UserNotFound

Account Executive

What's your biggest sales-skill-flex?

I'm notoriously great with "hard to deal with" customers. I often get brought in to help alleviate situations where a customer is difficult or about to leave, and I can honestly say I have only lost one out of the 8 instances that spring to mind easily.

(Note: that one was one we actually wanted to fire, but they decided to leave before we fired them).

What's your skill-flex?

👑 Sales Strategy

😎 Sales Skills

👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Customer Care

27 comments

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MrMotivation

Politicker

Sales

Not sure if it is a flex because it isn't something I actually practice, but I have always had success in getting closed off people to communicate with me. Whether it is a discovery call with a cagey prospect, or a difficult to deal with IT person, I somehow am able to get them talking more than others can. Maybe it is just coincidence, but I would like to try to take some credit for that.

The other piece that I will flex because I do actively work on it is negotiating. I am a beast at negotiations and I love doing it.

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

That's awesome, I definitely need practice on negotiating. I'm kind of a 'this is what it is, take it or leave it' girl. I don't like to go back-and-forth, but I know that's what some buyers really love and I should accommodate them more.

MrMotivation

Politicker

Sales

If you are interested, the book "never split the difference" is a great book on negotiating. Very popular, so you probably have had it recommended to you before, but I never miss an opportunity to recommend it.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Owning and driving every step of the deal internally and externally.

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

So much to be said for the INTERNAL sales process. Sometimes we have to fight harder for a deal with our own peers than we do on the same deal with the client. I've never been great with my internal politics. I feel like this is an underrated talent.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Oh trust me it wears me out. But I get it done 🦊

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

I've always been told that I'm too 'alpha'. I try to soften as much as possible, but my default is somewhat stern and straightforward; I often end up forgetting.

I also have a GIANT issue with people who have to be bribed to do their actual job. Like if processing paperwork is your job I'm not going to buy you a kitkat to get my paperwork through by end of month, tammy.

...rant over.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I could go for a kitkat 😏

I understand where you're coming from. I'm in the middle of some shit as we speak.

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

@CuriousFox What would you do if you have colleagues (higher up) that notoriously speak over and simply say the wrong things but due to the position it gets taken into account...a month later what you were trying to say is the right thing and that same person then takes credit for it all? How would you get above them on that initial team convo to make sure you are listened to?

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

You could let it go or you could say thank you but I was saying...

Either way remain respectful, and document your recap notes and send to everyone involved in an email chain. You can't argue with facts that are written.

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

Yeah, that's true. I also guess it is a case of picking your battles.

aiko

Politicker

Sr. Account Executive

I am good at changing the mood in the room. If a customer is upset, i try to empathize but bring them back to the main reason they came to us. I'm a soft seller, but it works.

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

That's awesome! Mine is similar... I find that if you just set proper expectations then it's easy to overcome nearly any situation. For instance I once had an impromptu 2-hour long 'come to Jesus' as we dubbed it with my biggest client at the time after they sent me a nasty email saying that my company was doing a terrible job and they were going to go elsewhere. I immediately drove my ass over to their office and waited until the CIO (who emailed me) would see me.

6 months after that meeting I made a $125k sale (almost my annual quota at the time) without going to bid and they had NEVER bought brand new equipment before in their history. Was a huge win and taught me that my instincts are right about how to handle this kind of confrontation.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

My SDRs know to send the Karens to me because I can deal with them and close them. It sucks but they close so there's that

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

💪 yeaaahhhhh. I know those are hard, but they're the most fun wins for sure!

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

I'm really good at cold calling. My pitch is like 15 seconds long, people book and show up and the meetings are quality.

Still hate it tho

DrunkenArt

Politicker

Sales Representative

15 seconds? That's incredible! I've timed myself over and over again and I'm usually around 26 seconds. How did you shorten yours to be so effective?

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

I'm going to need to take part in this master-class.... holy shit. 15second pitch?!

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

It's just a teaser, I like to just pique interest and sound different enough that it leaves prospects wanting more so they show up to the call lol.

Essentially it's:

- The reason for my call is ____ (why I'm calling them...usually working with similar orgs in the area and thought I should reach out, could also be a referral.)

- One sentence value statement that sums up what my company does.

- Wondering if you have some time tomorrow or Monday for a quick chat so I can learn more about your org and give you some info about us.

That's it.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

I can ask the discovery questions that my reps are totally missing, unlocking some pretty "real" pain that goes beyond the surface level bits.

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

As a seasoned vet, I still need to be better at discovery meetings. I have a terrible memory, so I really struggle with letting the conversation flow where it organically goes AND getting all the details I need sometimes.

Sniper

Valued Contributor

Enterprise Account Executive

Not posting on LinkedIn that I made President’s club

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

MDR

My SDRs know to send the Karens to me because I can deal with them and close them. It sucks but they close so there's that

Clashingsoulsspell

Politicker

ISR

So much to be said for the INTERNAL sales process. Sometimes we have to fight harder for a deal with our own peers than we do on the same deal with the client.

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

I find I am very good at making stressful, anxiety inducing calls become more relaxed and humorous. I purely let go of the business mindset and just have a good laugh like you were speaking to your mates!

Upyourcommit

Regional Sales Director

Numbers are always the best flex. Keep you head down get to the top of the leaderboard and be on the list for Presidents club.

MR.StretchISR

Politicker

ISR

Owning and driving every step of the deal internally and externally.

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UserNotFound

What's your biggest sales-skill-flex?

27 comments

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