In the coming weeks and months, we are all going to be reading, discussing, and even pontificating about the future of professional selling – in fact I have been talking about it for years!

There is an air of inevitability that at some point in the not too distant future, many of the tasks now routinely handled by “salespeople” will become automated – in fact it is already happening, and despite many people’s efforts to turn back the clock, it is too late. But, and this is a really big but, in my view, there will always be a place for the professional business consultant – the “Top 5% Player” – these people never sell anything, but they do assist their clients in making sound buying decisions.

However, this is a wake-up call for the “order takers and marketers” because gone are the days in which a salesperson could simply walk into an office, establish a good rapport with the client, show he/she had thorough knowledge of their products and services and clinch the sale.

Nowadays, the emphasis is on establishing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships and in order to achieve this, the salesperson needs to earn the right to continue discussions with his/her client. Before they can proceed to sell their products or services, the salesperson needs to reassure the client of their integrity, reliability, and ability to understand and recommend the appropriate solution.

They can do this by demonstrating:

• Up-to-date knowledge of business news and current affairs.

This means – reading newspapers, magazines, journals, trade publications, and other sources of business information; maintaining membership of appropriate professional organizations; acknowledging gaps in knowledge and taking steps to fill them; locating or developing databases with information on customers, their industries and their own customers.

• An in-depth understanding of the customer’s industry, company and strategies as well as an appreciation of “the big picture.”

This means – gaining an understanding of the issues at all levels of the customer’s organization including strategic, departmental, and individual needs; seeking to understand the customer’s perceptions of market trends, company direction, plus potential product and service needs.

• A readiness to exchange information and ideas between the supplier and client organization.

This means – familiarizing the customer with your own industry and companies; sharing useful business information even if it does not directly impact on the sales effort; demonstrating the cost-cutting or revenue producing benefits of your products and services.

• The ability to listen and absorb information.

This means – refining the way you identify customer’s needs by asking the right questions and listening actively to customer comments; speaking at the listener’s level of knowledge; using stories and analogies effectively; asking for feedback on the clarity of your message. By demonstrating comprehensive knowledge, outstanding communication skills, and the proper attitude, the salesperson earns the right to move beyond the role of supplier to that of a valued business consultant.

These are just a few pointers to those wanting to stay in the game – the clock is ticking and as the man said, the one constant that we can absolutely rely on in life is change.

If you missed it, you might want to read this associated post: “Today, Knowledge is THE Power”

News: “There is No Such Thing as a Warm Call” says Joanne Black, the leading authority on referral selling, and you can listen in on my short interview with her over at Top Sales World

Did I mention my new column in the Top Sales World magazine? In the October issue - just published – I write “Marketing is from Venus and Sales is from Mars” You can download your FREE copy HERE 

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