A recent McKinsey study* uncovered an alarming gap between what vendors are saying and what customers want to hear. They compared the core messages of the world’s largest B2B companies with what actually influences buying decisions. The results were fascinating. Here’s why customers aren’t responding to your message: The things you say the most are the things they care about the least. McKinsey’s survey of over 700 global executive decision makers revealed that the themes … [Continue reading]
Break the “Curse of Knowledge” before it kills your pitch
Last week I had the opportunity to provide one-on-one pitch coaching for five different entrepreneurs. It was a lot of fun. This was part of a startup competition (similar to Shark Tank) hosted by Cox and Inc Magazine. One of the concepts we covered in each session was a sales messaging principle that applies equally to startups and Fortune 500s: be incredibly specific. It sounds obvious, but it doesn’t come naturally. Here’s why. You’re too … [Continue reading]
How to sell to a visual learner (without overdoing the visuals)
One of our clients in the IT services space recently had the opportunity to pitch the CIO of a Fortune 50 technology giant. Several members of their senior leadership team flew out for it. It was a perfect test for the new sales messaging. At the end of their three hour meeting, the CIO pointed to the diagram on the whiteboard and told them that of all the things they presented that day, that was … [Continue reading]
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