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You fought hard to get the meeting — but once you're in the conversation, do you actually know what to do next? Most salespeople spend half the call figuring out their next move instead of executing a plan. Jim and Jason break down what a real sales playbook looks like — not scripts, but a defined operating system that takes a prospect from "I heard you do good work" to a closed deal and raving fan. They cover where to start building yours: identifying what you get for free in your sales process, running autopsies on dead deals, flushing the "maybes" from a bloated pipeline, and knowing whether your CRM is driving your behavior or you're driving it. If you've ever ended a sales call with "let's schedule another meeting" because you didn't know how to close — this one's for you. 

The Sandler Training Hour Hosted by Jim & Jason Stephens | Crossroads Business Development

We help sales professionals stop apologizing for their process and start closing deals.

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Hook: You fought for the meeting, navigated the decision-making process, handled the objections, and got the signature. So why is the deal still at risk? The uncomfortable truth is that the period between a signed contract and the first deliverable is one of the most dangerous stretches in the entire sales cycle — and most sellers treat it like a vacation.

Summary: This week on The Sandler Training Hour, we step outside the typical prospecting-and-pipeline conversation to tackle what happens after the close. We dig into why buyer's remorse doesn't just live in the moment of purchase — it festers in silence — and what we need to build into our post-sale process to keep clients engaged, informed, and confident they made the right decision.

Key Topics Covered

Empathy for the Buyer's Journey Doesn't End at the Signature Before a buyer ever reaches us, they've already been cycling through indecision: Should we do this? Should we still do this? By the time they sign, they've made a big emotional commitment — and they're ready for what comes next. If we go silent, we leave them sitting alone with that decision, and that's where cancellations are born. We talk about why recognizing the weight of their commitment is the first step in protecting the deal.

Jim's "Ring the Bell" Ritual — Building a Celebration Into Your Close Jim shares a story from his remodeling sales days: a large showroom, a school-style bell mounted at the front of the office, and a ritual where every new client was invited to ring it. Half a dozen team members would pour out of their offices, clapping and congratulating. It transformed the emotional residue of a long, difficult buying decision into an exclamation point — a peak moment that cemented the client's confidence. We discuss why building a deliberate celebration into your process matters more than you think, and how to adapt the concept regardless of what you sell.

The Timeline, The Point of Contact, and the Communication Cadence We break down the three non-negotiables for the post-sale handoff: (1) a clear timeline showing the client exactly when they will hear from you and about what, (2) a named primary point of contact so they never wonder who to call, and (3) a communication cadence that keeps them informed even when there's nothing new to report. The lesson: define who takes the next action, or the client will take theirs.

Over-Communication Is Almost Never the Problem We challenge the instinct to hold back because you're afraid of "bothering" the client. Jim's team called clients every two days when a product was late — even just to say "no update yet" — and never once received a complaint. The real risk isn't that you communicate too much; it's that you mind-read your way into silence. And if you're the kind of person who prides yourself on "reading the room," we push back on that too: reading a room without acting on what you see is functionally the same as not reading it at all.

Challenge of the Week Audit your post-sale process this week. Map the timeline from signed contract to first deliverable and ask yourself: does my client know exactly what happens next, when they'll hear from us, and who to contact if something feels off? If any of those answers are unclear — or if the answer is "silence" — build the communication bridge before you lose the next deal

The Sandler Training Hour Hosted by Jim & Jason Stephens | Crossroads Business Development

We help sales professionals stop apologizing for their process and start closing deals.

👉 Catch the latest episode: The Sandler Training Hour

"Keep learning, stay curious, and good luck out there.

Send us a text

The Myth of the Helpful Servant

The traditional sales trope is a landscape of desperation, where professionals beg for entry at closing doors and allow clients to dominate the narrative under the guise of "good customer service". We are conditioned to believe that "under-promising and over-delivering" is the gold standard, yet this often devolves into over-promising, under-delivering, and a subsequent erosion of professional credibility. When we allow ourselves to be stereotyped as "less than," we surrender our agency and invite the very scope creep and budget overruns that sabotage our success.

In this episode, we dissect the psychology of Equal Business Stature—the radical notion that your value as a professional is equivalent to the client's value as a buyer. We explore how to dismantle the "subservient posture" that plagues sales interactions and replace it with a disciplined, assertive framework that demands respect. By separating identity from role, you can move past the "victim loop" of externalizing failure and begin to own the responsibility of being a true peer in the boardroom.

Key Topics Covered

• The Trap of Unequal Stature: Unequal business stature occurs when a provider allows a client to dominate through over-accommodation and a failure to set boundaries. This often stems from a "less than" posture—the subtle habit of asking "What can I do to earn your business?"—which predisposes the salesperson to a subservient position simply because the buyer holds the money.
• The "Foot in the Door" Fallacy: We use the visceral metaphor of a person trying to force their foot into a closing shop door to illustrate the power struggle of desperation. If you are desperate to get in, you have already ceded authority to the person pulling the door shut; true professionals recognize that acting out of desperation is never in their best interest and choose instead to exude the authority of their professionalism.
• The President-to-President Mindset: To visualize equality, consider a conversation between the presidents of Ford and GMC; there are no "mother I" shenanigans or attempts to "one up" because they see each other as equals. Maintaining this mindset allows for honest, open communication where you can admit when you are "over your head" or lack an answer without sabotaging your results.
• Assertiveness as the Antidote: Assertiveness is the specific tactical requirement for maintaining stature. It moves a professional away from passivity—where they are merely taking orders and being "friendly"—toward a structured process where expectations are set early, boundaries are held, and bad news is delivered right away.

Challenge of the Week

The battle for equal stature begins in the brain through a shift toward a growth mindset. Your task this week is to identify one specific area of your life where you can practice being more assertive. Create a "talk track" to validate this shift, play out the exact words you will say, and practice them until you feel confident. Do not wait for the moment to arrive to "adapt"; prepare the plan now so you don't forget your value when the pressure is on.

About the Show

Join hosts Jim and Jason Stephens from Crossroads Business Development as they discuss techniques, tactics, and the occasional tangent associated with the Sandler Selling Sy

The Sandler Training Hour Hosted by Jim & Jason Stephens | Crossroads Business Development

We help sales professionals stop apologizing for their process and start closing deals.

👉 Catch the latest episode: The Sandler Training Hour

"Keep learning, stay curious, and good luck out there.

Send us a text

Bringing a Subject Matter Expert (SME) or technical lead into a sales meeting can add immense credibility, but without the right guardrails, it often creates a "operations centric" call rather than a "sales centric" one. Technical experts often equate helping with teaching, leading to deep dives into the weeds that can confuse the prospect and accidentally migrate the meeting into "unpaid consulting".

In this episode, Jim and Jason Stephens explore the critical dynamic between sales and operations. They discuss how to choreograph team selling situations to ensure technical competence supports the sales process rather than hijacking it.

KEY TOPICS COVERED

• The "Confused Mind Says No": Jim warns that support staff often feel their job is to demonstrate exactly how much they know to validate their presence. However, this flood of information often tilts the buyer’s thinking from "let's do this" to "I hadn't thought about that, maybe I'm not ready.". The team must balance expertise with clarity, remembering that a confused buyer rarely buys.
• Defining the RACI Roles: To prevent the meeting from going off-road, Jim applies the RACI model (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) to the sales call. Regardless of who is speaking, the salesperson remains the "Responsible" party charged with shepherding the buyer to a decision. The technical expert is there to consult, not to drive the strategy.
• Internal Upfront Contracts & Safe Words: Jason suggests establishing clear signals—or "safe words"—before the meeting begins to manage flow. Whether it’s a phrase like "That's a good point" or a physical cue like tugging an ear, the team needs a pre-agreed method to pivot the conversation back to the sales track without looking disjointed or unprofessional to the client.
• Orchestration Over Luck: Hoping that operations does a good job and sales does a good job is not a strategy; the "batting average for getting lucky" is significantly lower than training and practice. The hosts emphasize the need for mock presentations to align the team on the specific strategy of the call so the client sees a cohesive unit rather than a disconnect.

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK

Review your internal preparation process before your next joint call. Don't just "wing it"; put in the work to establish an internal Upfront Contract with your operations team regarding expectations and roles. Determine your "safe words" or signals to ensure you can correct the trajectory of the meeting if technical details get too heavy.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Join hosts Jim and Jason Stephens from Crossroads Business Development as they discuss techniques, tactics, and the occasional tangent associated with the Sandler Selling System. Whether you are prospecting, negotiating, or closing, The Sandler Training Hour gives you the actionable advice you need to stop "winging it" and start controlling the sale.

The Sandler Training Hour Hosted by Jim & Jason Stephens | Crossroads Business Development

We help sales professionals stop apologizing for their process and start closing deals.

👉 Catch the latest episode: The Sandler Training Hour

"Keep learning, stay curious, and good luck out there.

Send us a text

Intro

Many talented professionals find themselves trapped by a "tolerance gap," where the fear of underdelivering or the subtle self-sabotage of the fear of success keeps them from turning their mastery into a thriving business. We often let amorphous anxieties—the "imposter" feeling or the worry of failing to meet expectations—prevent us from taking the calculated risks necessary for growth.

In this episode, Jim and Jason Stephens explore the psychological battle of balancing a growth mindset against the inherent risks of professional advancement. They break down how to ground your risk tolerance in reality and why "winging it" is often just as dangerous as total risk avoidance.

Key Topics Covered

• The Subtle Sabotage of the Fear of Success: While the fear of failure is a common motivator, Jim highlights that the fear of success is often harder to identify because it is so subtle. Subconsciously, professionals may fear that success will force them to live outside their comfort zone, requiring them to find new clients, generate revenue, and transform a passionate hobby into a high-pressure job.
• Naming and Granularizing Your Fears: Jason emphasizes that to overcome the things that prevent action, you must get "in the weeds" to define exactly what you are afraid of. By moving away from amorphous descriptions and getting as granular as possible—such as imagining the specific frustration of a partner or client—you can objectively evaluate the consequences of a risk.
• The Worst Case vs. Best Case Framework: Instead of being reckless or avoidant, the hosts suggest a deliberate risk assessment: identify the worst-case scenario, determine if you can live with it, and then decide if the best-case outcome is worth the fight. This calculation helps transition from "intuitive" risk-taking to a more effective "planning" approach.
• Building "Guts" Through Low-Stakes Practice: Jim shares an anecdote about his early days door-knocking, where he would sit in his car and realize the worst thing that could happen was being "thrown out by the scruff of the neck". By practicing courage in low-stakes environments like cold calling or door-to-door prospecting, you reap the benefit of "gut building" for the moments when the gain is truly sizable.

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK

Identify a risk you have been avoiding and pinpoint your specific part in "not doing the thing". Stop defaulting to blaming your environment or external influences; instead, name the specific fear holding you back and evaluate whether the worst-case scenario is truly as dangerous as your mind has made it out to be.

The Sandler Training Hour Hosted by Jim & Jason Stephens | Crossroads Business Development

We help sales professionals stop apologizing for their process and start closing deals.

👉 Catch the latest episode: The Sandler Training Hour

"Keep learning, stay curious, and good luck out there.

Send us a text

Are you entering 2026 with a strategy, or just a "hope-based" mindset?

Many salespeople confuse a positive mood with a winning strategy, relying on hope that things will go well rather than executing measurable activities. If you feel like the world is going wrong, or if you are naturally skeptical, you might be sabotaging your own growth before the year even begins.

In this episode, Jim and Jason Stephens make the case for why 2026 is going to be the best year yet. They break down the mathematics of opportunity in the US economy and discuss the critical difference between consuming information and "shipping" results. Jim opens up about his own struggle with being a "glass half empty" person and the specific audit he uses to keep his mindset from becoming a constraint.

KEY TOPICS COVERED

The GDP Reality Check

Regardless of what the news cycle implies, business in America is on the rise. Jason breaks down the $43 trillion US GDP [correction, 29 trillion in 2024, 30 trillion in 2025]  to illustrate that your specific sales goal is a tiny, achievable percentage of the available market. If you measure the math against the opportunity, success is realistic.

Attitude is a System, Not a Mood

Jason distinguishes between "mindset"—which can often devolve into hoping things go well—and "attitude," which is your core belief system. You cannot outperform your mental self-image; to have a great year, you must align your belief system with your behavior system.

Jim’s "Glass Half Empty" Audit

Jim discusses his personal battle with skepticism and "realistic" thinking that often masquerades as negativity. He details his process of auditing his thoughts to identify constraints and verifying his core values by looking at his calendar and checkbook. If you aren't investing time or money into a belief, it isn't a core value.

Shipping the Signal vs. Consuming the Noise

Jason introduces his potential themes for the year: "The Year of the Alchemist" and "Ship the Signal". The focus is on moving away from endless information consumption (digest) and prioritizing output (shipping projects) to avoid getting stuck in the noise.

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK

Define Your 2026 Annual Theme.

Jim’s theme is "Choice," focusing on the decisions made in every moment, while Jason is focusing on "Input/Output". Your challenge is to determine your guiding theme for 2026. Ask yourself: Do your dreams feel random, or are they a result of what you are consuming?

 Once you have your theme, share it with the team—if it's good enough, they might just steal it.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Join hosts Jim and Jason Stephens from Crossroads Business Development as they discuss techniques, tactics, and the occasional tangent associated with the Sandler Selling System. Whether you are prospecting, negotiating, or closing, The Sandler Training Hour gives you the actionable advice you need to stop "winging it" and start controlling the sale.

The Sandler Training Hour Hosted by Jim & Jason Stephens | Crossroads Business Development

We help sales professionals stop apologizing for their process and start closing deals.

👉 Catch the latest episode: The Sandler Training Hour

"Keep learning, stay curious, and good luck out there.

Send us a text

Most salespeople learn to treat an objection like a surprise attack—something they must battle with logic the moment it happens. However, this reactive approach usually leads to "salesperson ping pong," an argument where nobody wins and the prospect eventually shuts down.

In this episode, hosts Jason and Jim Stephens break down the concept of "objection awareness." They discuss why veteran salespeople should never be surprised by a roadblock and how to stop relying on creative improvisation in favor of a "locked and loaded" plan that disarms pressure and keeps the sale moving.

KEY TOPICS COVERED

• The "Creative" Bookkeeper Analogy Jim challenges the common resistance to using scripts: the fear of being inauthentic. He asks listeners to imagine a bookkeeper who decides to be "creative" every time they open an account rather than following standard accounting principles. Just as you want a bookkeeper who follows a process, successful selling requires following a system rather than relying on personality or "winging it".
• Building Your Objection Playbook If you have been in sales for more than a year, you have likely experienced every obstacle you are ever going to face. Rather than reinventing the wheel every time a prospect says "no," Jim and Jason advocate for building a specific playbook with pre-planned, multiple-choice responses for positive, negative, and neutral scenarios.
• Systematic vs. Gregarious Selling Jason highlights a paradox in sales: the "gregarious, people-oriented" salesperson often struggles because they rely on their ability to improvise and "be genuine" rather than planning. Conversely, systematic people often adapt to Sandler faster because they are concerned with "not knowing what to do," forcing them to build a plan before they act.
• Reviewing the Game Tape Self-awareness is critical for growth. Jim shares his personal practice of reviewing video recordings of his Zoom sales calls to analyze his reactions under pressure. The camera doesn't lie, and reviewing these interactions helps eliminate nervous habits—like awkward laughter—that devalue the conversation.

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK

This week, Jason wants you to audit your obstacles before your next set of sales calls.

Write down the three objections you hear most often. Do not try to solve them yet—simply list them. Once you see them on paper, they start being problems you can proactively plan for.

ABOUT THE SHOW Join hosts Jim and Jason Stephens from Crossroads Business Development as they discuss techniques, tactics, and the occasional tangent associated with the Sandler Selling System. Whether you are prospecting, negotiating, or closing, The Sandler Training Hour gives you the actionable advice you need to stop "winging it" and start controlling the sale.

The Sandler Training Hour Hosted by Jim & Jason Stephens | Crossroads Business Development

We help sales professionals stop apologizing for their process and start closing deals.

👉 Catch the latest episode: The Sandler Training Hour

"Keep learning, stay curious, and good luck out there.

Send us a text

You can have the perfect script and the perfect product, but if you don't have the agility to adapt to the market, you will lose the deal to the competitor who does. We often think technology is just about the tools, but it is actually about how you show up when the ground shifts beneath you.

In this episode of The Sandler Training Hour, Jim and Jason Stephens discuss the "Adaptability Quotient" and why the speed at which you embrace change distinguishes average reps from top performers. They explore the integration of AI not as a replacement for human connection, but as a tool to sharpen your skills in a risk-free environment.

Key Topics Covered:

The Rate of Change Axiom: Jim lays down a fundamental rule: If the rate of change within your organization is slower than the rate of change in the culture, you are going to be left behind. Being an "early adopter" offers a higher probability of success than being a laggard because delay simply gives your competition an advantage.

"Creative Accounting" & Just Starting: Jim shares a story about buying his first computer—a 256k model—and how his early attempts at digital ledgers were messy but necessary steps toward modernization. The lesson? You have to be willing to make mistakes. If you are waiting for the perfect path to appear, you are already too late.

Risk-Free Roleplay: One of the most powerful applications of AI is using it to practice Sandler strategies, like Upfront Contracts, without burning productivity. Practicing on a prospect is dangerous; practicing with a coworker costs company time. AI allows you to simulate objections from "skeptical" or "blunt" prospects so you can practice in a safe environment.

The Emotional Buffer: Jim reveals a personal "hack" for handling conflict. When he receives an email that makes him angry, he uses AI to rewrite his response. It removes the emotional undercurrents that might ruin a relationship and often provides a more effective, diplomatic solution than he would have consciously drafted.

Challenge of the Week:This week, Jim and Jason challenge you to audit your Internal Rate of Change. Identify one AI tool or future tech you have been ignoring because it feels uncomfortable. Spend just 20 minutes this week experimenting with it. Don't try to master it—just prove to yourself that you can adapt.

About the Show: Join hosts Jim and Jason Stephens from Crossroads Business Development as they discuss techniques, tactics, and the occasional tangent associated with the Sandler Selling System. Whether you are prospecting, negotiating, or closing, The Sandler Training Hour gives you the actionable advice you need to stop "winging it" and start controlling the sale.

The Sandler Training Hour Hosted by Jim & Jason Stephens | Crossroads Business Development

We help sales professionals stop apologizing for their process and start closing deals.

👉 Catch the latest episode: The Sandler Training Hour

"Keep learning, stay curious, and good luck out there.

Send us a text

Are you accidentally talking your prospects out of a good experience before they’ve even had it?

In sales, we often think we are building rapport by being "honest" about the tedious parts of our process. We say things like, "Okay, now comes the boring part—the paperwork," or "I'm sorry, this next step is a bit of a slog". We think we are managing expectations, but in reality, we are engaging in self-sabotage. We are literally selling the client on having a bad experience before it even starts.

In this episode of The Sandler Training Hour, Jim and Jason Stephens break down the concept of "Poisoning the Well". They explore why salespeople feel the need to qualify the experience negatively and how to shift your mindset to sell the commitment to the result rather than apologizing for the path to get there.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Assumption Trap: Just because you hate paperwork doesn't mean your prospect does. Jim shares a personal example regarding his wife, who actually enjoys filling out forms. When you apologize for a step in the process, you are making an assumption about the other person that may be flat-out wrong. Without intending to, you "telegraph" your own negative feelings onto the buyer.
• Selling the ROI, Not the Cost: Jason uses the example of Sandler assessments. These take 15 to 20 minutes to complete. An amateur salesperson warns the prospect that it is time-consuming. A pro sells the ROI on why that investment of time is valuable. If you feel apologetic about imposing requirements, you invalidate your own process.
• The "Amazon" Standard of Friction: We live in a culture that expects frictionless ease. Jim notes that even when we could buy something at the store, we order it on Amazon to get it "off the list". Salespeople must continuously critique their systems to ensure they aren't adding unnecessary friction.
• Mastery vs. The Comfort Zone: Mastery doesn't come from hitting a plateau and coasting; it comes from proactively challenging what you are doing. If you have done a process a thousand times, you might be on "autopilot," unaware that you are projecting boredom or resentment onto the client.
• Stop Mind-Reading: Jim highlights a common error where salespeople interpret a prospect's facial expression as rejection. The probability that their face means what you think it means is almost non-existent. Instead of assuming ("Oh no, they hate the price"), simply ask: "I can't help but notice your reaction—would you mind explaining what that means?".

Challenge of the Week:This week, Jim and Jason challenge you to perform a Language Audit on your sales conversations.

Ask yourself: What part of your process are you selling in a negative light? 

• Are you telling prospects that your contract is "long"? 
• Are you warning them that onboarding is "tedious"? 

Catch yourself using these negative adjectives and stop. Your job is to lead them to the result, not warn them about the path.

About the Show: Join hosts Jim and Jason Stephens from Crossroads Business Development as they discuss techniques, tactics, and the occasional tangent associated with the Sandler Selling System. Whether you are prospecting, negotiating, or closing, The Sandler Training Hour gives you the act

The Sandler Training Hour Hosted by Jim & Jason Stephens | Crossroads Business Development

We help sales professionals stop apologizing for their process and start closing deals.

👉 Catch the latest episode: The Sandler Training Hour

"Keep learning, stay curious, and good luck out there.

Send us a text

In this episode, Jim and Jason explore the difference between saying thank you and expressing gratitude in a way that actually connects. Gratitude, they explain, is not just a statement—it carries emotion, intention, and meaning. When words and emotion don’t line up, even well-meant appreciation can feel hollow or disingenuous.

The conversation introduces a practical framework for expressing appreciation using the TSP model: Truthful, Specific, and Positive. Rather than defaulting to vague compliments, the goal is to notice what people actually do well, name it clearly, and deliver it in a way that builds others up. The discussion also touches on how understanding how others receive appreciation—through words, actions, or presence—shapes whether gratitude is felt or simply heard.

If you're looking for ways to improve how you connect with others, strengthen your presence in conversations, or build goodwill through intentional communication, this episode offers a thoughtful approach to making appreciation meaningful—especially during a season when words are plentiful and sincerity matters most.

The core message: Gratitude that is felt changes relationships. Gratitude that is rushed disappears just as quickly as it’s spoken.

Quick Poll: Is cup the worst example you ever heard? Let us know!

🏆 About Crossroads Business Development

At Crossroads Business Development we are the recipients of the David H. Sandler award for 2021, the highest mark of achievement that the network passes out. We pride ourselves with our dedicated service to the success of our clients and our top-of-the-line training that keeps our clients engaged and coming back for more.

Jim Stephens is a dynamic and engaging conference presenter and national speaker, renowned for his impactful presentations at a wide array of sales and industry events. With an impressive twenty-five-year track record in entrepreneurial small business creation, sales, and company management, he brings a wealth of real-world experience. Additionally, Jim has spent two decades honing his expertise through Sandler Sales & Management Training, equipping him with the tools to drive success in any organization. His keen insights and ability to identify and address roadblocks are instrumental in fostering growth and transformation for individuals and companies.
📧 Reach out to Jim at: [email protected]

Jason Stephens helps individuals and organizations turn goals into daily behaviors that drive measurable growth. Known for his structured, analytical approach, he equips clients with practical systems that turn complexity into clarity, and ideas into action. Whether he’s coaching a leader through change or building a sales process that sticks, Jason focuses on alignment, execution, and long-term success. Clients rely on him to uncover what’s really getting in the way, and to create frameworks that spark momentum—not just motivation. With a coaching style rooted in curiosity and accountability, Jason delivers tools that help people think clearly, act intentionally, and lead with purpose.
📧 Reach out to Jason at: [email protected]

The Sandler Training Hour Hosted by Jim & Jason Stephens | Crossroads Business Development

We help sales professionals stop apologizing for their process and start closing deals.

👉 Catch the latest episode: The Sandler Training Hour

"Keep learning, stay curious, and good luck out there.