Thank you for listening to our conversation on the Forward Thinking podcast as Nicholas Loise and Sher Downing, PhD, explore the intricacies of sales, leadership, and the importance of building relationships in the sales process.

They discuss the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and salespeople, particularly the reluctance to engage in direct sales conversations. Nick emphasizes the need for a solid sales operating system and the importance of creating demand for products and services.

Their discussion also covers the significance of understanding sales velocity and pipeline management, as well as the role of technology in enhancing sales processes. We hope our conversation provides valuable insights for anyone looking to improve their sales strategies and navigate the complexities of the sales landscape.

Takeaways:

• Sales is about building relationships and trust.
• Overcoming reluctance to engage in sales is crucial.
• A solid sales operating system is essential for success.
• Creating demand is key to driving sales.
• Understanding sales velocity helps in managing expectations.
• Pipeline management is critical for cash flow and planning.
• Technology should enhance, not replace, sales efforts.
• Salespeople must be good students of human behavior.
• Follow-up is essential and should be value-driven.
• Sales strategies must adapt to changing market conditions.

Nicholas says, "Sales is hand-to-hand combat. Selling isn't for the faint of heart."

Learn more and connect with Nicholas here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasloise

https://www.facebook.com/salesperformanceteam/

https://salesperformanceteam.com/

#sales #leadership #entrepreneurship #marketing #salesstrategies #salesoperatingsystem #demandcreation #salesvelocity #pipelinemanagement #salesreluctance