Keep mum about these five things in sales world

What not to say in the sales world:

The customers control success in today’s competitive business environment. Cracking the deal for a salesperson is becoming difficult day by day.

With unlimited access to information and competition, old school charm does not do the trick as it once did. Top-performing representatives have adopted new tactics to appeal to today’s more empowered buyer. They are looked up as trusted advisors, constantly educating themselves on market trends and building long-lasting relationships with customers.

If you find yourself continuously losing out deals at the last minute study the sales strategies of your successful counterparts. Also, here are a few deal-breaking phrases to avoid while speaking with potential buyers.

"That’s not my department." “I don’t know”

Whether its sales or personal life you must take responsibility for everything that comes with the package. If you cannot find the solution or information, you could always lead your customers in the right direction to find the answers. Don’t blame the economy, don’t blame other people and don’t blame any external conditions because blaming is something you do to become a slave. Top entrepreneurs are big on accountability and responsibility to get the job done. If you are willing to take the credit when you win, be willing to take the credit when you lose.

“Our Product Is the Best”

Always support your claims with factual data. Claiming about the greatness of your product will raise warning flags in your prospect’s mind. Align whatever advantages your product offers to the challenges your prospect is experiencing; for example, benefit X can solve your company’s Y.

"I don’t use this myself."

Always test the product and service you promote. Your actual feedback has a greater value than the printed material on the brochures. You must be 100 percent completely and entirely into the product/service before you can maximize your opportunities. Don’t even attempt selling someone else until you are completely sold yourself.

“I Promise”

If a deal is going south, salespeople will often make promises that they can’t actually keep; for example, guaranteeing a discount on a particular product. Stooping to that level could damage your trustworthiness and might even cost you the sale displaying your vulnerability to making the sale. Make sure you’re aware how far you can go in negotiations. Don’t overstep those limits and avoid making agreements you can’t fulfill. Always be proud of the product/service you sell.

“Sorry, it's our Company Policy”

Nobody ever wants to hear this, ever. It sounds rigid and shows that you are not open to any further negotiations. It sounds like you don’t take the person you are dealing with into account. Nobody cares about a company policy, they care about the service they are provided, so don’t use it as a way to justify why you can’t, or won’t, do something for a customer. Every time you say ‘Sorry but I can’t do that, it’s a company policy’ you appear to be taking the easy way out.

If you have a policy that conflicts with the comfort of the client or their wishes, either break a rule, don’t bring it up or come up with a solution before you propose a problem. ‘It’s a company policy’ is simply not good enough.

The job of the sale team is hard. There is no one prescribed tactic or technique that can secure you a sale every time you try it. Selling is more of an art form than a science. This being said, there is certain dos and don’ts. Some of the dos include having a great product, always offering superior service and excellent customer experience, knowing your audience, knowing your product inside and out, believing in yourself etc. The dos have been outlined above. Avoiding making these statements, you will be able to close more deals faster.

What else should be absolute 'no-no' in sales world? Please put in your views.