Bad Sales: The Blunder That Blew $100K (Don’t Let Your Team Suck!)
In the world of sales, words matter. A single phrase can make or break a deal, and in some cases, it can cost a company significant revenue. This is the story of how two simple words led to a catastrophic loss for one business.
The Bad Sales Cringe-Worthy Conversation
Let me tell you about a conversation that made me cringe so hard I almost wanted to slap the guy. Picture this: A salesperson sitting there, puffing out his chest, bragging about how he told a prospect, “I don’t want to waste my time. If you’re not ready to buy, I’m not going to waste my energy creating a proposal for you.” Seriously?
I couldn’t help but ask how that brilliant strategy worked out for him. His response? “Well, it wasn’t great. He was pissed.” No kidding!
The Bad Sales Approach Costly Aftermath
Here’s the kicker: This wasn’t just some random prospect. This was an existing client who had been dropping $10,000 a month on their products.
After that little gem of a conversation, they stopped ordering altogether.
Two words and an awkward turn of phrase had cost this company $100,000 per year in existing business — and who knows how much more in future revenue? Ouch!
The Power of Language in Selling
Listen up: This incident screams one thing loud and clear: It's never about you; it's always about your prospect.
When this salesperson tossed around the phrase “my time,” he came off as arrogant and self-centered, driving the client straight into the arms of the competition.
A Simple Yet Powerful Change to Great Sales
If you want to avoid having a sucky sales team, banish “my time” from your vocabulary — today. Instead, flip the script and say “your time.” Here's what I mean:
● Instead of: “I don’t want to waste my time.”
● Say: “I really don’t want to waste your time.”
This simple change keeps the focus where it belongs — on the prospect. It shows respect and consideration for their needs instead of coming off like an arrogant jerk.
Don't Blunder: The Importance of Customer-Centric Selling
If you’re serious about building a kick-ass sales team, you need to ditch those crappy sales techniques and embrace customer-centric selling. Here’s how:
Engage Like You Mean It: Build a culture of engagement that doesn’t just nod at customers but actually listens.
Set Clear Expectations: Don’t leave prospects guessing — tell them what they can expect.
Equip Your Team: Give your salespeople the tools they need to crush it.
Monitor Metrics: Keep an eye on what matters; don’t let your team flounder.
Feedback is Key: Give consistent feedback that helps your team improve — not just fluff.
By focusing on what the customer needs instead of your own ego, you’ll forge stronger relationships and close more deals.
Don’t Be a Sales Idiot
In this cutthroat world of sales, every interaction counts. Eliminate “me” from your vocabulary and start prioritizing your prospect's needs. I promise, if you make this change, it will transform your results.
If you're ready to close more deals and earn a bigger profit, let’s have a No BS conversation about your situation. Book a 30-minute call with me to get started.
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