Membership Overview
Learn what being a member does for you
The Seller Styles
NASP Programs
Catalog
See a summary of all our programs and certifications
Online Certifications
Certified Professional Sales Person(CPSP®)
Develop your potential as a certified sales professional
Certified Professional Sales Leader(CPSL®)
Grow your impact as a certified sales leader
Certified Master Sales Professional (CMSP®)
Join the elite group of sales professionals and leaders
Certified Master Sales Trainer (CMST®)
Online Programs
Advanced Sales Influence (ASI)
Take your influence and leadership to the next level.
Certified Professional Sales Associate (CPSA®)
Learn foundational sales behaviors, strategies, and skills
Power of Contact Marketing
Learn from marketing expert and author Stu Heinecke
ProSeries Programs
Join the top 1% of sales professionals in the world.
Next Level Virtual Coaching
Sales Mastery
Join our ongoing dynamic virtual coaching community
Career Center
Explore job postings from some of the best companies in the country looking for sales professionals
Training Resources
Daily Dose of Influence!
Enjoy our video series of influence tips and strategies
Leads To Growth
Dig into our podcast featuring industry leaders and experts
Coaches Corner
Learn from our high-level sales coaching video series
Women of Sales & Influence – Facebook Live Series
Be inspired by our Facebook Live series spotlighting top women influencers
Women of Sales & Influence – Video Blog
Enjoy valuable, high-level sales strategies to empower your sales goals
Sales Resources
The Growth Quotient
You’ve heard about IQ, but what is your GQ?
Our Commitment to You
We are here to help your approach to sales, how you interact with others, and how you perform and execute
Articles
NASP Sales Blog
Learn from our member-submitted articles for sales professionals
About Our CEO
Standards of Conduct
Testimonials
Common Questions and Answers
Contact
by Mike Brooks
For the past 26 years I’ve worked on the phones as a qualifier, broker, sales associate, sales manager, director of sales, V.P. of sales, owner of various companies, inside sales consultant – you get the idea.
I’ve worked with, monitored and heard thousands of sales reps over the years, and I’ve heard it all – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
First, the ugly:
B: “Yes, I need to talk to Jim, please.”
G: “Can I tell him who’s calling?”
B: “Yes, tell him Barbara is holding.”
G: “Will he know what this call is about?”
B: “He sure will. Tell him it’s about what he left at my apartment last night – he’ll know. I’ll hold while you put me through.”
Oh, the good old days… ? Ugly for sure, but effective back then!
Next, the bad:
“Oh hi, this is Brad Johnson with the XYZ company, do you have a few minutes for me now?”
Obviously, you’re starting the call off with a ‘no’ response (“No, I’ve never heard of you.”) or you’re giving your prospect an immediate opportunity to get rid of you – (“No, I don’t have time, good bye!”).
Seriously, if you’re using either of those, stop it today…
Rep: “Yeah, tell him it’s Brad.”
G: “Does he know you?”
Rep: “Yep, we’ve spoken before.” Or,
G: “Can I tell him what this call is about?”
Rep: “Yeah. He asked me to keep in touch with him.” Or, “I’m calling him back.”
Both of these responses are blatant lies, but it’s amazing how reps justify them with, “Well he gets a lot of calls; he won’t remember,” or “Well, I make a lot of calls, and I did call him 2 months ago.” (Of course they never reached him, but that doesn’t stop them!)
If you’re using any of the above trick methods, please stop it immediately. There is a better way…
Now the good
Rep: “Hi Mike, this is Carlos Avalar with the XYZ company. Mike we have never spoken before and I don’t mean to barge into your day, but I represent a company and a product that I think could be very beneficial to you.
It has to do with your lead tracking system, and all my clients are happy they took a moment to listen. Can I run a few details by you now to see it there’s a fit?”
Wow. Now that was different – honest, respectful, and it contained a value statement for me. I listened…
Me: “Yes please, please tell Bob that Mike Brooks with Mr. Inside Sales.com is holding please.”
Use please three times – it will change your career, believe it. And once you get through:
“Hi Bob, this is Mike Brooks with Mr. Inside Sales, how’s your (Tuesday or day of the week) going so far?” [Listen carefully here to how and what your prospect says!]
“Bob, I know you’re busy so I’ll be brief….I see you visited my Inside Sales Training website, and I wanted to find out what kind of help you were looking for in regards to your inside sales team?”
Now, obviously, I’m calling back a warm lead. Here’s how you handle a cold one:
“Bob, I know you’re busy so I’ll make this brief. I got your name from (name your lead source – paper, association, list, etc.) and I see you manage an inside sales team. Now we’ve not spoken before but I’ve sat in your chair for many years and I understand many of the challenges you’re probably facing right now.
“Let me ask you – if I could give you some free resources that would help your team sell more and avoid rejection, would you be interested in downloading them today?”
Now, those people who blow me off are not buyers, and those who listen and respond are potential clients. It’s as simple as that.
Compare your own openings with those in this article (and adapt yours to fit the last two). Where do you or your sales team stand in regards to the good, the bad and the ugly?
About the author
Do you have an underperforming inside sales team? Talk to Mike to see how he can help you and your team reach your revenue goals. To learn more about Mike, visit his website: http://www.MrInsideSales.com