Chapter 17: Personal Selling and Sales Management Flashcards
Where does most direct face-to-face selling of consumer products take place?
At the salespersons’ place of business
Where do B2B salespeople typically make their sales calls?
At customer locations
What is 1 advantage of personal selling?
Sales messages can be tailored to the motivations, interests, and objections of each prospective customer
What is 1 major factor that changes the sales environment?
The rapid increase in new sales technologies, including social media
How does personal selling help with complex goods?
Salespeople can determine customer needs and propose customized features and accessoiries
What is a limitation of personal selling?
The cost per contact is much higher than mass communication methods
When are advertising and sales promotion more important than personal selling?
When the product has low value, is standardized, or is easy to understand
When is personal selling more important than advertising?
When the product has high value, is custom-made, or is technically complex
What is ‘showrooming’?
When consumers evaluate products in-store but compare prices and features online before making a purchase
How can social media impact a salesperson’s credibility?
Consumers may know more about the products than the salesperson, damaging credibility
What is relationship selling?
Building long-term partnerships with customers by focusing on mutually beneficial outcomes
Why is relationship selling more cost-effective for companies?
It focuses on retaining customers, which is less expensive than constantly finding new ones
What is the first step in the sales process?
Generating leads
What is lead generation?
The process of identifying firms or people most likely to buy the seller’s offerings
What is a common method of lead generation?
Cold calling, which involves approaching potential buyers without prior knowledge of their needs
What does lead qualification determine?
Whether a prospect has a recognized need, buying power, and is receptive and accessible
What is the preapproach in the sales process?
The homework a salesperson does before contacting a prospect, particularly in B2B sales
What should a salesperson know before proposing a solution?
- Everything about the product
- Customer needs
- Competitors
- The industry
What is a sales proposal?
A formal document or presentation that shows how the product will meet or exceed the prospect’s needs
What should a salesperson do when handling objections?
- Anticipate objections
- Investigate fully
- Know the competition
- Stay calm
What does closing a sale often require?
Negotiation, during which both the salesperson and prospect offer concessions to reach an agreement
What is the final step in the selling process?
Following up to ensure the customer is satisfied and all promises are met
What is social selling?
Using social media platforms for research, networking, prospecting, and relationship building throughout the sales process
What is the foundation of effective sales management?
A success-oriented sales force that accomplishes its mission economically and efficiently