Inside Sales Buzz Blog

Phone Sales Techniques & Best Practices from Michael Pedone

Your Sales Questions Are the Problem

by MichaelPedone 22. February 2012 14:55

Sales Question:

"I frequently get stumped by prospects responses to my sales questions - What should I do?"

Short Answer: Ask Better Questions!

Long answer:

This weekend I had the privilege to witness several high schools compete in a mock trial competition in Tampa, Florida as students taking law electives battled it out in an actual court room with real judges at the helm, with each team having to take turns being the prosecution and the defense.

During one of the mock trials, a student in the "prosecution role" became visibly frustrated when he wasn't getting the answer he needed out of a defense witness, no matter how many times he re-asked the question.

When the trial was over, the judge addressed each student (in front of the entire audience) and gave them constructive criticism.

His advice to the prosecution attorney / student:

"If you don't like the answer, maybe your question was the problem!"

How true is that!?! Not only for attorney's but for salespeople as well!

As I watched this situation play out in the court room, I could easily see how this same scenario happens everyday with salespeople and their prospects:

  • Salesperson makes call;
  • Gets prospect on the phone;
  • Asks a few questions;
  • Doesn't get the response they were hoping for;
  • Salesperson tries again - get's same response;
  • Both parties get frustrated and then the call ends.

Think Like a High-Powered Attorney to Close More Sales

Attorney's and salespeople have a lot in common.

Namely, they are paid based on their performance. The better each performs, the more cash they earn.

Before ever picking up the phone, be prepared well in advance of what questions you are going to ask, why you are going to ask them, who you are going to ask them to and be ready for the responses you'll get.

The days of being "Captain Wing It" are over.

Asking better, smarter engagement questions are essential to becoming a high powered sales earner.

Michael Pedone
CSS: Chief Sales Scientist
SalesBuzz.com (A 2011 Sales Training Company Watch List Award Winner!)

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