High-performing athletes, whether football, baseball, golf, tennis, swimming, etc. share common qualities and traits.

A healthy sales pipeline means you have the right balance of opportunities at every stage. A sales pipeline stage represents each step a prospect takes through your sales process, from becoming a lead to becoming a customer. But it all starts with a first appointment. It is the foundation to building a solid pipeline.

Video is such a powerful and dynamic medium for communication.

Are you feeling the burn of the summer slump? A study by Captivate Network found that workplace productivity takes a 20% hit during the summer months. The study also found that attendance decreases by 19% and projects take 13% more time to complete.

Sales requires constant communication. You’re either writing an email, crafting a proposal or sales presentation, gathering information over the phone, asking questions during a meeting, listening to a client’s feedback, and the list goes on. Salespeople have to be expert communicators. This is especially true since the buying process has changed. Buyers are more informed, which gives them more power. In fact, according to an Accenture study, 94% of B2B buyers say they actually conduct online research before making a buying decision. And guess what? A report from Forrester stated that 59% of buyers prefer to do research online instead of consulting a sales professional because they believe that salespeople are likely to push their agenda rather than focusing on solving the problem.

Competitive selling is a combination of three things: mindset, competition, and positioning Let’s explore each: Mindset Competitive selling starts with your mindset. Your mindset is motivated and empowered. You are not driven by income, but rather from the satisfaction, challenge, and personal achievement that a career in sales affords. It also means you see sales as a game to play, to have fun with and to win. Competition You’re ruthless about understanding the industry (or industries) your solution serves as well as getting to know the competitors you’re likely to face on a daily basis. This doesn’t mean you’re constantly comparing yourself to the competition, it simply means you’re knowledgeable about what they offer and how your solution is unique and different. Positioning (Point-of-View) Your positioning or point-of-view is a particular attitude or way of considering a matter. It’s your position and passion towards the solution you’re selling and the people, companies and industries you help. When combined, these three elements give you the ability to leverage competitive selling as an approach and strategy.