On May 10 I was on a panel at the monthly Association for Corporate Growth meeting titled, “Deal Warriors of the Lower Middle Market.” My co-panelists were Lisa Forrest, Greg Russell, Todd Marker, and John O’Dore.
I realized after about two remarks my regular lines, quips, and stories are new to others, no matter how familiar I am with those lines. Statements that make me a “unconscious competent” get laughs and applause from others.
It goes to show how important words are. When used properly they create a full-color, HD picture. Good salespeople don’t just talk, they say the right things and ask the right questions. They know the correct words and how to use them.
No matter what business you’re in, communication is what makes you successful. Think about what you say and concentrate on:
- Stories of past client/customer experiences. We all remember stories, more than anything else we hear or read. I know my story on the panel about the advisor who didn’t understand transactions but still was “helping” a client went over huge.
- Statistics that make a point (as to why your product or services make sense). Statistics that are legitimate but show they are legitimate (sorry, but today you must, given all the “fake news,” as per President Reagan, “trust but verify”).
- Examples of results you’ve generated. Stories tell how things happened, results are what happened. In my book If They Can Sell Pet Rocks Why Can’t You Sell Your Business (For What You Want)? I open with a story about George, how we prepared his business for sale, and how he sold it with more cash at closing than the total offer before we started working together.
Time spent on saying the right thing is critical whether you sell your services, machined parts, food, construction supplies, or anything else.
“To overpraise is a subtle form of disrespect.” Mary Gaitskill
