4 Key Reasons Why Being “Customer-Centric” Sparks Business Growth

Customer-centricity is a strategy and a way of doing business that concentrates on creating the best possible customer experience which in turn, brings brand-loyalty.

 

Customer-centric companies guarantee that the customer is at the centre of business operations.

  Customer Centric vs Customer Service   Here are 4 key reasons why being customer-centric generates business growth.

1. Allows Companies To Build Better Relationships With Their Customers, Which Helps Increase Sales & Revenue

Having connections built on trust and good communication makes it easy for customers to feel assured and connected with a brand. It leads to high customer retention rates and increases repeat purchases.  

2. Provides A Positive Customer Experience To Drive Repeat Business & Enhance Customer Loyalty 

A positive customer experience is essential for business growth.  A great customer experience will:
  • Promote brand advocacy
  • Help retain customers
  • Encourage customer loyalty
 

3. Makes The Customer Feel Valued Which Means They Are More Likely To Recommend Your Business

When your customers feel important, your customer service team becomes the powerhouse that drives revenue up. Strengthening your customer service efforts to deliver the experience your customers expect, will ultimately grow your business.  

4. Allows Businesses To Identify Opportunities For Development

Listening and responding to customer feedback is a great way to take advantage of business growth opportunities. If a significant amount of customers are providing similar feedback or areas for improvement, a customer-centric business will take the feedback on-board. They will adapt to meet the needs of their target customer.   Guides and tips on creating a customer-centric business | Customer Radar  

Find out how your company can benefit from becoming more Customer-Centric.

Contact KONA today to discuss tailored training options for your business.

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4 Benefits Of Using DISC Profiling In Sales Training

DISC Helps You “blend” With Their Behavioural Style

Use DISC as an effective way to gain the commitment and cooperation of others. See the world from their perspective and “blend” with their behavioural style.

DISC Improves the Sales Force by:

  • Helping the salesperson recognize their natural approach to the sales process
  • Show them how to modify their approach to different prospects

Here are 4 key benefits of using DISC Profiling for your sales team:

 

1. DISC Will Help Your Team Understand Their Natural & Adapted Behaviour Styles

DISC Profiling will give you insight into your own behavioural style and allows you to see how you are perceived by others.

Your personal profile gives you a set of terms to discuss your behaviour and communication style in your personal life and in the workplace.

2. Enhance Communication Between Your Sales Team & Clients

Using DISC Profiling coupled with focused DISC facilitation can enhance communication between your sales team.

You can also profile clients, so communication styles are better understood for stronger, lasting relationships.

3. Allows Your Team To See Their Similarities & Differences

Team Reports provide a detailed breakdown of a team’s DISC data (up to 100 people) through a variety of:

  • Charts
  • Diagrams
  • Comparison pages.

This is a great tool to contrast the team’s similarities, differences, strengths and potential areas for conflict.

4. Identify If You Are A Hunter Or A Farmer – Know Your Sales Team & Understand What Works For Them And The Business


How You Work:

‘Hunters’ are characterised by ‘hyperfocus’.

There will be intense periods of activity where you stay focused single-mindedly on a task and may forget to have your meal.

Then there will be long periods of low or no activity. You will discover a preference for:

  • High risk-reward scenarios
  • Project work
  • Novelty
  • Clear goals
  • A system of measuring instant progress
  • The excitement of a crisis that requires immediate action and snap judgments

 (Typically a D profile)

How You Sell:

As a farmer you are trustworthy and dependable and that’s what you sell to build loyalty and repeat business with your customers.

You are sensitive to the customers’ happiness, concerned about failure of service, prefer to tackle one problem.
(Typically an S profile)

Building Your Team:

As a hunter, your goal is to get the best performers into your team.

You actively seek them out and then attract and retain them by showing the dream, culture and compensation that these stars seek.

As a farmer, your focus is on growing people irrespective of the talent and thus you give them opportunities, resources and learnings to succeed while removing those that spoil the environment.

A rare balance in the team leadership will do both — communicate a dream.

 

Learn how KONA Group can Leverage DISC for your business…

Download our sample Sales DISC Profile or DISC Team Report:

6 Ways To Create A Positive Sales ‘HUNTING’ Culture

 

To genuinely create a positive sales culture, you need a long-term strategy.

Consistency and purposeful support, partnered with the following strategies will help you achieve a driven and positive sales team.

   

1. Listen To Learn

Provide sales podcasts and books for your team to learn on the go. It is a good idea to have your team listen to motivational material on their way to and from appointments. Information on communication skills and product resources can also increase basic sales knowledge.  

2. Give Feedback

  Managers can join team members on sales calls and give feedback as soon as the meeting finishes. Providing immediate feedback reinforces what went well and what can be improved.  

3. Allow Time For Change

  Learning and applying new skills takes time. Allow your team adequate time to learn and change. Remember, it can be a slow process before you see results.   The Super Bowl of Sales - Hunters vs. Farmers  

4. Measure Results

Use your team’s self-identified goals to measure their progress. Hold them accountable for their sales goals. To really gauge how much of an impact training has made, track your team’s:
  • Lead generation
  • Sales calls
  • Up-sells
  • Closing rates
 

5. Provide Ongoing Training

Benefits of providing ongoing sales training for your team include:
  • Increasing employee engagement
  • Improving the skills of your team
  • Team members feeling valued
  • More success for your business
 

6. Allocate Time To Coaching

  Many managers make the mistake of spending an equal amount of time coaching each of their reps. But this simple time allocation methodology ignores the potential return on your time investment. You should spend most of your time coaching salespeople with medium skills. This will provide you with the highest return on your time investment. Reps with mid-range skills are average performers – they have room for improvement. Good coaching can help an average performer become a high achiever.  
A good rule of thumb is that you should spend:
  • 60% of your coaching time with your salespeople with medium skill levels,
  • 15% of your coaching time with your salespeople with low skill levels, and
  • 25% of your coaching time with your salespeople with high skill levels.
  Your sales team can benefit from a fun, interactive and customised training program that will help you win more customers.  

Contact KONA to discuss tailored training options for your team!

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4 Reasons Why Compassion Is More Effective In Leadership Than Empathy

Empathy is important for good leadership, but too much can be an issue.

Rather than carrying the responsibility of empathy, leaders can learn to experience compassion.

 

Being compassionate can:

  • Change how leaders engage with their teams

  • Benefit all parties

  • Alleviate burden from leaders

    Here are 4 benefits of being a compassionate rather than empathetic leader.  

1. It Is Easier To Make Decisions Based On Compassion Rather Than Empathy

  Being empathetic means we take on the emotions of the other person and feel what they are feeling.   Other than making the other person feel less alone, empathy doesn’t offer any solution.   Empathy is considered impulsive- Compassion is considered deliberate and conscious.   When being compassionate we have the clarity of mind to reflect on the situation and make wise decisions.   You can ask the person ‘What do you need?’. This will better inform you on how you can help.  

2. Compassion Over Empathy Allows You To Put Emotions Aside When Making Decisions

Compassion allows you to:
  • Take an emotional step back
  • Act rationally, not impulsively
  • Think clearly and consciously
 

3. Empathy Lets Us Join The Suffering Of Others, But Compassion Allows Us To Help

Compassion is essentially recognising the suffering of others and then taking action.   When being compassionate, we take a step away from the emotion of empathy and ask ourselves ‘How can we help?’.  

4. Why You Need Compassion And Empathy As A Leader

  To be an effective leader it is important to connect with Empathy but to lead with Compassion. A leader needs to be empathetic in order to engage. But we can leverage our empathy to lead with compassion.       Putting empathy aside to lead with compassion doesn’t make a leader less kind, it allows you to better support your team through difficult times.  

Are your leadership team compassionate or empathetic?

 

Contact KONA to discuss how tailored Leadership Training can benefit the leaders in your business!

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5 Ways To Improve Your Sales Pitch

A Sales Pitch is a personalised and well-constructed presentation.

Having access to a world of information at our fingertips means today’s buyers are more informed than ever.

So how can you improve your sales pitch and ensure you secure the sale?

 

Here are 5 tips to improve your sales pitch.

 

1. Do Your Research

Creating a great pitch requires you to understand your customer. Doing market research will help you get to know your customer’s needs.

 

You should look at your prospect’s website and utilise LinkedIn to gain knowledge of what they do and what their needs may be.

 

2. Know How To Overcome Objections 

Objection Handling Sales Skills - The Digital Sales Institute

Knowing how to handle objections will:

  • Help build relationships
  • Establishing yourself as being experienced
  • Helps the salesperson determine whether a real opportunity exists

 

3. Listen To Understand

Active listening will give your prospect confidence in your service.

Listening to understand saves time and frustration in the long-run as you will become aware of your prospect’s needs.

 

4. Think About The Value Your Product Or Service Brings

Professionals who can show the value of their product above price will stand out to their prospects.

People buy products or services for the value it will give them. So it’s best to educate your prospects about value rather than just focusing on features.

 

5. Connect With Your Prospect
Introduction to social media | Digital Ready

It is important to connect with your prospect personally and on social media.

Some benefits of connecting with your prospect include:

  • You are more likely to make the sale- people are more likely to conduct business with those they have positive rapport with
  • Shows your prospects a more personal side of you, not just business
  • Creates a better customer experience

 

Have you considered how your salespeople can improve their sales pitch?

 

Contact KONA to discuss tailored options to enhance the performance of your sales team!

 

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4 Selling Techniques For Social Media And Beyond

Salespeople have been presented with a new landscape in the rapidly changing digital-age

The right way to approach social sales is one of the most valuable things today’s salespeople can learn.

Here you will find 4 effective selling techniques for social media and beyond.

 

 

1. Have A Marketing Approach

To be successful in sales, some of your practices should be marketing techniques.

Although there is a distinction between a marketer and a salesperson, it’s important for salespeople to incorporate marketing into their sales process.

 

2. Technology Has Shifted Sales Conversations

Sales conversations aren’t what they used to be. Nowadays prospects can:

  • Research your company
  • Research you
  • Know everything you have to offer

Now, the techniques formerly used to approach customers and start sales conversations have changed. And you need to know how to navigate this situation.

 

3. Connect Online And In Person With Your Customer


The ‘social’ aspect of selling is more about building relationships than selling a product or service.

You have to make a real connection with prospects, and not just make a transaction.

This approach is more time consuming, but is packed with benefits. It results in having trusting and loyal relationships with customers.

 

38 Social Selling Statistics You Need to Know for 2023

 

4. Face-To-Face Interaction Is Still Important


Making connections in a social media sense is important, but doesn’t outweigh the importance of having face-to-face meeting with your customer.

 Nowadays many salespeople make the mistake of thinking social media is all they need.

A face-to-face meeting will always create a more personal and trusting connection than an online connection.

Contact KONA today to discuss how you can make your sales process more personal & effective!

 

4 Reasons Why Sales Persistence Pays Off

When it comes to selling, the right amount of persistence is critical.

Statistics tell us – calling until you make the sale – works.

However! 90% of salespeople give up after just four calls.

This graph shows that 8% of the sales people are making 80% of the sales:

Here are 4 reasons why it is beneficial to be persistent as a salesperson.

1. It Makes You Stand Out From The Crowd

Most salespeople are not persistent.

Studies have found that almost 50% of salespeople give up after the first call.

Typically salespeople get caught up in active business, instead of following up prospective customers. Follow up your prospects with more calls than your competition, and you’re already ahead!

2. Increases Customer’s Confidence In You

Persistence will –

  • Increase the customer’s confidence in you.
  • Keep you at the top of their list when they are ready to buy.
  • Give your prospect an insight into your dedication and work ethic. However, you also need to be able to gauge when it is time to call it quits.

3. Demonstrates Dedication & Purpose

The right amount of persistence will show your prospects that you are dedicated, and truly passionate about the product or service you are offering.

Persistance assists with –

  • Building relationships, as prospective customers will see that you have purpose.
  • You can prevail through challenges.
  • It will give you a better understanding of what the customer needs.

4. Motivates You To Try Harder & Shows You The Value Of Success

Persistence helps you to discover that each failure is another learning experience. When you have a successful sale after being persistent, you quickly realise that the hard work does pay off.

The most difficult clients are the hardest to lose. Why? It takes discipline and persistence to gain their business. And 90% of salespeople don’t have it.

Sales persistence is not merely calling until you make a sale, it is knowing how to properly navigate the sales process from the beginning.

Persistence does not always come naturally, it’s a learned trait when mastered can be incredibly valuable.

Are your sales team persistent?

Contact KONA for customised Value Sales Training for your team and stay ahead of you competitors!

8 Tips To Improve Your Sales Performance

Regardless of the business you’re in, sales tactics that have previously worked well may not work so well today.

Sales is an industry that moves quickly. From new competitors arising to new products similar to yours being introduced; you need to be innovative to stay relevant.

  Here you will find 8 tips to enhance your sales performance.  

1. Know Your Objective

Understand your business’ role. Think about what you do best, and what type of people need your services. Consider your product or service; what are people willing to pay for it?    

2. Break Down Your Objective Into Smaller Goals

Note down your activity targets within your control. These can be things like, calls per day or proposals per month. To then measure your progress, set results targets. For example, appointments set per call or sales made per month. Increase your activity and measure the results. Setting goals or targets allows you to focus your attention.    

3. Sell To Your Client’s Needs

Work under the assumption that your prospective buyers will purchase only what they need. It is your job to convince them of that need. Put an emphasis on the features of your product or service that will benefit the customer. Be creative in your marketing.    

4. Build And Retain Positive Attention

Efficient advertising, referrals, tactical questions, and sales skills are key to generating positive attention. Thorough follow-through partnered with great customer service are the keys to retaining it.    

5. Sell On Purpose

Think about what you do and why you do it. Who is your target customer and what questions will you ask them? Consider what your proposal will look like and why. If you feel unsure of yourself at any point during the sales process, it could be time to get some coaching or advice.    

6. Ask, Listen, Act

When asking questions during the sale process, ensure they are prepared, direct and relevant. You need to have effective listening skills and show the customer you listened to them by responding and taking action.    

7. Take Responsibility, Not Credit

You want to build a strong support team that is willing to go out of their way to help you when you need it. To do this, give your team credit when things go right, and take the blame when things go wrong.    

8. Don’t Compromise On Your Integrity

When it comes to sales and marketing, operating ethically is of the utmost importance. Due to negative stereotypes presented in the media, most people assume that all salespeople are the same. This can be a challenge for many companies. Operating with integrity and ethics will show your customer that you are trustworthy and will strengthen your reputation.    
Does your sales team need a modern approach to enhance their performance?
 

Contact KONA by emailing info@kona.com.au or call 1300 611 288

4 Reasons Why Sales Training Should Be A Component Of Your Recruitment Strategy

When recruiting new team members for your business, there are many considerable factors to ensure your offer is most appealing to your target recruit. Generally, companies will hire established salespeople with the assumption that they won’t need further training. In doing so, you could be missing out on the opportunity to grow and develop the next top salesperson.

Here are 4 reasons why you should implement an offer of sales training into your recruitment process:

1. You Are More Likely To Retain Staff When You Offer Ongoing Training


Offering ongoing training to employees will make them feel valued. It attracts the right type of person to the role, someone who is eager to enhance their skills and wants career progression. Going into a new job knowing you will have opportunities to learn and develop new skills naturally boosts enthusiasm. Not to mention your business’ recruitment costs will reduce when you have a high staff retention rate.

2. Be Proactive, Not Reactive


It is common for businesses to only consider training their sales team when there are problems emerging. A more effective strategy is to offer staff training regularly. This will prevent problems before they occur and ensures any issues are stamped out early on. Incorporating Sales Training into your recruitment process will ensure any new staff that come on board are trained in the same way as your current salespeople.

3. Attract A Quality Candidate To The Position


Proposing a training program in your employment offer is attractive to prospective employees as it eases tension related to taking on a new job. It opens the doors to people who may not have a lot of experience in the field, but they are eager to learn and with the right training, could be the next best salesperson on your team.

4. Promotes An Encouraging And Supportive Work Environment

Sales Training has a positive influence on staff enthusiasm, engagement, and fulfilment. Offering training opportunities at the recruitment stage promotes your business as being supportive. It shows you have intent for employee growth within the company. Offering sales training from the beginning of a salesperson’s career demonstrates that your company is willing to invest in their team.

You can achieve these benefits and more by offering effective training as part of your recruitment process.

Find out how you can incorporate Sales Training into your recruitment strategy by contacting KONA!

Phone 1300 611 288 or email info@kona.com.au

9 Important Tips For Setting Appointments

How to start a sales call the right way - CrankWheel

Business owners and salespeople often use phone calls to book appointments with clients and prospective customers.

To do this successfully you need confidence in the relationship-building aspect of telemarketing.

You have the responsibility of displaying your product or service in an honest and professional way and you are aware of the value of what it means to exceed the expectations of your customer.

What steps can you take to guarantee your best chance of securing an appointment?

1. Have A Plan

Preparation is vital. When you go into a conversation prepared with what you want to say, you can be confident that you are covering all important matters. You will be able to keep control of the conversation and bring it back if it drifts off-topic.

2. Make Your Offer Early

It is important to spark interest early on and to combat objections promptly with an offer that is full of benefits. You need to be quick to ensure negativity does not affect the customer’s decision.

3. Conversation Is Key

Ask short, open questions to gage as much information as possible from the customer. Your questions should be relevant to ensure you keep their attention and you should repeat their answers back to them when suitable. Talking for too long and confusing the client with your questions can lead to them tuning out of the conversation.

4. Handle Objections

Show the customer that you understand their situation by recognising their objections. Use phrases like ‘I understand how you feel.’ Let them know that you have had other customers that had similar objections when they first came onboard. This will demonstrate that you are experienced. Clarify that the purpose of the appointment is to understand their position and then suggest an appointment time.

Competitive Objection Handling 101: Your Guide to Knocking Competitors out of Deals and Earning the Trust of Your Buyers - Klue

5. Don’t Give In The First Time

Objections are inevitable and when they happen, it is important not to repeat the objection back to the customer or go too much into it. Don’t take any objections personally and ask the right questions to better understand their answer. It is common for it to take a number of conversations with the prospective customer before they accept your offer of an appointment, so don’t get disheartened if they do not accept the first time around.

6. Don’t Be Afraid Of Uncertainty

Admitting when you don’t know the answer to something or needing to check with someone else is not a bad thing. Building a foundation of trust with your customer is so important and if you bluff your way around their questions, it is likely they will find out and that relationship will be damaged. If you have uncertainty around an objection or question, tell them that, and get back to them with the right information.

7. Research Before You Call

The more you know before picking up the phone, the better. If you have just a name and a phone number, you can still make an effective sales appointment. If all else fails, you can always turn to Google. Or, if you’d rather, you can reach out to your connections on LinkedIn. You can even check with your network contacts to see if you know anyone who knows the prospect. You may be able to get a referral from a mutual contact.

The 18 Best Places for Sales Reps to Research Prospects [Expert Tips]

8. Create A Good Opener

Once you get the prospect on the phone, you have about 10-20 seconds before they’re ready to hang up on you. Most people automatically reject you as soon as you start trying to sell them. If you want to get past a potential customer’s rejection filter, you’ll need an opener that surprises or intrigues them. Something that will make them sit up and take notice. Once you have their attention, you can set up an appointment or at least get them to listen to what you have to say.

9. Pick A Benefit That Most Interests Your Prospect

When you have done your research and know more about your prospect, you can better customise your pitch to fit their needs or pain points. This way, you are more likely to get their business. Pick a benefit of your product or service that you think will most appeal to your prospective customer. Explain how that product or service provides this benefit to them. Our billing system helps give you peace of mind.

7 Essential Tips to Set Sales Appointments Geared for Success • Bookafy

Timeless Advice Is The Best Advice. Sell the benefits and value, not features. Come prepared, find out what the customer’s concerns are and present them with solutions. When you offer them the chance to find out more about something that they may have a hard time saying no to, offer an appointment.

Is your team following these appointment setting tips?

Contact KONA today for customised training for your business!

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