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Are you unknowingly undermining your own success? Sales veterans Mike and Scott dive into the pitfalls of self-sabotage—those unintentional actions and thought processes that kill momentum and prevent reps from hitting their goals. They argue that when struggling, many sellers abandon their plan and resort to unproductive, random activities (like Scott’s failed postcard kick) instead of focusing on consistent, effective steps.

The solution isn't motivation; it's actionable strategy. Mike and Scott lay out three core principles to stop the cycle of self-sabotage and build repeatable success:

1. Replace Outcome Thinking with Process Thinking: Stop chasing the overwhelming quota number. Instead, focus on the daily process—the quality, frequency, and objective of your calls and tasks. The quota, they assure, will be the result of a focused process. Scott uses the "Parking Lot Money" concept to illustrate focusing on immediate, revenue-generating actions.
2. Confront, Don't Avoid, High-Friction Actions: Nothing grows without resistance. Mike and Scott challenge listeners to stop waiting for the "magical bear" or the "dish fairy" to handle the difficult tasks. Procrastination is self-sabotage. They introduce the concept of the "Two-Minute Start Drill"—committing to just two minutes of work on a difficult task—and using hard deadlines and scheduling to ensure confrontations (both conversational and task-based) happen head-on.
3. Remove the Guesswork (Create a Framework): Just like a reliable McDonald's burger, your sales process should be consistent and predictable. Remove emotional guesswork by establishing a repeatable sales framework. Share this structure with clients to manage expectations and let them "plan the battle" with you, leading to trust and a smoother path to closing. This consistency, they note, is only enhanced by leveraging tools like AI to expedite repeatable tasks while increasing the time available for value delivery.

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Have you been in the same sales territory for so long that you think you know everything? This week on "The Selling Podcast," Mike and Scott (and Bob A. Ganoosh, the technical guy) tackle a critical issue for seasoned reps: how to maintain genuine curiosity when calling on the same accounts for years. They argue that assuming you have all the answers is a fatal mistake that kills deals.

They break down three essential, actionable strategies to refresh your mindset, deepen your customer relationships, and keep your pipeline flowing:

1. Approach Every Meeting Like It's Your First: Forget what you think you know. Go in with humility and genuine curiosity, asking open-ended questions (the power questions like "how" and "why") to get to the root of your customer's current situation. Scott shares a humorous story about his standardized first date approach to highlight controlling the "controllables" while maintaining focus on the person.
2. Keep Learning Outside Your Lane: To connect with a broader range of customers, you need more than just deep product knowledge. Mike and Scott advocate for expanding your interests outside your industry (like welding or pet grooming) to gain crossover knowledge and depth. The rule: The more you understand their reality, the better you can serve it.
3. Reflect After Every Call (Deconstruct the Meeting): Don't let your brain forget crucial details! Take two minutes immediately after every meeting to deconstruct the conversation. Ask yourself: What did I learn? What do I still not know? and most critically, What should I ask the customer next time? This reflection process forces planning, provides continuity for the customer, and helps build evidence of success.

Tune in to discover how injecting genuine curiosity can revitalize your sales approach and transform long-term client relationships.

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Mike Williams - Cell 801-635-7773

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Do you ever sabotage your own sales momentum before you even pick up the phone? This week on "The Selling Podcast," Mike and Scott tackle the pervasive enemy of every sales rep: self-doubt. They argue that doubt (the "D" in FUD) isn't just a tactic you use on competitors; it's a "terrible disease" that kills momentum and plagues even the most experienced sellers, often showing up as the feeling of "I'm not good enough."

Mike and Scott break down the mental game of sales and provide four foundational strategies to replace uncertainty with unwavering confidence (not arrogance!).

1. Build Confidence Through Clarity: Stop worrying about the outcome and start by simply clarifying your objectives for the day or the call. A clear, simple plan removes ambiguity and eliminates doubt.
2. Replace Doubt with Evidence of Prior Success: Fight the negative internal monologue by focusing on minor accomplishments—even as simple as getting out of bed. The key is finding something that worked and building on it. Don't be afraid to pull from past successes to give yourself and the customer evidence that their decision is sound.
3. Don't Chase Metrics—Coach the Process: Escape the "chasing the quota" trap, which leads to doubt and burnout. Instead, focus on the artfulness and process of sales—the fundamental blocking and tackling you can control. Results, they argue, will follow the process, not the quota.
4. Lead with Certainty (Not Arrogance): Mike defines confidence as "knowing that I can do it," and arrogance as "saying I can do it better than you." Learn to internalize the certainty that you have an objective and a valuable solution, using techniques like the "make your bed" speech philosophy to set a positive precedent for the day.

Tune in to learn how to conquer the "what ifs" and ensure your mindset is your strongest sales asset.

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The only constant in sales is change, but what happens when the change is your entire career landscape? This week on "The Selling Podcast," Mike and Scott welcome back strategic expert Jim Hanlon to tackle the crucial topic of "Life After ______"—the transition following a career move, whether you quit or were let go.

Jim shares candid insights into the emotional and strategic challenges of moving on from a company. He stresses that while moving is hard, having clarity is essential. We discuss the critical importance of knowing exactly what you want to do next and having a clear reason why you are leaving your current role, even if the decision wasn't yours.

Jim provides actionable advice on recognizing and utilizing your transferrable skills. Since all business boils down to dealing with people, your success in sales, leadership, and relationship management makes you incredibly adaptable. The key, he argues, is to focus on what you can change and always keep your energy directed toward people and opportunity.

Tune in for an empowering conversation that will give you the confidence and focus to strategically navigate any career transition and ensure your next chapter is your best one.

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Are you managing your business or truly leading it? This week on "The Selling Podcast," Mike and Scott welcome strategic expert Jim Hanlon to discuss a powerful, often overlooked truth: the best CEOs are often the best CE-'NO's.

Jim breaks down the mindset required to run your business with laser-like focus. He explains that great leadership often requires the courage to say "no" to distractions and opportunities that, while tempting, don't align with your core mission.

The central lesson is clear: look critically at what is making money and what is not. Jim argues that if an activity, product, or service isn't generating revenue, you must have the discipline to stop it. We discuss how to strategically analyze your offerings and ensure everything you do aligns perfectly with your existing strengths and goals.

Tune in to learn how to stay focused, remain true to your vision, and adopt the strategic discipline of a CE-'NO' to maximize profitability and drive genuine business growth.

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Think a deal is dead? Think again! This week on "The Selling Podcast," Mike and Scott welcome legendary long-time selling champion Tim Germann to share his game-changing philosophy: no sale is ever too far gone.

Tim reveals the counterintuitive phrase that has saved countless deals when a client says they’re moving in another direction: "And that is exactly why you should stay with us." He breaks down why this phrase instantly catches prospects off guard, buys you crucial time, and allows you to pivot and offer the perfect, tailored solution they haven't yet considered.

But Tim’s wisdom goes beyond tactics. He argues that sales is mostly art, not science, and that every person is fundamentally built with the innate ability to sell, even if they need a little training to unlock it. Tune in to learn how to tap into your natural selling ability and gain the confidence to flip a "no" into a definite "yes." This episode is your guide to mastering the ultimate sales comeback.

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Ever wondered what it really takes to turn a great idea into a profitable business—all while keeping your day job? This week on "The Selling Podcast," Mike and Scott are thrilled to host Justin Kress from Justinhomecare! Justin is here to share the blueprint for building a thriving business from absolutely nothing.

Justin dives into his compelling personal story, detailing the journey from having a brilliant idea to successfully transforming his side hustle into a full-fledged, growing business. He reveals the practical strategies he uses to keep pushing his dream forward without sacrificing the stability of his current job.

The core of this conversation centers on two essential steps for any entrepreneur: finding your niche and then providing the perfect solution. Justin breaks down his process for identifying an underserved market within home health, creating a specialized service, and delivering value that sets him apart.

Tune in for an inspiring and actionable episode that proves you don't need to quit your job or secure massive funding to start building your business success today.

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We've all been there: staring at the phone, dreading the next cold email, and suddenly the urge to organize your sock drawer is overwhelming. This week on "The Selling Podcast," Mike and Scott tackle the universal sales struggle: how to reach out when you really don't want to.

They dive straight into the psychology of sales avoidance, breaking down the seven major traps to avoid. Stop waiting for motivation, quit apologizing, and delete that novel-length message! Mike and Scott explain why overthinking and letting fear of rejection dictate silence are the real quota killers.

Then, they flip the script with seven powerful, actionable strategies to build outreach momentum:

• Start Small: Forget the huge task list and commit to just one outreach a day.
• Be Curious, Not Perfect: Use simple templates and focus on asking a genuine question about them, not pitching yourself.
• Shift Focus Outward: Learn how framing your outreach as giving value or opportunity melts away the fear of rejection.

Finally, they share the ultimate mindset shift: celebrate the attempt, not the outcome. Success is simply hitting "send." Tune in for the funny banter and practical advice that will help you conquer procrastination and consistently fuel your pipeline.

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Mike Williams - Cell 801-635-7773

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Are your conversations in networking events and client meetings leading straight to dead ends? This week on "The Selling Podcast," Mike and Scott tackle a critical skill that separates master networkers from awkward noodlers: the difference between "Nothing" and "Great" conversation starters.

Mike and Scott break down the safe, lazy phrases that kill rapport (yes, we’re looking at you, "How's the weather?" and "Busy day?"). They reveal why these are just statements about facts that give your prospect nothing to build on, wasting valuable time.

Then, they pivot to the powerful framework of Great Conversation Starters. Learn to swap boring small talk for open-ended questions that spark genuine connection, interest, and depth, such as:

• Personal & Relational: "What’s keeping you excited lately?"
• Situational: "How did you get into what you do?"
• Deeper & Engaging: "What’s a project or goal you’re working on right now?"

The golden rule is simple: Nothing starters are statements; Great starters are questions about stories, emotions, or choices. Tune in to get the exact cheat sheet for transforming your introductions into meaningful dialogue that builds trust and ultimately drives your sales pipeline.

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It’s the conversation every sales professional avoids, but the one you desperately need to hear. This week on "The Selling Podcast," Mike and Scott pull no punches on a critical question: when is it time to fire a client? They reveal that holding on to a bad customer can be more damaging than letting them go, costing you not just revenue, but your time, your team's morale, and your business's future.

In this episode, we break down 12 unmistakable red flags that signal a toxic relationship. We’re not talking about minor annoyances; we’re talking about a client who:

• Costs more than they make, draining your support and time.
• Constantly disrespects you or your team, making every interaction a source of dread.
• Demands unrealistic expectations and causes endless scope creep without paying for it.
• Chronically pays late, wreaking havoc on your cash flow.

Mike and Scott provide a simple but powerful rule of thumb: if a client consistently ticks three or more of these boxes, they are a bad fit. This episode is your playbook for identifying unprofitable relationships and having the confidence to cut them loose, freeing up your pipeline for better, more aligned opportunities.

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Mike Williams - Cell 801-635-7773

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