Deep Practice – The Path to Soft Skills & Sales Mastery

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Brain Science, Coaching, Education in Sales, Emotional Intelligence, Learning and Development, Sales Coaching, Sales Skills, Sales Training, Selling Better, Soft skills

In 30 seconds

Mastering soft skills, such as empathy, emotional intelligence, and active listening, is key to success in sales and service. These skills foster strong customer connections and help create value-driven solutions. Deep practice, a focused approach to skill-building, involves breaking down complex tasks outside of a person’s comfort zone into manageable steps and practising them intentionally and repeatedly. Sales and service professionals can refine their techniques through purposeful practice and immediate feedback. Leaders and coaches play a crucial role by guiding their teams through actionable steps, providing feedback, and fostering continuous improvement that translates into better performance.

In 2.5 minutes

Mastering …

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Trend 10 – Self AND Other Awareness

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Common Ground, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Human-centred, Life Skills, Sales Trends, Self Development, Soft skills, Success, Wellbeing

This is Trend 10 from Barrett’s 12 Business and Sales Trends for 2024. You can download the full report here.

In 30 seconds

In successful businesses, the dual focus on self-awareness and consideration for others fosters leadership effectiveness, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. It shapes collaborative team dynamics, customer relations, and conflict resolution. The intersection of self-awareness and consideration, witnessing enhanced communication, stronger relationships, and practical implementations in sales teams has a huge transformative power.

In 2.5 minutes

One of the things we noticed this year in successful businesses and sales teams is that their people are both self-aware …

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The Top Five of Q1

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Business Growth, Collaboration, Communication, Competition, Everybody Lives By Selling Something, Human-centred, Leadership, Procurement, Sales Leadership, Sales Skills

It’s the end of Q1 here in Australia and these have been the five most read blogs this quarter.

1) In a fast-paced sales environment, reflection is often overlooked. However, taking time to analyse experiences is crucial for growth.

The Power of Reflection for Sales Success

2) Excellence in sales team performance relies on a balance between well-established processes and individual agency.

Trend 5 – Process AND Agency

3) The revelations of corruption in the building industry highlight longstanding issues such as kickbacks and bribery, which erode public trust and fair competition. A corruption-free industry …

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consistency

Better to Be Consistent Than Feared or Loved

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Leadership, Sales Leadership, Sales Management

In 30 seconds

Leaders who maintain predictable and consistent approaches foster trust and safety within their teams. While charismatic leadership might seem appealing, it’s the discipline of being clear, transparent, and consistent that drives team success. Psychological safety and strong communication are also crucial as people feel more comfortable expressing concerns and collaborating openly. Authenticity and a focus on team success over individual outcomes further strengthen leadership effectiveness. Consistency is the key to building strong, cohesive teams.

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Miscommunication Costs Businesses Billions

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Collaboration, Communication, Customer-centric, Human-centred, Innovation, Soft skills, Success

In 30 seconds

Effective communication has become a rare commodity. While many organisations focus on the technical aspects of collaboration, they often overlook the most critical component: human-centred interaction.  Companies tend to focus on logistics, CRM systems, or operational procedures while neglecting the importance of human-centred interaction. Poor communication, however, impacts business outcomes, costing companies billions annually. Simply implementing tools like Microsoft Teams or hosting events is insufficient. Organisations need a tailored communication roadmap, clear channels, feedback mechanisms, and active employee involvement. Prioritising empathy, active listening, and genuine engagement can improve collaboration, innovation, and productivity, leading to greater employee satisfaction and …

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people-haggling-then-handshaking-done-deal

Stuck in the Valley of Indecision?

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Business Growth, Leadership, Sales Leadership, Sales Results, Strategy, Success, Yielding

In 30 seconds

Businesses seem to be paralysed by indecision these days. The number of people involved in the decision-making process, the amount of information available, and the risk-averse culture plaguing many businesses keep them stuck in a valley of indecision. To climb out, companies need to have clear goals, a defined strategy, and foster a culture that encourages taking calculated risks without fear of retribution for honest mistakes.

As Richard Pratt wisely noted, “Timing isn’t everything. It’s the only thing. It’s better to be approximately right at exactly the right time, than exactly right at the completely wrong time.”

In 2 minutes

In …

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Game Over: How Fair Play Can Rebuild the Construction Industry

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Ethics & Values, Leadership

In 30 seconds

The recent corruption revelations in the building industry highlight longstanding issues such as kickbacks and bribery, which erode public trust and fair competition. Having witnessed my father face these corrupt practices daily in dealing with the building industry, I understand the personal toll they take. It’s crucial to eliminate corruption and foster ethical business conduct. Leaders must embody integrity, transparency, and accountability, inspiring ethical behaviour throughout their organisations. Sales teams should focus on genuine, trust-based relationships rather than aggressive tactics.

A corruption-free industry requires a multifaceted approach: strong regulations, enhanced transparency, ethical leadership, fair compensation, and public awareness. It also requires the collective effort of all stakeholders.

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Why a Sales Career is brilliant for women’s health & well-being

The Power of Reflection for Sales Success

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Life Skills, Mindful selling, Sales Skills, Sales Tips, Self Development, Success, Wellbeing

In 30 seconds

In a fast-paced sales environment, reflection is often overlooked. However, taking time to analyse experiences is crucial for growth.

Reflection:

  • Fosters self-awareness, improving communication and client relationships
  • Helps salespeople gain valuable insights into client interactions to better tailor their approach
  • Promotes adaptability, allowing salespeople to adjust to changing markets and client needs

Sales activities like strategy planning and coaching already involve reflection. However, it’s also important to schedule dedicated time for deeper analysis and exploration of current situations and new opportunities.

By nurturing a culture of reflection, businesses empower their sales teams for long-term success.

In 2 minutes

While a busy sales environment often prioritises action, …

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happy-sales-people-waving-flags

A Human-centred Approach to Internal Communications

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Communication, Human-centred, Sales Methodology, Soft skills

In 30 seconds

Internal communication, like successful sales, requires a clear process and methodology. However, silos within organisations often hinder collaboration and innovation. A human-centred communication approach, similar to the “Selling Better” sales methodology, can bridge these gaps. It prioritises empathy, active listening, and understanding the needs of different teams. This fosters trust, encourages collaboration, and allows for flexibility in adapting to various contexts. By prioritising human connection and understanding, organisations can break down silos, build consensus, and ultimately achieve greater innovation and productivity.

In 2.5 minutes

The world of sales has long recognised the power of effective processes and methodologies. A well-defined …

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