Kenneth Gates

“Why do I need you?” The wording may be different each time the question is asked, but it translates to a clear request for an explanation of value. That the question is being asked by our banking colleagues is an... read more

June 2019

Scott Thacker

In my role as CEO of Ivory Consulting, I visit with many of our customers and attend quite a few industry events every year. During 2017 I noticed several CEO’s talking about revising or improving their commission plans for their... read more

January 2018

Connie Kadansky

If you experience Sales Call Reluctance, you need not feel embarrassed or ashamed. At the same time, you don’t have to go on living with it. Sales Call Reluctance is learned – which means it can be unlearned. Most cases... read more

November 2017

Connie Kadansky

“Today, I’ll make 50 prospecting calls.” John drives to the office, feeling confident and ready to hit the phones. The moment he arrives, his manager accosts him¬ she’s questioning his most recent activity/pipeline and is in urgent need of John’s... read more

November 2017

Sean Bliss

Today’s consumers think nothing of ordering and purchasing over the internet. More recently businesses, too, have been taking advantage of the internet as an additional buying channel for everyday purchases. But unlike their consumer counterparts, businesses that are entering the... read more

July 2017

Samuel Oliva

Over the past 10 years, social media and digital marketing have become necessary tools for businesses of all types. For leasing companies in particular, building a positive and pervasive presence on social media and the internet can have a significant... read more

June 2017

Rick Bueti

In 2009, Ray Sadowski was the CFO at Avnet, Fortune’s 144th largest company at the time. I attended a lecture he gave in San Antonio to more than a thousand IT sales people who used Avnet as their distributor. In... read more

April 2017

Ibby Smith Stofer

Whether you are talking or writing via email, text or instant messaging, the tone of your communication and use of persuasive tools is fundamental to the sales process. You’re communicating even when you don’t think you are. The truth is... read more

September 2016

Linda Kester

Listening to James make a prospect call was like watching a bunny trying to hunt down a bear. He had no confidence. He gingerly asked questions and could not push past any resistance. He was happy to end a call.... read more

May 2016

Linda Kester

This call may be monitored or recorded for quality purposes. We’ve heard that statement so many times that it just fades into the background. Did you ever wonder if anyone ever listens to those calls? To quote Adele, “Hello, it’s... read more

March 2016

Vernon Tirey

How do you know when a company has a successful sales strategy? Short answer: when success is all about sales execution. Long answer: when the company’s products and services are easy to sell, easy to buy and easy to justify.... read more

March 2016