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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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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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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Sales Trend 7 – Facts AND Stories

By / / Blog, Communication, Human-centred, Sales Results, Sales Skills, Soft skills

This is Trend 7 from Barrett’s 12 Business and Sales Trends for 2024. You can download the full report here.

In 30 seconds

In successful sales, facts and stories are complementary. Facts build trust, provide evidence of value, and meet regulatory standards, and stories engage emotionally, make information relatable, and inspire action. New IT tools, like AI or data visualisation apps make it easier than ever to bring facts and stories together, and to the next level.

In 2 minutes

Facts and stories are two essential components that play a vital role in successful sales operations. Sales teams tend to be more inclined …

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Striking Balance – Barrett’s 12 Sales & Business Trends for 2024

By / / Blog, Business Growth, Collaboration, Communication, Customer experience, Customer Service, Customer-centric, Digital credentials, Education in Sales, Emotional Intelligence, Ethics & Values, Human-centred, Hybrid Selling, Leadership, Learning and Development, Opportunity, Sales Consulting, Sales Culture, Sales Driven Organisations, Sales Growth, Sales Leadership, Sales Management, Sales Methodology, Sales Operations, Sales Results, Sales Skills, Sales Strategy, Sales Tips, Sales Training, Sales Trends, Selling Better, Soft skills, Solution Selling, Strategy, Success, Value Based Selling

In December 2023 we published Barrett’s 12 Sales & Business Trends for 2024. This is a summary of that report, in case you missed it.

For decades, the business world has been dominated by what looked like opposites to choose from. You could be a hunter or a gatherer, a manager or a leader.

These concepts have been pitched to the business community as opposing and mutually exclusive choices, forcing a binary mindset. These polarisations don’t apply to modern businesses and sales operations – and they haven’t served us well for some time now.

In 2023 we’ve worked with businesses across industries and …

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The Double-Edged Sword of Communication Tools

By / / Blog, Collaboration, Communication, Customer-centric, Human-centred, Soft skills

In 30 seconds

Tech is great, but it’s only as good as the people using it. That’s especially true for communication.

But wait, there’s a catch. Tools like Slack and Teams, while helpful, can cause information overload and misunderstandings. Constant messages, unclear chats, and brief texts lacking context can create a communication mess.

On top of that, company culture and our own communication styles can add to the problem. Unclear goals, fear of speaking up, and even hidden biases can make it hard to talk openly.

The good news? These challenges can be fixed.

Strong communication builds bridges, not walls.

In 2 minutes

Communication is the lifeblood …

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The Cultural Shift in Salespeople

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Customer-centric, Human-centred, Sales Management, Sales Methodology, Selling Better, Soft skills

In 20 seconds

Today’s sales need a customer-centric makeover. Traditionally focused on transactional deals, salespeople must now prioritise understanding customer needs and building relationships. This requires emotional intelligence, collaboration, and a focus on long-term value. Sales leaders must guide this shift by identifying skill gaps, providing training, and fostering a customer-centric culture. This empowers salespeople to thrive in the new era of sales.

In 2 minutes

Customer-centricity is now a common focus of many businesses, and while most of those think of themselves as customer-centric, chances are they are not.

Customer-centricity is rarely a whole-business approach -how it should be- and to complicate things …

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Unlocking Human Potential in the Age of Tech

By / / Blog, Emotional Intelligence, Human-centred, Sales Skills, Soft skills

In 30 seconds

Soft skills are now essential for everyone, not just salespeople. In a complex, connected world, automation threatens certain tasks, but people crave human connection. From building trust with clients to leading diverse teams, soft skills like communication, empathy, and ethical influence equip you to succeed.

These skills go beyond just getting ahead; they’re crucial for building a better future. Imagine businesses fuelled by trust, leaders driven by empathy, and teams excelling through collaboration. Invest in your soft skills development, share the message, and join the movement towards a brighter, more human-centred future.

In 1.5 minutes

The landscape of success is shifting. …

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