During challenging times, we often have to re-think our plans and patterns of work, don’t we? Maybe we used to join some associates for a coffee on Friday mornings to discuss and consider challenges or share successes. Due to current restrictions, that coffee shop might only allow take-out or perhaps you’re all social distancing. Rather than dwell on what we can’t do. This is a great time to re-think what we can do. It’s a good time to figure out ways to be more productive with our time.<\/p>\n
Managing time really means, we manage ourselves. That includes avoiding the time traps that plague salespeople. Sadly, many of us are keeping ourselves from achieving the success of our dreams because these four time traps kill sales.<\/p>\n
How much valuable selling time has been lost or compromised because we\u2019re looking for information, our keys, or an address? Have you ever been flustered at the beginning of a meeting with a prospective client because you lost track of time? How about forgetting their suite number and having to backtrack to the directory to find their office in a large complex? These are all things that we can and should control if we want to be successful. By being organized and giving attention to the details of every aspect of our business life will allow us to have more and better quality interactions with potential clients.<\/p>\n
This includes underestimating the amount of time something will take. Stop putting things off until they \u201chave to\u201d be done. Try increasing your time allotment in preparing for client contacts by 20% and feel the difference in how you feel. It\u2019s likely you\u2019ll feel more calm, more competent and prepared. And that competence will show on the outside\u2013increasing the confidence potential clients have in you. True professionals in sales do what needs to be done when it needs to be done. They battle procrastination at every turn, instead economizing on their preparation time to allow for more client time.<\/p>\n
Treat every client contact like a meeting. Set a goal for it. Prepare a brief agenda (so you don\u2019t forget to cover any key points). And, estimate how long the contact should take. Remember to add 20% of time to allow for important sidebar comments your client might make. And, write out how you anticipate ending the contact. A brief summary of what was covered is a good strategy. When you don\u2019t have a plan for your client contacts, you\u2019re giving the clients free rein on your time. If you do business with people who tend to be chatty, set the stage at the beginning of your contact with them with something like this: \u201cPaul, I\u2019m happy we\u2019ve connected today. I\u2019ve prepared heavily in order not to waste your valuable time. I believe we can cover all of our most important topics of discussion by 11:30 so we can both move on to our next commitments in a timely manner.\u201d This sets an end time for the contact that will, hopefully, be honored by both of you.<\/p>\n
Stop being afraid that people will cancel on you if you check in with them the day before or morning of a scheduled contact. We\u2019re all busy people. Not everyone watches the clock. It\u2019s easy to underestimate the time needed for things (see point #2 above). Send a quick email or make a brief call prior to your scheduled meetings and say something like this: \u201cHi Sue. I\u2019ve worked hard in preparation of our time together. I\u2019ll be ready promptly at 2 for our meeting. I promise not to waste your time, and to provide you with the information you need in order to make a wise decision about (name one of your benefits).\u201d When the recipient knows you\u2019ve done work in preparation for the meeting, they\u2019ll feel at least a twinge of guilt if they were thinking of cancelling. If you confirm by phone and something has come up to require a change of plans, at least you\u2019ll have them on the phone and be able to re-schedule right then and there.<\/p>\n
Think of yourself as an engineer. You\u2019re constantly on the lookout for ways to make your career more effective, more efficient, and more valuable. Incorporate new ideas as quickly as possible\u2013before you lose your enthusiasm for them. Taking in new thoughts without acting on them is yet another time trap. You may feel enlightened, but you won\u2019t benefit from that enlightenment until you act!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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