Sales Gravy: Jeb Blount

LinkedIn Guru Brynne Tillman shares tips on using LinkedIn as a sales tool, maximizing the potential of LinkedIn pages, leveraging LinkedIn Navigator for prospecting, utilizing AI for sales, and the 'prospect by interview' technique. The podcast also discusses the importance of research and learning in sales.

Sales leadership expert Mike Weinberg joins Jeb Blount in discussing the challenges and principles of being a new sales manager. They share personal anecdotes and insights on the importance of mentorship, coaching, and observing as a leader. The podcast also addresses the challenges faced by new sales managers, emphasizes discriminating based on performance, and recommends Mike Weinberg's book 'First Time Manager Sales' for valuable guidance.

Join the Sales Gravy Podcast as Jeb Blount and Mike Weinberg discuss the core principles of sales, the importance of human interaction, and the evolution of sales training and leadership. Learn how to navigate the changing sales landscape with timeless strategies and insights from industry veterans.

Will Frattini, Head of Enterprise Revenue & Growth at Zoominfo, joins Jeb Blount on Sales Gravy to discuss the importance of account management and retention. They emphasize regular communication, deep understanding of clients' business, and collaboration with customer success teams. They also explore the use of generative AI for account managers and highlight the benefits of working at Zoominfo. Will Frattini shares a personal career decision story and offers a free course promotion for Sales Gravy University.

In the competitive world of sales, adopting the right mindset is crucial for success. On this episode of the Sales Gravy podcast, Jeb Blount spends time with Dre Baldwin, a former professional basketball player in the NBA turned business guru to discuss why sales professionals who adopt a pro athlete mindset have greater success. Journey from the Court to the Boardroom Dre's journey from the basketball court to the boardroom offers invaluable lessons for sales professionals. His story is a testament to perseverance and adaptability. Transitioning from scoring points in the NBA to scoring wins in business, Dre has demonstrated how the principles of sports excellence can be effectively applied to sales. His philosophy revolves around four pillars: discipline, confidence, mental toughness, and personal initiative. The Four Pillars of Success 1. Discipline: The Foundation of Success At the core of Dre's philosophy is discipline. In sales, as in sports, consistent effort and a structured approach are non-negotiable. Dre emphasizes that discipline isn't about forcing oneself to work but about creating a structure that naturally fosters productivity. For sales professionals, this means meticulously planning your day, prioritizing tasks, and sticking to a routine that aligns with your goals. 2. Confidence: More Than Just a Feeling Confidence, as Dre describes, is about boldly presenting oneself authentically. It's not about faking it till you make it, but about genuinely believing in your abilities and value. For a salesperson, this means trusting in your product, your approach, and your capacity to deliver solutions that genuinely benefit your clients. 3. Mental Toughness: Staying Resilient Amid Challenges Dre's third pillar, mental toughness, is about maintaining discipline and confidence, even when results aren't immediately visible. In sales, rejection and setbacks are part of the journey. Developing mental toughness means not getting overly discouraged by a lost sale or overly elated by a big win. It's about finding an emotional equilibrium that allows you to stay focused and effective. 4. Personal Initiative: The Drive to Take Action The final piece of the puzzle is personal initiative – the willingness to take charge and make things happen. Dre's story of proactively reaching out to agents to kickstart his basketball career exemplifies this. In sales, it translates to not waiting for opportunities but creating them through proactive outreach and seizing the moment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtzAHNxUb7w Applying the Pro-Athlete Mindset to Sales Adopting a pro-athlete mindset in sales means more than just being disciplined, confident, mentally tough, and proactive. It's about seeing each interaction, each pitch, and each deal as part of a larger journey towards mastery. Just as athletes train relentlessly to perfect their craft, sales professionals must continuously hone their skills, adapt to new challenges, and remain committed to their personal and professional growth. Drawing parallels between elite sports and sales, success is not just a matter of chance or natural talent. It's the result of a consistent, disciplined approach, much like the journey of a professional athlete. The Foundation: Discipline and Confidence Discipline in sales, as in sports, is about more than just hard work. It's about setting a routine, adhering to best practices, and staying committed even when the results aren't immediate. Pro-athletes dedicate countless hours to training, understanding that each session builds towards a greater goal. Similarly, sales professionals must commit to their process, whether it's researching prospects, refining pitches, or analyzing feedback. Confidence, an important key to sales success, stems from this disciplined approach. Just as athletes trust their training and abilities, sales professionals must believe in their strategies and skills. This confidence isn't about arrogance; it's a calm assurance that comes from preparation and experience. Mental Toughness: Overcoming Challenges Mental toughness is a hallmark of both athletes and top sales performers. It's the ability to stay focused and resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks. In sales, rejection is a common hurdle. Like athletes who face losses or injuries, sales professionals must learn to bounce back, draw lessons from their experiences, and not let failures define them. Being Proactive: Anticipating the Play Proactivity in sports means anticipating the opponent's moves and being prepared to counter them. In sales, this translates to understanding the market, knowing your competition, and predicting customer needs. It's about being one step ahead, which requires both research and intuition. Continuous Learning: The Path to Mastery Perhaps the most crucial aspect of the pro-athlete mindset is the commitment to continuous learning and improvement. Elite athletes spend hours analyzing their performance, learning new techniques, and staying abreast of developments in their sport. In sales, this means staying informed about industry trends, understanding evolving customer expectations, and constantly refining sales techniques. The Larger Journey: Beyond Individual Deals Finally, adopting a pro-athlete mindset in sales is about seeing the bigger picture. Each interaction, pitch, and deal is part of a larger journey towards mastery. This perspective helps sales professionals maintain their motivation and perspective, especially during tough times. It's not just about the individual successes or failures, but about the overall growth and development as a sales professional. Embrace a Pro Athlete Mindset Dre Baldwin's journey and insights provide a powerful blueprint for sales success. Embracing the pro-athlete mindset in your sales approach can lead to significant improvements in performance, resilience, and overall career satisfaction. Remember, pro athlete mindset and principles that drive champions on the sports field can equally create winners in the world of sales. Become more disciplined, gain a pro athlete mindset and achieve your goals faster with Dre Baldwin's challenge course 30 Days to Discipline

In this podcast, Anthony Iannarino discusses the importance of avoiding negativity and engaging in positive thinking, offering strategies like disconnecting to connect, choosing balanced sources for news, and respecting diverse opinions. The chapter descriptions cover topics such as removing negativity for a positive mindset, the impact of resentment and contempt on relationships, combatting negativity bias, and visualization techniques for releasing anger.

The podcast discusses the 4 key traits of successful sales leaders: humility, curiosity, integrity, and courage. It emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and providing support for leaders. The guest author's book 'The Learn It All Leader' focuses on leadership in times of rapid change, highlighting the significance of ethical choices and always doing the right thing.

Silence Isn't Awkward— It's A Powerful Tool On this episode of the Sales Gravy Podcast, Keith Lubner, Sales Gravy Executive VP, and Jessica Stokes, Sales Gravy Master Sales Trainer, discuss strategies that leverage discomfort on sales calls to drive engaging conversations and achieve better outcomes. By intentionally using silence, sales professionals can prompt prospects to actively engage and lean into the conversation. Preparation is key, and when executed correctly, this technique can inspire meaningful connections and foster a deeper understanding of customer needs. The goal is to strike a balance and avoid excessive discomfort, while still capturing attention and prompting thoughtful responses from your prospect. This approach can be effective in both in-person and phone sales meetings, as long as the sales professional is both intentional and well-prepared. Leveraging discomfort can drive engaging sales conversations, lead to more successful sales interactions, and yield better outcomes. Introducing discomfort helps reset the typical cadence of sales meetings. Creating a brief moment of silence by taking a sip of water or a beverage, for example, prompts prospects to fill the void with their thoughts and opinions. Sales professionals should aim to actively engage prospects and encourage them to share their perspectives. Meaningful connections are fostered when prospects are given the opportunity to actively participate in the conversation and a deeper understanding of customer needs can be achieved through this approach. Preparation is key to confidently employ this strategy. Sales professionals should have a list of well-thought-out questions ready to guide the conversation. Discomfort Is A Misunderstood Emotional Response We've all experienced that awkward silence during a call with a prospect. When faced with uncomfortable situations, it can trigger fear or avoidance. As sales professionals, what do we tend to do? We want to fill the silence, right? Because it's uncomfortable. Our heart races a little faster, and our amygdala kicks in. We start blurting things out, talking over the prospect, and never really getting what we need from them or triggering their self-disclosure loop. This is where the power of discomfort comes into play. Use Silence To Your Advantage In those moments of silence, it's important to let the silence marinate a bit. As a sales professional, you need to be intentional about allowing the silence to exist. Both you and the prospect feel the anxieties of filling the void, but you don't want to win the race of who talks first. You want to sit back, listen more, and let them do the talking. In the virtual world, with technology lags and transmission delays, it becomes even more challenging. When you ask a question, there's a pause before they even hear it. If you start answering the question without realizing this, you're speaking over them. This is Give Your Prospect A Chance To Respond To leverage the power of discomfort in virtual meetings, try this simple trick: Have a cup of coffee or a bottle of water with you. Ask a question, then take a sip of your drink. This prevents you from talking while giving the prospect time to answer. When you create a lag by pausing after asking a question, it prompts the other person to respond. Reframe Your Question However, it's important not to wait too long and make it uncomfortable. If they don't answer in a reasonable amount of time, you can fill the silence by reframing the question and clarifying what you meant. Taking another sip of water can also signal that you expect a response. This discomfort can be used in a positive way to encourage conversation. What To Do If Reframing Doesn’t Work Again, this is the art of having a conversation too. At that point, you're not going to ask the question and reframe it yet again. Instead, you can say something like, "Let's table that for now. I was going down this path and was interested in something else. Help me understand this a little bit more. I'm really curious," and use probing questions. The phrase "help me understand" tends to invoke reciprocity and encourages them to answer your question. When you ask for help, people usually want to assist you. By asking questions, you give them space to talk, and it becomes a conversation. You can then ask for more details, saying things like, "Tell me more about that," or "What's that about?" The goal is to let them talk while you listen. Then you can continue probing and showing interest. When the call ends, they will feel like it was the best conversation because they did most of the talking and you did most of the listening. Your aim is to have less than 50 percent of the talking and let them do more than 50 percent. In this way, leveraging silence and pausing to listen helps your prospect to focus more and stay engaged in the conversation. Prepare For Every Sales Call, No Matter What Always be prepared with great questions as a sales professional. Without them, the conversation can become uncomfortable. It's crucial to have a primary question to initiate engagement and a secondary question ready to keep the conversation flowing. One way to make sure that you are prepared for sales conversations is to keep a pad of notes with you during meetings to jot down questions for discovery sessions. Let your prospect know upfront that you have your questions written down, as it helps you focus on listening to their responses. By setting this expectation, you encourage them to share more. If there's a moment of silence, refer to your notes for the next question. This approach allows you to actively listen and prevents you from constantly thinking about the next question, which can make the conversation feel like an interrogation. The Four Second Rule It's important to truly listen to the responses instead of just focusing on asking the next question. Interestingly, science has shown that about four seconds of silence can evoke emotions in people, which is valuable in sales since emotions play a significant role in purchasing decisions. By triggering positive emotions during conversations, you gain an advantage over the competition and create a deeper connection with the person you're speaking to. Break The Pattern Prospects have conversations all the time, and their brains create patterns around these conversations. If every conversation looks the same, they stop really listening because the pattern takes over. As a salesperson, your mission is to break that pattern. Discomfort can work because it snaps their attention and engages them. It resets the cadence that everyone is used to when a salesperson shows up to a meeting. They're used to being talked at, pitched a product, asked one question, and then the salesperson rushing to present. So when we pause, take those drinks of water, ask a few more questions, and ask them to expand on something, it gets them more involved in a sales conversation than they typically are. The innovative Sales Gravy University sales training platform gives on the go individuals and entire teams easy, affordable access to the world’s top sales trainers in both live and on-demand courses. Now you can learn how to win in sales anywhere, anytime, and on any device.

Burnout Is 100% Preventable In the world of sales, it's easy to lose sight of how our mental and physical health are connected. We're so focused on hitting our targets that we often ignore the signs of burnout until it's too late. Unfortunately, neglecting this balance can really take a toll on our overall well-being. On this episode of the Sales Gravy Podcast, Jeb Blount and Jahmie Hilecher, founder of The Move Wellness, discuss the importance of prioritizing health and wellness to support productivity and success. They emphasize the significance of making conscious choices about food and nutrition, as well as the impact of deep breathing on reducing stress and improving mental clarity. They also highlight the connections between physical and mental well-being and provide practical tips for incorporating healthy habits into daily routines. Prioritizing health and wellness is crucial for supporting productivity and success. Our well-being directly affects our ability to perform at our best and achieve our goals. Making conscious choices about food and nutrition can have a significant impact on energy levels and mental clarity. It is essential to nourish our bodies with wholesome and nutritious food that provides the necessary fuel for optimal performance. Deep breathing exercises help reduce stress and improve focus during sales calls and meetings. Taking a moment to focus on our breath and engage in deep breathing exercises can help us manage stress and promote a calm and centered state of mind. Physical and mental well-being are interconnected, and taking care of one supports the other. By engaging in regular physical activity, we not only improve our physical fitness but also support our mental health by reducing stress and promoting a positive mood. Starting the day with stretching and movement can enhance overall well-being. Incorporating stretching and movement into our morning routine can help wake up our bodies and increase blood flow, leading to improved flexibility and overall well-being. Taking intentional breaths throughout the day can bring a sense of presence. In the midst of a busy day, it is important to pause and take intentional breaths to bring ourselves back to the present moment. Focus on your breath and take deep, mindful breaths to increase oxygen flow to your brain. Stopping Burnout In Its Tracks Begins With Awareness It's only when we experience burnout that we realize we've overlooked our physical health and need to address it. However, without a healthy body to support you, this mindset is not sustainable. Sleep is crucial not only for your physical well-being but also for your brain function. Certain systems in your body need time to restore and recharge, enabling you to achieve greater success in the long run. Taking care of your basic needs, such as getting enough sleep, eating clean and healthy, taking proper breaks and rest throughout the day, having fun, and engaging in daily movement, is essential. It doesn't have to be lifting weights in the gym; any form of movement can enhance communication, clarity, and creativity in your brain. Prioritizing these aspects will ultimately support you in achieving your goals for a longer period and with greater strength. Sales Professionals Are The Elite Athletes of The Business World If we consider salespeople, especially top salespeople, from a different perspective, we can see that they possess crucial skills for modern selling. However, your mental capacity to be creative and find solutions, as well as your ability to be a consultant, will always be limited by your physical capacity. Many people don't think about it this way. But when I talk about sales professionals being the elite athletes of the business world, I mean that you need both physical and mental strength. When we think about mind, body, and spirit, we can see that the combination of the mind and body creates a flow. This flow leads to finding solutions and experiencing happiness and joy. We have been taught, especially as Americans, to work first and then play, rarely considering the connection between the two. 3 Ways To Improve Your Mind-Body Connection and Prevent Burnout Prioritize Daily Movement Firstly, movement increases oxygen circulation to the brain, supporting cognitive thinking and enhancing focus during sales calls and important meetings. Secondly, consistent movement throughout the day can help reduce stress levels and activate the body's relaxation response, leading to a calmer and more confident state of mind. Additionally, movement promotes better physical health, which is crucial for sales professionals to maintain high energy levels and a sharp mind. Engaging in regular exercise and movement also supports better sleep quality, which is essential for optimal cognitive function and decision-making. By incorporating daily movement into their routine, sales professionals can boost their overall well-being, increase their productivity, and ultimately achieve greater success in their sales endeavors. Be Conscious Of Your Nutrition Sales professionals should be conscious of their diet and make healthful nutritional choices because what they eat directly impacts their physical and mental well-being, which in turn affects their performance. Making conscious choices about food can provide sales professionals with sustained energy, mental clarity, and focus throughout the day. By fueling their bodies with nutritious foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, sales professionals can maintain stable blood sugar levels, avoid energy crashes, and enhance their cognitive function. Additionally, a healthful diet supports overall physical health, including maintaining a healthy weight, boosting immune function, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. By prioritizing their nutrition, sales professionals can optimize their energy levels, improve their ability to handle stress, and project confidence, ultimately leading to more effective sales interactions and greater success in their careers. Focus On Your Breath Taking a moment to intentionally focus on your breath can have several positive effects on your well-being and performance. Stress reduction: When you pause to slow your breath, you activate the body's relaxation response. This helps counteract the fight-or-flight response that is often triggered during busy or stressful situations. Slowing down your breath signals to your brain that you are safe and not in immediate danger, promoting a sense of calm and reducing stress levels. Increased focus and mental clarity: By becoming aware of your breath, you bring your attention to the present moment. This can help quiet the mind and reduce distractions, allowing you to focus more effectively on the task at hand. Slow, conscious breathing provides a steady flow of oxygen to the brain, improving cognitive function and enhancing mental clarity. Emotional regulation: Taking a pause to slow your breath can help regulate your emotions during a busy or stressful day. It allows you to observe and acknowledge any negative emotions or stressors without immediately reacting to them. This increased self-awareness gives you the opportunity to choose how you respond to challenging situations, promoting emotional balance and resilience. Enhanced decision-making: Slowing your breath and being aware of your breathing can help you make better decisions, especially in high-pressure situations. When you are calm and present, you can access the executive functions of your brain more effectively, allowing for clearer thinking, problem-solving, and rational decision-making. Improved physical well-being: Deep, intentional breathing supports proper oxygenation of the body, promoting overall physical well-being. It can help regulate heart rate, lower blood pressure, and reduce muscle tension. Additionally, conscious breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and relaxation, promoting a state of physical ease and reducing the negative effects of stress on the body. By prioritizing movement, nutrition, and breath, sales professionals can nurture their physical and mental well-being, prevent burnout, and promote a strong mind-body connection. These practices contribute to sustained energy, enhanced cognitive function, improved emotional regulation, and increased resilience in the face of challenges. Ultimately, they support sales professionals in achieving optimal performance, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and enjoying long-term success in their careers. Finding a sense of balance, investing in our physical health, and protecting our mental well-being are all steps we can take to ensuring that we are in the right mindset to tackle our sales day. For more tips around mindset, productivity, and advancing your sales career, go to Sales Gravy University, the world's most powerful sales training engine.

Why Roleplay Should Be A Key Part of Your Sales Culture In this podcast, Jeb Blount, Jeremy Olson, and Kristin Isaacson discuss the importance of role-playing in sales. They emphasize the need for leaders to create a culture of role-playing and accountability within their teams. They also highlight the benefits of roleplaying in helping salespeople improve their skills, gain empathy for the customer's perspective, and build confidence. They encourage individuals to find their preferred style of roleplaying and commit to regular practice, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Roleplaying in sales is a powerful tool that helps salespeople improve their skills, gain empathy for the customer's perspective, and build confidence. It allows them to practice and refine their sales techniques in a safe environment. Leaders play a crucial role in creating a culture of roleplaying and accountability within their teams. By embracing and encouraging roleplaying, leaders can foster a collaborative and growth-oriented atmosphere that drives individual and team improvement. Consistency and commitment are key to successful roleplaying. It should be a regular part of the sales process, rather than a one-time activity. Salespeople should make a commitment to practice regularly, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Roleplaying exposes weaknesses and areas for improvement. By simulating different scenarios, salespeople can identify their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to focus on areas that need development and enhancing their overall performance. Constructive feedback and coaching are essential for growth in roleplaying. Salespeople should seek feedback from their leaders, peers, or even trusted individuals outside the team. This feedback helps them identify areas for improvement and refine their approach. Creating a Culture of Role-Playing One key takeaway from this podcast episode is the role of leaders in fostering a culture of role-playing within their teams. By encouraging and embracing roleplaying exercises, leaders can establish an environment where individuals feel safe to practice and refine their sales techniques. This culture of accountability sets the stage for continuous growth and improvement. Benefits of Role-Playing Roleplaying allows salespeople to step into the shoes of their customers, understand their perspective, and develop empathy. By simulating real-life scenarios, sales professionals gain insight into the challenges and concerns their customers may face. This understanding enables them to ask the right questions, provide tailored solutions, and build stronger relationships. Moreover, roleplaying serves as a platform for salespeople to enhance their skills and build confidence. Through practice and repetition, they can refine their pitch, overcome objections, and improve their overall sales performance. Roleplaying provides a controlled environment where individuals can experiment, receive feedback, and make necessary adjustments. The Role of Consistency Consistency is a vital component of effective roleplaying. Just as athletes train regularly to maintain peak performance, salespeople must commit to regular practice. Consistent roleplaying ensures that skills remain sharp, and individuals continue to grow. It is not a one-time activity but an ongoing process that drives continuous improvement. Unifying the Team Roleplaying has a unifying effect on sales teams. It establishes a shared language, understanding, and approach to sales. By engaging in roleplaying exercises together, team members develop a collaborative mindset and foster a sense of camaraderie. This collaborative atmosphere promotes knowledge-sharing, peer feedback, and mutual support, leading to a stronger, more cohesive team. Overcoming Discomfort and Embracing Growth While role-playing may initially feel uncomfortable, it is crucial to overcome this discomfort to reap its benefits fully. Sales professionals should recognize that discomfort is a sign of growth and improvement. Embracing the practice of role-playing with a growth mindset allows individuals to step outside their comfort zones, challenge themselves, and continually enhance their skills. Feedback and Coaching Constructive feedback and coaching play a pivotal role in maximizing the impact of role-playing. Salespeople should actively seek feedback from their leaders, peers, or trusted individuals outside their team. This feedback helps identify areas for improvement and provides valuable insights for refining sales techniques. Regular coaching sessions allow sales professionals to address weaknesses, build on strengths, and continuously enhance their performance. Making Roleplaying a Priority To make roleplaying effective, it must become an integral part of the sales process. It should be viewed as a non-negotiable activity, similar to going to the gym. Just as consistency is key in physical fitness, regular roleplaying is crucial for sales fitness. By prioritizing role-playing, sales teams can develop a culture of continuous learning, improvement, and success. There is immense value in roleplaying in sales. From building empathy and enhancing skills to fostering team unity and personal growth, roleplaying is an essential tool for sales professionals. By creating a culture of roleplaying and embracing its benefits, sales teams can unlock their full potential and achieve extraordinary results. The innovative Sales Gravy University sales training platform gives on the go individuals and entire teams easy, affordable access to the world’s top sales trainers in both live and on-demand courses. Now you can learn how to win in sales anywhere, anytime, and on any device.