The Pipeline

OCTOBER 12, 2021

By Tibor Shanto. The generally correct answer is any reasonable time. Even that can be open to interpretation, I know a number of B2B sellers who have success prospecting on Saturday. I understand people trying to be as efficient as possible by pinpoint the best time to make prospecting calls. I know many salespeople hope they can know the exact time the right prey will be at the watering hole.

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The Pipeline

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

By Tibor Shanto. There has been no shortage of new sales related books during COVID, the usual mixed bag, with scale. But one stands out, The Building Blocks of Sales Enablement , by Mike Kunkle. Not only because of the author, Mr. Kunkle and the subject, sales enablement, but because way Mike approaches the subject. Sales Enablement is a hot topic, and as such, some will abuse it for their own good (or bad).

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Sales Enablement Scale Hiring Maximizer 201

The Pipeline

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

Subscribe today , and take the Breakfast on the go! Jay McBain is one of the most visible and respected thought leaders in the global channel. Named 2021 Channel Influencer of the Year by Channel Partners Magazine, Top 40 Under Forty by the Business Review, as well as numerous channel magazines top influencer lists, he is often sought out for industry guidance and future trends.

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The Pipeline

AUGUST 17, 2021

By Tibor Shanto. Choice , such a nice word, makes everyone who offers or receives one feel good: and for all the wrong reasons. But in reality, and in sales it will almost always work against you. I’ll go further, it is a clear indicator of laziness and lack of professionality. Yet for the all the usual reasons, salespeople and pundits swear by and depend on it.

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The Pipeline

AUGUST 16, 2021

Subscribe today, and take the Breakfast on the go! Lahat Tzvi is a leading sales authority, a world-renowned sales expert in the field of B2B and complex selling. He is the founder and CEO of Tfisot, an international consultancy firm that helps companies and sales teams improve their sales results by implementing a new strategic sales method and by transforming their sales approach.

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The Pipeline

JULY 27, 2021

By Tibor Shanto. A week or so back, I posted about the “ summer lull ,” suggesting it could be more myth than fact. Some enterprising salespeople asked what they should do during this period? Well, it is a great time to do all those things you tell me you want to do but never have time for. Every time I suggest salespeople practice the basics, they tell me they have not time, well now is the time, summer.

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The Pipeline

JULY 20, 2021

By Tibor Shanto. One of the reasons I like sales is you don’t need an MBA to succeed. It helps, no doubt, but a lot of MBAs fail at sales. Mostly because it is about what you do, not about what you think or believe. Which is why it is a surprise that many who avoided academic endeavours in the past, want to do so much research. Ask most sellers their view on research, most will respond without a thought, “it is an absolute must.

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Research Call-back Lead Rank Lead Scoring 386

The Pipeline

JUNE 28, 2021

By Tibor Shanto. Does the world need yet another podcast? Normally I would side with the NO group, but in this case I’ll make an exception. As you know (or should know), I host a live broadcast every Friday morning called the “Breakfast For Champions.” It airs live on LinkedIn Live , YouTube live , and the usual outlets. And while it is available to view forever on YouTube or LinkedIn, you can’t take it on the go.

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The Pipeline

MAY 4, 2021

By Tibor Shanto. No one should doubt or question the power of empathy in life, and as a result in sales. But saying you are empathetic is a long way from practicing empathy. Many of the proponents of the concept in sales, stay very much at the concept level. But you know that we are about execution, everything else is just talk. And there is a lot of talk, and little associated action when it come to empathy in sales.

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The Pipeline

APRIL 6, 2021

By Tibor Shanto. Salespeople seem to be collectively suffering from a variant of the Stockholm syndrome. Most of us have an idea of what Stockholm syndrome is, or at least have some sense of who Patty Hearst was. So, how does this apply to sales? Why is it that salespeople continue to cling to their products despite every indication that it is minimizing their success?

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The Pipeline

MARCH 30, 2021

By Tibor Shanto. I used to work with a fellow who insisted that I could reduce my frustration levels by reducing expectation. If I could accept to expect much less from people like him, I could avoid the disappointment of missed expectations. Probably true but there must be a more practical way to avoid disappointment. Here is a radical thought, people setting expectation should live up to them or learn to set more realistic or honest expectations.

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Vendor Objections Buyer Direct Response 210

The Pipeline

MARCH 12, 2021

By Tibor Shanto. The key difference between a tribe and a herd is that the former walk on two legs. Herd mentality persists in both. Sales like most tribes being a bit more civil than antelopes, prefers the 80/20 rule, over herd mentality. I have always been fascinated by how willing sales types are to accept the 80/20. Some years ago, I wrote a piece suggesting that we should elevate the tribe and go for 70/30.

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Data Sales Leadership Quota Sports 386

The Pipeline

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

By Tibor Shanto. The main reason salespeople hate telephone prospecting is rejection , anything else can immediately be drawn back to rejection. And while there is no avoiding rejection in prospecting, there are things you can do to turn things your way. BTW, if you’re wondering why you can’t avoid objections, it is because we are interrupting. Nothing wrong with that, but it is a fact, a fact that is central to cold calling success.

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Cold Calling Call-back Objections Webinar Metrics 241

The Pipeline

JANUARY 26, 2021

By Tibor Shanto. The familiar expression “measure twice, cut once”, has validity in B2B sales as well. Specifically, churn , lost revenue that must be made up for in addition to new revenue goals. Churn is not a negative or a fault, but a factor. Companies close, get acquired, and a range of reasons beyond fault. But it is still a sum that has to be recovered before we start retiring quota.

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The Pipeline

JANUARY 13, 2021

A Guest Post – by Michael Wigge. I always find changing the filters helps bring different often valuable perspectives, I have enjoyed Michael’s approach to challenges. I wanted to share it with you all and help you learn from his experience, and apply it to your selling. TS. Michael Wigge. The current times turn out to be challenging for many people, as changes are happening at top speed.

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The Pipeline

DECEMBER 15, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. As we head into 2021 there are a number of challenges and more opportunities for professional sellers. While the ability to adapt and evolve is key in times like we are presented these days. And so is the need and ability to apply the fundamentals, albeit with a new twist. Below are four specific steps you can take to a better 2021.

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The Pipeline

DECEMBER 1, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. A lot of people in sales ask questions for entirely the wrong reason. Not to be flippant but gathering information for yourself is not the primary purpose. No, the goal is to help the prospect think things through as they respond to your questions. Questions get people to think, but what you want them to think about are their objectives, not your product.

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Objections Buyer Leads Marketing Qualified Lead 262

The Pipeline

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. Selling solutions is a great approach, but there is a key prerequisite for it to work. Buyers need to actually have or feel they have the problem purported to be solved. But if they don’t see the problem, they won’t need the solution. This is why you find sellers selling more problems than solutions. Ask yourself what you are selling more, the problem or the solution?

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The Pipeline

NOVEMBER 10, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. Most people are focused on the future and the results their tasks and efforts will bring. Aligning with them involves helping them achieve their desired future. Meaning that we go further by leading with the output rather than the input, especially in the form of our product. While buyers will respond positively you an inputs based approach, prospects will not.

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Prospecting Buyer Positioning Leads 348

The Pipeline

OCTOBER 5, 2020

Sales Scrum Episode #21 – Guest Javed S. Khan. Javed S. Khan is a speaker & founder of Empression: a marketing services company that works with highly motivated entrepreneurs and organizations. Possessing a wealth of knowledge and experience in building relationships, marketing, brand development, and communications, Javed speaks with contagious passion and careful commitment to ensuring his audiences are empowered with critical strategies guaranteed to positively transform the way they mar

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The Pipeline

SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. Most of the pushback against telephone prospecting is most a product of fear and ignorance. The fuel that drives many things these days. But when you step back, look at some of the real data about people’s use of the phone, a different picture emerges. Couple that with some skills, process, and discipline, and you could be on your way.

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Video Prospecting Data Opportunity 241

The Pipeline

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. Can we agree that despite many claims to the contrary, there is no single proven method for continuous success in B2B sales? One that has proven itself in varied markets and real-world challenges. No matter what argument you may counter with, the fact you’re willing to discuss proves it doesn’t exist. That’s neither good nor bad, but an honest way to start looking at a real problem is sales today.

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The Pipeline

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. Big day today, thanks to our new virtual comfort, I am presenting at two different events, sharing best practices. From Sales Science to Sales 3.0, come along. One at noon Eastern, the second at 2:20 ET, all you need is to grab your coffee and notebook and may a sandwich between the two. Follow The Science. Starting off with my friend Bob Howard, founder and CEO at Contact Science.

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Webinar Metrics Conference Objections Follow-up 250

The Pipeline

AUGUST 12, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. Salespeople love to talk about solutions, buyers are tired of hearing about solutions that leave them no further ahead. Prospects are looking for answers to business opportunities. They need answers to that before they are ready to talk solutions. [link]. Join me Friday for the next breakfast For Champions. Dog Days Of Summer Sales.

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The Pipeline

JULY 27, 2020

Sales Scrum Podcast Episode #16 – Guest Milena Regos. We recorded this episode with Milena Regos just before all hell broke loose with COVID 19; little did we realize how the hustle will change overnight. Milena shares her journey to be a co-founder of Unhustle. She highlights how changing how you view the hustle, and choices you make, as a result, can actually lead to greater personal and financial rewards.

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The Pipeline

JULY 9, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. A dollar here a dollar there, whatever it takes to get the deal and hit quota, right? Let’s worry about the future when it gets here – if we can still afford to. [link]. The post What’s Your Margin On That Discount? appeared first on TiborShanto.com.

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Margin Discount Quota Sales Leadership 310

The Pipeline

JULY 7, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. Sales pundits love to talk about change, and there is no shortage of opportunity brought about by the changes we face today. But having been at the game for a while the one thing that never changes is the view and approach to incentive or commissions. I am not talking about superficial changes or updates in packaging, but real substantive change, the kind you only get when you change behaviors.

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Incentives Incentive Commission Sales Qualified Lead 430

The Pipeline

JUNE 22, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. There are a lot of blurred lines in business and sales, leading to blurred conversations, and longer sales cycles. One blur is the line between who is a buyer and who is a prospect. Assuming buyers and prospects are the same and the words interchangeable perhaps explains the output numbers year after year. You need to accept that prospects are not buyers, which is a good thing for us.

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The Pipeline

JUNE 1, 2020

Sales Scrum Podcast Episode #12 – Guest Shawn Finder. Shawn Finder has always been an entrepreneur at heart. At age 24, he entered the entrepreneurial world after competing as one of Canada’s top-ranked tennis players. While email success is always timely given the separation issues we are facing, getting email right is more crucial than ever.

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Face-to-face Social Selling Energy Trends 279

The Pipeline

MAY 25, 2020

Sales Scrum Podcast Episode #11 – Guest Steve Gielda. Steve Gielda , is the co-founder and CEO of Ignite Selling, and someone I have been looking forward to having on the podcast. Most salespeople do not know why they win or lose deals. If they win it is their charm, personality, and relationship. If they lose, it is price features. If you don’t know why things turned out the way they did, then you’re bound to do it the same again and again.

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Social Selling LinkedIn Energy Enterprise 391

The Pipeline

MAY 11, 2020

Sales Scrum Podcast Episode #9 – Guest Jeff Bajorek. I have been looking forward to airing this episode, Jeff brings a no-nonsense approach to prospecting and sales. You may have caught my review of his new book last week hear on The Pipeline, and now you have a chance to hear Jeff expand on a number of points from the book. Jeff Bajorek is a consultant, author of The Five Forgotten Fundamentals of Prospecting, co-host of The Why and The Buy Podcast, and he wants you to Rethink The Way You Sell

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The Pipeline

MAY 4, 2020

Sales Scrum Podcast Episode #8 – Guest Brian Carroll. I have had the pleasure of learning from Brian for a number of years, we were both part of the CEB’s Sales & Marketing Thought Leadership Roundtable , As you will soon discover, Brian brings insights and questions that get, at least me, to think. For those not familiar with Brian, very few I would think, let me introduce.

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Face-to-face Sales Methodology Resources Sales 316

The Pipeline

APRIL 20, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. Sometimes you get lucky, but it is also true that even luck you have to meet halfway. I have some great news about the Sales Scrum Podcast, starting with Episode #6, today. We record our Sales Scrum Podcast, once a month, a full day capturing great insights. In April, we recorded on the 9 th , and spoke to six great guests, great timing.

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The Pipeline

APRIL 2, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. You don’t need to look far today to see someone going off about the “new normal.” While it is easy to understand why people choose this lens, I find it a bit self-serving and potentially risky in the current environment. In a world where the only constant, is change, normal is just another word for yesterday. We are living through an unprecedented experience, completely new to everyone.

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Face-to-face ACT Exercises Travel 279

The Pipeline

MARCH 30, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. If you have been following my daily Selling Through COVID 19 video series , you know that I suggested that one thing we can do in the current environment, is self-improvement. Some sales, some other life skills. For the sales side, I am going to point you to two great books coming just at a crucial time. My friend, Mark Hunter, who we all know as, “The Sales Hunter,” has a new book out today, March 31st!

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Video Coaching Sales Opportunity 52

The Pipeline

MARCH 12, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. Done right to-do lists can be a great productivity tool, ensuring that you focused, not distracted. Done wrong, it can lead to long term issues. I talk a lot about habits, and how they make up 40% of your daily activities. To-do lists either allow you to point that 40% at things that get you ahead or trap you into repeating bad habits.

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Call-back Consumer Meeting Video 319

The Pipeline

MARCH 5, 2020

By Tibor Shanto. Discovery is a great opportunity to not only dig in with the buyer but also get to the “Real” of the sale. There is a discovery question you should always ask. More importantly, it is an opportunity to differentiate yourself based on how you sell, not your product. Asking the fast-food main-stream variety discovery questions leads to that level of nutritional value to a sales conversation for a buyer.

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Lead Rank Lead Scoring Buyer Relationals 383