Project – 2Interview of Outdoor Salesman

Name: Aneesh Ragave.Age: 36.Profession: Outdoor SalesmanCompany: HarpicNationality: IndianProduct: Power PlusExperience inThis Field: 7 Years

After the interview of Mr. Aneesh, what I understood is, he mostly preferred personal

selling. And he shared his experiences, methods of his

personal selling and the secrets of best selling and of a

better salesman!..

First, He Focuses On Prospecting The Customers:

Searching for prospects is prospecting. And here, prospect is a person or an institution who is likely to be benefited by the product the salesman wants to sell and can afford to buy it. [Prospecting is the work of collecting the names and addresses or persons who are likely to

buy the firm’s products and services. Provide encompasses even the discovery of special needs and multiplying the sales with existing clientele.]

While collecting the details, ‘suspects’ he separates from ‘prospects’ to avoid or reduce waste of time, treasure and talent. There are definite methods of prospecting.

The most popular methods that he follows are:1. Endless chain method,

2. Centre of influence method,3. Personal observation method,

4. Spotter’s method,5. Cold-canvas method;

6. Direct mail and7. Telephone method.

Now the Second step is Pre-approach:Pre-approach is to get more detailed facts about a specific individual to have effective sales appeals on him or her. It

is a record round effort to get details regarding the prospect such as his ability, need, authority, accessibility to buy; it is a closer look of prospects, likes and dislikes,

tastes, habits, financial status, social esteem, material status, family background and the like.

The objectives of pre-approach are to providing additional qualifying information; to design an effective

approach strategy; to better the planning information; to avoid serious errors and to build-up confidence.

The sources of information are his fellow salesmen, customers, local newspapers, special investigators, sales

office, directories, observation and the prospect.

And now this is his 3rd Approach:Approach means the meeting of the prospect in person by the

salesman where he makes face to face contact with prospects to understand them better. Approach is such a delicate and critical

stage of the sales process that the sales are either won or lost.And he mentioned ‘’Approach is stepping stone for sales

presentation’’. It is because of this delicacy that sales are likened to a chain where break of one link will break it into useless lump of

hooks.Success follows the salesman who possesses courage, courtesy and

confidence, this is what he believes. The objectives of approach are:

To help the salesman to make a favorable impression; to amplify the detailed information obtained by the salesman at

pre-approach level; to convert the favorable attention of the prospect easily and

smoothly into the sales proposition.

This is the 4th Step, He follow - Presentation and demonstration:

It is the heart of selling process. Effective presentation has the capacity to convince the customer of his sales proposition. It creates and holds the

interest of customers towards the products. It would be wrong to assume that all those who enter the shop do buy the products.

Normally, most of the prospects visit the shop to see prior to their decision to buy. This casual visit can be a commitment visit provided products are

displayed, presented and demonstrated by the salesmen in an appealing manner. Demonstration is a part of presentation because, more description is

not enough. Sales presentation varies in style. There are three styles of sales presentation,.

– Canned approach,

– formulated approach and

– Need-satisfaction approach.

Canned approach is memorized sales talk covering the main points while formulated approach identifies the buyer’s needs and buying style and

then uses an appropriate approach. The need-satisfaction approach starts with a search for customer’s real needs. It encourages the customer to talk of

his own needs.

5th Step is overcoming objections:– For a creative and persuasive salesman, the process of selling

really starts when the prospect raises objections. In absence of sales resistance the salesman is merely an order booking clerk.

For every action of salesman there is prospect’s pro-action or reaction that is, approval or disapproval. Each salesman should

understand the reasons as to why prospects raise objections because; each objection has its roots in the buying decision. An objection is the expression of disapproval of an action taken by

salesman; it is an adverse reason or an argument indicating clearly that the prospect is not yet ready to buy. These

objections may be genuine or mere excuses. Overcoming objections is really a delicate stage that makes or mars the

unbroken chain of selling process. Being a very crucial aspect, the experts have a set procedure for overcoming the objections

namely, listen to the prospect cushion the jolt anticipate the objections and prevent their occurrence. It is the creative task of

bringing the customer to the sales track once again.

Now, it’s almost the end - Closing:All the earlier stages of sales talk namely, prospecting, pre-

approach; approach, presentation and handling the objections have been designed to induce the prospect to make decision to

buy so that a sale can be concluded.The success in earlier stages will lead to the last stage of closing

the sale and clinch the deal. Here, ‘close’ means the act of actually getting the prospect’s assent to the sales proposal or

he gets an order.The underlying point of closing sale is to persuade the prospect

to act right now than postponing or delaying the action. It is here that the prospect is turned into a customer desire into demand. Though it sounds very easy, it is the most difficult

task. It is the positive attitude and self-confidence that plays a decisive role in converting wish into desire and desire into

demand. A poor closer is a poor salesman and salesman who cannot close well will have to close the line.

Follow-up and maintenance is the Last Step, Were an Outdoor

Salesman Finally Follows!.. Immediately after closing the sale, the

salesperson should take some follow up measures. He may give details about delivery

time, purchase terms and mode of payment of price, etc. The salesperson can ensure

customer satisfaction by properly attending matters which are important to the

customers. Thus, follow up is necessary if the salesperson wants to ensure repeat

purchase.

At Last, He mentioned me about the qualities of a sales man, as a salesman; they need patience, good appearance, communicative skills, self confidence,

tackling situations, product knowledge, etc.

Thank You!