Do you dread your sales forecast meetings with your sales manager? It’s probably because you really don’t know what is the next step to close the sale. So, you don’t know what’s going to close when. Here’s how to control the time frame of the sale and how to pin down when it will happen.
What is the Next Step to Close Each Sale?
Many sales representatives absolutely dread their monthly sales forecasting meetings with their sales manager. Why? Often, it is because they really don't know what is the next step to close the sale. More importantly, they also don't know when that step is going to happen.
As such, their forecasting accuracy is less than desired, and that makes for some unpleasant meetings!
To eliminate this, as sales professionals, we have to do a better job of controlling the time frame of each potential sale.
How to Control The Time Frame of the Sale
After your next sales presentation, try asking the following closing question: 'Mr. Prospect, in your opinion, do you feel this is the right solution for your organization?' Let's assume for the purposes of this post, the prospect answers yes.
The next logical question then becomes: 'Great, Mr. Prospect, what's the next step?' Regardless of the answer you receive, you should always respond with clarification as to the time frame of when the next step will be completed.
Examples of How to Control the Time Frame of the Sale
For example, if the next step is that your contact needs to meet with someone higher in the organization, you should confirm when that meeting is going to take place, as well as what will happen after. 'If you are meeting with your boss next Tuesday, I will call you Wednesday morning.'
Sometimes, the customer will respond that they will call you when they are ready. Chances are that that won't happen, so you must control the time frame. 'I can appreciate that you need some time to think things over. When should I expect to hear from you?' If the prospect says, Thursday, you should confirm that if you don't hear from him by then, you will call him Friday. This way, the sale is always moving forward and more importantly, you know when.
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Other ideas to control the time frame of your potential sales include:
– Put an expiry date on every proposal. A thirty day time limit is normally long enough. If you need longer, perhaps you were quoting too early in the sales process in the first place.
– Include an implementation schedule with your proposals. For example, if you know that the customer has to be up and running in 60 days, you can work backwards with operator training times, delivery schedules, and order processing times to know exactly when contracts must be signed.
A detailed proposal template that includes the above elements is outlined in detail in my eBook, Action Plan For Sales Success. You can also use a forward thinking sales report like the Weekly Sales Activity Tracking Tool.
Both of these tools will ensure that you are clarifying the next step to close the sale with each prospect, and more importantly, when that step is going to take place.
Also, be sure to check out the best apps for sales people for more tools to keep you on track.
How to Prepare for Your Next Sales Forecasting Meeting
Research shows that the average time to complete a sale, from lead to close is 102 days. So, to accurately forecast what will close when, you have to know how to qualify your prospects buying cycle.
So, before your next sales forecasting meeting with your sales manager, look at your current prospect list. For each prospect, do you know exactly what is the next step to close the sale and when it is going to take place? If you don't, perhaps you should call them and find out!
In my ebook, Action Plan for Sales Success, I discuss in detail how to keep the sales process moving forward. I include a discussion of one of the most effective sales techniques to flush out the prospect's true objection. So if the prospect answers 'no' to your closing question, you will know what to do. I also list what you should include in every proposal so that you will not only close more sales, you will close them faster.
Remember, your prospect doesn't control your sale's time frame, you do!
Aim Higher!
Susan A. Enns, B2B Sales Coach and Author
Schedule a free sales coaching strategy session with Susan here.
“… what I can tell anyone, is simply this – If you want to learn and understand sales, talk to Susan.”
Do you have a question about sales? You’re not alone. Most salespeople have questions like this on how they can sell more. For the right answers, check out my book, Ask the Sales Coach-Practical Answers to the Questions Sales People Ask Most.
