re: OFFICIAL: Sales Professionals Strategy and Discussion Thread

Several things to add:

Trust is the foremost issue. Be honest with your customer. If you screw up, own up to it and make it right, even if you have to take a loss doing so. A simple apology will go miles in your relationships with your clients when you make mistakes.

Be honest and DON'T LIE. You will eventually be found out and you will have lost a customer for life. AND they will tell other potential customers.
Plus, if you don't know something, tell you will get them an answer, and then follow through.

Remember, you are building LONG TERM relationships with your customers. There is nothing sweeter than to get repeat calls for your product/services. Its easy money.

Listen intently. The lack of this skill has cost many of businesses customers and has lost businesses untold amounts of money. Clarify if you have to. Also take notes.

The so-called 'soft-skills' that many have mentioned. Be nice, understanding and try to work with the quirks of your customer.

Product and/or service knowledge.
Know your product or service so well that you can give a truthful, factual answers in a moments notice.
That is when customers will begin to ask for you by name. Thats when the big bucks start rolling in.

Study trends, learn something EVERY DAY about your business, its products and/or services.

Like it or not, the Internet & other forms of mass media has changed the way business is being done. Customers can instantly find a comparable product or service very easily, sometimes at a lower price. Service is going to be your trump card.

The customer is kings and queens. They are the ones that really matter. You must focus on them and there needs and wants.

And finally, realize that there are going to be times that you are going to make mistakes. Instead of beating yourself up, learn from your mistakes and vow to do better.