If we want customers to buy from us, it is only logical that we understand the best way to help them do this. As business owners and sellers, it is vital to know what the key steps are for the sales team to apply consistently and, thereby, ensure that there is the biggest likelihood that each and every customer will buy.
An outline of the sales process steps is as follows:
1. Meet & Greet
• first contact with customers
• put the customer at ease
• build rapport – likeability, confidence and trust
2. Qualification
• identification of the customers wants and needs
• identification of decision makers and influencers
• identification of the customer's budget and financial options
3. Presentation
• showing customers the product/service most suited to them
• building customer desire
• gauging the customer's agreement - the relevance to them regarding what is offered
4. Demonstration
• a trial of the goods or services by the customer
• direct understanding of relevance and building desire
• confirmation of choice selection
5. Offer
• summary of customer's needs and product suitability
• proposition to the customers
6. Sale
• objection handling
• confirmation of payment options and terms
• confirmation of next steps to handing over goods/services to the customers
This basic framework can be used as the basis for any sales team to get more sales. From working through each of these steps the sales team can adapt the best practices for them be it in a retail environment through to professional services, tailoring each process to meet their customers' needs. For instance, in a clothes shop a demonstration would be encouraging more customers to try on the clothes, whereas, for a professional-services firm the demonstration may take the form of known third-party testimonials, case studies or even site visits.
The key is to have a defined series of steps with processes within each step, leading the customer through each step so that their needs are clearly defined whilst building on their desire to buy. A good sales process will not only lead to more sales, but more profit and greater customer satisfaction so it's highly recommended to do this for every firm.
Shared by Patrick Greenaway of ActionCOACH Business Coaching.