Every system, solution or service purchased by the enterprise that has even a hint of complexity involves a series of conversations with sales reps. These conversations, especially the early conversations, provide valuable insights to the buyer that greatly informs the purchase decision.
During these conversations, the buyer is quickly trying to determine:
To be successful in today’s market, sales reps have to consistently add value, starting with the first interaction. According to Salesforce, the #1 reason new sales reps fail is they don’t know how to add value.[1] I completely agree and will add that existing reps, even past top performers, can struggle to add value. How can this be?
Let me explain by summarizing two recent conversations with Fortune 500 executives supporting their sales organizations.
Both companies are trying to solve a similar problem, but with the dizzying pace that new products and technologies are being introduced, it’s hard for any rep or sales org to keep up.
So how can you enable your sales team to have value-adding conversations at scale?
At 9Lenses, we’ve introduced Assessment-Based Selling™ as our solution.
Assessment-Based Selling™, a term we’ve coined, involves using interactive assessments in the sales process to gather valuable insights and guide the sales rep through the critical, early conversations.
Assessment-Based Selling™ has three (3) core principles:
1) Provide instant, personalized feedback to clients through assessment results.
The results must be VALUABLE and PERSONALIZED to the buyer and answer questions like a) how am I doing in <insert business area>? b) what do you recommend that I do to improve? c) how do I compare to other clients or others in my industry? This is the most important core principle because this is where the value creation starts for the buyer!
2) Focus & tailor the conversation based on the assessment results.
The assessment results are a roadmap for how the rep should navigate the conversation with the customer, who is looking for insights and tailored recommendations about her or his business challenges. The assessment positions the rep to be the SME and add tremendous value.
3) Enable the rep to maximize the value provided in the conversation.
The assessment must provide support and guidance to the rep to have each specific conversation based on the results. Common sales enablement includes talking points, questions to ask, additional recommendations/solutions, case studies, etc. all based on the customer’s assessment results. It is impossible for reps to know all things about all products, but with the proper support, reps can have successful conversations using the roadmap and support from the assessment.
When organizations implement Assessment-Based Selling™ they are enabling their sales organizations to have quality sales conversations at scale, framed using an assessment, with a roadmap and support, designed to provide maximum value to the customer.
What are the benefits of Assessment-Based Selling™?
Where in the sale cycle is Assessment-Based Selling™ effective?
Interactive assessments can be used across the sales cycle, starting with marketing. Assessments are very effective for engaging prospects and creating MQLs that WANT to speak to sales. This approach for marketing is well outlined in this 28-minute webinar and the results are impressive.
Sales teams are able to use assessments at the beginning and middle of opportunities. They can also be used in situations like RFP oral presentations to quickly demonstrate value towards the end of the sales cycle.
What type of organizations should be using Assessment-Based Selling™?
Assessment-Based Selling is effective for any sales & marketing organization selling a complex solution to large and medium companies. The complexity associated with the sales cycle means a lot of customer discovery and solution selling. Assessments are effective in helping reps do both of these while at the same time adding value to the customer.
Does Assessment-Based Selling™ align with marketing methodologies like Account-Based Marketing(ABM) and sales methodologies like The Challenger Sale and Sandler?
Absolutely. Assessment-Based Selling™ is important to pair with your existing marketing and sales enablement activities. For sales teams, reps are able to execute your sales methodology more consistently & effectively, especially at scale for organizations with lots of reps.
What if we don’t have an assessment?
No problem! Our customers commonly come to us without an existing assessment. Assessments can be created using existing content including whitepapers, blogs, presentations, research studies, etc. The 9Lenses team works with our clients to build strategy and effective sales and marketing assessments using our proven methodology and toolset so we are with you every step of the way!
Where can I see an example assessment?
We have an assessment called the Marketing Funnel Assessment that scores how well your funnel converts leads into customers. Answer the 15 questions and you will then receive the automated scorecard with recommendations and analysis.
[1] https://www.salesforce.com/quotable/articles/top-reasons-new-sales-reps-fail/