“People make decisions about you in the first ten seconds after they meet you for the first time. Do whatever it takes to make that first ten seconds positive ones.” -– Tom Hopkins

Whether you’re currently in a Sales position, considering to move to one or very far from that, Guess what! You’re a Salesperson, just like the rest of us.

In my years of experience, I’ve always been fascinated by any GOOD Salesperson, almost anytime, they can simply stand out of the crowed in what some would consider effortlessly! they are natural in what they do and how they do it… Well the skills they posses can be easily learned and applied and succeed with by any other person.

“Life is a series of sales situations, and the answer is NO if you don’t ask.” — Patricia Fripp

For this week, we’re going to explore 5 skills to learn from a successful sales person. And here’s a pre-point to learn from, based on my research and extensive knowledge on the topic would’ve easily written “The 78 things to Learn from an Exceptional Salesperson”   but come on.. I want you to read 🙂

1. Appearance does count: You don’t really have to wear a 2,000$ Suit to impress your potential customer, but you need to make sure you look Good, take care of every single detail in you… Starting with your Genuine Smile.
2. Prospecting is an Art… Perfect it: coming from the definition of Market in Marketing as being a “collection of people or people in organizations who both have the need for your product and have the capacity of purchasing it”  says a lot about the art of prospecting, you need to identify the potential customer out of the big crowd, and i’m not saying to be pre-judgmental… But to make sure you’re spending enough time with those who are MORE likely to buy.
3. Listen… Listen… Listen: Whether you’re sitting in a Big meeting room or standing up in a shop, you need to get to know your customer, and there’s nothing more powerful than for you to ask them questions that would help you directly identify their needs… and there’s NOTHING more Flattering to anyone than when they know that you were… Listening!
4. Put a Spell on your customer: Now I’m not saying to do so literally, but the best salespeople I’ve seen and studied, have a way of taking their client on a daydream tour where they have them visualize themselves owning, using and enjoying the product or service; It’s like a Mental Test-Drive. Once they reach there, the sale is almost done.
5. Remember your customer: With the evolution of social networking, it’s easier to stay in touch with clients than before, and remember the saying “close to the eye, close to the heart”.  Make customers for Life, and make an ever-lasting impression, by constantly remembering your customers. Pro-actively and Re-actively.

“Practice is just as valuable as a sale.  The sale will make you a living; the skill will make you a fortune.” — Jim Rohn

Have a Great Week!

SC

Samer Chidiac is a Sr. Strategist, Author & an International Innovation Expert.

The Monday Tip Weekly blog is part of the “Influencing the Life of Others” project