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Every salesperson faces difficult periods, but your response to these challenges defines your long-term success. This candid exploration of sales resilience provides practical strategies for navigating the inevitable ups and downs of sales performance.

We begin by acknowledging a fundamental truth: tough months happen to everyone. Whether due to seasonal business cycles, market fluctuations, or simply following an exceptional performance period, sales slumps are normal. The difference between top performers and others lies not in avoiding these downturns but in how they respond.

One particularly powerful strategy we examine is revisiting previous leads that weren't fully closed. As the great Zig Ziglar noted, "People don't change their minds, but they can make a new decision based on new information." Through a realistic role-play scenario, we demonstrate exactly how to approach past prospects with something genuinely new and valuable while validating their previous decision rather than making them feel wrong.

Beyond tactical approaches, we delve into the critical mindset components of resilience. Your feelings directly influence your behaviours, which ultimately determine your results.

Perhaps most importantly, we challenge the limiting effect of target fixation. By shifting focus from arbitrary numbers to delivering genuine value in every customer interaction, you not only serve customers better but often achieve better results naturally. Remember - customers don't care about your targets.

Ready to transform how you handle sales challenges? Visit realitytraining.com to discover how our training programmes can help your entire team develop the resilience needed for consistent long-term success.

Explore resources, insights, and tools tailored to support your team's success and strategic growth at realitytraining.com.

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Still opening with “Can I help you?” or “How are you today?”. It might be doing more harm than good.

In this episode of The Reality is Sales Training, Bob and Ann explore why the most common ways to begin a sales conversation often fall flat – and what to do instead. 

Whether you’re speaking to customers in person, over the phone, or through digital chat, your first ten seconds can shape the entire interaction. From more natural openings to smart ways of showing you’ve done your research, this episode gives you practical ideas that build real engagement and credibility. 

You’ll learn: 

·         Why greetings like “How are you today?” often feel insincere

·         How to open in a way that feels natural and gets real responses

·         What a small shift in your opening line can do for first impressions

·         Tried-and-tested examples that work across industries

If you want to improve the way you start conversations and set the tone for better outcomes, this one’s worth a listen.

Explore resources, insights, and tools tailored to support your team's success and strategic growth at realitytraining.com.

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Ever had a sale slip through your fingers just as you thought you had it in the bag? 

Maybe the customer seemed interested but hesitated at the last moment and you weren’t sure what to say next. Closing can be the trickiest part of a sale – so how do you do it well without feeling pushy?

In this episode, we’re discussing the art of closing with confidence. We’ll break down some of the most effective techniques, like the Elmer Wheeler Close, which helps you respond instantly to customer queries, and the Puppy Dog Close, which taps into emotional connection to make a sale feel like a natural step. We’ll also explore why trust is key – because when customers feel like they’re making the right decision for them, closing isn’t a battle, it’s a smooth transition.

So, if you’ve ever found yourself stuck at the final hurdle, wondering how to turn interest into action, this episode’s for you. Tune in now and learn how to close deals in a way that feels good for both you and your customers!

Explore resources, insights, and tools tailored to support your team's success and strategic growth at realitytraining.com.

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Every call ends in a close – but is it you closing the customer or them closing you with a reason they can’t proceed?

In this episode, we explore the subtle tactics buyers use to steer sales conversations, including indifference, strategic timing and the influence of information gatherers. By understanding these hidden strategies, sales professionals can refine their approach, overcome objections and boost their success rates:

Key takeaways from this episode:

• How buyers use indifference to stall or deflect decisions
• The role and impact of information gatherers in the buying process
• Why timing can make or break your pitch
• Practical techniques to handle price objections with confidence

Don’t miss this episode – and stay tuned for the next one, where we’ll explore more effective closing strategies.

Explore resources, insights, and tools tailored to support your team's success and strategic growth at realitytraining.com.

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How many sales slip away because we’re hesitant to ask the all-important closing question? 

In this episode, we tackle the overlooked art of confidently asking for the sale. Through lively role-play scenarios - like pitching the now-famous 'Lundgren' air fryer or selling a dream honeymoon to the Maldives - we highlight the common mistakes salespeople make when they shy away from asking for a decision. You'll learn effective strategies like the "closed question close" and discover how to overcome the hesitations that leave deals in limbo.
 
We also explore the power of assumptive closes, where picking up on customer cues can be the key to success. With engaging anecdotes, from bartending stories to retail jacket sales, we illustrate why asking for confirmation is vital - especially in industries like financial services. Plus, hear tried-and-tested closing techniques from sales training legends, and discover why a clear "no" can sharpen your sales strategy and boost your efficiency. 

Packed with personal insights, humour, and practical advice, this episode is your first step towards mastering closing techniques and ensuring no opportunity is left on the table. 

This is the first in a series of short episodes on How to Close the Sale – don’t miss the rest of this series, coming soon!

Explore resources, insights, and tools tailored to support your team's success and strategic growth at realitytraining.com.

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Handle any objection with these amazing tips!

In Part 3 of our Objection Handling series, we unravel the power of storytelling in sales. Through humorous anecdotes and relatable examples, we'll show you how to shift the focus from price to value and build authentic connections with your customers. 

Here's what you'll discover:

• The surprising impact of storytelling in overcoming price objections - like the tale of Bob, his family lunches, and an overpriced air fryer!
• Why rattling off product features falls flat and how to focus on genuine benefits instead.
• Techniques to showcase your strengths with integrity - without resorting to negative selling against competitors.
• The psychological comfort of relatable stories and how sharing real-life success examples can ease customer doubts.
• Creative ways to break the ice in virtual training sessions using personal storytelling to foster trust and engagement.

Packed with laughs, insights and actionable tips, this episode will transform the way you handle objections and enhance your sales technique. Listen now for a fresh perspective on sales storytelling!

Explore resources, insights, and tools tailored to support your team's success and strategic growth at realitytraining.com.

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Why do buyers so often say, "I need to check with my partner" – and how can salespeople respond with confidence?

In this lively episode, Bob and Jeremy tackle one of the most common and frustrating objections in sales. Packed with practical strategies and a dose of humour, this is your guide to turning hesitation into commitment.

We kick things off with a hilarious role-play centred on the fictional Lundgren 7000 air fryer, capturing the all-too-relatable challenges salespeople face when objections arise. But it's not just laughs – we break down the psychology behind this polite but evasive response, helping you understand what’s really going on in your buyer’s mind.

From surprising insights into Dolph Lundgren’s academic background (yes, Rocky IV gets a mention!) to practical tips like using music to build rapport, this episode goes beyond the basics. You’ll discover how to transform objections into opportunities, strengthen client relationships, and guide conversations towards a confident “Yes!”

What you’ll gain:

• Psychological insights into customer hesitation
• Proven techniques to overcome objections with confidence
• Creative ideas to enhance the sales experience, from playful touches to clear communication

Whether you’re a seasoned salesperson or new to the game, this episode is packed with actionable advice to boost your skills and tackle objections with flair. Tune in now and empower your team to close deals with ease!

Explore resources, insights, and tools tailored to support your team's success and strategic growth at realitytraining.com.

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How do you handle a price objection? It’s going really well, and then ‘that’s a bit expensive.’ What do you do? 

Join Bob and Jeremy as we uncover how viewing objections as speed bumps rather than roadblocks can transform your sales strategy. 

In this episode we shine a light on price objections, equipping you with the tools to handle them like a pro. Prepare to turn those apparent sales hurdles into golden opportunities by mastering the art of questioning and understanding the psychology behind customer resistance.
 
Journey with us through an engaging scenario involving a middle-class domestic purchase, where we demonstrate our top objection handling strategies. Discover why objections might be the secret buying signals you've been missing all along. From the importance of early preparation to the nuanced dance of reselling, this episode is your guide to revolutionising your sales conversations. Whether you're a budding salesperson or a seasoned expert, tune in for tips that promise to elevate your approach and maximise your success.

Explore resources, insights, and tools tailored to support your team's success and strategic growth at realitytraining.com.

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How good are your questioning skills?
What if your questions could unlock the doors to deeper client relationships and increase sales?

Join us as we unpack the transformative art of questioning in sales, inspired by the insights of Elmer Wheeler. Too often, salespeople fall into the trap of asking generic, uninspired questions like "How's business?" or "How are you today?" We're here to change that narrative by showing you how to craft questions that not only engage but also gather crucial information, setting the stage for meaningful conversations and improved customer satisfaction. This episode is your guide to moving away from stale pitches and toward conversations that matter.

In our discussion, we emphasise the potency of open-ended questions and the strategic use of the six honest serving men—who, what, when, which, why, where—to elicit thoughtful responses. Discover why steering clear of emotionally charged "why" questions can create a more inviting atmosphere for dialogue. We delve into the concept of "Wickering" and explore layered questioning techniques through a humorous travel sales scenario, illustrating how these approaches can enrich interactions. By focusing on understanding client needs and facilitating informed decision-making, you'll learn how to offer solutions that truly resonate, thereby strengthening client relationships and paving the way for success.

Explore resources, insights, and tools tailored to support your team's success and strategic growth at realitytraining.com.

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Can you confidently state the price of your product without feeling like you’re dropping a bombshell? Uncover the secrets to mastering price delivery in sales, and learn why timidly muttering numbers or hiding them between features can erode your credibility. We share vivid anecdotes, such as the tale of a travel agent struggling with high holiday costs, to illustrate the pitfalls of the "cappuccino price delivery" and the "price sandwich" methods. By the end of this discussion, you'll grasp the importance of presenting prices with unwavering confidence and truly believing in the value of what you're selling.

Drawing inspiration from sales legend Zig Ziglar, we emphasize the critical role of confidence and enthusiasm in every sales interaction. Discover how mastering your language and genuinely conveying belief in your product can transform your sales outcomes. Sales is more than a transaction—it's about transferring feelings. Your conviction can be the difference between closing a deal and missing out. This episode is packed with practical tips to enhance your price delivery technique, ensuring your entire sales process is not just robust but also convincing. This skill is crucial for sales success. 

Explore resources, insights, and tools tailored to support your team's success and strategic growth at realitytraining.com.