Boost your selling skills to beat economic slump
Forecasts of a global recession have led to a decline in consumer confidence. Amid the inflated petrol costs, high inflation and especially the continual rise in interest rates, South Africa as an emerging market is not immune to the effects of a global economic downturn.
A tough economy means consumers have less disposable income and businesses have to work harder, and a lot smarter, to entice consumers to loosen their purse strings.
So how do businesses, especially small businesses, beat the economic slump?
“The truth is, you don’t need a booming economy to make a success of your business – you simply have to review your sales strategy and the team you have in place,” says Blair Singer (pictured), world’s top change management methodology expert and founder of SalesPartners Worldwide - a global business mentoring, consulting, outsourced sales management and sales/team training franchise.
Research carried out by Score – Counsellors to America’s Small Business, indicates that small businesses may not have the tools and techniques at their disposal to make a success of their business and ensure sustainable growth.
The statistics show that out of every 100 small businesses:
- 30% fail after two years
- 56% fail after four years
- 90% fail after 10 years
“It’s not enough to have an interesting idea and it’s not enough to be the cheapest – you have to know how to sell yourself, your business and your product, and ultimately, you have to be able to offer a solution to your customer’s problem,” continues Singer.
The reasons cited in the research as to why businesses fail are as follows:
- 78% lack a solid base plan
- 77% are not pricing their products or services properly
- 73% are being overly optimistic about sales
- 70% don’t recognise or ignore their weaknesses and don’t seek help
“Another reason that 90% of most businesses fail is the same reason that most people never become rich. It’s not because they don’t have great ideas, great products or services. It’s because they can’t, don’t know how to or refuse to SELL,” says Singer.
Blair Singer is the best-selling author of SalesDogs and The ABC’s of building a Business Team That Wins, trainer and coach to some of the world’s greatest sales people, business leaders and presenters, and one of Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad’s advisors.
He will be in South Africa on October 4th and 5th for an exclusive sales and leadership seminar, where he will teach business owners, budding entrepreneurs, sales people and generally any individual who wants to improve their selling skills, how to master the ability to sell, negotiate, influence, persuade and take communication to a different level.
Singer’s Authentic Sales and Leadership Program, which will take place at the Sandton Sun in Johannesburg and is presented on behalf of SalesPartners South Africa, gives delegates the confidence to go beyond simply selling a product – they are taught how to sell their dreams, their ideas, their plans or even their brilliance. They will also be taught the techniques and formulas to building championship teams.
“The more you are able to instil confidence in others, and get them to take action on your notions, the better you sell, the better you lead and the more income you create,” says Singer. “And that’s all kinds of income: wealth, money, trust, companionship and even love. Sales is a life skill.”
Over 150 people attended Singer’s last seminar in South Africa, and the feedback was extremely positive. One of the delegates, Mariaan du Plessis, CEO, Medical Nutritional Institute, says, “After the two day seminar, my energy levels were so high that I got my partner excited again about the business and within two months we grew our revenue by 20%. By using the Automatic Lead Generator System, we have totally changed our marketing approach and have received a very positive response to our new marketing strategy.”
So, how big is your game and how big do you want to play?
To find out more about Blair Singer’s upcoming seminar, contact SalesPartners South Africa on (011)612 3047 or email Genevieve Buys on genevieveb@sp-ww.com.
