Re Note 1:
    Yeah, that line reads a little hoary to me, too, at least as written. But I like your rewrite and wonder whether it might not be reformatted into a specific offer that the seller could offer the buyer.

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