Barb Helfman
Helping Plantscapers succeed.

Archived Entry

Sales. What works and What Doesn’t.

Posted on February 1st, 2010 in Competitive Advantage, General |

Go to any sales gurus web site and you will find a wealth of how-to-get-sales info.  And as for books on the subject?  Zillions.  So what advice do you follow?  How long do you pursue what has worked for others in other types of businesses before you realize these tactics are not for you?

Ah, there’s the rub.  What works for a retailer( say coupons for dollars off) absolutely will not work for an interioplantscaper.  Advertising in local papers works for the Tire discount store, but for you?  Nada. 

That is why it is imperative that you look at each strategy, evaluate its appropriateness, and talk to industry experts.  Too many ‘scapers waste valuable time going after dead ends.  Quality and Potential is what you want.  Plus, you need a Plan, a map of who to call, what to say and how to get an appointment.  For that info check the Sales Books.  I recommend Jeffrey Gitomer’s work.  Go to the book store and read the Table of Contents in his many works and choose what will help you NOW!

For us specifically, the first places I’d look are for "lists".  Every local Business Newspaper  or Chamber of Commerce has what is called Books of Lists.  A wealth of information IF you know what to look for.  Example:  Who are the TOP 50 companies that lease corporate space.  This is usually given in square footage.  The higher the number of square feet, the larger potential for you.  Just make sure you qualify the square footage.  Warehouse space doe not count.  Next, the TOP 25 Hotel Properties.  Again, qualify.  Forget the lower end, look for the 3-5 Stars.  And so on.

The above is where to start.  Now, get going Tigers.

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