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Using Power Questions to Build Peer Relationships with Sales Prospects

Sometimes it can feel like buyers have the upper hand. They have many service providers to choose from. Everyone calls on them and aggressively pitches for their business. How can you be viewed as a peer, as someone who has something valuable to offer, rather than a commodity vendor? Thoughtful power questions can help you earn greater respect immediately. 

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When the Sale Is Stuck: 5 Preconditions for a Client to Buy

Do you ever find that you are slogging through meeting after meeting with a prospect, month after month, without reaching a sale? You have lots of conversations, but there is no forward progress. In today’s economy, there are in fact lots of sales conversations that go on and on without ever arriving anywhere. You can avoid this by asking a series of incisive questions that help you verify if the preconditions for a sale are present. 

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A Burden Borne by Few for Many

May 28th of this year is Memorial Day in the United States, a day of remembrance for those who gave their lives in war. My mother and my father both served extended combat tours in World War II. My mother was a Lieutenant in the US Army--a nurse.  She followed the troops into the Continent from D-Day onwards.

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Relationship Breakthroughs (No. 1): Change the Relationship Environment

How do you get a breakthrough in a relationship? How do you take it to the next level? There are a number of actions that will help you do this. Over the next 15 blog entries or so, I am going to highlight these one by one.

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Relationship Breakthroughs (No. 2): Connect Personally

How do you get a breakthrough in a relationship? How do you take it to the next level? There are a number of actions that will help you do this. Over the next 15 blog entries or so, I am highlighting these one by one. Some are simple; some are very challenging. All help you move in the right direction.

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Relationship Breakthroughs (No. 3): Help them Personally

How do you get a breakthrough in a relationship? How do you take it to the next level? There are a number of actions that will help you do this. Over the next 15 blog entries or so, I am highlighting these one by one. Some are simple; some are very challenging. All help you move in the right direction.

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Relationship Breakthroughs (No. 4): Help Your Client through a Crisis

How do you get a breakthrough in a relationship? How do you take it to the next level? There are a number of actions that will help you do this. Over the next 15 blog entries or so, I am highlighting these one by one. Some are simple; some are very challenging. All help you move in the right direction.

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Relationship Breakthroughs (No. 5): Confront problems or mistakes

Providing early warning to clients about real or potential problems–whether you created them or the client has made them (or is about to make them)–is more than just good practice. It’s absolutely the right thing to do. And it will distinguish you from other service providers who are too insecure and timid to confront them.This includes telling your client when you think his or her organization is making the wrong move.

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