Growth Dynamics Get Down

Monday Morning Manager

Symptoms:

Roy and his boss were going through the usual year end gyrations that required them to get out the crystal ball and "forecast" what sales would look like for next year. Despite the fact that a large portion of Roy's sales came from repeat (evergreen) clients, he still had to figure out where the growth would come from. Worse yet, he's scared to death that something unforeseen might cause the loss of a key account that would completely derail his plans. Management has given him some target accounts, and also asked him to focus on certain offerings, but he was still nervous about how he could make all this happen. He knew he had to get out to a fast start but just wasn't sure on how to go about it.

Monday Morning Manager

Symptoms:

Having earned a small commission check last month from her sales job, Marta was doing her best to replace her old refrigerator and had already hit the local appliance stores, as well as a few of the Big Box outlets. After leaving the third stop, it became apparent she would have to go back to the first store to get the best price and the color she wanted. After finally approaching the floor rep with her true intentions, she was then surprised at a delivery charge that she had not discussed on her first visit. Not knowing what to do now, she returned home to look at the ads in the Sunday paper and to talk it over with her husband.

Symptoms:

In as much as 95% of the cases, buyers control the buying process (at the seller’s expense). They’re calling all the shots, and most salespeople are simply along for the ride. Buyer’s instinctively maintain control of the process in order to protect themselves, in case they’re dealing with the stereotypical salesperson (that everybody hates). They’ve created these tactics to protect their leverage, maximize their discount, and control the situation to their advantage.

Monday Morning Manager

Symptoms:

Mark is getting back to work after enjoying a summer vacation and is looking at his calendar. Oh, Oh! The quarter is over already? And the year is half over too. The sales reports are bound to follow, and he is determined not to let his performance slip away. Mark has decided it's time to review and get his game plan back on track. 

Symptoms:

After having been in the same role for over 5 years, Ted was stuck. "What else can I talk about with these people that we haven't gone over all ready?" was the question Ted kept asking himself (with no answer) after he did a review of his clients. He knew he didn't want to be the pesky salesman that just made a meaningless follow up call, or who stopped in to drop off donuts and see what orders might be around to pick up, but he was also very aware that his manager expected him to keep growing the territory and expanding the accounts.

Are you shocked when you get to the end of the day and you can't really put a finger on what you did all day? Give this week's podcast a listen and see if naming your days might be able to get you back on track.