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#012 Caught in the Friends Without Benefits Zone

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People do business with people they know like and trust. And, dentists are no different. But, when customer relationships get stuck in the friends only zone, things feel awkward and sales slow.

As a sales rep, you approach every dental office leading with your style, charisma and expertise. All of this this good…really good. Yet, problems occur when receptionists, ordering assistants and office managers see you as a “friend” and not as a valued business advisor. They have other reps for that.



Knowing how to work your way out of the “friends without benefits zone” can be tricky. So, this podcast episode provides a practical approach on how to establish a friendly yet professional and productive relationship with the people and practices you support, serve and ultimately sell to.

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#11: How to Turn Up the Volume on Customer Value

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As a representative you have many opportunities to deliver value to dentists and their team by the level of support you provide. Doctors remain happy and loyal to a product, company and representatives they believe support their practice, patient and procedure goals. So, one of the best ways for you to reach your numbers and continue to grow your territory is to create new customers and keep the ones you have.

Given the pressure to reach sales targets, it’s easy to lead sales calls with product promotions, focus on sales and miss opportunities to serve and support. Yet, the most effective way to build credibility, trust and fierce customer loyalty is by becoming a trusted advisor. This podcast provides practical steps to help you do just that.

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2 Ways Managers Can Boost Team Performance

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When productivity is down, it is common for managers to blame the weak skills of team members. But what if under-developed skills were not the problem?

Supervisors often assume their employees understand company goals and know how to reach them. Yet, Gallup research suggests, only half of workers said they ‘strongly agree’ they know what is expected of them at work. And, only 32 percent said their manager offers assistance setting performance goals.

How can team members achieve results if they don’t understand what is truly expected? One of the best ways managers can directly impact productivity is to ensure every team member is crystal clear on the mission as well as the tactical steps to get there. And, as you’d suspect, performance improvement comes down to clear concise communication.

I recommend, two practical management tactics that will help.

One-On-One Sessions. These are short (30 min) meetings held each week between manager and each team member. Many managers say this single change in routine has transformed their relationship with team members and done wonders to significantly improve performance.

Use a session format you find most productive; the magic lies in your consistency and candor. It will be helpful to take notes during each session to track action steps and commitments made. For your convenience, you are welcome to download a FREE copy of this helpful One-On-One Template.

Consider using this simple yet powerful format:  

  • Connect to strengthen the relationship
  • Catch Up on projects pending
  • Confer about obstacles to realize results

If you think your people are fine, happy, motivated and good to go on the job…. think again. Gallup reported that only 42% of workers say they are ‘satisfied’ on the job. This suggests a whopping 62% of your team may not be as passionate about work as you might think. And, in times of lagging results, communication is king.

Another way managers’ can positively impact performance are monthly Mentorship Meetings. These are similar to One-on-One’s but focus more on big picture skills, thoughts and daily activities that drive results.

As an effective leader, you must lean in when employees may be leaning out. Weekly One-On-One Sessions and monthly Mentorship Meetings are two practical tactics that will increase communication, strengthen your relationships and serve as powerful venues to positively impact performance.

Download the free template for conducting One-On-One Sessions HERE.

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How to Re-Engage Past Prospects

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Unfortunately, not all prospects buy at the time of a sales presentation.

You’ve heard all the excuses:

  • They want to think about it
  • They’ll order after they run out of their current product
  • Want to give the order to their retail rep
  • Talk to colleagues and ‘study club buddies’
  • They want to wait for a promotion or better deal

60% of customers say ‘no’ four times before saying ‘yes’

It’s likely have some doctors that were interested or qualified enough to earn/receive a presentation but for whatever reason, they didn’t buy.

These accounts are in ‘prospect purgatory’. They are using a product or service that does not deliver the same advantages and benefits your product does. As a result, they are not delivering the highest level of care, they are working harder maybe not smarter than they have to, basically something about their current condition is compromised down than if they were buying what you are selling.

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3 Steps to Evaluate Anything Better

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You likely dedicate a lot of time, attention and energy completing projects. Yet, if you are like most busy executives, your results may suffer due by failure to review and evaluate. 

An effective evaluation offers valuable insights to increase impact and improve results. This week’s Sales Success Snippet offers a 3-step process to evaluate anything quickly and easily.

Why Evaluate?

Improves Design & Implementation

Periodic assessment of any project ensures they are as effective as they can be. Evaluation can help you identify areas for improvement and assists in realizing your goals faster with less effort. Additionally, when results are reviewed about what was more and less effective, you improve processes and programs for the future.

Clarifies Impact

Evaluation enables you to understand and therefore better demonstrate your program’s success or progress. The insights offer greater clarity for understanding program impact and value, all critical for improved public relations, staff morale and customer service.

Evaluate your next project, program, sales call or initiative using this proven process and watch your results soar! 

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Tackle Your ToDo List Faster & Easier

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You are not alone if you start each week  or day with a really long to do list. Many business professionals struggle with productivity and have way too many tasks to complete in one day. Luckily, there is a way to get more done in less time. 

To tackle your TODO list quickly and rather easily, check out this week’s Sales Success Snippet for a great productivity hack that has been a game-changer for me.

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Having Evidence to Support Your Gut…is Priceless!

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Hiring & managing people is hard.And, that’s why you make the BIG bucks!

Many dental executives are unfamiliar with the value of talent assessments. They think of them as dispensable “personality tests” that add unnecessary cost. Yet, dozens of industry leaders would beg to differ. They say, these tools make daily management challenges much easier and helps them get where they want to go. 

Check out today’s Sales Success Snippet for more on how you can become more decisive hiring, make less mistakes and discover how to better tailor your approach to the unique needs of every member of your team. 

If you’d like to learn more about how talent assessments are a sales manager’s secret weapon, join us for a FREE webinar on Friday, October 25 at 10:00 AM EDT.