Sales Process - Do You Need One?

Continuing our series on common listener questions, this week we discuss Sales Process, why it is important to have one, common mistakes made when defining sales process, and why the Sales Process is different from the Customer Decision Making Process.

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Questions Addressed

What are some misconceptions when discussing Sales Process?
How does Buyer Journey differ from Sales Process?
Do most organizations have a defined process?
What are some common mistakes in documenting a Sales Process?

Key Takeaways

The Catalyst Sale Process (Links to previous episodes)
- Validation – do I see the potential for a business relationship between both organizations?
- Qualification – This is where we build out the customer story
- Fit – Based on what we know about the customer, can we solve their problem?
- Feasibility – Can the customer implement?
- Proposal – The solution in the context of the customer, costs, timeline, etc.
- Closed Won – Contract is executed.
- Confirmation – Did we do what we said we were going to do?
Distinguish between buyer journey (decision-making process) and sales process.
Be aware of your biases and the lens you use to evaluate the problem/process/solution.
You can improve predictably with an established and well-defined process.
A defined process will help with organization alignment
Common Mistake - we applying our process to the customer. Don't do this.
The Sales Process, from a Catalyst Sale perspective, is a tool to help with communication and create predictability in forecast. It is an internal tool
B2B (Buying on behalf of others) vs B2C (Buying for our self) - The decision-making journey may be the same, the influence is different.
Be the guide, remember that the customer is the hero
Liz - Selling Without Selling Your Soul
The customer decision-making process is usually a linear path.
Demo is not a stage in the sales process
Recommendations
- Design backward
- Identify patterns
- Don't skip steps
If you are delivering multiple proposals, you are likely skipping steps
Don't remove or skip steps - you will increase risk.
Don't over complicate the sales process, customer decision-making process, or expected/anticipated sales rep behavior.

Call To Action

How do you distinguish between Sales Process & Customer Decision Making Process?
Send Listener Questions to us at https://catalystsale.com

Show Links

Thank You

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Please send listener questions and feedback to hello@catalystsale.com or contact us directly on twitter, facebook or LinkedIn.

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Catalyst Sale

In every business, in every opportunity, there is someone who can help you navigate the internal challenges and close the deal. There is a Catalyst. We integrate process (Catalyst Sale Process), technology and people, with the purpose of accelerating revenue. Our thoughtful approach minimizes false starts that are common in emerging markets and high-growth environments. We continue to evolve our practice based on customer needs and emerging technology. We care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do.

Sales is a Thinking Process.

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