Cross-selling takes teamwork

Progressive companies understand the power of cross-selling and recognize it as a critical component for promoting both customer retention and revenue growth. What is cross-selling? Cross-selling is nothing more than team-selling with other specialists and advisors within your company, all working in partnership on behalf of the client’s best interest. It is a proactive, ongoing sales process designed to provide your existing clients with a full range of your company’s products and services. The good news is, cross-selling is one of the most profitable and least risky endeavors a company can undertake. The bad news is, if your cross-selling program is not properly administered and monitored you run the risk of losing clients and creating conflict within your sales team.

Not surprisingly, two of the key elements that make cross-selling work are trust and convenience. Your clients already possess a degree of trust in your company, and this can be converted into additional sales that are not directly related to their existing products. Some might suggest that clients are irritated by cross-selling and perceive it as an aggressive sales approach. Interestingly enough, consumer research indicates that the reverse is actually true. Most clients prefer a full spectrum of products and services and appreciate the convenience that is provided through a comprehensive cross-selling approach. (More: Mark Benson uses an integrated selling system)

Would you like fries with that?

While you may not have recognized it was happening, the last time you ordered from a fast food restaurant there is a good chance you experienced cross-selling. Cross-selling is a well-established and highly effective marketing practice utilized by a wide variety of industries, ranging from insurance companies to fast-food restaurants. When you cross-sell related products and services to your existing clients, you are making a smart decision. Developing a systematic approach to cross-selling brings in additional revenue with relatively low expense and effort. Marketers wrack their brains and develop expensive advertising campaigns solely designed to get prospects to focus on their offers. When you cross-sell to existing clients, you don’t have to compete for their attention. In addition to generating new sales, cross-selling promotes customer loyalty and as a result, keeps competitors at arms length and your business on the books.

What makes cross-selling work?
Cross-selling begins with uncovering your client’s needs and laying the groundwork for other specialists to assist you in the selling process. The best place to introduce your client to the concept of cross-selling is during your initial needs analysis meeting. It is important that you inform your client early in the needs analysis process that you do not work alone, but represent one aspect of a team of specialists all working to help them achieve their needs and goals. When you cross-sell, you don’t claim to be the only expert, you are more of a partner in the process, guiding your client toward another qualified specialist within your company. You are responsible for setting the tone and preparing your client for a smooth transfer to an additional specialist.

Unfortunately, many financial advisors fail to do a thorough needs analysis and as a result, frequently do not identify potential products and services that fall outside of their area of expertise. Ask questions and take good notes. Ask your prospects and clients about their goals and what concerns them. When you discover an area of potential need, be certain to ask your clients what steps they have taken, if any, to address the concern. This collaborative approach also helps you view yourself as a planning partner. Effective cross-selling is all about guided self-discovery. Through a series of thought-provoking, open-ended questions, successful advisors assist their clients to uncover potential needs.