
SALES with ASLAN
By ASLAN Training and Development
Selling is serving. Let us serve you with tips, stories and experts on topics you care about.
Buyer behavior has changed dramatically. Customers have more information available to them, and therefore are unreceptive, or closed, to sellers. And the harder we sell, the more closed customers become. Traditional selling approaches are working against sellers.
ASLAN helps sellers make that shift, from 'typical' selling to a different approach that makes us more influential because we embrace the truth that the customer's receptivity is more important than your value prop or message.
Buyer behavior has changed dramatically. Customers have more information available to them, and therefore are unreceptive, or closed, to sellers. And the harder we sell, the more closed customers become. Traditional selling approaches are working against sellers.
ASLAN helps sellers make that shift, from 'typical' selling to a different approach that makes us more influential because we embrace the truth that the customer's receptivity is more important than your value prop or message.

Ep. 171 - The Birds
Ep. 171 - The Birds
SALES with ASLANMar 10, 2023
00:00
01:05:34

Ep. 172 - How LinkedIn can Build Your Pipeline
Ep. 172 - How LinkedIn can Build Your Pipeline
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab talk to the man who literally wrote the book on Social Selling: Tim Hughes. They explore the three drives to getting more leads on LinkedIn – building a buyer centric profile, building your network, and how content that elevates you to influencer status and builds a following.
Mar 16, 202358:55

Ep. 171 - The Birds
Ep. 171 - The Birds
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab are joined by Dan Silvert to discuss the importance if building relationships in sales.
Specifically, they unpack the four primary behavioral styles that determine how people relate to one another and form relationships. This is key for sellers to understand because our relationships determine our influence, create receptivity, and ultimately allow us to serve our customers.
Mar 10, 202301:05:34

Ep. 170 - Creating a "Win" Strategy
Ep. 170 - Creating a "Win" Strategy
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab continue with their "back to the basics" theme.
Effectively delivering your recommendation and winning an opportunity starts with, of course, a strategy. Tab and Tom talk us through the four types of strategy and what top sellers do to effectively position their solution.
Mar 03, 202340:43

Ep. 169 – Influence Starts Here – Part 2
Ep. 169 – Influence Starts Here – Part 2
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab continue their conversation about how effective discovery starts with building a Discovery Roadmap. They take us through a simple framework to ensure you're prepared, how to keep the decision maker engaged in the process and create a competitive advantage by asking the right questions.
Feb 24, 202337:59

Ep. 168 - Influence Starts Here - Part 1
Ep. 168 - Influence Starts Here - Part 1
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, you will learn how effective discovery starts with building a Discovery Roadmap. Tom and Tab take us through a simple framework to ensure you are prepared, how to keep the decision maker engaged in the process and create a competitive advantage by asking the right questions.
Feb 16, 202342:56

Ep. 167 - Plan to Crush 2023 - Part 4
Ep. 167 - Plan to Crush 2023 - Part 4
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab continue this series by discussing the three most important and surprising things you need to know in order to succeed in 2023 - including one of the greatest barriers to success in sales: how to "break through the noise."
Feb 14, 202346:53

Ep. 166 - Plan to Crush 2023 - Part 3
Ep. 166 - Plan to Crush 2023 - Part 3
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab tackle another segment of this three part series.
They wrap it up by discussing the specifics of how to develop a plan, define your numbers, and the key elements of actually implementing that plan in order to crush your goals in 2023.
Feb 02, 202346:34

Ep. 165 - Plan to Crush 2023 - Part 2
Ep. 165 - Plan to Crush 2023 - Part 2
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab continue this three part series with a discussion on how to plan for the year ahead. What do we need to do to crush our number in 2023?
The guys take on this topic by tackling the foundational and fundamental questions that all sellers should be considering.
Jan 31, 202339:45

Ep. 164 - Plan to Crush 2023 - Part 1
Ep. 164 - Plan to Crush 2023 - Part 1
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab kick off the new year by taking it "back to basics" with Part 1 of this three part series. The start of the new year is always a good time to refresh, reset, and plan for the year ahead. So with their first episode of 2023, Tom and Tab discuss mindset, opportunity, and a "plan to crush" the year ahead.
Jan 20, 202351:20

Ep. 163 - Life Changing Quotes from 2022
Ep. 163 - Life Changing Quotes from 2022
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN (the final one of the year), Tom and Tab share their favorite "principles, quotes, and truths" - ones that they've heard, collected, and taken to heart over the past year.
This feel-good episode is a great way to wrap up the year and put a bow on it. And speaking of wrapping and bows, we'd like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season!
Dec 22, 202247:37

Ep. 162 - 2 Counterintuitive Strategies for Salespeople
Ep. 162 - 2 Counterintuitive Strategies for Salespeople
In this week's episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab share two simple yet counterintuitive strategies geared at overcoming the two biggest problems that sellers face: engagement and converting unreceptive customers.
They are the same strategies that leaders leverage to engage their team members and drive results. Their conversation is guided by two questions: How do you connect? How do you influence?
Dec 15, 202248:45

Ep. 161 - Is Discovery All That Important?
Ep. 161 - Is Discovery All That Important?
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab are joined by sales expert, leader, and former client turned partner of ASLAN, John Ferguson.
John, Tom and Tab unpack the importance of Discovery, the big mistakes most sellers make, how to do it right, and why it matters. The goal of these interviews is to equip, encourage, and elevate our listeners - and that's exactly what our guest does this week.
Dec 01, 202252:28

Ep. 160 - Influence Without Authority: How to Manage Your Channel Sales
Ep. 160 - Influence Without Authority: How to Manage Your Channel Sales
In this week's episode, Tom and Tab are joined by a true SALES with ASLAN alumni: our former host and founding father, Mr. Scott Cassidy.
Scott joins the podcast (mainly to deliver his famous intro once again), but also to help Tom and Tab address a specific group of sellers: those in channel sales. Scott also brought along a guest of his own, Drew Henderson, an expert at selling to and through partners. Throughout their conversation, these four sales pros share a great deal of insight, but especially, how to "influence without authority."
Nov 18, 202241:20

Ep. 159 - "Sell Without Selling Out" featuring Andy Paul - Part 2
Ep. 159 - "Sell Without Selling Out" featuring Andy Paul - Part 2
This week on SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab continue their discussion from last episode with Andy Paul - sales expert, author, and host of his own podcast, Sales Enablement with Andy Paul.
The next part of their discussion moves on to tackle: the four pillars that drive success, the value of curiosity, intellectual humility, and the nitty gritty tactics of what it takes to really be successful. Very few sellers can do what Andy is encouraging our listeners to do - but if you do, you will be different, you will make more money, you will be more successful, and you will enjoy your role as a seller even more.
Nov 10, 202244:48

Ep. 158 - "Sell Without Selling Out" featuring Special Guest Andy Paul - Part 1
Ep. 158 - "Sell Without Selling Out" featuring Special Guest Andy Paul - Part 1
This week on SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab are joined by special guest Andy Paul - sales expert, author, and host of his own podcast, Sales Enablement with Andy Paul.
They discuss how we see our role as a seller, the challenges of selling, how the traditional approach to selling and the "predictable revenue playbook" is failing us... basically, why we need to change the way we sell. And the kicker is, when you understand and embrace these ideas, not only will you enjoy selling more, you'll be more successful.
Nov 03, 202242:43

Ep. 157 - Pro Strategies from a Leader in Enterprise Sales – Randy Riemersma
Ep. 157 - Pro Strategies from a Leader in Enterprise Sales – Randy Riemersma
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab are joined by Randy Riemersma, Senior AVP of the Enterprise Business Unit at Mulesoft and one of the most elite sellers and leaders out there.
Their conversation covers a range of sales topics, including, but not limited to: the drivers of success for the one percenters, situational fluency, access to power, how to stay motivated, personal brand, the six emotions that drive decision-making, Randy's top book recommendations, and much more.
Oct 28, 202257:07

Ep. 156 - How to Nail Your Next Sales Presentation - Part 2
Ep. 156 - How to Nail Your Next Sales Presentation - Part 2
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab continue their discussion from last week's episode on how to nail your next sales presentation. What can we do to set ourselves up for success? What can we do to minimize failure?
Our hosts unpack items 3, 4, and 5 on their pre-presentation checklist, continuing to offer up tangible tactics for how to master your presentation, manage your time, and advance the opportunity that's on the line.
Oct 20, 202231:11

Ep. 155 - How to Nail Your Next Sales Presentation - Part 1
Ep. 155 - How to Nail Your Next Sales Presentation - Part 1
In this week's episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab discuss a tried but true topic amongst sellers: how to nail a presentation. What can we do to set ourselves up for success? What can we do to minimize failure?
Our hosts unpack a very specific set of questions to ask yourself before any important sales meeting or presentation. With the help of this trusty checklist, Tom and Tab offer up tangible tactics for how to master your presentation, manage your time, and advance the opportunity that's on the line.
Oct 13, 202231:26

Ep. 154 - Selling in a Recession
Ep. 154 - Selling in a Recession
In the latest episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab sit down with Chris White, sales expert, speaker, and best-selling author of The Six Habits of Highly Effective Sales Engineers.
With a potential recession on the horizon, Tom, Tab and Chris get into the current economic conditions of the market we live and work in, how to navigate the uncertainty we're all facing, and how to remain focused on our true goal as sales professionals: to serve our customers and keep their best interests at heart.
Oct 07, 202247:51

Ep. 153 - How to Never Forget a Name with Neil Kutzen
Ep. 153 - How to Never Forget a Name with Neil Kutzen
In this week's episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab are joined by Neil Kutzen, Memory Trainer and Founder of MemorizeBest, a breakthrough method in memory training that helps you become more productive and successful in both your personal and professional life by helping you remember and recall more easily.
This topic is relevant for anyone, but especially for those of us in sales who are building relationships daily. We form connections with our customers, friends, and family because of how we treat them, and a critical element of how we treat them relies on what we remember about them.
Sep 23, 202247:23

Ep. 152 - Are You a Trusted Partner to Your Customers?
Ep. 152 - Are You a Trusted Partner to Your Customers?
In the latest episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab get into the nitty gritty aspects of the "four levels of selling." As sellers, we're not just "in sales" - like musicians or athletes, there are different degrees of success, experience, and expertise that elevate salespeople into another league.
They discuss what those levels are and what differentiates each one from the next, as well as the strategies, tactics, and philosophy that it takes to reach the highest level of selling: trusted partner.
Sep 15, 202259:05

Ep. 151 - Sales & Parenting: Learning to Influence
Ep. 151 - Sales & Parenting: Learning to Influence
In the latest episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab take on a topic that may hit close to home for many of us out there: the similarities between parenting and sales. Both require the ability to influence (those of us who have raised or are raising teenagers definitely understand this).
In fact, many of the concepts and principles in Tom's book, UnReceptive, were born in the "lab" of raising four teenagers.
Everything they discuss really applies to any personal relationship we have, not just as a parent. And if you can learn to apply these principles at home, you'll have no trouble applying them in a professional setting.
Tune in to hear Tom and Tab, both fathers, take on this fun-filled topic:
Aug 30, 202240:23

Ep. 150 - The Culture MRI: Creating a culture that attracts, retains, and produces!
Ep. 150 - The Culture MRI: Creating a culture that attracts, retains, and produces!
This week on SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab are joined by guest Ben Ortlip, CEO and Founder of The Culture MRI, a tool that helps businesses quantify and measure the health of their culture. How does one measure that and also measure the impact of it?
The Culture MRI has identified 15 drivers of culture and can "report that state of culture and engagement in terms of dollars saved or lost by your company."
Tune in now to hear Ben share what we need to know about driving vibrant culture within organizations.
Aug 23, 202201:15:19

Ep. 149 - Relationships Determine Influence (Part 2)
Ep. 149 - Relationships Determine Influence (Part 2)
In the latest episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab are joined by special guest, Marc Lamson, to continue their discussion from last week's episode about relationships and why they matter in sales.
They unpack how relationships determine our level of influence (whether in our personal lives, with customers, or as sales leaders), and how emotions play into decision-making, even in a business setting. Because at the end of the day, everyone simply wants to feel uniquely valued and understood.
Aug 04, 202259:49

Ep. 148 - Relationships Determine Influence (Part 1)
Ep. 148 - Relationships Determine Influence (Part 1)
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab discuss a subject that they believe is "the most important topic we will ever talk about." What subject could possibly deserve this superlative? Drum roll please... relationships.
Specifically, how to have successful and fulfilling relationships - not only with our customers, but with the people we care about the most. While this topic isn't the most flashy, exciting, or measurable - it is the foundation of everything that we do in sales. Relationships matter. Tune in now to hear Tom and Tab's insights.
Jul 28, 202244:52

Ep. 147 - A Conversation with Sales' #1 Authority, Jeb Blount
Ep. 147 - A Conversation with Sales' #1 Authority, Jeb Blount
In this week's episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab are joined by Jeb Blount, Founder & CEO of Sales Gravy. With over 29 million downloads on his podcast and a host of best-selling books under his belt, Jeb Blount is making a name for himself as one of the most notable thought leaders of our time.
In this packed conversation, they discuss Jeb's journey to becoming one of the most well-known and well-respected authorities in the world of sales, the keys to leadership and coaching in sales, and his latest book, Selling The Price Increase.
You won't want to miss this one.
Jul 21, 202259:13

Ep. 146 - 7Ks of Confidence (Part 2)
Ep. 146 - 7Ks of Confidence (Part 2)
This week on SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab continue their discussion from the last episode on what drives confidence. It's a critical ingredient in the recipe for influence and success, especially for those of us in the world of sales. Based on their experience working with thousands of top-performing sellers over the years, Tom and Tab highlight the remaining keys to building confidence.
Jul 07, 202243:39

Ep. 145 - 7Ks of Confidence (Part 1)
Ep. 145 - 7Ks of Confidence (Part 1)
In the latest episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab discuss what drives confidence. It's a critical ingredient in the recipe for influence and success, especially for those of us in the world of sales. Based on their experience working with thousands of top-performing sellers over the years, Tom and Tab highlight seven keys (things you need to know) to build confidence.
Jul 01, 202234:04

Ep. 144 - The Mistakes That Make Us
Ep. 144 - The Mistakes That Make Us
In the latest episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab discuss the power of making mistakes and the importance of learning from our failures, even more so than our successes. They unpack some of their own mistakes over the past three decades of selling, what they've gained from failure, and how those moments of error can be leveraged to elevate our capacity to learn and grow.
Jun 23, 202242:56

Ep. 143 - 2 Pro Tips for Effective Negotiation in Sales
Ep. 143 - 2 Pro Tips for Effective Negotiation in Sales
In the latest episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab discuss the difficulty and importance of negotiating in sales, especially when it comes to defending the value of your solution. They highlight two of the most surprising things about negotiation (that most sellers miss!), as well as a strategy that can help you change the emotional temperature of the buyer/seller relationship, moving it from an adversarial dynamic to a partnership where both parties ultimately benefit.
Jun 17, 202242:39

Ep. 142 - Achieving the Impossible
Ep. 142 - Achieving the Impossible
On this week's episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab discuss our ability to accomplish truly remarkable things - not only in sales, but in any aspect of life.
We can all bring to mind an example of someone who has achieved something incredible, overcome unbeatable odds, or found success beyond what seems possible.
How do they do it? We often think that there is something unique, different, or special about these people; that they were born this way, destined for success. Most of us doubt we can achieve the same things. But that's not true.
So, what sets these people apart? How do they accomplish such remarkable things? And how can we do the same?
Join Tom and Tab as they discuss 4 keys to "achieving the impossible."
Jun 09, 202239:59

Ep. 141 - Mental Fitness with Bobbi Kahler
Ep. 141 - Mental Fitness with Bobbi Kahler
This week on SALES with ASLAN, Bobbi Kahler joins Tom and Tab to discuss mental fitness and its importance for all of us, especially those of us in the world of sales. Mental fitness is our ability to respond to life's challenges, stressors, and opportunities with a positive mindset.
Why does this matter? When we respond with a positive mental mindset, we are more resilient, more creative, we negotiate better, we're more productive, and we take clear headed action.
Jun 03, 202247:20

Ep. 140 - How to Navigate Selling a Total Solution
Ep. 140 - How to Navigate Selling a Total Solution
On the latest episode of SALES with ASLAN, Jason Smith joins Tom Stanfill to discuss how sellers often get very comfortable selling just a couple of products from their portfolio, and customers become interested in only those few products. With his extensive sales experience, Jason shares his insights on how can sellers move from selling a single hot product, to selling a total opportunity and complete solution.
May 20, 202239:49

Ep. 139 - Tips for Technical Selling
Ep. 139 - Tips for Technical Selling
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Marc Lamson joins Tom Stanfill to discuss a common challenge in many sales organizations: when technical sellers represent a solution, they are often very adept at communicating complex information, but may have some difficulty with influence and soft skills. With his sales and engineering background, Marc offers up key insight to help highly technical sellers hone their soft skills and ability to influence.
May 13, 202258:19

Ep. 138 - The Price is Right: How to Defend the Value of Your Solution
Ep. 138 - The Price is Right: How to Defend the Value of Your Solution
This week on SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab take on a topic that is dreaded amongst most sellers: price objection. They deliver a positive approach to this tough subject, sharing how to defend the value of your solution and respond to those objections that may crop up when discussing price with your customers and prospects.
May 06, 202245:28

Ep. 137 - Do You Need a Jumpstart?
Ep. 137 - Do You Need a Jumpstart?
In this episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab talk about a new book that helps you kill the past, leverage your mistakes, and come up with a plan to Win the Day.
Apr 15, 202237:16

Ep. 136 - High Trust Selling with Todd Duncan
Ep. 136 - High Trust Selling with Todd Duncan
On this week's episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom and Tab interview Todd Duncan, the world’s #1 authority on Sales Mastery, author of 17 books, and host of his own podcast, "Where SUCCESS Happens." They discuss how to increase trust and reduce tension, conversational productivity, how to "make fear and failure your friend," as well as the key truth that "transactions will make you a living, but relationships will make you a fortune." These life lessons have carried Todd through his entire career of equipping people with strategies around growth, relationships, performance, business and life transformation.
Apr 07, 202254:49

Ep. 135 - Six Habits of Highly Effective Sellers (Part 2)
Ep. 135 - Six Habits of Highly Effective Sellers (Part 2)
Chris White joins Tom and Tab again to continue their discussion about his best-selling book and share the habits that make or break our success when making a technical sale.
Mar 31, 202239:31

Ep. 134 - Six Habits of Highly Effective Sellers (Part 1)
Ep. 134 - Six Habits of Highly Effective Sellers (Part 1)
Chris White joins Tom and Tab to discuss his best-selling book and share the habits that make or break our success when making a technical sale.
Mar 24, 202236:43

Ep. 133 - 10 Tips for Selling Virtually from a Pro (Part 2)
Ep. 133 - 10 Tips for Selling Virtually from a Pro (Part 2)
Tom Stanfill and Tab Norris continue their conversation with Genna Lepore about her success selling virtually. She reveals the remaining tips and shares how she was able to close deals 50% faster and crush her number during the pandemic.
Mar 10, 202224:33

Ep. 132 - 10 Tips for Selling Virtually from a Pro (Part 1)
Ep. 132 - 10 Tips for Selling Virtually from a Pro (Part 1)
Tom Stanfill and Tab Norris talk with Genna Lepore about her success selling virtually. She reveals how she was able to close deals 50% faster and crush her number during the pandemic.
Mar 03, 202234:54

Ep. 131 - The 5 Drivers to Confidence & Speaking with Authority (Part 2)
Ep. 131 - The 5 Drivers to Confidence & Speaking with Authority (Part 2)
Tom and Tab continue their discussion about the 5 simple questions that will help you discover what is keeping you from being the ultimate influencer.
Feb 25, 202235:43

Ep. 130 - The 5 Drivers to Confidence & Speaking with Authority (Part 1)
Ep. 130 - The 5 Drivers to Confidence & Speaking with Authority (Part 1)
Tom Stanfill and Tab Norris share 5 simple questions that will help you discover what is keeping you from being the ultimate influencer.
Feb 18, 202234:44

Ep. 129 - Is your life out of balance? Should you join the great resignation and find a new gig?
Ep. 129 - Is your life out of balance? Should you join the great resignation and find a new gig?
In the latest episode of SALES with ASLAN, Tom Stanfill & Tab Norris interview Marc Lamson about the struggles we all face balancing a career while raising a family-until he found his passion, and 2 simple, life-changing tools.
Feb 11, 202201:02:32

Ep. 128 - The Tom Brady of Selling
Ep. 128 - The Tom Brady of Selling
Tom and Tab (the newly dubbed Chuck Norris of Sales Training) chat with Tyler Bergman, the #1 seller in his firm for 2021. There is much to learn from this former QB turned sales star who outsold the #2 seller by 2X.
Feb 04, 202239:41

Ep. 127 - Speaking Made Simple - Mastering a Sales Presentation
Ep. 127 - Speaking Made Simple - Mastering a Sales Presentation
Tom Stanfill and Tab Norris interview master communicator and keynote speaker Kelly Talamo. To help you nail your next presentation, Kelly shares what he has learned in his 30+ years of standing on stages. He talks about his secrets to preparation, stage fright, nailing down your core message and how to keep the audience engaged.
Jan 27, 202258:17

Ep. 126 - 22 Pro-tips for 2022
Ep. 126 - 22 Pro-tips for 2022
Tom Stanfill, Tab Norris & Rob Houghtlin share 22 things to shout about in 2022. Hear what these sales veterans have to say about travel, food, music, relationships, and, of course, selling.
Jan 19, 202241:37

Ep. 125 - Rising to the Top of One of the Largest Sales Organization in the World
Ep. 125 - Rising to the Top of One of the Largest Sales Organization in the World
Tom Stanfill and Tab Norris interview Austin Peterson. As a senior consultant at Aflac, hear what Austin has to say about what the top 10% of leaders do to consistently hit their number.
Jan 13, 202243:59

Ep. 124 - Lessons from a 9/11 Survivor & Hero
Ep. 124 - Lessons from a 9/11 Survivor & Hero
In this episode, Tom Stanfill and Tab Norris interview John Cerqueira. Hear what John has learned from his 9/11 experiences, his meeting with Oprah, and over 20 plus years of selling.
Jan 05, 202249:02

Ep. 123 – The Number One Driver to Changing Beliefs - Emotions (Not Logic)
Ep. 123 – The Number One Driver to Changing Beliefs - Emotions (Not Logic)
In this episode, Tom Stanfill and Tab Norris discuss Part 4 of Tom’s new book UnReceptive – Changing Beliefs. They unpack the formula for building value (Action = Belief + Care) and a simple but effective strategy to ensure the customer instantly grasps the impact of your recommendation.
Dec 30, 202127:55

Ep. 122 – Influence Begins Here – Discovering the Truth
Ep. 122 – Influence Begins Here – Discovering the Truth
In this episode, Tom Stanfill and Tab Norris discuss Part 3 of Tom’s new book UnReceptive – Discovering the Unfiltered Truth. They discuss three strategies to getting the decision maker to open up about the good stuff – the informal decision drivers.
Dec 23, 202135:21

Ep. 121 - The 2 Barriers to Being Persuasive
Ep. 121 - The 2 Barriers to Being Persuasive
After a brief hiatus, SALES with ASLAN is back! This week, Tom Stanfill and Marc Lamson sit down to discuss Tom's brand new book, UnReceptive. They discuss what drove Tom to write the book, why it's important, and the aspect of selling that sellers hate: unreceptive customers. Tune in to hear Tom's insights on how to overcome 2 important barriers to having real influence with a customer. Cheers!
Check out this excerpt:
The Stigma of Selling
There’s an aspect of selling that those of us in sales universally dislike: customers that avoid us, dismiss us, or outright reject us. Why is this experience so common for sellers?
Selling has an interesting stigma attached to it. The population at large tends to think of sales professionals as “used car salesmen” with “commission breath.”
“It’s tough as a seller right now. The catch 22 is that we don’t know how to help customers unless they talk to us, but prospects don’t want to talk to us unless we tell them how we can help them.” - Marc Lamson
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
We’ve figured out a way to help eliminate resistance and make sales more enjoyable, meaningful, and successful. There’s a whole other dimension that sellers need to learn to navigate.
Because the reality is that sellers help people. They help their customers sort through the information and options at hand to choose the right solution for themselves and/or their business. Our role is to serve. So how can we eliminate that resistance and increase receptivity so that we can fulfill that role?
The Barriers to Influence
The issue that many salespeople run into in today’s climate is that when customers are unreceptive, the traditional approach to selling fails. What do we mean by traditional? It’s like taking someone to court to make your argument and win your case. Sellers ask for a customer’s time in order to list off their solution’s features & benefits, hammer out their value proposition, provide case studies, etc - and the belief is that logic will win out. But here’s the problem: nobody’s in the courtroom.
Here’s our simple but counterintuitive approach: stop selling and start with cultivating receptivity. This is the key to gaining influence with your customers.
Think about a farmer trying to grow a healthy crop. There are two elements she needs to consider - the seed and the soil. If the soil is not fertile, the quality of the seed doesn’t matter - it will not grow. The same idea applies in sales. If the customer is not receptive, your value proposition doesn't matter.
Note: You may be thinking, “Well that’s not always true.” And you’d be right. If your customer is open (receptive), the traditional approach to selling works. But if they’re closed (unreceptive), it doesn’t. And the problem is that most customers nowadays are unreceptive to being sold. That’s when we need to shift our focus from selling to increasing receptivity.
So let’s unpack what this might look like in your practice by addressing two of the barriers to influence:
Barrier 1 - Changing Their Perception of You
Barrier 2 - Opening a Closed Door
For more, check out our blog post: https://www.aslantraining.com/the-2-barriers-to-true-influence-in-sales/
Dec 08, 202147:30

Ep. 120 – Scott’s Words of Wisdom from 31 Years of Selling
Ep. 120 – Scott’s Words of Wisdom from 31 Years of Selling
This week on #SALESwithASLAN, @ScottCassidy, in his final podcast as host, delivers a few key ideas on selling success. Follow Scott on Linkedin and make sure to join @TomStanfill beginning later this year when #SALESwithASLAN continues. #salespodcast #salestips
Sep 10, 202123:14

Ep. 119 – Artificial Intelligence and Conversational IQ for Sellers and Leaders
Ep. 119 – Artificial Intelligence and Conversational IQ for Sellers and Leaders
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @TomStanfill discusses how to leverage these tools to improve prospecting and conversations. He gives examples and statics of two different #salesprospecting approaches and answers why an Other-Centered Position (OCP) approach works. Why don’t reps lead with the customer’s whiteboard and how to build an arsenal of “whiteboard” intel to add to your discovery agenda and then build the list for yourself and your #salesteam. #salespodcast #salestips
Aug 27, 202131:55

Ep. 118 – Exposing the Unstated Emotional Needs of Your Prospect
Ep. 118 – Exposing the Unstated Emotional Needs of Your Prospect
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @MarcLamson is back to revisit our concept of ServeMore3 in order to expose those deep unstated emotional needs that we all have as humans. When we commit to care more, we will learn more and then we can do more for our clients, prospects, family and friends. #salespodcast #salestips
Aug 20, 202122:01

Ep. 117 – Is That Deal Worth Winning?
Ep. 117 – Is That Deal Worth Winning?
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @TomStanfill is back again in the third of a three-part series on micro qualifying your opportunities. This week, we unpack whether the deal is actually worth winning. These 3 critical questions that you need to answer will tell you whether you should win the deal and is it worth it. #salespodcast #salestips
Aug 13, 202133:24

Ep. 116 – Can you win?
Ep. 116 – Can you win?
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @TomStanfill is back again in the second of a three-part series on micro qualifying your opportunities. This week, we unpack how you can be sure you can with the deal. These 3 critical questions that you need to answer will tell you whether you can win. #salespodcast #salestips
Aug 06, 202133:40

Ep. 115 – Is the Opportunity Real?
Ep. 115 – Is the Opportunity Real?
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @TomStanfill is back again to break down whether the opportunity is real and how to decide that. This 4-step process will guide #salesreps through the ability to navigate from the simplest to the most complex sales cycles. Bonus: this is the first of a 3-podcast series. Join next week to learn how to determine “can we win?” and then the week after we will discuss “is it worth winning?” #salespodcast #salestips
Jul 30, 202142:27

Ep. 114 – Emotion Not Logic is Most Important in Buying Decisions
Ep. 114 – Emotion Not Logic is Most Important in Buying Decisions
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @marclamson is back again to discuss how selling or influencing buyer decisions is all about convincing the emotional side of the brain. Most people believe you can persuade people with logic but we discuss how when you get the emotional side of the brain engaged, they will then justify with logic. #salespodcast #wordpictures #salestips
Jul 23, 202128:13

Ep. 113 – In Selling, Practice Makes Perfect
Ep. 113 – In Selling, Practice Makes Perfect
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @stephanieboyer, professor at Bryant University, stops by to discuss how selling has become a major on many campuses today. We discuss how women are taking on more leadership roles and the importance of practice (role plays) in our ability to master our craft as sales professionals. #salespodcast #salescoaching #salestips
Jul 16, 202123:29

Ep. 112 – 6 Examples of Why Sellers Who Serve are More Successful!
Ep. 112 – 6 Examples of Why Sellers Who Serve are More Successful!
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, the entire ASLAN leadership comes to the pod with examples from their careers where those who put the client first are not only more fulfilled but more successful. #salespodcast #salescoaching #salestips
Jul 09, 202132:43

Ep. 111 – Sales Leadership Lessons from Author and Global Sales Leader Charles Forsgard
Ep. 111 – Sales Leadership Lessons from Author and Global Sales Leader Charles Forsgard
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @charlesforsgard joins to discuss how most leaders focus on business and not the people when the opposite works better. Charles has developed a culture of coaching wherever he has lead teams since 1982. That includes several F500 companies. Hear Charles and Scott discuss leading through great questioning, proactive communication and selling, and some of the best advice for young sales leaders. Charles book “Stop Kidding Yourself: The Way You’re Managing Your Team is Not Working” is available where books are sold. #salespodcast #salescoaching #salesmanagers
Jul 01, 202131:35

Ep. 110 – What are you really selling? Hint: It’s not your solution!
Ep. 110 – What are you really selling? Hint: It’s not your solution!
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @tomStanfill joins once again to discuss how most sellers focus on business benefits or financial benefits of their solution (increase in profits or cost savings), but those aren’t the benefits that most likely motivate a customer to choose your solution. It’s how you make them feel – the emotional benefit that inspires a decision to take action. #B2Bsalesreps #prospecting #consultativesalesreps #salespodcast
Jun 25, 202124:15

Ep. 109 – The 3 P’s That Drive Influence and Receptivity
Ep. 109 – The 3 P’s That Drive Influence and Receptivity
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @tomStanfill joins once again to uncover three memorable Ps to help anyone improve their ability to influence another person. It all starts with the “fertile soil” of the other person prior to you being able to plant the “seed” of your message. As usual, Tom makes it simple and memorable so you can build the habit asap. #B2Bsalesreps #prospecting #consultativesalesreps.
Jun 17, 202133:03

Ep. 108 – Selling Lessons from 1969 NY Mets World Series Champion Art Shamsky
Ep. 108 – Selling Lessons from 1969 NY Mets World Series Champion Art Shamsky
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @artshamsky joins the pod to discuss the similarities (and high failure rates) of baseball and selling. Art talks about the highs and lows of these careers. The personal relationships that thrive out of the pressure. We talk about Art’s latest book After the Miracle which talks about the sustained brotherhood that outlasts the bright lights of our prime. Join us for this unique perspective on selling, baseball and life. Enjoy the beer. #69Mets #ArtShamsky #AfterTheMiracle #salespodcasts #MagnificentSeasons
Jun 11, 202137:49

Ep. 107 – Lessons from a Certified Forensic Interrogation Specialist
Ep. 107 – Lessons from a Certified Forensic Interrogation Specialist
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @MichaelReddington, CEO of Inquasive and a specialist in interrogation, joins the pod to discuss how even the most stressful situations can be controlled with the right mindset, demeanor, and technique. His non-confrontational approach brings insight into Vision and Influence and the cognitive aspects of human communication. You will not want to miss his description of the 7 phases of any conversation. This pod will help #salesreps, #salesmanagers and anyone that must #influence at work or in their personal lives. In other words, everyone#B2Bsalesreps #prospecting #consultativesalesreps.
Jun 04, 202132:26

Ep. 106 – The Four Stages of Building a New Capability
Ep. 106 – The Four Stages of Building a New Capability
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @tomstanfill joins the pod to discuss building a new habit. He takes us through the rep conscious incompetence to exposing the gap in capability to practice in a safe environment to finishing one capability at a time and finally the habit is formed. For #salesmanagers, you will learn how to coach your reps through this process. For #salesreps, you will learn what to expect and how to own your own development. #B2Bsalesreps #prospecting #consultativesalesreps.
May 28, 202134:46

Ep. 105 – Trouble Getting Your Prospect to Engage? Get at the Problem.
Ep. 105 – Trouble Getting Your Prospect to Engage? Get at the Problem.
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @tomstanfill joins the pod to discuss the power of GAP (Get At the Problem) questions. There are 3 main challenges (3 E’s) that sellers face today. We struggle to Engage our virtual audience, demonstrate our Expertise, and have the customer Embrace our solution. Learn the 4 steps to solving these challenges. #B2Bsalesreps #prospecting #consultativesalesreps.
May 21, 202131:24

Ep. 104 – Every Employee, Every Person is a Salesperson
Ep. 104 – Every Employee, Every Person is a Salesperson
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @SeanRobertson joins the pod to discuss the tremendous opportunity that companies must recognize that everyone in the company is a #salesrep. Listen to the fun stories about books and movies that paint sales as a negative profession and yet it might be one of the most noble. We are never more fulfilled than when we are serving others. It is all about the mindset. #B2Bsalesreps #prospecting #consultativesalesreps.
May 14, 202139:16

Ep. 103 – As a Sales Rep, You Should Crave Coaching
Ep. 103 – As a Sales Rep, You Should Crave Coaching
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @MarcLamson joins the pod to discuss #salescoaching from the #salesrep point of view. Learn what you as the sales rep should do before, during and after a coaching session with your partner in success, your sales manager. #salesreps #B2Bsalesreps #prospecting #consultativesalesreps.
May 07, 202125:57

Ep. 102 – Defending the Value of Your Solution
Ep. 102 – Defending the Value of Your Solution
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @TomStanfill and I discuss how to hold the line on the value of your solution. In studying thousands of sellers, here is what we consistently see the top performers do to defend the price of their solution: They uncovered the value gap, they validate, they tell the truth. Learn more through our stories and tips. #salesreps #B2Bsalesreps #prospecting #consultativesalesreps.
Apr 30, 202127:54

Ep. 101 – Your Position, Not Your Product Gets the Meeting (and wins the deal)
Ep. 101 – Your Position, Not Your Product Gets the Meeting (and wins the deal)
When you think about getting a meeting or winning a deal, why do you think you will succeed at either? Most likely you will win or lose based, not on your solution, but on a decision you make, or don’t make about how you will position your solution. You place a bet. You take a stand. Which means you will limit it to usually one thing that only you can do for your customer, your proprietary benefit. Learn more this week on #sALESwithASLAN. #salesreps #B2Bsalesreps #prospecting #consultativesalesreps.
Apr 23, 202130:51

Ep. 100 – 100% Club: What Makes Consistent Sales Achievement Possible?
Ep. 100 – 100% Club: What Makes Consistent Sales Achievement Possible?
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we welcome back our founders to reminisce the first 100 episodes of the podcast. To celebrate #100 we asked some friends from the sales profession to share why they consistently hit 100% of their quota. We learn from 7 individual career professionals on what makes them successful as they pass along pearls of wisdom to the rest of us. Download and subscribe so you can easily enjoy the next 100 episodes. #salesreps #B2Bsalesreps #prospecting #consultativesalesreps.
Apr 16, 202144:22

Ep. 99 – Question Intelligence – Best Practices in Sales Questioning
Ep. 99 – Question Intelligence – Best Practices in Sales Questioning
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we welcome author and professor Dr. Brian Glibkowski, an expert on question intelligence. His new book called “Answer Intelligence: Raise your AQ”, addresses the academic and psychological side of questions and answers that is sure to bring insight to all those who sell for a living. You will learn from years of research and even get 20% off the book should you be interested. #salesreps #B2Bsalesreps #prospecting #consultativesalesreps.
Apr 08, 202128:12

Ep. 98 – 4 Sales Lessons from the Final Four
Ep. 98 – 4 Sales Lessons from the Final Four
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we welcome back ASLAN President Marc Lamson to have some fun with the lessons we as #salesreps and #salesmanagers can learn from watching the NCAA Final Four. The commonalities include sticking to the fundamentals, play your game, act like you have been there and remember, its not the best player that wins, it’s the best team. #salesreps #B2Bsalesreps #prospecting #consultativesalesreps.
Apr 02, 202122:35

Ep. 97 - Prospect the Account, not the Person!
Ep. 97 - Prospect the Account, not the Person!
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we welcome back ASLAN President, Marc Lamson to discuss the three reasons you should not just give up on a lead if you don’t get through to the person that approached your company. Then we discuss a great solution for how to truly prospect that account. This will help #salesreps #B2Bsalesreps #prospecting reps or even #consultativesalesreps.
Mar 26, 202130:16

Ep. 96 – Tales from the Frontlines with Regional Vice President John Cerqueira
Ep. 96 – Tales from the Frontlines with Regional Vice President John Cerqueira
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we welcome ASLAN Regional Vice President, John Cerqueira discusses the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel as we continue our #TalesFromTheFrontLines series. We unpack the emerging market dynamics, our changing sales process, how marketing has filled a void and the art of #teamselling. #salesreps #salesmanagers #salestips
Mar 19, 202134:28

Ep. 95 - Personal Growth Comes with Pain. Is it worth it?
Ep. 95 - Personal Growth Comes with Pain. Is it worth it?
Most of us are passionate about growth whether it means becoming a better presenter, writer, leader. Maybe we want to earn a promotion? But there’s a cost: time and pain. The pain associated with failing is the #1 enemy of growth. @TomStanfill joins #saleswithaslan to unpack the pain of growth and shares personal stories of failure and triumph that give us a process to consider. #salesreps #Growth #salesmanagers
Mar 12, 202136:15

Ep. 94 – Tales from the Frontlines with former IT Sales VP, Penny Honea
Ep. 94 – Tales from the Frontlines with former IT Sales VP, Penny Honea
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we welcome Pacific Mills Training Partners President, Penny Honea as we continue our #TalesFromTheFrontLines series. During a 25-year career in IT distribution, Penny learned many lessons, took many trainings, let many teams. We unpack that journey and what lead her to becoming a #ASLANCertifiedReseller. There is something in this episode for #salesreps and #salesmanagers alike. #salestips
Mar 05, 202128:12

Ep. 93 – You want your customer to believe you are Other-Centered®? ServeMore3
Ep. 93 – You want your customer to believe you are Other-Centered®? ServeMore3
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we welcome Marc Lamson, President at ASLAN, to discuss how his own Other-Centered® approach to coaching and selling has been formulated by a simple formula of Care More + Learn More + Do More = ServeMore3 Hear some great stories and examples of how the little things we can do can build trust, credibility and rapport in our client, work and personal relationships. #salestips #salesreps #salesmanager #virtualselling
Feb 26, 202133:40

Ep. 92 – Tales from the Frontlines with AFLAC District Sales Manager Robert Zeman
Ep. 92 – Tales from the Frontlines with AFLAC District Sales Manager Robert Zeman
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we welcome AFLAC District Sales Manager Robert Zeman to discuss how his own Other-Centered® approach to coaching and selling has taken his 4-person sales team to the top of his region, beating out much larger teams in the process. We discuss some of the “functional strength” he is instilled in his team along with joint accountability and even rep desire to improve. It is a great success story of what we all are trying to accomplish. #salestips #salesreps #salesmanager
Feb 19, 202125:38

Ep. 91 – 3 Tips to a Robust Sales Pipeline
Ep. 91 – 3 Tips to a Robust Sales Pipeline
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we welcome author Kevin McCann of the Executive Strategy Group to talk about some important tips to building a robust pipeline. It starts with the right mindset and then the right message. He teaches us the “highlighter trick” to see how we currently message. Finally, we discuss the 4 questions that reps should be able to answer if the pipeline is accurate. #salestips #salesreps #salesmanager
Feb 12, 202125:39

Ep. 90 – 4 Virtual (Zoom) Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Ep. 90 – 4 Virtual (Zoom) Challenges and How to Overcome Them
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, Marc Lamson and Tom Stanfill join to uncover nearly a years worth of challenges we have observed through clients (and internally). Listen to learn about how we try to squeeze too much content into the meeting. How we don’t know the decision maker. What to do when all hell breaks loose and how to make sure all the client’s questions are answered. #salesreps #salestips
Feb 05, 202132:49

Ep. 89 – Selling is a Team Sport: Sales and Marketing….perfect together
Ep. 89 – Selling is a Team Sport: Sales and Marketing….perfect together
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we welcome author @SeanDuffy of @theDuffyAgency and his partner @KevinMcCaughey to discuss sales and marketing integration and the impact of brand on sellers. WE break down the academics of this important relationship, how marketing enhances receptivity in our prospects and how sales can work with all types of marketing groups within all sizes of companies. #salesandmarketing #salestips
Jan 29, 202131:21

Ep. 88 – Top 10 Tips for Improving Closing Rates in 2021
Ep. 88 – Top 10 Tips for Improving Closing Rates in 2021
This week on #sALESwithASAN, we welcome CEO and co-founder @tomstanfill to unveil his Top 10 list, David Letterman style. It takes a combination of mindset and developing advanced skills to be successful. In every endeavor, there are levels of abilities (hobbyist to pro, novice to elite). To succeed in this new normal, good isn’t good enough. Become a pro. Enjoy the beer. #slestips #salestraining #virtualselling
Jan 22, 202141:39

Ep. 87 – 5 Steps To Eliminating Coaching Frustration
Ep. 87 – 5 Steps To Eliminating Coaching Frustration
This week on #sALESwithASAN, we welcome back the coach whisperer #BobbiKahler, host of her own podcast UnYielded, to discuss coaching frustration. Bobbi walks a through a 5-step process that will help coaches eliminate the frustration they feel when reps backslide into old habits or when they have to have the same conversation over and over. Enjoy the topic and please drop a comment on LinkedIn or email me at scassidy@aslantraining.com with your topic for us to cover.
Jan 15, 202116:56

Ep. 86 – How to Identify the Political Structure within Your Accounts
Ep. 86 – How to Identify the Political Structure within Your Accounts
This week on #sALESwithASAN, we begin the new year with a special suggestion from one of our listeners. The topic of political structure within our accounts. We all know there are several roles in the decision process whether we are talking about the coach, gatekeeper, influencer, evaluator, or ultimate decision maker. What we talk about with @tomStanfill, CEO and Co-Founder of ASLAN, is why we need to identify the actual structure, how to do it and a tool to make it easy on yourself. Enjoy the topic and please follow the lead and drop a comment on LinkedIn or email me a scassidy@aslantraining.com with your favorite topic for us to cover.
Jan 08, 202129:06

Ep. 85 - The Many Ways Sales People Have Adapted to Selling in a Post COVID World
Ep. 85 - The Many Ways Sales People Have Adapted to Selling in a Post COVID World
This week on #sALESwithASAN, we bring some real life sellers on the pod to discuss the may ways life has changed since COVID but more importantly, how they have adapted. There is a lot of good to go with all this bad this year. @jermainedonaldson and @JohnCerqueria join to break down the good, bad and ugly of 2020 as a seller. #saleskills #salestips
Dec 30, 202028:49

Ep. 84 – End of Year Advice: Reflect and Give Thanks
Ep. 84 – End of Year Advice: Reflect and Give Thanks
This week on #sALESwithASAN, @marclamson joins to conclude the year with some ideas on how to leverage your holiday downtime for self-reflection and self-improvement. Merry Christmas to all and to all enjoy the close of a 2020 of chaos in favor of a 2021 of hope and joy. #salesrep #salestips #virtualselling
Dec 23, 202027:38

Ep. 83 – Quadrant Coaching Recommendations for Those with Desire and Those Without.
Ep. 83 – Quadrant Coaching Recommendations for Those with Desire and Those Without.
This week on #sALESwithASAN, we revisit the coaching quadrant. CEO and co-founder @tomstanfill breaks down his 4 recommendations for helping those reps with low desire. He also tells us how to work with those Achievers and Strivers. Enjoy the second of a two-part series on quadrant coaching. #salescoacing, #salestips #virtualselling
Dec 18, 202028:15

Ep. 82 – Quadrant Coaching Barriers: Time and Motivation
Ep. 82 – Quadrant Coaching Barriers: Time and Motivation
This week on #sALESwithASAN, we turn our attention those who coach for a living and those who may want to become a sales manager one day. CEO and co-founder @tomstanfill un-packs the two biggest barriers to coaching, motivation and you guessed it, time. Learn about both in this, the first of a two-part series on quadrant coaching. #salesrep #salestips #virtualselling
Dec 11, 202027:59

Ep. 81 – 4 Challenges Prospects Have with the New Virtual Buying Process
Ep. 81 – 4 Challenges Prospects Have with the New Virtual Buying Process
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we flip the script and look at life through our prospect’s eyes. What has changed for prospects as it relates to the Virtual Buying Process and how do we adapt our approach to serve them. @MarcLamson helps unpack 4 different challenges that are new in 2020. First, prospects are more distracted than ever. Second, they are using a different decision process and what we call a “mass audit” in a shorter timeline criterion. Finally, when prospects are in the meeting, they are having trouble paying attention. So, what do we do about all this? Find out. #salesrep #salestips #virtualselling
Dec 04, 202036:20

Ep. 80 – Virtual Selling Vulnerability compared to Face to Face
Ep. 80 – Virtual Selling Vulnerability compared to Face to Face
Why is that we feel more vulnerable when selling virtually than we did when we could be face to face? Maybe we aren’t comfortable with the technology? Maybe we are just afraid of looking foolish. Maybe it’s just different. This week on #sALESwithASLAN, I welcome back ASLAN CEO @TomStanfill to the pod to discuss being Other-Centered® in a crazy world and how to resist that urge to retreat to self. #salesrep #salestips #virtualselling
Nov 20, 202032:14

Ep. 79 – Need help prospecting? Learn the Big 3 Reasons to become an elite Social Seller!
Ep. 79 – Need help prospecting? Learn the Big 3 Reasons to become an elite Social Seller!
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, I welcome back ASLAN President @MarcLamson to the pod to discuss the pivotal role that social selling now plays in our selling lives. With more time on our hands since COVID hit, we need use tools like Linkedin to Research and find potential contacts and companies. Then we need to find meaningful ways to connect with them. Finally, we should learn to be a thought leader with what we post. We have a contest this week as well. Go to https://business.linkedin.com/sales-solutions/social-selling/the-social-selling-index-ssiand click “Get your score free” to see your Social Selling Index and share it with us on Linkedin as a comment below this post. We will find a winner and have you on an upcoming show. #salesrep #salestips #socialselling
Nov 13, 202031:12

Ep. 78 – The Sales Rep of the Future Must Be Organized and Other-Centered®
Ep. 78 – The Sales Rep of the Future Must Be Organized and Other-Centered®
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, I welcome a newcomer to the show in @JeroenCorthout from SalesFlare to discuss how sales reps can be more organized with the right tools and therefore focus on what is their most important role: to be an other-centered trusted advisor. #salescoaching #salesmanager
Nov 06, 202032:24

Ep. 77 – Strategic Sales Planning is as simple as the 3 F Approach
Ep. 77 – Strategic Sales Planning is as simple as the 3 F Approach
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we talk about the lost art of strategic sales planning. There are three main ways or approaches to selling into your accounts, Frontal, Flank and Fragment. @MarcLamson describes each and gives examples to cement the knowledge. Whether you are a #salesep or #salesmanager, you are sure to learn something. #salescoaching #salesmanager
Oct 30, 202026:36

Ep. 76 – 3 Steps to the ABCs of selling. Hint: It’s not “Always be Closing” anymore.
Ep. 76 – 3 Steps to the ABCs of selling. Hint: It’s not “Always be Closing” anymore.
#salesreps seem to get a little shy when it comes to advancing the sale to the next logical Other-Centered® stage. This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @marclamson and I unpack the 3 step process to ensuring you are always moving your sale cycle along at the pace appropriate to the prospect. #salescoaching #salesmanager
Oct 23, 202033:30

Ep. 75 – Learn to ADAPT when your Prospecting Call Stalls
Ep. 75 – Learn to ADAPT when your Prospecting Call Stalls
In episode 74, #sALESwithASLAN and @MarcLamson, President of @ASLANTraining opened up the discussion around cold calling and we learned about the 10-30-3 which simply means, 10 seconds to clear the noise, 30 seconds to get to a 3 minute discovery. So, this week, we pick back up and teach you how to ADAPT to any situation that might arise when trying to get that meeting. Enjoy the content and the beer. #salescoaching #salesmanager
Oct 16, 202025:35

Ep. 74 – Is Cold Calling Dead? Get more meetings with the 10-30-3
Ep. 74 – Is Cold Calling Dead? Get more meetings with the 10-30-3
#sALESwithASLAN is all about sales and all about beer but this week we go a bit further on both. Selling was changed forever back in March 2020. In effect, we all became inside sales reps. For those of you that forgot how to pick up the phone can get a meeting, you want to listen to this podcast. We address how to use this simple tool to get meetings with @MarcLamson, President of @ASLANTraining. #salescoaching #salesmanager
Oct 09, 202023:55

Ep. 73 – Therapy Session for Sales Reps and Sales Managers – Patient Privilege be damned!
Ep. 73 – Therapy Session for Sales Reps and Sales Managers – Patient Privilege be damned!
Every week on #sALESwithASLAN, we try to help build up the relationship between reps and managers and this week we hope to improve that communication by telling each what the other is saying: what they like and don’t like about the other. There are 3 main reasons #salesmanagers are not coaching #salesreps as much as they should (or as often as reps would like): No Time, No Change and No Tools to measure. Well we address all three this week with @MarcLamson, President of @ASLANTraining. #salescoaching #salesmanager
Oct 02, 202020:29

Ep. 72 – Sanity Check: 6 Months into Virtual Selling
Ep. 72 – Sanity Check: 6 Months into Virtual Selling
We are just about 6 months into the “new normal” and the transition for those field #salesreps to #insidesalesreps continues. There are many positives and some challenges that we have discovered in 2020 and @marclamson and I dig into both plus some solutions and advice, this week on #saleswithaslan. Additional Resources included: https://www.aslantraining.com/category/downloads/
Sep 25, 202038:25

Ep. 71 – 6 Steps to Personal Motivation (as a rep or a leader)
Ep. 71 – 6 Steps to Personal Motivation (as a rep or a leader)
#sALESwithASLAN welcomes back @tomStanfill to discuss personal motivation and how we can achieve anything with these 6 easy steps. Tom and I discuss how our own diet, our own health was motivation for a life changing habit that took (desire) self-motivation, a plan and support to get through. We can apply much of what we learned to selling and leading as well. Enjoy! #salestips #salescoaching
Sep 18, 202040:10

Ep. 70 – 3 Steps to Differentiating Yourself Virtually
Ep. 70 – 3 Steps to Differentiating Yourself Virtually
#sALESwithASLAN welcomes back President @MarcLamson to discuss the subject of how we rise above this whole virtual world we live in now. Everyone in sales is now calling (or zooming) prospects. Months ago, you would put on a nice suit and your best watch. Now you may be in shorts. So how do you differentiate? By using the technology to your advantage and to that of your client. By going the extra mile to learning what is possible and delivering something memorable. There are 3 easy steps to make this happen and we enjoy them over an ale today. #salestips #salescoaching
Sep 11, 202032:02

Ep. 69 –The Keys to Effective Virtual Discovery.
Ep. 69 –The Keys to Effective Virtual Discovery.
#sALESwithASLAN welcomes back President Marc Lamson to discuss the subject that he is most passionate about, Discovery. We recognize the difficulty of not being face to face but there are great advantages like the fact that you can record the meeting. Marc takes us through the key points about Asking and Responding in a way that optimizes the chance that the customer or prospect feels receptive and open to sharing vital information that will help you help them solve problems. #salestips #salescoaching
Aug 28, 202028:30

Ep. 68 –Lessons from the Front Line! How to apply what we have learned.
Ep. 68 –Lessons from the Front Line! How to apply what we have learned.
Every once in a while, #sALESwithASLAN welcomes in a rep with the practical application of ASLAN key concepts. This week, we invite @ChrisWhite back to the program to provide insight from his unique perspective as a partner and sales rep for ASLAN. We discuss the “Decision to be Other-Centered®” before each engagement, Lead with your customers Whiteboard and fan favorites like Take the Trip® and Drop the Rope®. Real life examples to help #salereps and #salesmanagers. #salestips #salescoaching
Aug 21, 202029:52

Ep. 67 – 3 Challenges of Team Selling
Ep. 67 – 3 Challenges of Team Selling
We under utilize our team to sell because for several reasons, and that hurts our win rate. The truth is that nobody is best at everything, but someone is best at something. This week on #sALESwithASLAN, @MarcLamson and I discuss when to engage in team selling and the 3 main reasons people fail to use this valuable resource. #salestips #salescoaching
Aug 07, 202026:24

Ep. 66 – How to Advance the Opportunity When You Can’t Meet Face to Face
Ep. 66 – How to Advance the Opportunity When You Can’t Meet Face to Face
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, I am joined by sales maven @TomStanfill once again as we discuss our role as sales reps during the sales process. As the trusted guide, you decide next steps in the process, not the customer. Why? Because of your experience, you should know the most effective way to evaluate the solution. So, with that as a backdrop, Tom unlocks the 5 step process you can use to ADVANCE any sales cycle in any circumstance. Master this process and you will see improved results. Promise. #salestips #salescoaching
Jul 31, 202035:04

Ep. 65 – Is the best sales tool an ROI calculator?
Ep. 65 – Is the best sales tool an ROI calculator?
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, I am joined by sales guru @JohnCerqueira as we discuss the intentional Return On Investment (ROI) discussion that will always help you close more deals. More importantly, ROI discussions with your clients throughout the sales cycle will heighten your status as trusted advisor. Especially when you and your client decision maker deliver on your promise to one another. We unpack a real ASLAN client and discuss how John was able to begin with the end in mind and deliver the goods. #ROI #salestips #salescoaching
Jul 17, 202027:31

Ep. 64 – How to Write Effective Emails! And what does Bad look like?
Ep. 64 – How to Write Effective Emails! And what does Bad look like?
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we revisit the subject of some of the best and worst emails we get from salespeople. We did this once before in Episode 42 but frankly, with COVID19, more and more people are forced to engage with email. By laughing and crying and exploring what we see, we hope to give you some ideas for improving your own #prospecting email approach. This can be such a useful tool for you to hunt and find new business but when done poorly, it can really backfire. Enjoy the podcast and make sure you ready our eBook called How to Write Effective Emails
Jul 10, 202030:03

Ep. 63 – Delivering the Perfect Virtual Presentation part 3
Ep. 63 – Delivering the Perfect Virtual Presentation part 3
#sALESwithASLAN continues the series in delivering the perfect virtual presentation. This week, @TomStanfill and I breakdown his latest blog on how to deliver the perfect presentation, virtually. As Tom always does, he gives us some structure in the form of 8 Pro Tips we must leverage to ensure the perfect performance. And if you want to do some homework, you can learn a lot from watching the top Ted Talks. #virtualselling #salestips
Jul 02, 202046:28

Ep. 62 – Delivering the Perfect Virtual Presentation part 2
Ep. 62 – Delivering the Perfect Virtual Presentation part 2
#sALESwithASLAN continues the series in delivering the perfect virtual presentation. This week, @TomStanfill and I breakdown his latest blog on how to deliver the perfect presentation, virtually. As Tom always does, he gives up some structure in the form of 5 Determinations we must make to ensure we “control the stage”. #virtualselling #salestips
Jun 26, 202035:19

Ep. 61 – Delivering the Perfect Virtual Presentation part 1
Ep. 61 – Delivering the Perfect Virtual Presentation part 1
#sALESwithASLAN continues to dive into the changes that COVID19 has brought upon us and those that sell for a living. This week, @TomStanfill and I breakdown his latest blog on how to deliver the perfect presentation, virtually. As Tom always does, he gives up some structure in the form of a four-step process to ensure maximum impact. This will be part 1 of a series to help you deliver again and again. #virtualselling #salestips For more on Virtual Selling Programs, visit https://try.aslantraining.com/virtual-selling/ and find the blog we reference in the pod here: https://www.aslantraining.com/process-deliver-virtual-presentation-part-1/
Jun 19, 202036:13

Ep. 60 – ASLAN’s “Answer” to Racism in 8:46
Ep. 60 – ASLAN’s “Answer” to Racism in 8:46
#sALESwithASLAN is all about the #salesrep to #salesmanager relationship but it’s also about treating everyone with respect. We teach about being Other-Centered® in business but really in life. This week we take a timeout from our lighthearted, ale drinking show to focus on an 8 min and 46 second message (the same 8:46 it took for the officer to and the life of George Floyd) about spreading love instead of hate. Our President Marc Lamson and I discuss the North Point Community Church’s Andy Stanley podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/north-point-community-church/id262317288?i=1000477071628. As Martin Luther King Jr once said “Injustice Anywhere is a threat to Justice Everywhere. How do we experience others who don’t look like us? How do they experience you? Love. Open your heart. Open your mind. Take the trip. Carry another’s burdens.
Jun 12, 202008:46

Ep. 59 – How To Save Your Technical Sales Team From Itself.
Ep. 59 – How To Save Your Technical Sales Team From Itself.
#sALESwithASLAN is all about the #salesrep to #salesmanager relationship. And most weeks we discuss that dynamic. This week we welcome back Sales Engineering Guru Chris White from DemoDoctor.com and Ramzi Marjaba of WeTheSalesEngineers.com to outline the critical nature of the relationship between seller and sales engineer. Remembering that selling is indeed a team sport and that the choreography of the sales call is critically important. We even discuss how our friends in #salescoaching will benefit from a higher performing technical sales team. Enjoy the beer. #salestips
Jun 05, 202033:29

Ep. 58 – Coaching During Uncertain Times is Even More Important.
Ep. 58 – Coaching During Uncertain Times is Even More Important.
#sALESwithASLAN is all about the #salesrep to #salesmanager relationship. This week we welcome back the sales coach whisperer herself, @bobbikahler to discuss her latest trifecta of blogs. Bobbi walks us through coaching lessons learned from cross country skiing and tips to virtual coaching. Finally, we discuss that technology can be our friend but should not be our crutch or excuse for not coaching. Enjoy the topic and the beer. #salestips #salescoaching
May 29, 202029:38

Ep. 57 – How To Deal With Discount Requests Due To The Pandemic
Ep. 57 – How To Deal With Discount Requests Due To The Pandemic
Many #salesreps are facing the question: what can you do on price or can you sharpen your pencil” these days. The world has changed. Companies are surviving not thriving. Customers are looking for any way they can to pinch pennies. Does that mean you should drop your price? Maybe or maybe not. What you should do is go through this three-step process first. Learn how to handle one of the most difficult conversations in selling this week on #sALESwithASLAN as Marc Lamson breaks it down. Enjoy the beer. #salestips #salescoaching
May 22, 202033:18

Ep. 56 – Lessons From the Frontline on How to Stay Relevant.
Ep. 56 – Lessons From the Frontline on How to Stay Relevant.
Staying relevant in the eyes of our customers while everyone’s world is upside down can prove to be quite a challenge. John Ferguson joins me this week on #sALESwithASLAN to discuss some of the things that he has been doing that have created that trusted advisor status with his clients. How you help your clients navigate the waters of change, how flexible you are with your offer and your terms and how you share your expertise and knowledge. Enjoy the beer. #salestips #salescoaching
May 15, 202025:30

Ep. 55 – Virtual Demonstrations: A How To Guide
Ep. 55 – Virtual Demonstrations: A How To Guide
How do you demo virtually? If you sell software, that’s the way you may have always done it. But for most of us, this is a new challenge. This week on #sALESwithASLAN, I am joined by ASLAN President Marc Lamson as we unpack the three main ingredients to demonstrating our product or solution virtually. You will pick up some interesting information on improving your ability to use your words to convince, change your selling process and lower the risk on behalf of you prospect. Enjoy the beer. #salestips #salescoaching
May 08, 202037:02

Ep. 54 – There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel for sellers
Ep. 54 – There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel for sellers
We have had so much bad news lately that it is time to look at the bright side of what is happening in the market. There is a reality that never gets talked about. The reality is sellers are having more success getting buyers on the phone lately. Today on #sALESwithASLAN, I am joined the CEO of #ConnectandSell, @Chris Beall. Chris has an amazing background in data analysis and shares the light at the end of the tunnel for those of us who sell for a living. Enjoy the beer. #salestips #salescoaching
May 01, 202032:29

Ep. 53 – How to sell in a pandemic? Be Human
Ep. 53 – How to sell in a pandemic? Be Human
We have had many discussions on #sALESwithASLAN with regard to “should you sell “right now and we know that motive is transparent. If you can solve something on your prospects whiteboard then you should help them. Is that selling? This week, I am joined by author and business owner Christ White of www.demodoctor.com. Chris and I discuss the reality of the situation and how it is impacting companies of all sizes. Bottom line is that we need to continue to be Other-Centered® in our approach to serving our clients. They may remember what we said or even what we did but the most certainly will remember how we made them feel during this time. Enjoy the beer. #salestips #salescoaching
Apr 24, 202035:13

Ep. 52 – From Sympathy to Empathy, Remember these 4 things.
Ep. 52 – From Sympathy to Empathy, Remember these 4 things.
Sympathy means you are sorry for someone else’s misfortune. Empathy is ability to understand and share someone’s feelings. You see the difference? One can come across different than the other. Sympathy is easy, and almost patronizing but Empathy makes a connection. Daniel Goldman discusses 3 types of empathy in his book Social Intelligence: Cognitive, Emotional and Compassionate. @MarcLamson joins #sALESwithASLAN to discuss 4 things you can do to be more empathetic as a seller.
Apr 17, 202026:48

Ep. 51 – The Changing Landscape of Selling In A Pandemic.
Ep. 51 – The Changing Landscape of Selling In A Pandemic.
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, I am joined by a small business owner David Piacitelli of https://toplinegrowth.com/, an outbound sales company. Dave offers great perspective on the difference between his company is handling the crisis vs an in house selling group. We discuss how all his manufacturing clients, from all markets, are dealing with the subject of selling during the pandemic. Most importantly, we look optimistically at how we can best use this time as sellers to build and enhance our other-centered® relationship with our prospects and clients. #salestips #salescoaching #salesreps
Apr 10, 202028:43

Ep. 50 – How to Sell like Dr. Fauci
Ep. 50 – How to Sell like Dr. Fauci
Dr. Fauci, Director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease in the United States has been in the news constantly for the past month. His role is to help America flatten the curve on the spread of the Coronavirus and to do that, he must convince US citizens of the proper course of action. To do that, he must open up our collective #receptivity. As #salesreps, we also must focus on our customers’ whiteboard (what is important to them) in order to open their receptivity. This week on #sALESwithASLAN, I am joined by The Sales Strategist John Ferguson who recently wrote this article: Dr. Fauci and Driving Receptivity which you can find on Linkedin. We can learn a lot here and enjoy the beer. #salestips
Apr 03, 202030:51

Ep. 49– How to Coach Remotely While Quarantined by Coronavirus
Ep. 49– How to Coach Remotely While Quarantined by Coronavirus
The world has changed for #salesmanagers as well. This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we help those who help those who sell for a living. ASLAN founders Tom Stanfill and Tab Norris join me to discuss everything from helping #salesreps find that motivation while still focusing on the development of the rep. #salestips #salesmanager #salescoaching
Mar 27, 202036:02

Ep. 48 – How to Sell Remotely while Quarantined by Coronavirus
Ep. 48 – How to Sell Remotely while Quarantined by Coronavirus
The world has changed in the past few weeks and #salesreps who are used to “pressing the flesh” with their customers are now forced to sell remotely. ASLAN founders Tom Stanfill and Tab Norris join me on #sALESwithASLAN to discuss everything from motivation to tactical #salestips #salesmanager #salescoaching
Mar 20, 202034:18

Ep. 47 – Do These 6 Things To Become The Best Sales Coach
Ep. 47 – Do These 6 Things To Become The Best Sales Coach
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we turn our attention from the #salesreps to the #salesmanager. ASLAN Co-Founder Tab Norris joins me to discuss the one of the three phases of coaching Align. In this episode, both coaches and reps can hear some helpful ways to structure the most productive time together and to ensure each session has the maximum benefit to the reps development. This 6 step process will not only make you a better coach but it will enhance the partnership between rep and manager. #salescoaching
Mar 13, 202023:53

Ep. 46 – How to Prepare For The Business Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Ep. 46 – How to Prepare For The Business Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Coronavirus is already causing business disruption. Sales Conferences are being cancelled or postponed. Customers are changing their spending patterns. As sales reps and sales managers think about how they need to help their customers though this challenging time, ASLAN CEO Tom Stanfill says, “There is always a way to win. There are those who see some things as a barrier and others who see opportunity.” The truth is that the coronavirus is on everyone’s mind. Don’t ignore it! Use some of the tips on this episode of #sALESwithASLAN to prepare and reach out to your customers to help them think through all the options that they have within the context of your partnership. Use this “opportunity” to show your customers you are here to help them navigate challenges. Its about doing the right thing. #MotiveIsTransparent #salestips #salescoaching #salestraining
Mar 06, 202024:36

Ep. 44 - Tension In Sales Is Bad, Right?
Ep. 44 - Tension In Sales Is Bad, Right?
Not necessarily. Tension in the buyer-seller relationship is definitely bad but there is a kind of tension that can be healthy. This week on #sALESwithASLAN, our President Marc Lamson and I unpack the two main types of tension that exist with our clients. This topic actually comes from a client of ASLAN’s and because they also recommended our Ale choices today, we send a proud shout out to Utah and our podcast loyalists out there. Enjoy the topic and enjoy the beer. #salestips #salescoaching
Mar 05, 202027:04

Ep. 45 – You Hate Process But It Will Save You
Ep. 45 – You Hate Process But It Will Save You
Ep. 44 – You Hate Process But It Will Save You
This week on #sALESwithASLAN we talk process, sales process. As a selling free spirit, you might think I got this, I don’t need not stinking process. Well you do and we discuss why and the consequences of what happens if you don’t follow a roadmap to solving your customers problems. We address what is it and what’s the purpose of a sales process as well as what most people miss and finally how we can convince our customers that we are indeed the expert and that it is in their best interest to guide the engagement. Our CEO and C-co-founder Tom Stanfill joins our president Marc Lamson and me to uncover the nuance of this important topic. Enjoy the beer. #salestips #salestraining
Feb 28, 202034:19

Ep. 43 – Other-Centered® Selling: A True Sales Tale
Ep. 43 – Other-Centered® Selling: A True Sales Tale
On #sALESwithASLAN we talk a lot about truly being other-centered® not just trying to fake it. Well this week, I am joined by a true disciple of this philosophy, Matt Caldwell. Matt and I have known one another for nearly 20 years since we collaborated at APC in the early 2000s. Matt was exposed to ASLAN early in his career and has carried the foundations through a selling journey that has included transactional, complex and even executive relationship selling. Matt tells stories of how has applied these core principles in each of those stops along the way. IT is always great to hear how our content is helping real life sales reps in the real world. Enjoy the conversation and enjoy the beer. #salestips #othercentered
Feb 14, 202025:53

Ep. 42 – How bad are your prospecting emails?
Ep. 42 – How bad are your prospecting emails?
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we take a look at some of the best and worst emails we get from sales people. By laughing and crying and exploring what we see, we hope to give you some ideas for improving your own #prospecting email approach. This can be such a useful tool for you to hunt and find new business but when done poorly, it can really backfire. You too could wind up on a podcast 😉 Enjoy the episode with our President Marc Lamson and enjoy the beer.
Feb 07, 202033:15

Ep. 41 – Forecast So You Know How Much Money You Can Make
Ep. 41 – Forecast So You Know How Much Money You Can Make
Most people think of forecasting as a necessary evil of a selling career. What if that were a false premise? What if forecasting your selling year was really all about you? This week on #sALESwithASLAN, our President Marc Lamson and I unpack a multistep process for forecasting that will not only help you accurately predict your revenue but how you will achieve that goal as well. We discuss forecasting current accounts or recurring revenue plus know opportunities. Then we determine Best/Worst case scenarios. Next, we play “pick your income” and end with figuring out how to fill the gap with new prospects. We wrap up with your production plan to make it. This is a great way to start the new selling year on a high note. #salestips #salesstrategy #salesforecasting
Jan 10, 202023:35

Ep. 40 – Sales Is All About Managing The Highs And Lows
Ep. 40 – Sales Is All About Managing The Highs And Lows
As we close the year, #sALESwithASLAN delves into the peaks and valleys of a career in selling (along with some ale and bourbon). We know the holiday season can be stressful as we discussed in episode 38 but it can be exhilarating as well. The key to long term success in selling is to keep it even keel. Never let your success or more importantly, your failure, define you. Never get depressed about work. So, if you had a great year, an ok year or a bad year, let’s raise a glass to the end of the selling year and cheers to the optimism that comes with each new year. #SalesTraining #SalesTips #SalesCoaching
Dec 20, 201922:50

Ep. 39 – Is Inbound Selling Different? Let Me Count The Ways!
Ep. 39 – Is Inbound Selling Different? Let Me Count The Ways!
We switch gears this week on #sALESwithASLAN as we turn our attention to those to answer the phone in order to sell. As always, we share ideas and stories about how to better #MasterYourCraft as a sales person or #SalesManager. Marc Lamson, President of ASLAN Training and Development offers a couple of key differences to selling in a reactive phone based environment. Of course he brings the knowledge on how to overcome these challenges as well. Enjoy the beer! #SalesTraining #SalesTips #SalesCoaching
Dec 13, 201925:49

Ep. 38 – Learn How To Manage End Of Year Stress!
Ep. 38 – Learn How To Manage End Of Year Stress!
Joining me on this week with #sALESwithASLAN is long time seller and sales leader Dan Howington. We unpack the concept of stress as it relates to our personal and professional lives. We all feel it but how we deal with it is important. Listen as we discuss some important ideas on how we can take back control of our reaction to this detractor of joy we know as stress. #salestips #salescoaching
Dec 06, 201934:26

Ep. 37 – Happy Thanksgiving – Be Excellent at Anything
Ep. 37 – Happy Thanksgiving – Be Excellent at Anything
Brief show this week and more of a Thanksgiving Day blessing to all those who follow us here in #sALESwithASLAN. Take time to recharge and rejuvenate with friends, family and maybe a good Ale. Go get the book Be Excelelent at Anything by Tony Schwartz with Jean Gomes. This is a great read for over the holidays as you will investigate the four changes to get more out of work and life. #HappyThanksgiving from ASLAN Training and Development #WorkLifeBalance
Nov 28, 201903:58

Ep. 36 – Learn How To Identify Political Structure In Your Prospects
Ep. 36 – Learn How To Identify Political Structure In Your Prospects
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, we welcome back ASLAN®'s CEO Tom Stanfill to discuss how to identify political structure. What do we mean by Political? Formal org chart? The reality is that there’s an Informal power structure – rank doesn’t equal influence. So the real decision maker, the one that determines what happens, may have more power and lower rank. Why is that important to know? Because you may focus on the wrong person or you may have identified the decision maker, but a key person changes the decision drivers, and if you miss this you could be in jeopardy. #sales tips #salescoaching #salesstrategy #PoliticalStructure
Nov 22, 201926:41

Ep. 35 – Prospecting Made Easy: 5 Things Learned Over 25 Years.
Ep. 35 – Prospecting Made Easy: 5 Things Learned Over 25 Years.
Salespeople hate prospecting. Period. It has traditionally not been a fun part of the game. However, most of us that sell for a living, know that we cannot have a robust pipeline if we don’t #prospect on a regular basis. So this week on #sALESwithASLAN, we unpack the 5 things that ASLAN President Marc Lamson has learned over the last 25 years. Some of this stuff you know, some might be new. Bottom line is that common sense does not always mean common practice. Enjoy the topic and the beer. #salestips #salescoaching #salesstrategy
Nov 08, 201928:01

Ep. 34 – How To Get A Prospect Off Of Email And Into A Conversation?
Ep. 34 – How To Get A Prospect Off Of Email And Into A Conversation?
Do you ever get an email from a customer that simply says, please provide me with a description of what you do and how much it costs? They ask you to send your elevator pitch and price book right over, right? Well, this week on #sALESwithASLAN, we take a real-life example and look at how you can give your customers what they want while building your relationship up into #trustedadvisor status. Join me this week and listen to how our CEO Tom Stanfill and his two and a half decades of successful selling handles this scenario. #salestips #salescoaching #salesstrategy
Nov 01, 201923:16

Ep. 33 – You Want to Win A Negotiation? Drop the Rope®
Ep. 33 – You Want to Win A Negotiation? Drop the Rope®
#sALESwithASLAN is back with another fascinating topic this week. Everyone in sales and sales management is forced to negotiate from time to time. The common reputation of sales negotiations is that there is a winner and a loser. The first one to throw out a number loses. Well, maybe what you have learned over the years is just plain wrong. Listen as we look at this differently. When you feel like you are in a win-lose negotiation, simply drop the rope® and you and the customer will both win. #salestips #salesstrategy #salescoaching
Oct 25, 201927:49

Ep. 32 – You Don’t Have Unlimited Time So Prioritize Your Opportunities
Ep. 32 – You Don’t Have Unlimited Time So Prioritize Your Opportunities
#sALESwithASLAN welcomes back Marc Lamson and ASLAN CEO Tom Stanfill to discuss something most sales reps know, but forget all the time. You do not have unlimited time. In fact it is your most precious resource so maximize your selling time by choosing who you serve. We dive deep into some tried and true methods for choosing the best opportunities and accounts for that matter. Hint: it's not always the biggest dollar accounts that are the best use of our time.
#salestips #salesstratagy #salescoaching
Oct 18, 201934:57

Ep. 31 – Four Things To Prepare For A Successful 2020
Ep. 31 – Four Things To Prepare For A Successful 2020
#sALESwithASLAN welcomes back Marc Lamson to discus the top four ways to set yourself up for a tremendous 2020 selling year. We delve into things like helping your accounts establish their budgets, to building your own forecast to collaborating with but not relying on marketing for you’re growth ambitions. Enjoy the knowledge along with the beer.
#salestips #salesstratagy #salescoaching
Oct 11, 201925:18

Ep. 30 – What Motivates Sales Reps Most is Their Own Motivision!
Ep. 30 – What Motivates Sales Reps Most is Their Own Motivision!
#sALESwithASLAN welcomes one or our ASLAN Certified Resellers, Joe Colavito from Corevu in Raleigh NC. Joe has been one of our partners for several years and he specializes in what he calls the reps “Can Do and Will Do” which ties perfectly to our ASLAN Catalyst program dials that lead to results. Listen this week as Joe tells two amazing personal stories of coaching to the rep's personal motivation. You can read more about one of them in Joe’s recent blog.
#salestips #salesstratagy #salescoaching
Oct 04, 201920:57

Ep. 29 – What One Customer Got From ASLAN Sales Training!
Ep. 29 – What One Customer Got From ASLAN Sales Training!
#sALESwithASLAN welcomes back Chris White, author of The Six Habits of Highly Effective Sales Engineers, and current VP of Sales Engineering at ETI Software to the podcast to discuss the impact of the ASLAN workshop we did together this week. We talk about why they saw the need for sales training, why ASLAN, what they learned and most importantly, how they plan to take the new knowledge to leverage this common language and principles, along with the frameworks, to transform their sales force and their company. There is no better way to learn how to get better at our craft than sharing stories of success. Enjoy Chris’s story and enjoy the beer. #salestips #salesstratagy #salescoaching
Sep 20, 201920:21

Ep. 28 – What 3 Things Are Keeping You From Hitting Quota In Q4?
Ep. 28 – What 3 Things Are Keeping You From Hitting Quota In Q4?
#sALESwithASLAN welcomes Tom Stanfill back to the podcast to discuss 3 key ingredients that ensures a successful sales person. First we must connect our goal to our own person motivation and then we must ensure we break the goals down into daily and weekly chunks. Finally, we have to invest in the development of our skills and knowledge to improve every day. It's not too late to impact your Q4 so listen up and enjoy a beer. #salestips #salesstratagy #salescoaching
Sep 13, 201922:52

Ep. 27 – Top Things You Must Do To Prepare For The Big Presentation
Ep. 27 – Top Things You Must Do To Prepare For The Big Presentation
#sALESwithASLAN welcomes Tom Stanfill back to the podcast to discuss how we must over prepare for that big presentation. Whether we are selling hardware, software or even services, we have to do these key things to make sure we put our best foot forward. Hint: the biggest opportunity to success or failure comes in our preparation in the weeks prior to the big show. Learn how to ensure you are ready to make the most of the opportunity. #salestips #salesstratagy #salesexecution
Sep 06, 201926:42

Ep. 26 – How We Sabotage Change by the Way We Coach
Ep. 26 – How We Sabotage Change by the Way We Coach
#sALESwithASLAN is here each week to help sales reps and sales coaches work better together. This week author and professional coach to the coaches, Bobbi Kahler joins me as we focus our attention on the two main ways that coaches can sabotage their own goals to drive real change into a selling organization. Learn about these two main saboteurs along with how to recognize how you do it and how to prevent it. Also, what are the impacts of getting this wrong. Enjoy the beer. #salesexecution #salescoachingstrategy #salescoaching
Aug 30, 201923:20

Ep. 25 – What Are The Biggest Mistake That Sales Reps Make During Discovery?
Ep. 25 – What Are The Biggest Mistake That Sales Reps Make During Discovery?
#sALESwithASLAN welcomes Tab Norris back to the show to dive deeper into a topic we have hit before: conversational and effective discovery. Today we focus on identifying the 5 Mistakes we make when trying to uncover our customer’s stated and unstated needs. Tab walks us through the challenges of overcoming each of these mistakes and we will come back for another episode in the near future to address each of these. Whether you are a #salesrep or a #salesmanager, you cannot afford to miss out on identifying these areas of development. Enjoy the beer. #salesexecution #salesstrategy
Aug 23, 201917:47

Ep. 24 – What is The Right Blend of Sales Training to Ensure Sustained Development?
Ep. 24 – What is The Right Blend of Sales Training to Ensure Sustained Development?
#sALESwithASLAN welcomes Blake Beus who is the Vice President of Business Development at AllenComm to discuss what it's like to be a client of ASLAN Training and Development, but a key partner as well. We'll discuss the need for ignition type workshops as well as “training in the flow of work”, micro and macro learning and the importance of “effortlessly available” content and sales tools, and the increasing importance of digital (always on) learning as a pre-enforcement, re-enforcement and in some cases a low cost replacement for event or workshop based learning. Lots to learn with regard to on-going learning. #salesmanagement #salesstrategy #salesexecution
Aug 09, 201921:39

Ep. 23 – How Do I Know If I Need Tools or Training?
Ep. 23 – How Do I Know If I Need Tools or Training?
This week on #sALESwithASLAN we visit the ongoing conversation on "what helps sellers improve more?" sales tools or training. The answer won’t surprise you. Joining me this week is Jeremey Donovan, SVP Sales Strategy at SalesLoft. We discuss things like what is sales enablement, sales engagement and sales training. What helps reps bridge any gaps in sales execution and we continue discussing the lost art of sales #prospecting. Enjoy our podcast and check out Jeremey and his own podcast called Hey Salespeople! #salestips #salesmanagement #salesstrategy
Aug 02, 201926:13

Ep. 22 – Selling is Easier When You and Your Company are Connected by Purpose
Ep. 22 – Selling is Easier When You and Your Company are Connected by Purpose
This week on #sALESwithASLAN we discuss how companies and therefore sales reps struggle with connecting to their original purpose for being. Sales reps are more successful when they are connected to the purpose of the company that they call home. Learn how selling with purpose for a purpose from author Matt Carcieri whose book Bleed a Creed helps companies return to their origin, can allow you to ignite your personal motivation to serve your customers. It might be the best #salesstrategy you can employ. #salesmanagement #salestips #prospecting
Jul 26, 201922:19

Ep. 21 – The Number 1 Mistake Sales Reps Make When Prospecting
Ep. 21 – The Number 1 Mistake Sales Reps Make When Prospecting
This week on #sALESwithASLAN we discuss the mistake all #salesreps make when prospecting. We are born self centered and as sales people we continue to think about ourselves first. What if we could learn to learn about the person we are trying to “sell” and actually deliver value on the opening call by focusing our solution to a perceived gap in their understanding or a perceived need. Learn how many fail at this with real life examples as Tom Stanfill uses his years of experience to guide us through this challenging topic.
#salesmanagement #salestips #prospecting
Jul 19, 201922:07

Ep. 20 – The Best Sales Managers All Do This
Ep. 20 – The Best Sales Managers All Do This
Former EVP of Sales, John Ferguson and current Adjunct Professor at DePaul University is an industry expert on sales management and sales coaching. John brings his 30+ years of selling and managing experience to #sALESwithASLAN to unpack the 6 steps of sales management and the 3 key functions of sales management: 1. Lead 2. Manage 3.Coach
#salesmanagement #salescoaching
Jul 12, 201922:02

Happy Independence Day
Happy Independence Day
Just a message from us to you to enjoy the long weekend. Happy Fourth of July to all of you and please drink responsibly ;-)
Jul 05, 201901:23

Ep. 19 - How To Sell Into Heavily Regulated Industries
Ep. 19 - How To Sell Into Heavily Regulated Industries
We take questions from our audience on #sALESwithASLAN and we were recently asked "how selling into regulated industries where you cannot take notes, cannot send customized materials, etc can be overcome?" Marc Lamson joins me this week to discuss some tips that we have learned over the years that will prove helpful for those in those highly regulated industries such as pharma and financial. But don’t turn that dial if you don’t sell into regulated industries, these tips can help us all.
#salestips #salestraining #SellingRegulatedIndustries
Jun 28, 201922:15

Ep. 18 – How to Sell The Technical Solution
Ep. 18 – How to Sell The Technical Solution
This week on #sALESwithASLAN, I am joined by author and technical sales expert Chris White whose website www.demodoctor.com is a great resource for sales engineers and those that lead and work with them. Chris’ new book The Six Habits of Highly Effective Sales Engineers promotes team selling, better discovery, practicing your craft and many other habits that blend well in to any selling professionals repertoire. If you sell in a team or sell a technical solution, don’t miss this episode.
#salestips #salestraining #teamselling #technicalsales
Jun 21, 201924:26

Ep. 17 – How to Manage The Stress of Selling
Ep. 17 – How to Manage The Stress of Selling
As we approach the close of the first half of 2019, many sales leaders and sales reps are beginning to feel the stress of the 2nd quarter coming to a close. This week on sALES with ASLAN, we are joined by Marc Lamson who helps us unpack the difference between good and bad stress, how to manage the stress we do feel and how to leverage the #serenityprayer which simply states that you have the wisdom to know what you can control. We even talk about a couple of books that might help you as well How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie and Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
#salestips #salestraining #DontStress
Jun 14, 201926:51

Ep. 16 – 3 Simple Ways Salespeople Can Self-evaluate
Ep. 16 – 3 Simple Ways Salespeople Can Self-evaluate
This week on sALES with ASLAN, we are joined by long time sales expert, Susan Simon who has mastered a 3-part process for self-evaluation. In this episode we discuss ways to build “muscle memory” in our selling process how to define what good, great and even terrible might look like, and how to prepare step by step. Any sales rep listening knows that there is always room for improvement and Susan describes how we can all benefit from being more “intentional” in our preparation.
#salestips #salestraining #BeIntentional
Jun 07, 201921:48

Ep. 15 – Conversational Discovery
Ep. 15 – Conversational Discovery
Today we dive deep into the concept of conversational discovery vs. the interrogation tactics that so many of us use in our discovery meetings with clients. John Cerqueira who has close to 20 years of client facing experience helps us define what it means to humanize the selling process by focusing on what is important to the client. First focus on the problem they are trying to solve and only talk about solutions once you have a complete understanding of that problem. John has great stories of both success and failure that will help any sales rep reflect on their approach to conversational discovery.
#salestips #salestraining #Discovery
May 31, 201922:39

Ep. 14 – Handling Objections Is A Blessing and A Curse!
Ep. 14 – Handling Objections Is A Blessing and A Curse!
Tom Stanfill, CEO at ASLAN Training and Development joins me today to uncover the good, the bad and the ugly of objection handling. First, we define what it means to help customers answer their questions of "Are objections good or bad?" Well we believe it is both. With hundreds of accounts and thousands of meetings under his belt, Tom has observed many of pitfalls and thus has a lot of experience of how to handle them - Learn to not overcome objections but rather help customers find their answers.
May 24, 201926:31

Ep. 13 – Cross Selling Within Your Accounts
Ep. 13 – Cross Selling Within Your Accounts
This week on sALES with ASLAN, one of our listeners, Matt, asked us to help him #LandandExpand within his accounts. Our president Marc Lamson and I discuss the aspects of cross selling in two main parts: selling additional products and services within our accounts and also asking for referrals with our accounts. Don’t miss out on learning about these key ways expand our presence in our accounts. You can learn more about this concept in Marc’s blog: Referrals: Appliances, Lobster Ravioli, and Your Sales Pipeline.
#salestips #salestraining #CrossSelling
May 17, 201927:22

Ep. 12 - Lessons Learned From 80 Floors Up On 9/11
Ep. 12 - Lessons Learned From 80 Floors Up On 9/11
If you've listened to sALES with ASLAN before, you know all about our Other-Centered® Selling approach. This week, we really personalize this concept with the incredible story of John Cerqueira who was 80 floors up when the planes hit the twin towers. How did John react at that moment when chaos rained down all around him? John, who is the author of “Hero Sandwich: A True Story”, talks about the life skills he learned in those intense moments and hours after impact- “when we serve others, we are most fulfilled”. In this episode, you'll learn what John took away and how he has applied these lessons every day since. #salestips #salestraining #salesleadership
May 10, 201922:59

Ep. 11 - The One Thing That All Successful Sales Reps Do
Ep. 11 - The One Thing That All Successful Sales Reps Do
It's the age-old question: If you could do one thing to create the most likelihood of success, what would it be (and would you, could you do it)? This week we look at the 2004 study entitled Flawed Self-Assessment: Implications for Health, Education, and the Workplace by David Dunning, Chip Heath and Jerry M. Suls and try to decipher the one thing that successful sales people do: Seek feedback. Tom Stanfill, Marc Lamson and I talk about the fact that most people have this self-perception that they are above average and are blind to their flaws. We wear a “sign” on our forehead that all others can see but we cannot. So how do identify, deal with and apply changes to your challenge areas? Listen and find out. #onething #salestips #salestraining #salesleadership
May 03, 201929:26

Ep. 10 – Investing in Front Line Managers and Reps
Ep. 10 – Investing in Front Line Managers and Reps
This week on sALES with ASLAN®, we discuss investing in the front lines with business owner, consultant, and sales leader, Randy Riemersma of Span the Chasm. Those of us who have been at this awhile have war stories and we hope there's a few pointers you can take away from our conversation. Make sure you comment down below or email scassidy@aslantraining.com with ideas for future episodes. Also, make sure to subscribe and like us on your favorite podcast platform. #salesleadership #salestips
Apr 26, 201921:56

Ep. 9 – Overcoming Obstacles in Sales and in Life
Ep. 9 – Overcoming Obstacles in Sales and in Life
Author and Sales Leadership Coach Bobbi Kahler joins me this week on sALES with ASLAN to discuss what she overcame early in her life when she was diagnosed with a catastrophic speech disability. Bobbi talks about the need for mentors and coaches to get through the tough speed bumps in life. She also tells us why she never has said she couldn't do something. You can also learn more in Bobbi’s book Travels of the Heart. #overcoming #salescoaching
Apr 19, 201919:59

Ep. 8 – Simplify The Complicated for Your Customers
Ep. 8 – Simplify The Complicated for Your Customers
Tom Stanfill joins us this week to discuss how to make it easier for our customers to understand our solutions and methodology. We can do this through the use of references, word pictures, and by telling stories. If what you are selling sounds too complicated, your customer is less likely to buy. If you would like to learn more on this topic read our blog by Tom called The Art of Simplicity: What Does It Take to Sell a Complex Idea? #salesstrategy #salestips #salestraining
Apr 12, 201921:42

Ep. 7 - Sell More in 2019
Ep. 7 - Sell More in 2019
This week we dive headlong into sales resolutions for the new year. We discuss practicing your sales craft, choosing your prospects and customers wisely and how to outwork our competition. This particular podcast is a great compliment to our blog called 7 Questions and 7 Resolutions to Sell more in 2019. #salesstrategy #salesstrategy
Apr 05, 201923:51

Ep. 6 - What March Madness Teaches Us About Sales Coaching
Ep. 6 - What March Madness Teaches Us About Sales Coaching
In the spirit of March Madness, this week we look at the obvious and not so obvious examples of NCAA coaches who focus on key areas of players (or rep) development and how this ties into sales coaching. We will also discuss how to help our sales reps and sales leaders communicate more effectively. This week's topics include joint accountability, taking time to coach, leaders connecting with players one to one and finally, managing to what motivates each individual. #salesstrategy #salescoaching #marchmadness
Mar 29, 201925:40

Ep. 5 - Coaching for Results
Ep. 5 - Coaching for Results
As we continue our deep dive into sales leadership on sALES with ASLAN, we focus our attention on one of the 3 hats that leadership wears: coaching. The first question we ponder is who do you coach since you cannot coach everyone, there just isn’t enough time. Coach those with a desire to be coached. The best coaches or catalysts avoid the two main problems. They give the appropriate amount of feedback and not 15 things to work on at once.
Mar 22, 201926:37

Ep. 4 - Leadership is 1 to 1
Ep. 4 - Leadership is 1 to 1
In our latest learning opportunity here on sALES with ASLAN, we turn our attention away from the sales reps and focus on the leaders that help them succeed. Leadership is accomplished on a 1 to 1 basis as we seek to motivate at the individual level. We as leaders need to measure in 4 dimensions vs the standard 2. Most leaders measure revenue and activity. But we need to measure results plus rep desire, productivity, and capability. Lastly, we look at the 3 hats that a sales leader wears: Lead, manage and coach.
Mar 15, 201928:26

Ep. 3 - Why Sales Reps Are Not Hitting Quota Pt. 2
Ep. 3 - Why Sales Reps Are Not Hitting Quota Pt. 2
This week we continue our deep dive into the alarming trend that is taking place in the marketplace. Why are 53% of reps are missing quota during an economic upturn? And why has this trend been in decline for 5 straight years? In this episode we take a look at how reps can shift the mindset of "what’s in it for me" to "what’s in it for my customer". Stop and ask yourself: Does your customer feel that they are the priority, or do they feel pressure?
Mar 08, 201929:57

Ep. 2 - Why Sales Reps Are Not Hitting Quota Pt. 1
Ep. 2 - Why Sales Reps Are Not Hitting Quota Pt. 1
It dropped again. Not the stock market or consumer confidence. No, the number of reps hitting their quota declined…for the fifth year in a row. It’s unprecedented. It’s now at an all-time low of 53% while the stock markets hit record highs.
The bottom line is that half of all sellers are failing, and it’s getting worse. Something’s amiss. Why is this happening? This week on the sALES with ASLAN Podcast, we dig into not only why this is happening, but how to turn this trend around. Spoiler alert: it has something to do with your customers’ receptivity to your message.
Mar 01, 201928:27

Ep. 1 - Genesis of ASLAN®
Ep. 1 - Genesis of ASLAN®
Welcome to the inaugural episode of our sALES with ASLAN podcast series where each week, we start by highlighting our favorite Ales and Beers and then move into current trends and topics that keep sales professionals up at night. In this episode, we start at the beginning with how ASLAN came to be a successful sales training company. Our two founders tell stories about the genesis of the company, and the long days and nights spent in Tab’s basement trying to figure out how to tell the world about our innovative yet common sense approach to selling. In a nutshell, this episode explains why (and how) we want to reframe the way you sell.
Feb 22, 201927:08

Intro- sALES with ASLAN®
Intro- sALES with ASLAN®
The sALES with ASLAN Podcast Series is intended to be a light and fun way to talk about a serious subject: selling.
Buyer behavior has changed dramatically over the last several years, and salespeople have failed to change with the times. Our commitment is to help organizations "bridge the gap" in their sales force execution. To do that, we focus on the improvement of sales and service organizations by creating and delivering competency and skill development programs and processes.
The main issue is that the percentage of decision makers who are receptive to a meeting or embracing a new solution is small. And if the customer is emotionally unreceptive, your value prop, your insights, and your solution won’t matter. Therefore, we start by teaching a radical approach to converting the disinterested: Stop selling and focus on enhancing receptivity.
This podcast series will delve into fine beers and remove fears in the hearts and minds of those who sell for a living. Join us weekly for sALES with ASLAN.
Feb 13, 201902:39