Today's approach to marketing and sales must be smooth and sophisticated. Pressuring people and the "hard" sale are relics of a bygone era. The films Boiler Room and Glengarry Glen Ross highlight the former pushy tactics.
Although I realize that a more suave sales technique is needed to woo the customer, the stereotypes of brash sales forces persist on a small scale. Think of cultures where the words "Hello my friend..." are still considered coins of the realm. Culture is partly responsible for the nature of this marketing style, and the other reason is a lack of regulatory procedures.
Let's face facts. Business is about sales. No sales revenue, no business. You can have the greatest products or the finest service. If no one recognizes this and the offerings do not convert into receipts, there is only a limited time you will be allowed to remain open unless you are running an NGO. Speaking of NGOs, even they need to raise money. Their sales pitch might be different owing to the nature of their organization's activities, but it is still a sales pitch.
The Sales Function
What makes sales an interesting subject is the nature of how the sale is conducted. When client need and desire are matched to the offering, the products or services sell themselves. The sales force become the bridge; provide information or even counsel. They should, in theory, also become part of a positive experience. This principle should hold true in any organization, public or private, large or small.
A contemporary salesperson should be a listener more than a talker. The offering must be tailored to fit the customer's needs. When it is handled in this manner, the customer makes an "intelligent" buyer behavioral decision.
A smart and well-trained sales team recognizes that understanding human psychology and diplomacy acts as a form of persuasion.
Liked vs. Valued
As in any profession, most sales people appreciate being liked and trusted by their clientele. The key I have found is the concept of value. When clients sense that you value their needs, you understand the principle of caring. Do not make any client feel that they are just part of "turnover." Authenticity must be genuine. Anyone can tell a fake from the real McCoy.
Bought vs. Sold
Marketing strategist Seth Godin states in his blog that there are products that are "bought," and there are products that are "sold":
Some things are bought -- such as bottled water, airplane tickets and chewing gum. The vendor sets up shop and then waits, patiently, for someone to come along and decide to buy.
Other things are sold -- such as cars, placement of advertising in magazines and life insurance. If no salesperson is present, if no pitch is made, nothing happens.
Seth goes on to stress:
Both are important. Both require a budget and a schedule and a commitment. Confusion sets in when you're not sure if your product or service is bought or sold, or worse, if you are a salesperson just waiting for people to buy.
If a company's products or services need to be "sold," there are different sets of challenges to overcome. These include:
- Clarifying how the products or services can make prospective clients' lives better;
- Creating and expressing an emotional connection to your niche audience/prospects -- whether it's cool, innovative, or rebel, etc.
- Indicating to your audience/prospects what they get to lose by not acquiring the products or services.
When it comes to a product or service being "bought," not much effort is required in convincing prospective clients that they should purchase, but that they should buy yours. Even perceived necessities need to be marketed and sold -- it's just that they have a different focus.
Sales Online
The Internet and social media have had an effect and changed the way customers are buying. Their selling process has been reduced to a mere buying process; although the consumer continues to seek guidance in their purchases.
This is where the "value" factor plays a role. Sales staff should always look for ways to offer solutions to keep their customers satisfied. It is thought that a quarter of all online shopping is made by frequent "shopping lovers" whose influence spread the word to others about joys of online shopping whenever they have the opportunity. They represent an ideal target for retailers who should not be taken for granted.
Think Zappos!
Pull vs. Push
Push marketing and pull marketing are different yet complementary marketing methods for promoting a business -- most notably online.
Push marketing is more traditional methods of advertising -- essentially, you are pushing your message to your audience, regardless of whether they want to receive your message or not. Push marketing focuses on product features and awaits the audience to respond. Examples of push marketing include email marketing, website advertising, and cold calling.
Pull marketing is more proactive, pulling the customers toward your brand/product with targeted messages they care about. Pull marketing is all about brand building. Examples of pull marketing include media interviews, public speaking, and word-of-mouth advertising.
Consultative Sales = CRM
What differentiates a consultative sales process from a traditional presentation of features and benefits is the relationship that is established between the prospect and the salesperson at the beginning stages of the sales cycle. Traditional product salespeople rely mainly on their product and service expertise and may not pay enough attention to the relationship aspect. For an effective consultative sales conversation to develop, a prospect must believe that the sales consultant has practical and credible expertise and someone that the client wants to work with.
The contemporary approach to selling is when the salesperson guides the prospective customer in making sound purchase decisions -- someone seen as an ally and adviser. This can be accomplished by keeping the following in consideration:
- Clearly identify the prospect's needs -- does the product or service proposed fill it?
- Is the price offered deemed value for the money?
Ensure a long-term relationship by achieving customer satisfaction. To do this requires some skills -- either instinctively or acquired through training and practice. This includes:
- The capability to understand what the prospect wants;
- The knack to recognize, through ample product knowledge including features, which of the products and services are deemed most appropriate for the prospect;
- The ability to convey the specific benefits gained by using specific products and/or services that are meaningful to this customer;
- The capacity to deliver the "package" (products or services). Focus on the desired results expected by the prospective client.
Luxury Brand Management: Selling the Intangible
Selling luxury products or services in a sluggish economy is no easy task. Focus on the affluent. Simply put, such consumers buy no matter what the state of the economy.
Next step is not to sell them on the product or service per se but rather on what the true meaning of luxury represents:
• Self-expression
• An exceptional experience
• Made/formed with authenticity
• Craftsmanship and quality
• Created/produced in small numbers -- rarity factor
• Emotional bonding
• Upscale mystique
• Status and prestige
This is what affluent buyers are looking for. All high-end purchases must have a storyline, pedigree or heritage. Pressure of any kind is pointless here. Think Ralph Lauren. RL sales teams never pressure clients. Ralph's "dream" has either made the sale or it hasn't. The sales team is just there to advise and be of assistance. Shared beliefs, attitudes, and values between sales team and client can push the sale forward because it is one of bonding and mutual recognition of being part of the "club."
Anyone who understands the points of being an "brand ambassador" knows what I am taking about here.
The Bottom Line
As in all professions, sales techniques continue to evolve and adapt to the nature of the times in which we live. Great service, good pricing and loyal relationships have become yesterday's sales standards. Using the consultative sales approach and providing clients with value-added solutions is compulsory in today's business arena.
Salespeople should evolve as businesses do. Today's clients demand a partnership arrangement. Since all of us are also clients is it any wonder?