Doing business with great salespeople can make a big impact on your bottom line. Learn how to distinguish between them and conventional "commission-seekers."

What should you, a business-to-business customer, expect from the sales professionals who are asking for your time? This is a question you may not have considered. If pressed you´d likely say, "Well, I expect him or her to answer my questions, sell me the product or service I need, charge a fair price, deliver on time and follow through on promises." Sounds reasonable, doesn´t it? Not really. In today´s complex business world, the rules of selling have changed. The man or woman whose role once centered on polished presentations and glossy brochures (if not a line of self-serving propaganda) must now function as a valued and trusted advisor and be a source of competitive advantage.

There are many, many companies that claim to offer the products and services you need. Yet, all too often the strategy of their sales force is to battle the competition on capabilities and pricing in order to capture your business. But the reality is that succeeding in today´s marketplace is not about price. It´s not even about products. Instead, success means being able to understand the very real, very complex problems you face and sort through all the available alternatives. And the right salesperson should be able to help you do so-and to create a solution that you would not have been able to come up with on your own.

It is this characteristic-the ability to collaborate with you, stimulate your thinking and create revenue-building solutions that you don´t have the time or the wherewithal to create for yourself-that you should look for in the sales professionals who want to work with you. They are able to provide a competitive advantage for your company. They don´t sit across the desk from you spewing information and hoping for a commission. They actually become an integral part of your business, making your life easier and contributing to your measurable success. The sales process is not done "to you," but "with you."

So how do you distinguish these top professionals from the traditional sellers? Look for these clues on how to spot great sales professionals:

• They diagnose your problem. When a sales professional launches into a description of his "solution" without first establishing a clear understanding of your situation, be wary. A great salesperson never assumes that they or you understand the very real, very complex problems you face. Instead, like a good psychiatrist, he methodically questions and diagnoses until he uncovers those problems and expands your awareness. Once you both clearly understand your problem-and you perceive all the ramifications of that problem-then he is justified in making recommendations. After all, if you´re not feeling any pain, why would you want to change? Diagnosis takes time and hard work. A credible salesperson proves that he is willing to provide both.

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• They ask questions, rather than tell stories. Conventional salespeople tell stories about their solutions, not to mention proclaiming the superiority of their company´s brand, history and reputation. Prospective customers expect to hear these stories and rarely take them seriously. (Think about it: do you?) Chances are you will take a salesperson seriously when she displays concern for the problems you may have and the expertise to solve them. This is demonstrated by asking questions, questions that you would not have thought to ask yourself. The true professional´s activity is additive to your knowledge as well as her own. How else could a sales professional acquire the raw information she needs to make an accurate diagnosis and design an efficient solution?

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• They let you set the pace. If a salesperson is truly there to serve you, he will not rush you, pressure you or manipulate you. The last thing he will want to do is create mistrust or a confrontational atmosphere. Therefore he will let you discover, understand the impact of and take ownership of problems before he discusses solution options. This will take a while. You will know you have a great salesperson if you find yourself feeling emotionally comfortable and communicating openly. This state of being is the only way to do mutually beneficial business.

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• They help you calculate the cost of your problem. It´s not enough for a salesperson to say, "You have a problem and it´s costing you money." She must say, "We need to determine how much this is costing you and see if it make sense to pursue a solution." Vagueness is a red flag. If a salesperson shies away from establishing an accurate cost, it´s either because a) she doesn´t know the cost (or is too lazy to do the work to find out), or b) she´s afraid the cost will be too low to justify the solution she´s offering. Generally, the second reason is the most likely one. And maybe your problem isn´t significant enough to justify the expense-and a great salesperson will suggest that to you and respect that outcome.

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