One of Tom’s favorite topics is the Women’s Market, so who better than Marti Barletta to be included in the best of the Cool Friends? Her first book was Marketing to Women, and we talked to her about it in 2004. Her second book was PrimeTime Women, a label she gave to women aged 50 to 70, who needed a better descriptor than “Mature Market.” That 2007 interview begins with a discussion of marketers’ problem getting their ads onto the screens that people are actually looking at. That discussion continues to this day.

Source: The Tom Peters Weblog

Let’s face it, no matter how unique your products and services and no matter how superb your sales track record, selling in today’s tumultuous times is still more challenging than ever. There can be no doubt about that:

• Prospective clients are increasingly cautious and hesitant about buying.
• Sales cycles are definitely getting longer and longer plus there are fewer buyers overall.
• Even existing, satisfied buyers are foregoing new purchases and making do with existing resources.

But rather than focus on the downside of a down economy, what if you consider the upside of the down economy â€|the upside of the down?

The upside is simple: Consider that your opportunities for larger and longer-term gain are magnified because of the down economy.

While everyone else is running around caught up in the depression, you have an opportunity to radically change your mind-set about selling and your approach to how it’s done.

If you are willing to commit to making this shift, there’s a better than even chance that you’ll exponentially multiply the lifetime monetary value of your best accounts as well as the difference that you can make.

We call this approach “Selling based on being valuable”

Unquestionably, fresh approaches and skills are required to successfully sell in this challenging environment. While sales strategies and techniques have their place and the quality of your products and services remains paramount, these factors alone won’t complete the sale for you.

Selling based on outcomes and value provided makes more sense than ever. By all means, sell based on the specific results, improvements, outcomes, and experiences that buyers get from using your products and services, but I challenge you to take this to another level – a deeper, more meaningful level: Become more valuable to your existing and potential buyers by becoming known and valued as a trusted resource of information, expertise, and guidance. Some of the solutions to their problems and challenges may lie outside the realm of what your own products and services can directly provide, yet you can still point customers in the right direction. While this approach may make common sense, it isn’t commonly practiced. Nor is it consistently practiced. Are you up for it?

So then, here are a few ideas on how to become more valuable in the minds, hearts, and eyes of your buyers. If you’ll commit to consistently practicing at least some of them, you’ll ultimately position yourself as a valued resource rather than as a commodity or, worse yet, someone who only cares about the short-term gain of the sale.

1) Commit to learning what they specifically want to accomplish in their business or job and why it’s so important to them. Inquire sincerely and really listen. And dig. Don’t just accept the first three or so answers; those are typically superficial. Ask genuine questions about what they’re up to. Learn about their initiatives and goals as well as their challenges and concerns about reaching them.

2) Create a success library. Do you have a readily accessible collection of articles, websites, audios, and other media that might be of interest to your customers? This may seem obvious for items that pertain directly to your products and/or services, but be sure to expand the breadth and depth of your value by including resources that are of value to your customers, but may not necessarily promote your products and services.

3) Provide educational and training programs. Doing so positions you as an expert in your field and, in general, people like to buy from perceived experts, especially those they know, like, and trust. These can be live, in-person events and/or virtual events, such as teleseminars and webinars. They may be free or for a fee. And, to add greater depth of expertise and value, you can bring in other experts from complementary fields.

4) Create a “success rolodex” and share it freely. You might not be the best solution provider in every case, but you probably know someone who is. Do you have a rolodex of proven, reliable collaborators, even those in the same field as you? While others in the same field may be viewed as competitors, they may better serve your customer’s immediate needs. If there is a spirit of generosity and best serving the needs of the customer, your competitors become true collaborators.

5) Develop a mindset of contribution. Readily share ideas on how your prospective and existing customers can more readily achieve their goals and initiatives. Weave these ideas into your sales conversations. Yes, there’s a risk of confusing your buyers or sending them too far off track from what you specifically have to offer through your products and services. But if you approach this from the right mindset and a spirit of genuine concern for helping, then you probably won’t need to worry about that.

In a sense, selling from this mindset no longer is selling. Selling becomes an elevated form of education and sharing of knowledge; it becomes a means of contributing to the welfare of others.

This mindset, attitude, and approach transform selling to the realm of educating, connecting, and supporting one another and sincerely helping others to achieve their goals.

It avoids selling for the short-term gain, only to lose the long-term value of a client

Making this a normal part of your selling approach is certain to position you as a leader and valued resource. Businesses will pledge their loyalty and send their referrals.

Ultimately, the economy will regain strength and resistance to buying will shift. Adopting this approach of “selling by contributing” will position you to:
• Attract more and better customers.
• Increase the average transaction size of each sale, and
• Enhance the likelihood that buyers will buy more often and from you.

If you want to sell more and sell easier, then first give. Give of yourself. Give of your expertise. Give of your extended circle of expertise.

Do this, and you’ll transform the process of selling to the gift of contributing value, creating a following that is certain to exponentially expand.

Connecting with your buyers this way is more fulfilling. That connection leads to trust and that naturally leads to a collaborative relationship. Ultimately, this level of relationship enhances your ability to contribute to the welfare of your buyers and their own clientele.

This is a sure-fire approach in any economy — up or down. You win. Your customers win. Their customers win. Isn’t that an outcome worth striving for?

News: We have not only announced all of the categories for this year’s Top Sales & Marketing Awards, we have also now opened the doors for nominations … what are you waiting for? 

Source: Jonathan Farrington’s Blog

A skilled negotiator will create high levels of rapport and be sensitive and empathetic to the people they are negotiating with, yet can still be hard on the issues. The ability to separate the people from the issues, and recognize that negotiations are often fraught with emotional intensity, can help sharpen the focus on the interests of the other party to better balance perceptions.

If the negotiation doesn’t appear to be going anywhere and your prospect is behaving like a bully, you might feel angry and frustrated. You may already have considered simply agreeing to their demands. In difficult negotiations, there are four vital behaviours that can increase your resourcefulness and consequently your opportunities for getting to “Win-Win.”

1. Manage your emotional state
Build rapport by matching the other person’s style, pace and approach until you have achieved a ‘connection’ Personalize the negotiation by using “I” rather than your organization’s name. This demonstrates your belief in your proposal and highlights your credibility.

In the face of feelings like anger, disappointment, frustration, confusion, and resentment, we often react without thinking. In such a situation mentally detach yourself and think about it before you respond. It helps to reframe attacks and tactical manoeuvres as feedback that the other person’s interests have not been fully acknowledged. Stay focused on your goal of reaching an agreement.

2. Look for quick mutual wins to build the belief “we can agree”
The more abstract your communication the more likely you are to reach agreement. Therefore, seek to gain agreement at an abstract level first and then get into the detail.

For example, if two people wanted what appears to be very different things, such as a) nuclear disarmament and b) more resources spent on defense, if you looked at finding out both sides highest intention, you may discover that ‘peace’ was the desired outcome for both people. Therefore, at this abstract level they have found agreement so the negotiation can continue by gradually getting more detailed.

Questions that chunk up your prospect into the bigger picture include:
– For what purpose?
– What’s your intention behind (negotiating point)?

Seek to address the easy/quickest areas of agreement first to reinforce the process of agreement is simple and straightforward. If you discover an area where agreement may not be reached quickly then agree to leave it until later. If some points become contentious it can help discussions if you both move your body, because the mind and body are connected, physical movement helps to create mental movement. That’s why a walk can work wonders during tough negotiations. Provide regular summaries of what you have both accomplished to install the belief that the negotiation is making progress.

Some sales people write out all the points to be negotiated on separate sheets of paper, then as each point is agreed they move the paper to a different place, so that the buyer can physically see the progress being made which serves to motivate the entire process.

3. Use active listening skills and ask questions to give you a greater understanding of the other person’s viewpoint
Giving good attention to people makes them more intelligent. Poor attention makes them stumble over their words and appear stupid. You are best positioned to change someone’s mind after you have listened to that person. People tend to close down and stick to their position until they feel heard. The goal of active listening is for you to hear and understand other people — their words, thoughts, and feelings, and to let them know you’ve heard and understood them.

Acknowledge their motivations, feelings, and point of view, even when you don’t agree with what they are saying. Your goal is to understand the message, not judge the validity of what they say.

4. Build trust by negotiating fairly
Demonstrations of power erode trust. If you are on the receiving end of this type of behaviour, describe your observations, and the consequences of continuing the current process. For example: “You know you’ve named what seems to me a low price, and so now I’ll name a higher price, and then we’ll each insist on our position until one of us gives in. I don’t find my best negotiations work like this.”

Then propose a different way to proceed, for example: “It would help me to understand the criteria of a fair offer if we could take a look at some of the relevant standards in this industry.” Before beginning the negotiation it can help to agree the ground rules and stick to them. Act with integrity and hold a healthy respect for the intentions of the individual you are negotiating with.

There is always a reason why a point of negotiation is important to the buyer and if we can appreciate more about their underlying reasons, this knowledge can be used and acted upon.

Strong negotiation skills are absolutely fundamental to becoming a successful sales professional, so my advice is do work hard to hone your skills.

News: Lots happening over at Top Sales World today: To begin with, we have announced last week’s Top Sales Article and also this week’s Top 10 Nominees.

In addition, there are excellent articles from Jeffrey Gitomer, who reflects on the life of Steve Jobs – “The Good Times.The Bad Times. The Changin’ Times” and Kevin Eikenberry – “Trace Adkins, Celebrity Apprentice and You” 

There is still time to sign-up for Linda Richardson’s Top Sales Academy presentation on Thursday (1:00 pm Eastern – 6:00 pm GMT) – “Transforming Sales Coaching into Sales Results” – it is FREE to register. Here is a brief overview …

“Everyone in business says that ‘It’s all about the numbers.” And research shows that quality coaching is the single most important activity that a sales manager can provide to drive the numbers. Sales coaching increases sales productivity. It makes your reps more independent and accountable. It gives you back hours in your day by teaching you how to question in a way that helps reps learn how to solve problems, develop strategies, leverage resources as needed but close their own deals.

Although more and more organizations recognize that sales productivity lives and dies with their front line sales managers and are providing sales coaching training, productivity numbers show that much of the coaching is not working. Why? Because effective sales coaching is not an event or even informal sessions but rather a part of a continuous learning process, mind-set and skill set embedded in the sales culture.”

I will be hosting, so do join us - REGISTER

Source: Jonathan Farrington’s Blog

Today and more and more in the future, all selling is social and the connection points to all your relationships will involve a component of online.

To thrive in the future you will need to learn to connect, network and foster relationships online.

Here are a few statistical wake-up calls:

Nearly half of all people report socializing online more than they do face-to-face.

You don’t have to LIKE the statistics, but you will have to deal with them.

Here is another, 61% of LinkedIn users use it as their primary professional networking site. Every single second of every day, one new user joins LinkedIn.

What does that mean to you?

CONTINUE READING

Source: Darren Hardy, Publisher of SUCCESS Magazine

Want to contribute to my next book? A few years ago, I published the book Everyone Communicates, Few Connect. If you were a blog reader back then, you’ll remember that we all worked together here on the blog to fine-tune the content for that book. Many of you submitted stories on communication, which were featured [...]

Originally posted at: John Maxwell on Leadership
Copyright 2009-2013. All rights reserved.

Follow JohnCMaxwell on Twitter.
Or visit John’s Facebook page.
A Minute with Maxwell. Sign up here. It’s free!

Source: John Maxwell on Leadership

http://www.rippln.by/get-started/ – Join Rippln & Start your Global Ripple today! Let’s make this happen – Let’s MAKE HISTORY TOGETHER!!! The Rippln March to 1 Million Users is a record breaking challenge to become the fastest growing company in history! It took facebook 10 months to reach 1 million users It took Twitter 24 months to

Source: Robert Kiyosaki Blog

To achieve anything big or worthwhile you need the support of lots of people.  Most successful business, sales people and entrepreneurs in our society are those who have learned how to sell people on not only their ideas, but the ideas of others to increase their buying power.  Your ability to get the support of the key people in your business and personal world will have as much to say about your ultimate success as anything else.

When we talk about “selling people on your ideas”, many people feel a little uneasy.  They think to themselves that this cannot really apply to them because they are not really in sales.  But this is silly.

FREE FINANCIAL REPORT: The Way to Wealth

You see, everyone is in sales.  Everyone sells something to someone under some conditions.  From the time you are an infant and you begin selling your parents on the idea of changing your diapers or, getting you a bottle or rocking you to sleep, you are in sales.  Your buying power as a child are your smiles and sweetness on the one hand, and your crying and screams of annoyance on the other.  And in either case, you are attempting to make a sale of some kind.

What is Sales?

A good definition of selling might help.  Selling is the ability to influence others to cooperate with you to achieve your goals.  You only have two choices.  You can get key people to cooperate with you or you can simply cooperate with them.  You can be an agent of influence or you can be a recipient of influence.  You can be good at the business of influencing and persuading others people or you can be poor at it.  But in any case, you are in sales.

Fortunately, the basic principles of sales have been known for several thousands of years. A market transaction, from the earliest times, has been defined as a transaction where both parties feel that they gain by trading with the other.  Otherwise, if the market is free and open, one or both parties would not enter into the transaction.

When you go out into the marketplace to sell a product or service today, the case that you must make, is that your product or service will be of greater value or enjoyment to the customer than the money that the customer will have to acquire it.  Your product or service must also offer a greater benefit or value to the customer than an alternative use of the money.  This is where sales is absolutely essential to all transactions.

There are two major areas of your life where your ability to sell people on your ideas will determine your ultimate success or failure.  The first is when you work for a company.  The second is when you start your own business and become an entrepreneur.  I’ll talk about the selling skills you need in both cases, but let’s start with selling your ideas at your place of work.

What is the purpose of a business?  Many people would say that it is to make a profit.  However, the profit is merely the result of operating a business efficiently.  The real purpose of a business is to create and keep a customer.  Therefore, whenever you have an idea that can help your business to create and keep a business, or to operate more efficiently, you have a product idea that you need to sell.

Good Sales People Answer the Right Questions

The number one question in sales, asked by every customer is, “What’s in it for me?”  We say that every customer is tuned into his or her own favorite radio station “WII-FM,”  What’s in it for me?

People buy for their reasons, not your reasons.  Tony Alessandra’s Platinum Rule says that you must do unto others as they wish to be done unto, not as you wish to be done unto.  In sales, this simply means that you must sell unto others in terms of what they want and need, before you start talking about what you want and need.  The failure to understand this simple point is the reason why most sales people either underachieve or fail in the field of selling.  They are so caught up in what they are selling that they forget to take the necessary time to find out what it is that the person they are talking to might be buying.

The two major motivators of human action have always been the desire for gain and the fear of loss.  People buy a product, service or an idea based on their anticipation that they will be better off by following your recommendation than they would be if they did nothing at all.  People may also fear that they will lose substantially more than what you are selling will cost them to preserve their current situation.

In every case, you are selling an opportunity to achieve, avoid or preserve something,  If you are selling an investment account or idea, you are selling the customers hope that he or she will be better off and even financially independent in the future.  If you are selling life insurance you are appealing to the fear that his family or business will be left destitute or ruined should an accident occur.  In either case, you are appealing to the desire for gain or the fear of loss.

Influencing Key People and Increasing Buying Power

The bottom line of successful selling, which I have studied and practiced for thirty years, is that customers want to know what your ideas will do for them rather than what it is.  Experienced sales people, of all kinds, talk in terms of how their idea will benefit the customer in his or her current situation.  Inexperienced sales people talk about the features and the characteristics of their product or service, as if these had some kind of motive power.

Thank you for reading this article about good sales people and increasing buying power. Please share and comment below!

Source: Brian Tracy’s Blog

Today’s article was inspired by my colleague Barb Giamanco’s recent post What Sales Leaders Really Need to Know About Social Selling

What I found particularly – and I might add refreshingly – honest about Barb’s commentary was her forthright assertion that social selling is NOT the be all and end all. It is not a replacement for the way we have always sold, and in isolation, it will not increase our success.

 Barb writes : “Contrary to what you may hear, social selling isn’t a NEW idea. I can say that because I’ve been using the term in my writing and speaking since early 2009, as I was writing my book, The New Handshake: Sales Meets Social Media. Rather than trying to take credit for the term though, I want to suggest that you, as a sales leader, need to be wary of the sales trainers and software platform sellers merely trying to capitalize on a “buzz term” they think is hot.

Why am I bothered about the abuse of the term social selling?

Well, for two reasons:

1. The misguided assumption that the use of social tools (LinkedIn, Hootsuite, Twitter or Facebook) on their own is the strategy that will increase sales and cure sales performance problems.

Use of technology is NOT a sales strategy!

Far too many of the “self-proclaimed” social selling experts want you to believe that all your sales people need to know is how to use LinkedIn, and once they do, sales will magically increase. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a fan of LinkedIn since I became member number 874,098 on July 22, 2004, and am thrilled that my company was recently selected as one of seven to join LinkedIn’s Sales Solutions Certified Partner program. But for all the love, I know, as you need to know, that LinkedIn – just like any other technology – is a sales tool that enables a sound sales approach but does not replace it.

Ask yourself, what good is technology if your sales people do not follow a sales process; they lack basic common sense, good communication and sound selling skills?

I don’t need to tell you the answer. You already know what it is.

2. The over reliance on technology is quickly replacing the basic principles of great selling.

The gap is only getting wider as more and more sales people seem to think that the technology will do the actual selling for them. Good communication, listening, business and sales skills and even the basic principles of etiquette is disappearing…quickly!

Social selling is not merely a set of tactics reliant on one technology platform or even a combination of platforms. I believe that Social Selling is a strategic way of thinking about what today’s buyers want and expect from sales people. Yes, technology is part of the equation and can help you reach your prospects more quickly, but what are your sales people saying and doing once they get in front of them?

What do you, as the sales leader, really need to know about social selling?

Unless you have a plan that is aligned with sales objectives, the right people with the right skills, a process followed consistently, use of the right platform(s), sales messages communicated from the customer point of view, defined metrics to track, and an approach that is mixed with equal parts persistence and patience, you haven’t a prayer of achieving the sales results you seek.

Technology is only a fraction of the real sales story, but the so-called experts won’t bother to tell you that!”

You can select your own most salient points from that text, but the most relevant for me are:

“The misguided assumption that the use of social tools (LinkedIn, Hootsuite, Twitter or Facebook) on their own is the strategy that will increase sales and cure sales performance problems.

Use of technology is NOT a sales strategy!”

“Far too many of the “self-proclaimed” social selling experts want you to believe that all your sales people need to know is how to use LinkedIn, and once they do, sales will magically increase.”

“The over reliance on technology is quickly replacing the basic principles of great selling.

The gap is only getting wider as more and more sales people seem to think that the technology will do the actual selling for them.”

“Technology is only a fraction of the real sales story, but the so-called experts won’t bother to tell you that!”

 You see, as I have been at pains to point out until I am almost blue in the face, there are three critical stages that we as sellers must pass through in a typical sales cycle:

1)      Find the opportunity

2)      Close the opportunity

3)      Develop the account

Social selling really only has any relevance at Stage 1. It does not provide us with the necessary skills to close business or to then develop the opportunity into a long-term client.

Is it any wonder that so many frontline sales professionals are “stuck” at Stage 1, which has to correspond with the fact that sales performance and quota attainment are spiralling downwards at such an alarming rate?

News: Over at Top Sales World we have just published my latest white paper – “Bidding Tricks – The Secrets Revealed” Here is a taster:

“Why is it that some companies grow prosperous on the fruits of their success at winning major bids while others think themselves lucky to garner a few crumbs from the feast? Just why is it that some companies consistently win more major bids than others? What do they do that makes them so successful? This latest white paper lifts the lid on “bidding tricks”  It is FREE to download here

Source: Jonathan Farrington’s Blog

It is common knowledge that even today in most industries, a very high percentage of training budgets are spent on “product knowledge” workshops and training sessions. This is understandable to a degree, particularly in the more technical sectors, but what about all the other types of “knowledge”?

That statement is guaranteed to produce a lot of blank faces, and considerable head scratching!

But, if we are highly motivated, and we have received ongoing skills training, and we are using the very best process tools, and we are totally au fait with the benefits of social selling etc. we are bound to be successful aren’t we?

Short answer? No, not any more. Let’s look at recent history…

Forty years ago frontline sales professionals believed that success would automatically arrive if they developed their personalities and adhered to the mantras of Tracey, Nightingale, Ziglar and co. And it is true even today that self-confidence, self-motivation, empathy, rapport building etc, will indeed take you a long way, and without most of those personal characteristics you will not succeed.

Then thirty years ago the “mega-training” companies such as Miller-Heiman, Huthwaite, Holdene, Target etc, arrived with new selling models — what I termed “scientific selling solutions” It was new thinking at the time and it was all rather good. Meanwhile, the rapidly developing “tailored solution” organizations such as Richardson, Wilson, Sandler, to name just three, were becoming market leaders in their fields — so that’s the “skills-orientated era” taken care of, which of course is still with us today.

Twenty years ago, “process and control” were the new buzz words. CRM systems began to flood the market, and sales managers licked their lips at the prospect of all that data at their finger tips. Consultative sales processes were developed — not always adopted and implemented successfully though — and the “Attitude + Skills + Process” loop was complete  … well almost.

When people began congratulating themselves that they had adopted ASP, most forgot about “K” Well, that’s not quite true. In fact they spent millions of dollars on “K” in the certain belief that it stood for “Knowledge,” as in product knowledge — only half-right.

As I alluded to earlier, “Knowledge” is a much more complex issue. What about:

Industry knowledge

Sector knowledge

Competitor knowledge

Political knowledge

Commercial knowledge

Own company knowledge

Economic knowledge

Self knowledge

These then are today’s realities, and I believe that every organization that intends to survive in this new re-engineered environment must, in my view, respond to those realities.

Let’s be clear, today’s clients/customers — who have never been more “commercially educated” are looking for vendors who can be business partners, who are willing and able to share risks and who are able to properly manage the entire sales process.

It is suggested that 84% of buying decisions are based on emotion — if that really is the case, buyers will not entertain entering into a long-term relationship with us because they like us, but rather that they trust us. Trust does NOT happen overnight, it never did.

Logically we are far more likely to trust someone if we sense synergy, if the seller talks our language and if they are “knowledgeable“

News: Over at Top Sales World, two ladies who are right at the top of their field are discussing their upcoming Top Sales Academy presentations this week: Nancy Nardin – Founder and CEO of Smart Selling Tools – is presenting on Tuesday -“The Key to Explosive Revenue Growth: Measuring Sales Productivity vs. Quota Attainment” 

On Thursday, it is Linda Richardson’s turn - “Transforming Sales Coaching into Sales Results” Both sessions start at 1:00 pm Eastern (6:00 pm GMT) Registration is FREE

Source: Jonathan Farrington’s Blog

There is so much happening over the next couple of weeks that I thought I should provide you with a heads up so that you don’t miss any of the action. In date order ….

We are delivering Modules 5 and 6 of the Top Sales Academy Sales Management Level next week.

On Tuesday May 21st, Nancy Nardin is presenting “The Key to Explosive Revenue Growth: Measuring Sales Productivity vs. Quota Attainment”

“Quota is the heart-beat of every organization because:

• It’s the revenue number management relies on for business planning purposes
• It’s how Sales Managers and individual performers know what’s expected of them if they want to meet their own income goals.

Here’s the problem with sales quotas: they only tell you whether you’re on target to meet or exceed expectations. They don’t tell you whether you could be selling more and what’s preventing that from happening. In this 45 minute session, you’ll learn about the concept of ‘sales capacity’ (and how to calculate it), and the two key elements needed to grow revenue substantially; sales capacity and use-of-time — both of which have to do with sales productivity.”

Then on Thursday May 23rd, Linda Richardson will present “Sales Coaching”

“Everyone in business says that ‘It’s all about the numbers.” And research shows that quality coaching is the single most important activity that a sales manager can provide to drive the numbers. Sales coaching increases sales productivity. It makes your reps more independent and accountable. It gives you back hours in your day by teaching you how to question in a way that helps reps learn how to solve problems, develop strategies, leverage resources as needed but close their own deals.

Although more and more organizations recognize that sales productivity lives and dies with their front line sales managers and are providing sales coaching training, productivity numbers show that much of the coaching is not working. Why? Because effective sales coaching is not an event or even informal sessions but rather a part of a continuous learning process, mind-set and skill set embedded in the sales culture.”

Both sessions take place at 1:00 pm Eastern (6:00 pm BST) and registration is FREE

Next ….

The Changing Sales Force: How the Latest Trends Could Affect Your Revenue

Tuesday, May 21, 2013, 11:30 AM — 2PM — Westin Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston, MA

Thousands of CEO’s and senior leaders have attended these keynotes and this is one of only two scheduled New England appearances in 2013.  This provocative presentation will help your company get on the path to greater and faster sales and profits despite the uncertain economy. Please click here for more information and to register.

Then ……

Best Sales Blogger 2013

It is time to nominate your favourite blog: Call for submissions. Closing date June 1st, so hurry! Details here

After that, we have two significant conferences coming up …

Sales 2.0 Conference — London

Just over two weeks until the Sales 2.0 Conference rolls into town, and I do hope that if you are UK based, you will make the effort to attend. There are some excellent speakers lined up — plus me. If you use this code — s2c13londontsw - you can obtain an additional £50 discount, so that is a total saving of £150! Register HERE

May I also remind you that I am “headlining” — their words, not mine — the SMP2013 Conferenceon June 6th, and that is free to register HERE

Finally ….

Women in Sales Awards

When it comes to Diversity and Inclusion sales is one area where companies are looking; probably because sales have traditionally been a male-dominated profession. It can be a scary thing to do for anyone and can seem especially daunting for women. Women in Sales Awards is designed to find the most exemplary women in sales across the UK and Europe. Full details here

PS: And in between that lot, don’t forget we will be publishing the June edition of Top Sales World magazine, with a supeb interview with Jeffrey Gitomer and the announcement of the 2014 Top Sales & Marketing Influencers list

Source: Jonathan Farrington’s Blog