We received a message from one our clients after a recent Become the Only Choice Sales Effectiveness training that said,

“Get ready competitors – we are coming for you!”

A year ago, a particular client had severed the relationship with them. This is a true story where the sales rep reacquired the business within days of the Sales Effectiveness training and how she did it.

By applying these key lessons, she walked away with the exclusive orders – at higher rates than were in place previously.

Key Lesson #1: Preparing for the sales call

Using the Call Planning Worksheet and preparing background, the rep found pertinent information about the company that was announced only days earlier.The client was shocked.Her awareness and knowledge of the situation allowed her to identify a gap in their current environment and she was prepared to discuss the impact and potential solutions for their changing needs.

Key Lesson #2: The Relationship Pyramid

The rep took a copy of the Relationship Pyramid to the meeting.She explained the three types of relationships.The client leans back and hangs his head saying, “We are competitive, aren’t we? How can we fix that?”

It is difficult for all clients to be at the Collaborative level where you Win as One, but the truth is that they don’t want to be in a Competitive Relationship.The rep used the tool to open the dialog about how they could work, and win together.

Key Lesson #3: Communicating value

In order to get the business and at a higher rate than before, the rep had to be able to communicate the value that they could bring to them.She educated the client on fully-loaded mark-up and used the 3-step value statement:

Captivate: I am interested

Differentiate: I see the difference

Validate: I believe

Communicating your value isn’t just for prospects. In the blog, The Dear John Letter Your Client is About to Send, Mary Ann McLaughlin wrote, “If you don’t have a plan to keep the communication, relevant, consistent and focused on how you can help them grow, then you are at risk. And, you can be that your competition pay paying more attention to how they can provide your client a better solution than you are.”

Key Lesson #4: Effective q