Help me handle this follow up situation please

So a little context. I recently moved job and country and im just figuring out a whole new sales culture. I work for a company who manufactures product and then sells the product via retail outlets and wholesalers in the main. Typically we are one of a couple options that a showroom would have in the same category. We have a strong product offering and a industry leading service level which when someone commits to us they tend to ask why they didn't sooner.


However getting a new distributor on board can be challenging, generally because they are either satisfied with what they already have, they are scared of change or just simply dont want to put the effort in in onboarding a new brand when "things are working rn".


So, the real question here is, I am working on a region in the US and have a very key potential client who is interested in taking on our stuff but the GM who I met with wants to get feedback from some of his sales team. A few weeks have elapsed since I last heard from him and I am wondering how best to follow up. I don't want to push him for a quick answer as I am conscious he still may be undecided and just hasn't had the time to work on it and I'm worried if i push him he will make a snap decision and say no.


Ideally I want to get a second meeting with him maybe before hes even decided in the new year but im unsure about the best way to snag him on this.


Do any of you savages have some good advice on how to softly push this person along? I have sent a video message, a personal Christmas card is on its way and of course ive tried calling him plenty of times.


TLDR: How do I follow up someone without scaring them into making a snap negative decision when theres other options on the table.

👑 Sales Strategy
📈 Closing
10
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
8
☕️
First, you missed a crucial opportunity to set up a timeline and next steps. However, we can't dwell on what we missed, and we need to get things moving forward.

Reach out and ask an open-ended question like: "Last we spoke, you said you wanted to socialize this with your team. What feedback have you received so far?"

Put the ball in their court and gently remind them that they owe you something without telling them they are lazy POS.
sketchysales
Politicker
3
Sales Manager
Yes good point, I did miss that which dumb because its a question i always usually ask.  I like the question posed, thanks!
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
That's a great response, and good way to recover from a misstep.
sketchysales
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
ive sent it to him, i shall keep you all posted
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Best of luck!
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
I've had decent luck with short email along the lines of "I'm guessing you haven't gotten around to making a decision yet?"
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
I've had decent luck with short email along the lines of "I'm guessing you haven't gotten around to making a decision yet?"
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
What was the outcome?
sketchysales
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
Asked for a 3 month delay to the conversation, not the desired outcome but also not the go away I feared, genuinely interested just too busy to implement at the moment apparently.  He's due for another call in a couple of weeks 
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
1
ISR
 I like the question posed, thanks!
Mobi85
Politicker
0
Regional Sales Manager
What PBC brought up is correct and can't cry over spilt milk but now is a time to push back and see if there has been any feedback.  

I work in the distribution realm at this time and with constant supply chain issues at the manufacturer level, we are consistently bringing on product that is "identical" from different manufacturers to qualm some of the lead times we have been dealt.  

Are there things that you all are offering that your competitor may not be offering to that distributor to give them a reassurance to bring on a new manufacturer (i.e. consignment product, return on dead stock or minimal sales and switch to things they are consistently going through, no minimum order amounts, demo units, margin gain for the reps so they make more money, etc.) Lastly I would see if you can be able to offer a training of your product to their sales staff and go into that training with the 5-10 top selling offerings from other distributors within their realm.  
Upper_Class_SaaS
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Send that break up email to get a reply
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
What was the outcome?