After receiving the results of my sons reading and writing tests I was introduced to the term “chunking”. Upon researching this term I found that there is psychology chunking, writing chunking, computing chunking, extended smtp chunking, computational linguistics chunking, division chunking, music chunking and I am sure many others. Who knew, right? After reading through these descriptions, however, I had an epiphany! Why not Sales Chunking?
One of our existing accounts was moving to a new location and wanted advice and quotes on upgrades and/or new products. Nice. In an effort to build the right solution I asked one of our technicians to be on a call to clarify the client’s needs/usage. On the call the technician instantly starts telling them what they need. Not asking… but telling them what they need. No sales strategy or care for my previous conversations or budgets discussed. In fact, most of the products this technician was selling were way over what I had thought they could afford and would have never proposed. I am now very uncomfortable with the conversation and am starting to wish I hadn’t invited the technician. What happened next was such a surprise however. The customer agrees with the technician and asks to get a contract sent over. What?
You know the scenario. 11th hour of the sales process and you’re pretty sure you’re in the lead. The email or call comes and… they ask for “3 like company, size, and type references”. You’re now officially freaking out! Immediately you send an SOS message out to everyone begging for a letter of recommendation. No one answers the call. What the… Now what?
I went to get my car washed the other day after a long holiday trip. Pulling up to this large full service auto wash center I was presented with some options on a billboard overhead. As I was looking at the choices offered, a young man walked up and asked what could he do for me. I said I needed a car wash which he then did an assumptive close of the highest priced choice. Ok a little irritating but I get asking for the gold. After explaining that the lowest priced option would be fine he became noticeably irritated. Then the sales process battle began.