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The Competitive Advantage Hiding in Plain Sight

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Business Growth, Emotional Intelligence, Gender & Sales

In 30 seconds

What if your competitors are overlooking talent that delivers 8% higher quota attainment? Xactly’s research shows women hit 86% of targets versus men’s 78% yet represent only 19% of sales leaders. High-performing teams leverage complementary strengths. Organisations with greater diversity see 20% better client loyalty and innovation. The opportunity isn’t about choosing sides; it’s about fielding your strongest team. Championship teams need strong male allies who champion different approaches and model inclusive leadership. Sales is a team sport. Are you playing to win? Explore solutions at selllikeawoman.com.

In 2 minutes

Here’s a question for sales leaders: What if …

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The Last Holdouts: Where Transactional B2B Selling Still Exists (And Why It Won’t For Long)

By / / AI & Data, Attitudes & Behaviours, Complex Selling & Transactional Selling, Sales Coaching, Sales Culture, Value Based Selling

In 30 seconds

Digital platforms now dominate B2B transactions, with over 75% of buyers preferring self-service for simple purchases. Modern buyers conduct 90% of their research independently and seek strategic partners who understand their business goals, not transactional sellers offering discounts. Pockets of old-school selling persist – waste management reps, auto dealerships, trade suppliers- but survive only because transactions seem localised and simple. These transactional cultures focus on activity metrics over outcomes, use price as their only lever, and engage single contacts instead of buying groups. This approach is obsolete. Buyers are too informed and competing on price alone trains customers …

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One Bad Apple: Why Your Team’s Weakest Link Matters More Than You Think

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Coaching, Leadership, Performance Management

In 30 seconds

Watch who you let near your mind. Professor Will Felps proved what leaders have long suspected: a single toxic team member can reduce overall performance by 30 to 40 per cent, even when everyone else is capable and motivated. Let’s face it, we’ve all had to remove some bad apples from our teams. The fear is real: losing their contribution, upsetting clients. But the relief is palpable when they have gone. Teams rally. Clients stay, often grateful for the change. Your ability to foster authentic human connection is your sustainable advantage. But you must actively protect it by …

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Rebel Rebel Sound & Vision: Picking Up Weak Signals Leading into the Future

By / / AI & Data, Complex Selling & Transactional Selling, Sales Essentials, Sales Market Segmentation, Sales Pioneer, Sales Strategy, Value Based Selling

In 30 seconds

“Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming.” David Bowie

Bowie’s genius wasn’t just artistic, it was strategic. He launched BowieNet in 1998, pioneered music videos, and created Bowie Bonds by spotting weak signals others missed. In 1995, I spotted transactional selling dying, leading to Barrett’s foundation. In 2014, another signal revealed selling needed to become an operating system, not just sales activities. Now AI is fundamentally changing how we engage and sell. Like Bowie’s evolution from glam rock to electronica, successful adaptation requires reading signals early and acting boldly. The future belongs to those who hear it coming and have the courage to act on what they hear.

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How to Sell Better using AI (no tech skills required)

By / / AI & Data, Sales Planning, Sales Skills, Sales Tips

In 30 seconds

Many sales teams struggle with AI adoption despite promising stats showing 90% faster proposals and 30% higher email response rates. The gap isn’t sales capability, it’s practical AI application. Our focused 90-minute sessions teach human-AI collaboration for research enhancement, communication amplification, and administrative efficiency. Teams achieve 60% more demos booked, 10+ hours saved weekly, and 66% productivity gains by using AI to enhance existing expertise, not replace it. We help sales professionals cut through the noise with practical guidance on accessible tools that deliver immediate value without requiring technical expertise.

In 2 minutes

Start Small: Cut Through the AI Hype …

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Gotta Plane to Catch – It’s Actually True

By / / Trust, Wellbeing

In 30 seconds

Don’t fall off your chair, but I’m finally taking a proper 10-day holiday. It’s been two years since my last major break, and I’ll confess I’m really bad at taking time off. I’m good at practising what I preach when it comes to sales, business, leadership, staying healthy and managing my mental health. However, taking proper holidays? That’s where I fall down. My husband’s significant birthday gave me the perfect excuse to step away. I have an awesome team who has my back, so I’m not checking in. Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s a plane to catch.

In …

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The Critical Soft Skills That Make Sales Teams Unstoppable in the AI Age

By / / AI & Data, Business Growth, Communication, Sales Skills, Soft skills

In 30 seconds

As AI grows more sophisticated, human connection skills become even more valuable. According to Salesforce’s 2024 State of Sales report, 83% of sales teams using AI saw revenue growth compared to just 66% of teams without AI. When AI handles data gathering, the competitive edge shifts to relationship building and creative problem-solving. Active listening uncovers emotional drivers AI misses, while strategic questioning reframes a client or prospects’ thinking. Empathy creates durable advantages by recognising how business changes affect people’s stress and timelines. Creative problem-solving translates AI insights into tailored solutions. Organisations investing in human skill development alongside AI gain stronger relationships and innovative, lasting advantages.

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AI is Everywhere, But Without Your People, It’s Going Nowhere

By / / AI & Data, Attitudes & Behaviours, CRM

In 30 seconds

In a C-suite meeting, AI’s promise is clouded by confusion. Your inbox overflows with AI pitches: chatbots, analytics, automation. Where to start? One client is learning the hard way, investing in AI only to face resistance. Past CRM failures (47-63% fail due to poor engagement) and ERP implementations (60% fail) show the cost of ignoring people. Don’t repeat these mistakes. Lead with people: assess team needs, build confidence with small AI wins, develop critical skills like strategic thinking, and foster safe experimentation. Measure human outcomes like satisfaction and growth to ensure AI empowers teams for lasting competitive …

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Trust Wins the Long Game: Why Game Theory Trumps Short-Term Tricks

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Ethics & Values, Negotiation, Value Based Selling

In 30 seconds

A national building supplies firm won a big account by slashing prices, only to lose it six months later to a pricier, more reliable competitor. In contrast, a tech-security BDM secured a $3M high-margin deal by listening, co-creating solutions, and building trust. Game theory proves cooperation outperforms deception: short-term wins erode trust, long-term partnerships drive success. The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer shows 75% of people value enduring relationships over quick gains. The winning formula? Emotional intelligence to navigate relationships, ethical guardrails to assess moral engagement, and business savviness to align strategy with long-term goals. In business, the smartest play is also the most human one.

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Stop ‘Speaking Your Mind’. Start Winning

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Emotional Intelligence, Sales Skills, Sales Tips, Soft skills, Uncategorized

In 30 seconds

Blurting out whatever’s on your mind might feel good for five seconds, but it can kill a deal, a relationship, or your reputation just as quickly. In business, brutal honesty without strategy isn’t courage; it’s carelessness. Emotional Intelligence turns honesty into influence. Pause, reflect, and reframe with empathy. Ask questions to uncover the real concern. Choose words that open doors instead of slamming them shut. Listening builds trust and moves conversations forward. The goal isn’t to “be righteous” in the moment, it’s to achieve the outcome you want and others value. In high-stakes situations, EQ isn’t weakness. …

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