Archive for the ‘telephone techniques’ Category

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Telesales masterclass – 14th & 15th December 2010

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

Our final 2 day telesales masterclass will run on 14th & 15th December 2010 in Northamptonshire or Leicestershire.

telesales training - 2 day Masterclass - Leicestershire / Northamptonshire

telesales training - 2 day Masterclass - Leicestershire / Northamptonshire

We’ve chosen these dates as clients tell us things often get a bit quieter just before Christmas and as a result it is a better time for training.  This course will cover all the key elements of communication skills and how to structure an effective sales call. We’ll be covering top tips and techniques for dealing with objections, listening skills, questioning skills – what the different questions are, when to use them and how to structure a powerful telephone sales call around good questioning. Add into that an introduction to the 2 stage process for directing the conversation, and a couple of hours on how to structure powerful telesales and telemarketing calls and you have the basic tools to make sure you convert more opportunities that come your way on the phone. Contact us for more details on 01858 461148. You can download a copy of a telesales course schedule directly from the site http://www.tomarket.co.uk/course-schedules.php 

This 2 day course is ideal for anyone in Derby, Nottingham, Coventry, Leicester, Birmingham, Cambridge, Peterborough, Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Oadby, Market Harborough, Hinckley, Oakham, Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford on Avon as well as wider parts of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, West Midlands and East Midlands. BOOK NOW for places on  14th - 15th December 2010 course.

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Posted in Cold calling, communication skills, Forthcoming courses, Overcoming objections, sales development training, telemarketing, telephone techniques, telesales, telesales team management | No Comments »

Telesales closing – it’s only a question that’s all

Monday, November 8th, 2010

Telesales closing technniques. It’s easy really, it’s only a question that’s all.

Closing techniques for telesales - easy really

Closing techniques for telesales - easy really

I am often asked about closing tips and techniques for telesales and telemarketing people when clients commission me to run training courses for their sales teams. Sometimes people tell me that their sales team doesn’t close well enough, or that they are frightened of the close. Frightened of what ? Asking a question ? Surely not ?

No, the close should be the natural extension of the conversation you are having with the person you are talking to. The key to effective closing is really about doing the other bits right first. The only reason you should be going for the close, where you ask the prospect for their commitment is because you’ve done everything else and you think they should say yes.

The earlier parts of the sales process are where you ask questions at the identifying needs stage. Your questioning skills and listening skills are the most important elements here. Once you’ve listened to, and got clear about what the prospect’s needs really are, you can then offer your matching statements by telling them how you offer a product or service that matches their requirements. This will frequently involve reinforcing the fact that their requirements are entirely logical and that is why you offer that product or service.

You use the seek and speak circle to control the conversation, and benefit statements to create interest and hopefully a little excitement. That is the quality that will ultimately make them decide to commit NOW – today. This is what you want to aim for.

If you’re getting the right signs and the right level of interest, then you simply ask the question. There are many ways of doing this and your words will need to fit the situation, but they should sound soft and consensual, “Ok, so is this what you want to go for then ?” or “Shall I go ahead and set them up for you now ?” or “great let’s start the ball rolling then shall we ?”

The close really is only a question, nothing more, nothing less. Do your groundwork properly first, and greater conversion rates will be yours! The world definitely has room for one more superstar.

To Market runs telephone sales, telemarketing and customer service training courses across the East Midlands, Peterborough, Cambridge, Leicester, Northampton, Derby, Nottingham, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Coventry, Birmingham, Lichfield, Solihull, Peterborough, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, Milton Keynes, Lincoln, East Midlands as well as wider parts of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire

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Posted in Cold calling, Field sales training, sales development training, Selling advice, telemarketing, telephone techniques, telesales | 1 Comment »

Increase your response rates hugely – not an idea we’d suggest

Friday, October 29th, 2010

Increase your response rates hugely! This is not an idea we’d suggest, but it is an interesting story nonetheless. Some of you may have followed the story already about how our regular (monthlyish) eflyer got caught in a loop back in September, and was repeatedly sending the same e-mail at minute intervals for over an hour. To say we weren’t too popular is a bit of an understatement. However I’ve written elsewhere about how this became an amazing and surprisingly positive experience. 

Keep your customers smiling - but don't do it our way!

Keep your customers smiling - but don't do it our way!

 

It’s got me thinking though. We prompted responses from customers and prospects in huge numbers, much larger than normal. OK, so they were negative responses, but it clearly left an impression. When calling people to apologise, many people commented that it is an effective way of getting people to remember you!

I was also amazed that out of it, 3 companies contacted us with sales leads. I never expected that! I’d like to think that because we were on the case quickly, and all our communication led with an apology it took the heat out of the situation in most instances.

The key learning point is then that thinking outside the square and coming up with new ideas and new ways of communicating them is the way to make people sit up and take notice. Even with a potential disaster, you’ll be amazed how you can turn this to your advantage so effectively, by following a few simple rules. Our previous blog sets out how we did this, here

Will we be doing this again though? Finding ways of irritating as many people as possible? No, No. However perhaps all we lack is courage! Be bold!

To Market runs telephone sales, telemarketing and customer service training courses across the East Midlands, Peterborough, Cambridge, Leicester, Northampton, Derby, Nottingham, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Coventry, Birmingham, Lichfield, Solihull, Peterborough, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, Milton Keynes, Lincoln, East Midlands as well as wider parts of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

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Posted in communication skills, customer handling, Customer Service disaster, Customer service management, Customer Service tips, customer services, telephone techniques | No Comments »

Customer Service masterclass training – Leicester / Northampton – 29th – 30th November 2010

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

Customer Service masterclass training – Leicester / Northampton – 29th – 30th November 2010. This is a telephone skills course, and our last customer service training course for 2010.

Customer Service training November 2010 - Leics / Northants

Customer Service training November 2010 - Leics / Northants

This 2 day course is ideal for anyone who talks to customers on the telephone in a customer service role : customer service, call centre, contact centre, or internal sales etc.

The customer service 2 day training course will cover key communications skills for offering exceptional customer service. Includes questioning skills, listening skills, mixed messages (why the message you send is not the message they receive) plus we’ll show you how the first 6 words you say to someone over the phone can tell the other person 40 plus things about you.

If you want more customers, and to develop more loyalty from the people you currently sell to, we’ll show you how. Get more customers, more often, who will stay for longer and spend more. Follow the link to find out about the dates of all forthcoming open courses. http://www.tomarket.co.uk/courses.php We’re all aware that modern day customer service is about exceeding customer expectations and delighting the customer. During this course we’ll show you how.

2 day customer service training course is ideal for anyone in Birmingham, Cambridge, Peterborough, Leicester, Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Stamford, Grantham, Wellingborough, Loughborough, Coalville, Oadby, Oakham, Uppingham, Rutland, Derby, Coventry, Nottingham, Hinckley, Lutterworth, Warwick, Leamington, Stratford on Avon and all parts of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. 29th – 30th November 2010.

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Posted in communication skills, customer handling, Customer service management, customer services, Forthcoming courses, telephone techniques | No Comments »

7 tips on how to make cold calls

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

7 tips on how to make cold calls. Need to make cold calls, but after some tips?

Making cold calls is an integral and therefore important part of growing your business. If you want new customers, you have to approach them for the first time (at some point !) If they come through advertising great, but if not, you’re going to have to pick the phone up and make that call. OK, so here’s some ideas on how to do it …….

 

Cold calling is an integral part of generating new business

Cold calling is an integral part of generating new business

1.  Remove the stigma of thinking of it as a cold call. It is just another business call that’s all. And remember everybody is your customer, it’s just that some of them haven’t bought from you yet.

2. Don’t have a script to use verbatim, but do have a call guide. A list of questions you ideally want to ask, and some words for the key message or messages you want to get across.

3.  Your main focus initially on the call should be to engage with the decision-maker on a human level, forget “trying to sell” for a moment and work to build a rapport, just as you would socially. Your first aim is to get them to warm to you.

 4.   Make sure your call is relevant to the target person, or make it relevant. If you can’t – don’t make the call, you’ll be wasting your time.

 5.   Be aware that as little as 5-20% of the impact of your communication comes from the words you use. The rest comes from the way you say it. So make sure you sound enthusiastic and believe in what you do. Refer to Jamie Oliver, Gok Wan and Mary Portas for details!

6.     Learn from every call you make. You’ll find phrases that people seem to respond well to, and perhaps benefits that don’t light people up. Change your approach as you learn.

 7.   Keep a record of all your call activity. So this includes number of calls, how many you get through to, and who you need to diarise for future contact. This will motivate you more even when you’re not getting the results. “At least I can see I’ve made 100 calls today ……..” Not every call gets you the perfect result, but sure as eggs is eggs, if you don’t make those 100 calls, you won’t get any of the perfect results!

 The best of luck.

To Market carries out telesales training and cold call training for teams across the West Midlands, East Midlands, as wll as Northampton, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Coventry, Birmingham, Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, St Ives, Cambridge, Newmarket, Oakham, Uppingham, Loughborough, Warwick, Stratford on Avon, Leamington Spa plus Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Suffolk.

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Posted in business growth, owner managers directors, sales development training, Selling advice, small business marketing, telemarketing, telephone techniques | No Comments »

The magic ingredient that will help you get on in life – ENTHUSIASM

Friday, June 25th, 2010

The magic ingredient that will help you get on in life is ENTHUSIASM and it’s close associate ENERGY.

I often sit there watching TV at night wondering what makes those who offer us advice on all manner of aspects of our life, celebrities. Is it that they’re the most highly qualified in their field? Not usually. Are they the brightest or most experienced? Again not necessarily. But what they all possess in common is enthusiasm for what they do and energy around doing it. This is especially true of the TV chefs. I always think people like Jamie Oliver and Rick Stein really love what they do. The cynic may say, well yes “if I was earning what they were earning, I could be enthusiastic too.” But of course it doesn’t happen that way round does it? You have to put the effort in first and loads of energy, then the rewards will come. Ok, that’s the moralising over!

Enthusiasm and energy are what will get you waht you want from life

Enthusiasm and energy are what will get you what you want from life

If you’re selling your business to others as a business owner or director or you’re employed in a sales position, it is really important – vital in fact that you’re communication  reflects this positive attitude and strong belief.

Those of you who have already been on one of courses and done the work on ‘Expression, Energy and Emphasis’ will know that you can tell 40+ things about a total stranger from the opening 6 words of a telephone conversation! Remember grey, red, pink & fluffy and the brown man ?!

The energy in your voice will say more about you than you will ever realise. Make it part of your power of attraction. Jamie does.

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Posted in communication skills, Independent audit of telemarketing team, sales development training, Selling advice, telemarketing, Telemarketing management, telephone techniques, telesales, telesales team management, Telesales tips | No Comments »

Why do sales people fail to close ?

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Why do sales people fail to close ? This is a question we spotted on a forum recently and it is an interesting question. With over 140 responses so far it has clearly got the juices going.

The key reason why sales people don’t close effectively is out of fear. They either don’t ask the question at all, or ask it at the wrong time.

Closing the sale - is all about overcoming the fear of rejection

Closing the sale - is all about overcoming the fear of rejection

For a sales person to close at the right time, all they need to do is understand where they are in the process and trust themselves and the process.

As a rule of thumb it is a good idea to open the prospect up by asking them some open questions (so that’s your 7 ‘W’s.) Then just listen attentively and pick up on both what they are saying and how they’re saying it. This will allow you to decide which aspects of your product or service are most relevant to them. You support this with some benefit statements explaining clearly and concisely why this is what they need – and then you watch for buying signals. Once you get a buying signal, the close should be the natural and logical next step.

And it should be remembered that the close is simply a question that’s all. No great drama, it’s just a closed question.

 If they decline at this stage you merely go back to asking questions to uncover more about their needs. To ask the question at the wrong time means you’ve not used the above process accurately enough.

Finally, remember that “everyone lives by selling something” so there should be no great shame attached to going for the close.

Like most things be relaxed, remember you’re a human, relate to them as a human and the close and successful selling should become a natural ‘next step.’

To Market offers telephone sales training, telesales training, telemarketing training for companies across the Midlands ; Leicester, Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough, Coventry, Birmingham, Daventry, Melton Mowbray, Cambridge, Newmarket, Warwick, Stratford on Avon, Leamington Spa, Loughborough, Nottingham, Derby, Solihull, Lichfield, and wider parts of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Suffolk plus the East and West Midlands

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Posted in Field sales training, sales development training, Selling advice, telemarketing, telephone techniques, telesales, telesales team management, Telesales tips | No Comments »

Befriend the gatekeeper – it’s the only way !

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Befriend the gatekeeper – it’s the only way ! Honestly, it is !

Gatekeepers, receptionists, secretaries, PAs can be the bane of your life to any aspiring telemarketing or telesales person, and this is a hot topic when we discuss telesales or telemarketing training with clients. However it is important to remember a few truths.

Befriending gatekeepers - get them onside

Befriending gatekeepers - get them onside

First the gatekeeper has all the power. They decide whether they are going to put you through or not. So why take them on ? No point.

And like anyone else they will respond better to people they warm to. Be friendly and human with them. This doesn’t mean talking about lots of random “I’m trying to be your best friend” type of stuff either.

Use words like help, advise, suggest as this subtley shows that you respect their position. “I know Phil Smith is busy, but can you RECOMMEND the best time to get hold of him ?” You may be surprised how many times these types of approaches work.

Always be polite and respectful, and it will get you more of what you want.

If you speak to the gatekeeper a lot, then it is fine to develop a more social relationship – ask them about their holiday etc, but never do this if it may be considered to be inappropriate.

Getting past the gatekeeper is one of the hot topics at the moment on telesales and telemarketing courses, and so we are looking to include this in a series of short, sharp training sessions we will be running, monthly 2 hour open course training over a 12 month period. These will be offered to businesses across Birmingham, Solihull, Lichfield, Coventry, Derby, Nottingham, Mansfield, Leicester, Coalville, Loughborough, London, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Grantham, Stamford, Peterborough, Cambridge, Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford, Kettering, Wellingborough, Corby, Market Harborough,  as well as wider parts of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, the East Midlands and West Midlands.

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Posted in communication skills, Getting past gatekeepers, Overcoming objections, sales development training, Selling advice, telemarketing, telephone techniques, telesales, Telesales tips | No Comments »

Telephone techniques training course – 1 day

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Telephone techniques course – 1 day course. We’re just putting the finishing touches to our latest one day course in telephone techniques for all business people who use the phone talking to customers.  This series of one day courses is being offered at venues across the Midlands including Leicester, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, Northampton, Loughborough, as well as Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Cambridge, St Ives, Coventry and Daventry. 

Raise your game and build better relationships with your customers

Raise your game and build better relationships with your customers

Whereas our ‘full fat’ 2 day courses are generally aimed at either Telesales OR customer service, this one day compact course is for all staff who deal with customers.

It covers all the basic things you need to be aware of when dealing with customers. In just one day you will cover ;

  • Listening skills
  • Questioning skills
  • Expression (how your voice tells the other person more about you than you will ever know.)
  • Mixed messages (why the message you send is not always the message they receive.)

Attending our course will increase your awareness of yours and your customers communication skills. This will enable you to build better empathy with your customers, thus ensuring better long-term trading relationships.

Better communications skills and telephone techniques leads to more sales and a greater customer experience. If you are interested in this compact telephone skills course in Birmingham, Daventry, Coventry, Leicester, Northampton, Kettering, Cambridge, St Ives, Solihull, Lichfield, Loughborough or anywhere across the East and West Midlands, drop us a line to info@tomarket.co.uk and we’ll send you more information.

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Posted in communication skills, Forthcoming courses, telephone techniques, telesales | No Comments »

Customer Service masterclass training – Leicester / Northampton – 24th – 25th August 2010

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Customer Service masterclass training - Leicestershire / Northamptonshire – 24th - 25th August 2010. 2 day course ideal for anyone who talks to customers on the telephone in a customer service role : customer service, contact centre, call centre, internal sales etc.

Customer Service 2 day training - Autumn 2009

Customer Service 2 day training - February 2010

Customer service course will cover key communications skills for offering exceptional customer service. Includes questioning skills, listening skills, mixed messages (why the message you send is not the message they receive) plus we’ll show you how the first 6 words you say to someone over the phone can tell the other person 40 plus things about you.

If you want more customers, and to develop more loyalty from the people you currently sell to, we’ll show you how. Get more customers, more often, who will stay for longer and spend more. Follow the link to find out about the dates of all forthcoming open courses. http://www.tomarket.co.uk/courses.php

2 day customer service course ideal for anyone in Birmingham, Cambridge, Leicester, Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Stamford, Grantham, Wellingborough, Loughborough, Coalville, Oadby, Oakham, Uppingham, Rutland, Derby, Coventry, Nottingham, Hinckley, Lutterworth and all parts of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. 24th – 25th August 2010.

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Posted in communication skills, customer handling, customer services, Forthcoming courses, telephone techniques | No Comments »

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