AI Speaker 1:
Welcome back, everybody, to another deep dive. Today we've got some really cool material to dig into about sales success.

AI Speaker 2:
Yeah, this is great stuff. I'm really excited to dig in here with you and see what we can pull out.

AI Speaker 1:
All right, so I think to give everyone a little bit of context, we've got several different articles, we've got some research papers, some notes that you all sent in, and we're going to try to extract the gold from all of this and really give you some actionable insights to improve your sales game.

AI Speaker 2:
I think that's a great approach. And what really jumps out at me from these sources is the common thread of adaptation and learning. Sales is such a dynamic field. Things change rapidly, so that ability to evolve is crucial.

AI Speaker 1:
Absolutely. And speaking of adapting and learning, I wanted to jump right into Michelle Baker's concept of masterminding your path to peer powered profitability. She's really advocating for going beyond that basic networking and moving into true collaboration and growth.

AI Speaker 2:
Yeah, it's about taking it to that next level.

AI Speaker 1:
Right.

AI Speaker 2:
Like, think of a mastermind group as like your own personal board of advisors, but it's composed of your peers, people who really understand your challenges and where you want to go.

AI Speaker 1:
It's like having your own personal dream team in your corner.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. And Baker found that this kind of structured support can significantly increase your chances of reaching your goals.

AI Speaker 1:
Makes sense. It's like having a workout buddy.

AI Speaker 2:
Right?

AI Speaker 1:
You're more likely to stay on track when you've got someone else pushing you and keeping you accountable.

AI Speaker 2:
Right. And there's actually some data to back that up. The American Society of Training and Development found that having an accountability partner makes you 65% more likely to achieve your goals. But get this, when you participate in regular group check ins, that number jumps to 95%.

AI Speaker 1:
Wow. 95%. That's huge. So we're not just talking about, like a feel good thing. This is actually proven to have a real impact.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. And Baker outlines three key benefits of masterminds. The first one is accelerated growth through accountability.

AI Speaker 1:
Which makes perfect sense. Right. Like you said, it's easier to stay motivated when you've got that support system in place.

AI Speaker 2:
Imagine a sales team working on a tough campaign. They're meeting regularly, sharing their progress, offering encouragement, providing constructive feedback. That shared commitment can be the key to hitting those ambitious targets.

AI Speaker 1:
Yeah, it's like having a whole team of cheerleaders and coaches all rolled into one plan. All right, so what's the second benefit that Baker highlights?

AI Speaker 2:
It's called diversity of insights and solutions. And it's all about tapping into the power of different perspectives. Think about it. If you're struggling with a tough negotiation or a tricky problem, a mastermind group can offer a ton of different ideas and solutions that you might never have thought of on your own.

AI Speaker 1:
So it's like crowdsourcing your solutions.

AI Speaker 2:
Right?

AI Speaker 1:
More brains working on the problem, the better.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. And again, it's not just a nice idea. This is backed by research. The Journal of Applied Psychology found that diverse groups outperform homogenous ones in problem solving by almost 20%.

AI Speaker 1:
So the more diverse your mastermind, the better.

AI Speaker 2:
Okay, so we've got accountability and diversity. What's the third benefit? Real time peer mentorship. It's like having a mini advisory board on speed dial. You get advice and feedback from people who understand your industry and your specific challenges, but you get it instantly.

AI Speaker 1:
That's huge. Because in today's fast paced business world, you need answers quickly. You can't wait weeks or months for feedback.

AI Speaker 2:
Right. And this approach has been shown to be super effective. 70% of mastermind participants report increased productivity and improved goal achievement.

AI Speaker 1:
Okay, so we know the benefits are real, but how do you actually put together a mastermind group that works?

AI Speaker 2:
Well, it starts with finding three to five individuals who share similar goals and aspirations. They could be colleagues, industry peers, people you've met through online communities. The key is finding people who are genuine, genuinely committed to growth, and who are willing to both give and receive support.

AI Speaker 1:
Okay, so you've got your dream team assembled. What's next?

AI Speaker 2:
You need to set up a regular meeting schedule, whether it's weekly or bi weekly, and dedicate that time to discussing goals, challenges, strategies. It's about creating that structured environment to foster accountability and progress.

AI Speaker 1:
But don't forget to celebrate those wins. Acknowledging each Other's successes keeps the energy positive and keeps everyone motivated. So you've got your mastermind in place. You're crushing your goals. Now it's time to focus on closing those deals. And David Weiss has this great framework called PROTECT to help us do just that.

AI Speaker 2:
Yeah, Weiss designed PROTECT as, like, this comprehensive tool to guide salespeople through that whole deal management process, from qualifying leads to successfully closing. He breaks it down into seven key elements. Each one addresses a specific area where deals can go off track if you're not careful.

AI Speaker 1:
All right, let's break it down. We're ready to hear about these seven elements, starting with P, which stands for problem. What's the key takeaway here?

AI Speaker 2:
Weiss really emphasizes understanding the customer's problem and digging deeper than just what they tell you on the surface. It's about quantifying the impact of the problem, not just in financial terms, but also the emotional and functional implications.

AI Speaker 1:
So it's really about seeing the whole picture and understanding how the problem is affecting the customer on multiple levels. Not just throwing a product at them, but becoming a true advisor who can help them solve their pain points.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. It's about building trust and establishing yourself as a valuable partner. All right, moving on to R, which stands for roles.

AI Speaker 1:
Okay, why is this element so important?

AI Speaker 2:
Because you need to identify all the key players involved in the decision making process. This includes the decision makers, obviously, but also the economic buyers, the end users, any influencers, anyone who has a stake in the outcome. If you don't have a clear picture of who's involved and what their motivations are, you're going to miss some crucial steps in the sales process.

AI Speaker 1:
Yeah, you might end up pitching to the wrong person or failing to address key concerns that could kill the deal. It's like trying to navigate a maze without a map.

AI Speaker 2:
Right. Next up is O, which stands for options.

AI Speaker 1:
Okay, so what does VICE emphasize here?

AI Speaker 2:
It's about making sure your proposed solution is the best choice among all the available options, including the competition. It's not enough to just present your solution. You need to demonstrate why it's the best fit for the customer, especially compared to what else is out there.

AI Speaker 1:
So it's about strategic positioning. Okay, Next up is T. Threats. What are we talking about here?

AI Speaker 2:
Threats are anything that could derail the deal. They could come from all sorts of places. Budget constraints, internal resistance to change, market fluctuations, you name it. The key is to identify these threats early on and have a plan to address them proactively.

AI Speaker 1:
Like a good chess player, you gotta anticipate your opponent's moves. All right, we've covered Pro T. What comes next in the protect framework?

AI Speaker 2:
E, which stands for executive case. This is where you build that rock solid business case to justify the change you're proposing.

AI Speaker 1:
Okay, so you're not just talking about the cool features of your product. You're showing the customer how your solution will actually impact their bottom line.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. It's about connecting your solution to clear ROI and a compelling value proposition. Okay, now we move on to C for commitment.

AI Speaker 1:
What's involved in this step?

AI Speaker 2:
It's about securing clear commitments from everyone involved in the deal. You map out the decision making process, you outline key milestones and make sure everyone's board with the next steps, you're moving from discussion to action.

AI Speaker 1:
Okay, so you're basically creating that roadmap for how the deal is going to progress. And finally, T again, this time for transition. What does this last element of protect entail?

AI Speaker 2:
It's all about ensuring a smooth handoff from the sales team to the service team once the deal is closed. You want to make sure the customer continues to realize the value of your solution and you set the stage for a long and happy relationship.

AI Speaker 1:
It's about thinking beyond the close and building that lasting partnership. Okay, so we've got this fantastic framework, but how do we actually put it into practice?

AI Speaker 2:
Weiss suggests using a color coding system, red, yellow and green, to assess each element of protect for a specific deal. Red means there's a weakness or a lack of information, yellow means it needs more attention, and green means you're good to go.

AI Speaker 1:
I like that. It's like a quick visual health check for your deal. Okay, let's shift gears for a bit and dive into Kaylee Connor's insights on self enablement and process documentation. I'm really intrigued by her concept of learning by reproducing successful processes and the role documentation plays in that.

AI Speaker 2:
Connor is all about taking ownership of your learning and development. She believes documentation is key, not just for sharing knowledge with others, but also for clarifying your own thinking and refining your processes.

AI Speaker 1:
And she has this great story about how this approach shaped her own learning journey. Can you tell us a bit more about that?

AI Speaker 2:
She describes herself as someone who learns best by taking something that worked, figuring out exactly how it worked, and then documenting it so she can repeat it. That way she captures all the little nuances and can refine her approach over time to create a system that consistently delivers results.

AI Speaker 1:
It's like building a playbook for sales success. Okay, but what I find really interesting is that Connor emphasizes The benefits of documentation for both individuals and teams.

AI Speaker 2:
Right. For individuals, it's a way to capture knowledge, refined processes, and avoid having to reinvent the wheel every time you face a similar challenge.

AI Speaker 1:
It's like building your own personal knowledge base. For teams, documentation promotes clear communication, reduces those time consuming explanations, and helps new team members get up to speed quickly.

AI Speaker 2:
And then there's Connor's brilliant three times rule. If you find yourself answering the same question three times, document the answer.

AI Speaker 1:
It's such a simple rule, but it's so effective. It helps you identify those knowledge gaps and create resources that everyone can benefit from. And I love her quote about hating the response. I don't know, I just do it. It highlights how important it is to be able to articulate your processes and share your knowledge in a way that others can understand.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. If you can't explain it, do you really understand it?

AI Speaker 1:
Yeah.

AI Speaker 2:
Okay, so we've covered Masterminds, the Protect Framework, and the Power of Self Enablement. Now let's delve into Todd Capone's thought provoking analysis of sales compensation models. He asks this crucial Are we incentivizing the right behaviors?

AI Speaker 1:
That's a great question, because sometimes it feels like we're rewarding the wrong things.

AI Speaker 2:
Well, Capone delves into the history of sales compensation and points out something really interesting. While business priorities have evolved like crazy over the years, compensation structures have stayed remarkably consistent.

AI Speaker 1:
So there's this disconnect between what we're trying to achieve as businesses and how we're rewarding our salespeople.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. And Capone uses this great example to illustrate his point. He compares two salespeople, one who consistently sells at list price and another who prioritizes closing large deals, even if it means offering huge discounts.

AI Speaker 1:
So the classic closer versus the relationship builder.

AI Speaker 2:
Right. And the thing is, in many traditional compensation models, the discounter, the one who closes those big deals even at a lower price, often ends up getting rewarded more.

AI Speaker 1:
Which makes no sense if the company is focused on profitable growth.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. It might look good on paper in the short term, but if those sales aren't profitable, it's not a sustainable strategy.

AI Speaker 1:
So how do we fix this? How do we ensure that our compensation models are actually driving the behaviors we want?

AI Speaker 2:
Capon suggests shifting the focus away from purely revenue based metrics and towards metrics that reflect profitability.

AI Speaker 1:
So things like profit margin, customer lifetime value, recurring revenue.

AI Speaker 2:
Right. We need to incentivize behaviors that contribute to long term sustainable growth. It's not just about closing deals, it's about Closing profitable deals that build lasting value.

AI Speaker 1:
It all comes back to value. Okay, ready for our last deep dive of this part?

AI Speaker 2:
Bring it on.

AI Speaker 1:
Let's step into the world of AI and explore Scott Ingram's fascinating experiment with AI generated audio for his daily sales tips podcast.

AI Speaker 2:
This experiment gives us a glimpse into the incredible advancements in AI, particularly in voice cloning technology. It's a perfect example of how AI is popping up in places we never expected. And it raises some interesting questions about the future of content creation.

AI Speaker 1:
Yeah, it's mind blowing how realistic this technology has become. Just a year and a half ago, the results were nowhere near as good as they are now.

AI Speaker 2:
And Ingram highlighted three key lessons from his experiment. First, continuous experimentation is essential to keep up with the insane pace of AI development. What seems impossible today could be commonplace tomorrow.

AI Speaker 1:
You snooze, you lose, right? Especially in the tech world. What's the second lesson?

AI Speaker 2:
Providing AI models with relevant data and context is crucial for getting the best possible output. The more information you give the AI, the better it's going to perform. It's not just about having access to the technology, it's about knowing how to use it effectively.

AI Speaker 1:
So it's like you're training the AI to do what you want.

AI Speaker 2:
Adaptability and a willingness to embrace new technologies are critical for success in this rapidly changing world. If you resist change, you're going to get left behind.

AI Speaker 1:
It's all about having that growth mindset, being open to new possibilities. He's constantly learning and adapting. And Ingram's experiment is a perfect example of that.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. He didn't shy away from something new and potentially scary. He embraced it and explored its potential.

AI Speaker 1:
And that's the mindset we all need to have if we want to succeed in the age of AI.

AI Speaker 2:
You know, it's amazing how each of these experts are approaching sales from different angles, but they all seem to be saying the same thing. This need to constantly evolve and adapt.

AI Speaker 1:
Yeah, it's like we're all trying to catch the same wave, but the wave keeps changing direction.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. And that's why I think Kayleigh Connor's insights on self enablement are so valuable. It's not about waiting for someone to give you the answers. It's about taking ownership of your own development.

AI Speaker 1:
She's all about being proactive, isn't she?

AI Speaker 2:
Oh, absolutely, yeah. Documenting processes, building those knowledge libraries, creating resources. It's like she's constantly building this, this incredible encyclopedia of sales success.

AI Speaker 1:
And her three times rule. It's just genius. If you have to answer the same Question three times, you write down the answer. It's so simple, yet so effective.

AI Speaker 2:
It really is. It forces you to think about what you're doing and how you're doing it. Plus it saves everyone a ton of time in the long run.

AI Speaker 1:
And it creates this culture of knowledge sharing which is so important in today's world. Thinking back to Baker's masterminds, I bet documentation would be a game changer for those groups.

AI Speaker 2:
Absolutely. Imagine a mastermind group where everyone is proactively documenting their wins, their struggles, the lessons they've learned. It would be like this incredible treasure, treasure trove of best practices and insights.

AI Speaker 1:
It would take the concept of collective intelligence to a whole new level. Okay, let's circle back to David Weiss's PROTECT framework for a second. How can we use this to improve collaboration within a sales team?

AI Speaker 2:
One way is to use it as a shared language for talking about deals. Like imagine a team using PROTECT to analyze a deal and figure out where the potential roadblocks are. It gives everyone a common understanding and makes the conversations much more focused.

AI Speaker 1:
It's like having a checklist for success. Okay. And I love Weiss's color coding system. Red, yellow, green. It's such a simple visual way to track progress.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. You can instantly see where you need to focus your attention. And when you combine that shared understanding with Connor's focus on knowledge sharing, you create this, this incredible synergy within the team.

AI Speaker 1:
It's like a one, two punch for sales success. Okay, let's bring Todd Capone back into the mix. How do we make sure our compensation models are actually driving the behaviors that lead to profit?

AI Speaker 2:
That's the million dollar question, isn't it? Capone's research shows how traditional commission based models can actually incentivize the wrong things. They can reward discounting and prioritize volume.

AI Speaker 1:
Over profitability, which can end up hurting the company in the long run.

AI Speaker 2:
Right. It's like a sugar rush. It feels good at first, but then you crash. So what's the solution?

AI Speaker 1:
Well, I think we need to start by rethinking our metrics. Instead of just focusing on revenue, we need to look at things like profit margin, customer lifetime value, recurring revenue.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly.

AI Speaker 1:
Yeah.

AI Speaker 2:
We need to reward behaviors that contribute to long term sustainable growth. It's not just about closing any deal. It's about closing profitable deals that build lasting value.

AI Speaker 1:
It all comes back to value. Okay, let's jump into the future for a minute and talk about the implications of Scott Ingram's AI experiment. His AI generated audio was pretty mind blowing, wasn't it, it was.

AI Speaker 2:
It really makes you think about where technology is headed and how it's going to impact the world of sales. It's like we're on the verge of something big.

AI Speaker 1:
It is, it's like AI is knocking on the door and we need to decide whether to let it in or not.

AI Speaker 2:
And I think the answer is to let it in. Cautiously and strategically. AI has the potential to transform so many aspects of sales, from lead generation, to personalization, to even closing deals.

AI Speaker 1:
Well, we need to be smart about it. We need to make sure we're using AI ethically and responsibly.

AI Speaker 2:
Absolutely. It's about finding that balance between human ingenuity and technological innovation. It's not about replacing humans, it's about empowering them.

AI Speaker 1:
And it's about. About being prepared for a future where the lines between the physical world and the digital world are becoming increasingly blurred. Ingram's experiment is a perfect example of that.

AI Speaker 2:
It is. It shows us that what seemed impossible just a few years ago is now becoming reality. We need to be adaptable, open to new ideas, and willing to experiment.

AI Speaker 1:
We can't be afraid of the future. We need to embrace it. Okay, so before we wrap up this part, I want to leave you with a thought provoking question. If you could use AI to enhance one aspect of your sales process, what would it be and why? Think about that for a bit. We'll be back in part three to explore some practical applications of these insights and share some final takeaways to help you master your sales success.

AI Speaker 2:
Okay, so we've covered a ton of ground in this deep dive. We've talked about masterminds, frameworks, AI. Um, it's clear that the sales world is constantly changing. Right?

AI Speaker 1:
Yeah. It's like you gotta be moving all the time just to stay in the same place.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. And I think what's really cool is how all these different insights from these different experts, they all kind of point to this bigger picture of what it takes to be successful in sales today.

AI Speaker 1:
Like they each have a piece of the puzzle, right?

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. And when you put all the pieces together, you get this, this image of the modern salesperson. It's someone who's not just a closer anymore. It's a crusted advisor, a consultant, a lifelong learner.

AI Speaker 1:
Yeah. Someone who's always adapting and evolving right alongside the industry. Right. It's not enough to just know your product anymore. You got to understand the customer's needs on a deeper level and you got.

AI Speaker 2:
To be able to back up your intuition with data and strategy.

AI Speaker 1:
It's about building those long term relationships, those win win partnerships where everyone benefits.

AI Speaker 2:
And that requires a certain mindset. You got to be comfortable with change, you got to be open to new technologies, and you got to be committed to lifelong learning.

AI Speaker 1:
It's about being proactive, seeking out opportunities to grow and learn, never settling for the status quo.

AI Speaker 2:
And that's where Kaylee Connor's insights on self enablement are so powerful. It's about taking control of your own.

AI Speaker 1:
Development, building that muscle, documenting your wins and losses, building your own knowledge base. It's like becoming your own personal sales guru.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. And then when you combine that self enablement with the power of masterminds like Baker was talking about, you create this incredible force multiplier.

AI Speaker 1:
It's like surrounding yourself with people who are just as hungry for knowledge and growth as you are.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. People who will challenge you and support you and hold you accountable. And of course, we can't forget about the impact of technology. Scott Ingram's experiment with AI generated audio was a real eye opener, wasn't it?

AI Speaker 1:
Oh, yeah. It shows just how quickly things are moving in the AI world.

AI Speaker 2:
And AI has the potential to revolutionize so many aspects of sales. But we gotta be careful, right?

AI Speaker 1:
Oh, absolutely. We need to make sure we're using AI ethically and responsibly.

AI Speaker 2:
It's not about replacing humans. It's about empowering them. It's about finding that sweet spot where human ingenuity and technological innovation meet.

AI Speaker 1:
And that's a really important point because at the end of the day, it's still about people. It's about building relationships, connecting with customers, solving problems.

AI Speaker 2:
Exactly. Technology can help us do all of those things more effectively, but it can't replace the human touch.

AI Speaker 1:
All right, so as we wrap up this deep dive, I want to leave you all with one final thought. We've talked about a lot of different things today. Masterminds, frameworks, AI. But I think there's one more ingredient that's absolutely essential for success in sales. Yeah. And that's passion.

AI Speaker 2:
Passion for your product, passion for your customers, passion for the art of selling.

AI Speaker 1:
When you have that passion, it fuels everything you do. It drives you to learn and grow. It helps you overcome challenges, and it inspires you to reach new heights.

AI Speaker 2:
So as you go out there and conquer the world of sales, remember to hold on to that passion. Let it be your guide.

AI Speaker 1:
Never stop learning. Never stop growing. And never, never, ever lose that fire in your belly. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive. We'll see you next time.

Meshell Baker: Imagine having a circle of like minded professionals, each bringing their unique insights, skills and strategies to help you solve challenges and hit your sales targets. This isn’t just networking, it’s masterminding, where your growth accelerates through the power of collective intelligence. Today I’m diving into masterminding your path to peer powered profitability. You see, in sales your connections are everything and masterminding empowers you to connect deeper, gain fresh perspectives and get direct, actionable feedback that will transform your sales trajectory. So what is Masterminding? A mastermind group is a gathering of intelligent, committed individuals who regularly meet to exchange ideas, tackle challenges and drive each other toward personal and professional goals. It’s a structure that combines mentorship with peer to peer support, creating a unique environment for reciprocal growth and accountability. As Napoleon Hill famously said, no mind is complete by itself. It needs contact and association with others minds to grow.

Carolina Braeuninger: I have actually. So for the last four years I’ve been part of the leaderboard. I’ve been leading the leaderboard for the last three years and most of this time my quota attainment was around 200% on year over year. And in general, I’m not going to talk numbers here, but I think I was at the right place at the right time because we were starting to sell this online lead generation thing. In 2018 and 2020, corona hit. And especially in the EU and especially in Germany, people were heavily relying on door to door sales or field sales as well as trade fairs. And all of a sudden, from one day to another, nothing of this was possible anymore. You just had to be open minded.