Find My Catalyst Podcast

Are trade shows are part of your business plan? If you are going to spend time and money on a trade show, you want to make sure you are getting the most from your investment. In this episode of the Catalyst Sale podcast, Mike Conner and Mike Simmons offer insight and discussion about how to approach trade shows. Whether you attend a trade show as an attendee or have a team operating a booth, you want to be deliberate about how you use your time. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

If sales is a thinking process, where does artificial intelligence fit in the sale process? Artificial intelligence can be used as a replacement for thinking. Or, artificial intelligence can be a tool to help a thinking sales professional enhance the sales process. Mike & Mike discuss how they have seen artificial intelligence impact sales, in ways that take away from the sales process and ways it enhances how a sales professional works with a customer. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Understanding the why will get you to the what. The questions you ask shape the success or failure of the opportunities you are pursuing. It is easy to present the information we know about the product or service you are selling. When you do this you fall into the feature functionality trap. Mike & Mike get into their approach to asking questions, the intention behind those questions and how this approach can help you learn more about your customer, and deliver more value. The trust you build with your customers accelerates when you start with them, and focus on learning about their business vs pitching yours. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Whether in baseball, football, life, or sales, slumps happen. Mike & Mike discuss slumps, how we get into them, and how to get out of them. We all go through cycles, don't let yourself get too high, or too low. Many times it is a mental game, you have to trust your process, and regain focus. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Mike Conner is back this week. Mike & Mike discuss proposals, common errors, and how to prepare your proposals for success. At Catalyst Sale, when we get to the proposal stage of our sales process, we forecast at 90%. We discuss why, and share our experience. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

The Catalyst Sale podcast has its first guest. Lee Cockerell is a former Executive Vice President of Operations. He is the author of Time Management Magic, and has recently launched his 4th book, Career Magic. Mike & Lee discuss time management, building trust, prioritization, and doing the right things now to prepare for the future. How do you distinguish between important, urgent, and the things that are vital? Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Episode 10 - Hiring a Sales Professional Mike and Mike share their thoughts on how they hire, what qualities and characteristics we look for, and how we partner with Arizona State University. We share best practices lessons learned and common mistakes. Whether you are thinking about hiring or going through the interview process yourself, you will find this episode valuable. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Dreamforce is an annual event, this year ~170K developers, operators, consultants, and sales professionals met in San Francisco. Mike and Mike share their thoughts on the event, lessons learned, best practices, and emerging trends they are most excited about. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Episode 8 - False Starts & Stalls Everyone can think of a scenario where you thought the conversation was going one way, only to find that momentum stops. Mike & Mike discuss their experience with false starts, how to avoid them, and why they occur. Whether it was with a customer, with your child, with you spouse. This is a common occurrence in sales. We think we have an opportunity, we think we are moving forward with a deal, we think we are ready to go to market, then something changes. You don't get a call, someone misses a meeting, a contact becomes non-responsive. How do you get customers to re-engage? Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Episode 7 - Fit/Feasibility How do you know if you can deliver on the customer's requirements? Have you ever said, 'yes, we can do that', only to find out you can't? What about managing opportunity costs? Mike & Mike discuss the 3rd and 4th steps to the Catalyst Sale Process. Can you address the problem that the customer is attempting to solve? Is the customer the right client for your product, your service, your capabilities? Can the customer implement the solution? These are questions you should be able to answer before moving to proposal. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website