Selling is a fluid art, with some components that would make it seem as if it has its basis in science, yet we all know that is not true.  Selling is a process.  It has stages, and for many products and services it will always be necessary to have a human in the process as it depends on recognition of the customer, customer reaction, and intimacy.

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A discussion about selling styles always makes for interesting banter.  Just as soon as you figure out what your style should be, you reflect back on a sales call or situation and determine that you haven’t always acted within that character.

A Look at Some Styles

There are a number of selling styles that should be recognized.  I would note that depending on what text you read you are sure to find countless interpretations and nuances of sales styles.  I will stick to some conventional logic here in describing the styles I am referring to:

• Technical Sellers
• Relationship Seller
• Collaborative & Consultative Sellers
• Account Servicing Sellers
• Closers/Assertive Sellers

Which of these styles is for you?  Which of these styles do you need to exhibit?

There is a good answer to this question…all of them!

Selling is situational.  This is where the art becomes true to form.  Sales professionals who sell in one style will limit their effectiveness to particular situations with particular types of buyers.

A Closer Look

The sales process generates some notable styles.  This is not an endorsement of any of these styles as much as it is a cataloging of them so that the differences between them are known.

Technical Sellers – These individuals are considered experts, usually with a product that is complicated or technical.  They know the product or service like no other, and know its applications from the company view and from the customer view.

Relationship Sellers – These sales professionals sell on the strength of a close, personal relationship with customers and prospective customers.  Not everyone can do this, as it requires the right personality and attractions.

Collaborative and Consultative Sellers – This sales professional consults and collaborates with the buyer, outwardly looking for input and providing suggestions as to what could make his/her product fit the needs of the customers.  They listen well and look for those things that they can agree on changing.

Account Servicing Sellers – These professionals spend their efforts proving their worth providing exceptional customer service and getting sales based on the confidence they have build with the customer.

Closers/Assertive Sellers – This group counts on the technical act of the sales process, particularly the close and aggressive sales manner to get accounts.

There are other types, yet these stand out.

You Need Them All!

I know that this statement intrigues you but we must recognize that although you may have a dominant style, each of the styles plays a rather important role in the sales process.  Often, the buyer, and the buyer’s style determine the style that you use for the sale.

Example 1. Closer/Assertive Seller

A buyer is slow to make a decision in a complex sale.  You can react by buying into that slowness or even ambivalence, or you can move to close at different impasses, forcing the buyer to disclose his/her objections.  You move to being a closer/assertive seller.  In this case, you changed your style to accommodate a buyer, and to accelerate the sales process.  You move past the objections and consummate the sale.

Example 2. Technical Selling

Your product is technical in nature.  Tolerances are tight, and even sophisticated users struggle with the specifications and requirements.  You utilize your expertise to pull together all aspects of the features and benefits, and how they relate to the customer’s situation.  Your competition is bringing in someone from another region to “explain” the product to the prospective buyer.  Your advantage is that you are right here, and will be here when the competition’s expert goes home. Your emergence as the technical expert is what the customer needs to gain assurance and commit to the sale.  You get the order.

Example 3.  Relationship Seller

Inertia may be a physics law, yet it is sometimes difficult in the sales process unless you are the incumbent sales professional.  You spend time with the prospective customer explaining the process, product, and pricing.  You spend so much time that you get to know the customer’s needs better than the competition, and the incumbent.  Your relationship is solid. You know the organization, its financial condition, and its projections for the future.  Your customer data file is complete and you utilize the information to its fullest.  When the incumbent makes a mistake or misstep, what sales professional is the logical choice?  You close the deal.

Example 4.  Collaborative and Consultative Seller

This sales professional acts as the business consultant to the buyer, while collaborating to come up with the best selling situation possible.  You are involved in a sales situation with a buyer who has never purchased at this level.  The size of this ticket, and the complexity of this sale, coupled with the gravity of this sale require you to be close to the buyer.  It requires listening and “making the buyer look good.”  You do so by asking questions, listening, and involving the buyer’s important personnel to determine the product specifications.  You then use your ability to provide expert consultation to consummate the sale. You emerge the most sensible option.

Example 5.  Account Servicing Seller

You are the Account Executive who has been servicing this account.  You have teamed up with the sales professional on the account.  Your responsiveness and your reputation are rock-solid with the buyer, and you can use that to get an order.  You get involved in the specification and the quotation process, as no one knows the customer like you do.  Your reputation of delivering is a primary factor in the customer believing in your organization.   The customer continues the old order and awards your organization with more business.

In Summary

There is no doubt that these situations happen.  Actually, the same individual can be involved in example 1 through 4.  You need to find comfort in situational selling.  Utilize the correct selling style for the situation.  In the coming weeks we will touch on some of these.

Keep selling and stay flexible.

Your comments are welcome.

I was once in a meeting in Sanibel, Florida that was done in a spacious area styled meeting facility with two large screens integrated on two separate sides of the room.  Some of the numerous profit center managers were presenting their plan for the upcoming year.  It was not exciting but was informative.  The meeting was prestigious as it was based on the having some of the most influential people in certain strategic business units together to review strategies.

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It became obvious that many individuals in the room, all respectively high in their organizations, began checking their “crackberries” to find out what was happening back home.

The President and Chief Operating Officer then grabbed his personal microphone asked for everyone’s attention and said, “I have made arrangements with my assistant so that anyone who cannot turn off their Blackberry and give full attention to the presenters should go over to the help desk and get a ticket back home.”  He was serious, and I think everyone got the hint.

Creatures of Habit

This one may sound simple, yet in this day and age it is a little more complicated.  Let’s face the fact that this small item is something that you cannot do without in your daily life.  You have integrated your calendar, your contact lists, your pictures and videos, as well as your ‘to do’ list.  You check it every 5 to10 minutes or less to make sure that you are up to date, and…. Well you get the message here.

The problem with something that might be novel that you find indispensible is that others, including customers might find it a grand distraction, and even a turn-off.  A distraction to the extent that it could cost you a sale or even a relationship.

This short post will cover some of the things you might want t think about when it comes to your electronics, and the all-important interface with your customer.

Watch carefully:  When senior executives and the most important managers cut off their devices and put them away, most (but not all) people notice and do the same.  That is why we call them leaders.

The Problem With Gadgets

Gadgets, and particularly electronics, have a place.  I just suggest that it is not on a prospect or quote presentation call.

Some organizations provide presentation material on Ipads.  I don’t necessarily think it is the best idea, as I have had presentations made to me with that device, but the device serves as storage and the actual output device (the screen).

Gadgets are not only a distraction; they can make you appear rude and insensitive.  There is nothing about them that screams “customer focus”.

• Alarms and tones which interrupt, startle, and distract customers and clients
• They are not totally reliable when you need it
• They are battery operated, increasing the unreliability.
• Smart phones, PDAs, tablets, and laptops can create customer jealousy.  Many customers personal and business budget constraints keep them from having some expensive items.

Productivity Suffers Too!

Productivity woes as a result of smart devices happen whether you are talking about customers or sales professionals.  There is no clear measure for it, but it does happen.

Anytime appointments are missed, contact information lost, and files misplaced, there are hits against productivity.

In meetings, more frequent breaks have to be taken for people to access their phones, Blackberries, and even office devices.  In this day and age, questions can’t wait, answers can’t be delayed, and everything happens at the speed of light.  People are pressed to answer because answers and responses are expected.

Driving Danger

One of the other problems with these electronic devices is that once people believe that they have to provide ‘instant’ responses because it is expected, the real problem can happen.  The real problem is employees checking devices while they are driving.  As everyone knows, this is illegal in most states.

If you listen on any topic, let it be this one.  If you get a ticket for texting while driving, or using a cell phone without a hands-free device when it is illegal, there are organizations that may not hire you if you are in outside sales.  That is whether you have a company car or not because of the exposure that an employer has for gross negligence. Gross negligence is a blatant violation of a legal duty with respect to the rights of others.  It warrants large jury awards when it is proven.

Do the Right Thing

As a sales professional ‘do the right thing’ regarding your electronics.  Turn off ringers, and even vibrate modes while with customers.  There should be no distractions.  Use devices in the sales process only when it makes sense, and when your company requires it.

Whether with a customer, your boss, your coworker, or anyone else, your objective is to give them your attention.  Your electronics can wait!

Avoid violations while driving that can affect your record on a near-permanent basis.  Impress your buyer with your knowledge and skills, and remember that neither relationships nor sales are made with electronic devices.  They should just make life easier for you.

Your comments are appreciated