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The Power of Selling, 2010a

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12. [7] Virtual Strategist, “How to Set SMART Goals,” video, M3 Planning, October 17,<br />

2008,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uThBb3kGf4k (accessed July 15, 2009).<br />

13. [8] Roy Chitwood, “Every Sales Call Must Have a Clear Objective,” Puget Sound Business Journal,<br />

September 26,<br />

1997,http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/1997/09/29/smallb3.html?page=2 (accessed July 15,<br />

2009).<br />

8.4 Prepare Your Presentation<br />

LEARNING OBJECTIVE<br />

1. Discuss key elements <strong>of</strong> presentation preparation.<br />

Once you’ve done your research, brainstormed your solution, and set your SMART objectives, you’ve<br />

got a good foundation to move forward. <strong>The</strong> only homework left to do is planning your sales<br />

presentation. Even if you have a stellar solution to <strong>of</strong>fer, and even though your objectives may be<br />

clearly defined, you can’t make your sales pitch hoping to just “wing it.” A well-planned presentation<br />

can <strong>of</strong>ten be the thing that makes or breaks a sale. If your customer sees you as well prepared (i.e., if<br />

you have thoughtfully tailored your style, presentation materials, and agenda to match what you<br />

know about your contact and his company culture), you will go far in establishing a strong rapport<br />

with your customer and earning his trust and respect.<br />

Four Ps <strong>of</strong> Presentation Preparation<br />

Preparing your sales presentation can seem like an overwhelming task. How long should you speak, and<br />

how much time should you allow for questions? Should you use demonstrations or examples? How formal<br />

should you be? What points should you address first? Here are four general guidelines to keep in mind as<br />

you begin the planning process.<br />

Prioritize Your Agenda<br />

Your presentation should be well organized. Think about how you want to lead in, when you will<br />

introduce key information in your presentation, and when you will use product demonstrations. When<br />

Tom Szaky, CEO <strong>of</strong> the garden products company TerraCycle, gives a sales presentation, he prepares by<br />

drawing up an agenda that prioritizes the information he wants to convey and arranging it in a strategic<br />

Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books<br />

Saylor.org<br />

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