Outsmart the competition

Here are four critical questions to stop your sales competition from stealing your best customers (or to steal theirs!):

1. Do you see any weaknesses you could potentially exploit?
2. Are there any industry or market trends that could create an opening?
3. Is your rival addressing all the client’s needs — or just some? Could that be a way in?
4. How has the client changed? Does he need help in new areas?

Those are just four questions to ponder; you can come up with your own. But do you see where I’m going with this? By looking at your best account from your competitors’ perspective you can do two things:

1. Find out where you’re vulnerable so you can prevent poaching.
2. Identify areas where you can create new sales opportunities.

So take some time today and think about it from the other guy’s perspective. What you discover could help you guard against losing your best client.

Sign up for The Lead and get a new tip in your inbox every day! More tips:

• Ever been manipulated by a competitor?
• 3 ways successful salespeople trounce the competition
• 10 simple ways to lose a customer (and cash)

Jill Konrath is the author of SNAP Selling and Selling to Big Companies. If you’re struggling to set up meetings, click here to get a free Prospecting Tool Kit.