The #1 Mistake Reps Make When Moving from Disco to Demo | Kevin "KD" Dorsey | Ep. 297 (Sell)
Mar 25, 2025
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Kevin "KD" Dorsey, a seasoned sales leader with experience in top organizations, shares vital strategies for enhancing sales demos. He emphasizes the importance of connecting demo features to real client problems using the KPIC framework. Dorsey introduces framing techniques like "Assuming We Can..." to lower defenses and encourage engagement. He also advocates for personalizing demos by referencing specific team challenges and highlights multithreading for collaborative success. Tune in for practical tips to transform sales techniques!
Understanding a prospect's desired future state enhances the discovery process, allowing sales reps to tailor solutions to their ultimate vision.
Utilizing strategic questioning techniques in demos fosters engagement by prompting prospects to articulate the value of solutions in their own words.
Deep dives
Identifying the Better Future
Understanding the prospect's desired future state is crucial in the discovery process. Rather than solely focusing on the issues at hand, salespeople should inquire about what the prospect hopes to achieve if their problems are solved. Effective questions can include asking the prospect how an efficient solution would impact their workflow and what success would look like post-implementation. By framing the conversation around their goals, sales representatives can better tailor their solutions to meet the prospect’s ultimate vision.
Effective Questioning Techniques
Sales demos hold significant potential when accompanied by effective questioning techniques geared towards engaging the prospect. Instead of utilizing standard questions that yield minimal responses, employing benefit-laden questions prompts the prospect to visualize the value of the product. These 'make them hold it' questions encourage prospects to articulate the benefits of the demo features in their own words, thereby increasing engagement. This approach helps uncover the expectations and preferences of the prospect, refining the demo process.
Looping Back to Discovery Insights
During a sales demo, consistently referencing information gathered during discovery is essential for effective communication. This creates a coherence that reinforces the connection between the prospect's pain points and how the proposed solutions can address them. Utilizing the KPIC framework—identifying the problem, its impact, connecting it to solutions, and calling for action—serves as a guide for achieving this alignment. When done effectively, looping back nurtures a focused dialogue that resonates with the prospect’s needs.
Seamless Transition to Next Steps
Preparing to discuss next steps in the sales process requires strategic communication that prioritizes the prospect's interests. Highlighting the best way to address their concerns fosters a collaborative atmosphere, positioning the salesperson as a partner rather than merely a vendor. By gently guiding the conversation towards involving other decision-makers in the process and addressing any lingering doubts, salespeople can effectively set the stage for future discussions. This not only helps solidify the prospect's investment in the conversation but also mitigates anxiety regarding the purchasing decision.
Demo with KPIC + Make Them Hold It: Tie each feature to a known problem and impact, then ask how they'd use it to make the solution tangible and relevant.
Use “Assuming We Can…”: Frame your solution as a possibility to lower defenses. This pulls the prospect in and gets them imagining success without feeling sold to.
Reference Problem Children: Personalize the demo by naming specific team members or pain points, making it easier for the buyer to visualize solving their real-world problems.
Multithread with Purpose: Frame next steps as critical to their success, not yours—“To get you what you want, we’ll need Jane’s input too. How can we involve her?”
KD'S PATH TO PRESIDENT’S CLUB
CRO @ Finally
SVP of Sales and Partnerships @ Bench Accounting
Practice Lead, Revenue Leadership @ Winning by Design
VP of Inside Sales @ PatientPop Inc.
Head of Sales Enablement & Development @ ServiceTitan