Consultative Sales Process

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In selling, there are three different types of selling. They are consultative, transactional, and strategic. The consultative selling process takes place in which the salesperson determines the problem a customer is having by spending time with the person and trying to solve and recommend a solution that will specifically address that problem. This involves meeting customers’ needs by asking specific questions, listening actively and giving feedback, understanding their problems, creating the appropriate solution, creating a sales presentation, and following through after the sale. To be most successful, a salesperson should think of the sales presentation as a four-part process. This process includes discovering the needs of the customer, …show more content…

After determining what the customer needs, a salesperson has to begin to configure custom-fitted solutions to satisfy these needs (Manning, Ahearne & Reece, 2012). The third step in the consultative sales process guide is to create a need-satisfaction sales presentation. In doing this, a salesperson must communicate to the customer, both verbally and non-verbally, the benefits of the product or service. They will also start making value-adding statements. These statements are used to inform, persuade, and remind the customer of the most appropriate product of service. The last part of the consultative selling process is servicing the sale. According to authors Gerald L. Manning, Michael Ahearne, and Barry L. Reece in “Selling Today”, this is a major way to create value. This part of the process occurs after the closing of a sale. It ensures maximum customer satisfaction and also sets the stage for a long-term buyer-seller relationship. A salesperson may implement this process by including expansion selling, making credit arrangements, following through on assurances, and adequately dealing with …show more content…

Showmanship is defined as an interesting and attractive way of communication an idea to others. In many ways, this can help improve the persuasiveness and effectiveness of a sales presentation. An example of showmanship would be at a classic auto show, where unique products are on display. They may be incising for viewers and people who visit the show. Next, a salesperson must be able to minimize the negative impact of change in a selling process. In some selling situations, the customer may be asked to consider change of some sort. Some may not be open to this. Whenever possible, a salesperson should always try and help the customer view change in a positive and realistic way (Manning, Ahearne, Reece, 2012). The sixth guideline a sales person must follow for a persuasive presentation strategy is placing the strongest appeal at the beginning or end of the presentation. Many researchers believe that appeals made at the beginning or end of a presentation are more effective than ones given in the middle. This allows the customer to get a full understanding of what is being

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