New trends in business are changing expectations of sales presenting faster than ever before. Are you doing everything possible to improve your team's presentation skills and stay ahead of the curve?
Like so many practices in business (and in life) it's just too easy to fall into a rut. You've heard the definition of insanity: 'Doing the same things over and over again. But expecting a different result.'
Now, it's time to do different things - so you can realistically expect a different, and better result.
To stay ahead of the curve, you and your team must know exactly what is happening in the marketplace and master presentation skills.
Consider the following: standards for sales presentations are changing and evolving at record speed. If you do the same thing that worked last year, you are certain to blow critical sales opportunities.
In small and large businesses, it's important to stay in touch with trends, and actively grow your skills and your team's skills to keep pace with changes. Never hold back on investing in learning new skills. This is not a place for penny-pinching.
An investment in skill development will pay back in sales over many years to come. Put it this way, consider the profits to be made when your team is up to date, masterful and gaining a competitive advantage with trend-setting skills.
The key to gaining an advantage over your competition and improving sales results is in targeted presentation training. This is the smartest and most cost-effective way to enhance presentation skills and forge ahead.
Use this quick 4-part plan to master new trends and boost your sales presentations - instantly.
1. Personalize
Gone are the days of a generic sales presentation that works with every audience. Good-bye. Farewell. It's over.
If you are part of a global corporation and still using a boilerplate approach, be warned. This is a fast way to insure certain death to your sales efforts.
If you are running a smaller company, you already know this. It's clear that you need to personalize your delivery for every customer, every setting and every topic.
Generic stops here. Got it?
2. Go Mobile
Remember the old-days when you sat at home waiting for a phone call? Oh, before your time? I get it. It was a long time ago.
Now your clients are on the go, on the road and they want to see your presentations that way too.
By getting comfortable with the skills you need, you'll be able to moderate virtual events with skill. In addition, when you facilitate highly interactive mobile meetings - you'll stay ahead of the pack.
Naturally, a lot of thought goes into how to run a high-impact virtual meeting. Avoid the fatal mistake of believing that the only thing you need to focus on is technical connectivity.
If you are looking for a single idea to have your best virtual presentations ever: Focus on interaction. Build your facilitation skills and hard-wire virtual presentations to hit the target.
3. Share Your Story
Clients and prospects want to get to know you. If they like you, they'll warm to your brand and what you're offering. There's a natural progression people make. It goes directly from knowing, to liking, to trusting. And ultimately, to buying. And buying again!
When you share your personal story, people see the true person instead of an anonymous sales presenter.
This relates very closely with the first tip, but it's a little different. Share your story of how you experience the benefit and value of what you're selling. Talk from your own life experience.
Hint: If you are new to your company, talk to experienced colleagues. Find out how they use stories to connect personally with customers and prospects. Adapt the type of story they use and insert a similar type of story of your own. You'll be up and running.
4. Connect with Video
Video presenting is hands-down the fastest and most flexible way to connect with your customers. It's direct, personal, and convenient. Explore ways to get your videos in front of clients and prospects.
Use your video presentations to increase awareness of your business, brand, products and services.
This is both a challenge and an opportunity. Make sure your presentations evolve to meet current and future trends. Make certain that you and your entire team gets the best training.
Stay focused on how to improve presentation skills - and you'll skyrocket sales. Master these 4 trends and you'll win results.
Milly Sonneman is a recognized expert in visual language. She is the co-director of Presentation Storyboarding, a leading presentation training firm, and author of the popular guides: Beyond Words and Rainmaker Stories available on Amazon. Milly helps business professionals give winning presentations, through online presentation skills trainings at Presentation Storyboarding. You can find out more about our courses or contact Milly through our website at: http://www.presentationstoryboarding.com/