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    The Progress Coaching Blog

    Retain Customers and Increase Business Opportunities

    June 29, 2010 Posted by : Tim Hagen
    1 comments
    These days people are more protective of their money, and instead of spending it freely, they are saving. For sales teams, it has become increasingly important to keep a hold of current clients; since, as most studies show, it costs six times more to get a prospect to buy than it does an existing customer. So, the question becomes, “How do we maintain our relationship with our client and get them to buy?”

         Most customers leave because they are unhappy, and sixty-seven percent of clients leave because of a perceived feeling of indifference. Managers and supervisors need to coach their inside sales team to keep in front of their customers. Look at who you have not talked to in the past year and who you have not contacted in the past 30 days and make sure to send them an e-mail or phone call to let them know that you are still interested in them. Ask customers how the product you sold them is working out or if they need anything else. This way, you are letting your customers know that you value them.

         Here are a couple more steps that you can take to improve your sales and increase your business opportunities:

    Send Items of Interest. Find out information about your customers. If they love golf then send them an article that they may interested in. By doing this, you are showing your customer that you remembered something about them that was not related to a business sale and that you actually care about them outside of the sale.

    Actively Listen. Do not just sit in a meeting or on the phone with a client and listen. Actively listen. You should be able to repeat back, verbatim, what they said. This allows you to fully grasp what the customer wants and needs.

    Send a “Thank You.” And make sure it is hand written and not in e-mail form. You let the client know that you appreciate that they did business with you, and you will definitely make an impact.

    Managers can provide sustainable sales training to inside sales reps, and it does not have to be costly. All reps have to do is put themselves in front of their clients and show them that they care.

    Click here to get more tips and techniques.
    Saying "Thank You" Goes a Long Way
    Training Techniques for Social Media & Your Sales Team

    About Author

    Tim Hagen
    Tim Hagen

    Tim Hagen founded Progress Coaching, a Training Reinforcement Partner Company, in 1997. His entrepreneurial career began in college leading to positions in sales, sales management, and sales training for small and large corporations, and eventually ownership of several training companies. Tim is often a keynote speaker at companies teaching the value of coaching and conversations in the workplace. He possesses a unique combination of hands-on experience, academics, and innovative insight to solve the industry’s most common challenges specific to workplace performance. Tim holds a bachelor’s degree in Adult Education and Training from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

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