A Monty Python Lesson on Selling
Most of us have experienced the humor of Monty Python over the years via their movies and TV shows. I am a big fan, so when I saw that one of the group’s preeminent members, John Cleese, was coming to town for a one man show, I jumped on the opportunity. I am glad I did, because he reminded me of some very important lessons on presenting and selling.
The stage was empty except for a stool. The lights dimmed, a voice announced Cleese and he walked out to the center of the stage. He let the applause die down and then he said . . .
Read more
Curiosity – A Powerful Sales Tool
Curiosity is a particularly strong human trait. It is a hardwired survival trait that has been a part of our progression over thousands of years.
And it can be leveraged in very effective and powerful ways in the context of sales.
Let’s say you are selling a major piece of equipment. You could say something like: Read more
Grab Your Audience’s Attention with Your Very First Sentence
I cannot tell you how many sales pitches I have heard that start out something like this:
“Good morning. Thank you for having us here today. We’d like to start out by telling you a little about ourselves.”
Noooooooooooooooooooo!
Street law: When we start out a speech or sales presentation by talking about “us,” here is what the audience is “really” hearing: Read more
Sales Training: The Balancing Act Between Art and Science
Since part of my business requires buying as well as selling, it’s great fun for me to sit in on sales presentations and absorb them both as a buyer and as someone who advises people about selling.
Last week, I caught someone using a familiar selling technique from a well-known sales training company.
That was OK, but here is the issue . . . they were following the program like robots . . . 123, 123, 123 . . . neglecting to embed it into a more natural discourse.
And, when I decided to have some fun and throw them off the delivery channel, they became confused and rattled.
Here is my point. Read more
When is the Best Time to Present: First, Middle or Last?
People often ask me when it is best to present when competing in a proposal process . . . first, middle or last. The answer, if you can arrange it, is last. The reason is based on something psychologists call the “recency effect.” Read more
