Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Sales Skills - 3 Questions To Ask Each Lead To Verify If They Are Worth Your Time
Your goal is to not to spend time with leads, but to spend time with great prospects
To do this, you have to qualify your leads faster to give you the time you need to spend with the high-value prospects.
Too many salespeople take a “go slow” approach when it comes to leads
The feeling is they don’t want to do anything to disrupt the lead, but in going so slow, they wind up losing the lead.
We at EC are frequently asked when speaking and teaching on sales prospecting about what is a good approach to use.
The approach we've taught and used for years is what we refer to as the “industry problem” technique.
We like this approach because it’s comprised of 3 questions that can be asked during the first conversation with the lead. It’s a direct approach, yet not threatening. Both the salesperson and lead will feel comfortable.
The “industry problem” technique is built around first asking the lead about a problem the industry in which they operate is facing. An example someone might use if they sell labor services of some type:
“What are the issues your industry is facing with regard to finding enough qualified labor?”
The question is broad and not directed at the company where the lead works. You’re asking it solely to engage the prospect and to begin getting their opinion out on the table.
The second question builds off the first:
“How has your company been dealing with this issue?”
You can alter the question to include some of the comments made by the lead from the first question. Now, here comes the third question which is the one that really opens up the door for you:
“What impact has the shortage of qualified labor had on your business and on your job?”
The answer to this question is really the one you are looking for, because if you provide labor, you want to know if this is an issue and, in particular, how big of an issue it is.
By asking the questions in this order, you’re able to get information you need faster
Some might be saying why not ask the 3rd question first, and the response is you need the first two questions to understand the context of the 3rd.
Even more significant than that is by asking the questions in the above order allows the lead to see you as a bigger thinker than merely a salesperson looking for a quick sale.
All the best with your sales!
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by effectivecommunication.com.au
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