Sales Club Blog

The blog. The informal home of the Sales Club. You heard it here first.


Bloodhound Supersonic Car

Ahead of our event on 18th June, Richard Noble OBE shares the most recent developments from the Bloodhound Project... ... read more

CRM sweet spots

When you open up your favourite electronic device in the morning, what sort of information do you want to see coming at you from the CRM system? When CRM systems were first introduced, all they seemed to want to do was prompt you to provide information,... read more

So you think you're competitive

Of course you want to win – everyone in sales wants to do that. You might want to win but few leaders and teams understand what it takes to win consistently and most define winning in a way that’s not particularly helpful when it comes to... read more

10 ways to check if you need a new value proposition

Value like beauty is contextual; it’s in the eye of the beholder.  It depends not only on functional, rational factors such as price, security and speed but also on emotional factors such as, ‘what’s in this for me?’, and... read more

The Science of Success

The days when the relationship between sport and business amounted to a former Olympian giving a motivational speech at the company away-day are over. Today, the relationship is sophisticated and mutually beneficial.  ... read more

The Single Most Important Question for the Challenger Sale

Here at CEB’s Sales Executive Council we are both excited and humbled by the global excitement for our research profiled in 'The Challenger Sale'.  Indeed, just last week the book made it into the Wall Street Journal business book bestseller... read more

Why Customer Experience should be on the Sales Director's Agenda

It’s hardly a new idea that sales teams need to understand and respond to what their customers want from their products and services. This kind of insight is part of any basic sales training.  Accordingly, most organisations, whether B2B or... read more

Being a winner: a new perspective

Following Team GB’s spectacular haul of medals at London 2012, it’s timely to reflect on the nature of winning. We have all been inspired by the achievement of Britain’s athletes, perhaps to the point of being over-awed. Is that level... read more

The Olympic Count Up

Under Pressure?  Whether you’re under pressure or not might simply be a matter of perspective. Writing this, there are 8 days to go to the start of the London Olympic Games. Now, there’s a very good chance that for most people a looming... read more

Nourishing Relationships at Brigade Cook School

On a cold, wet, mid-week April evening near London Bridge, The Sales Club members took shelter in Brigade’s welcoming bar, with champagne and canapés to whet their appetites for the evening ahead. Most had met each other at previous events... read more

Should sales be taught in schools?

I find it astonishing that sales is not taught in schools, on any Business Studies course whether it be an A level, HND or degree or on any MBA course other than Cranfield’s. Marketing is, but not sales. They are completely different disciplines... read more

Simplicity - the ultimate sophistication?

We've been working on our values lately - the things that as a team, guide our decisions, get us up and ready to go on a wet Wednesday morning, that fill us with energy and generally help us. One of the things that it has confirmed to us is that this... read more

Survival of the Fittest - What sets you apart & will you come through?

Never has it been more important to set yourself apart from the crowd and give yourself edge over your competitors.  Here Olympic High Jumper, Steve Smith, shares his thoughts on creating your own competitive advantage. ... read more

Value Proposition: 6 essential need-to-knows

Now we all know rationally that nothing in life is easy and that a bit of blood, sweat and tears usually pays off with a good result. But as humans, secretly and emotionally we hope for (and are always on the look out for) the quick answer and the short-cut... read more

Are you Superman or a Target Monkey?

I’ve got a Superman tattoo and I sometimes get asked why - mainly by my exasperated and ... read more

Insights from The Sales Club!

No matter how long you’ve been in sales, there are always new lessons to be learned or insights to be gained to keep you at the top of your game.  It’s what keeps selling such an exciting profession. ... read more

10 Tips to Become an Elite Performer in the Workplace

We all have choices, so how can you ignore the negative chatter in your mind, sharpen your work focus and increase your performance within the workplace? ... read more

The World According to Forrest Gump

The award-winning film Forrest Gump spawned a number of eminently quotable lines, a personal favourite of mine being "Life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get". Don't ask me why, but it got me thinking that sales... read more

Having an Olympic attitude at work

Last Monday I met a chap who held his office record for eating packets of crisps. Thirty-six in a day which, as someone who likes to look after his body, didn’t really impress me. A round 50 would have been more impressive but still, at least it’s... read more

Talent Management in Sales

Xancam has worked extensively on talent issues within the Sales functions of cross sector clients, in the UK and globally.  We’ve observed that due to industry consolidation in recent years, sales people today compete for business from... read more

Lead generation machine

We meet lots of growth-focused sales directors (is there any other kind?!) and we’ve never heard one say “we’re fine for leads, thanks”. Even if there are good leads today, tomorrow’s are invisible – which is why people... read more

Social Media for Sales Teams

If we had a pound for every time we heard a sales professional say: “I’m too busy for this social media stuff”…well, we might not be able to retire, but we could certainly treat ourselves to a nice lunch. ... read more

Buyer's Shoes

As a Sales Director, how often do you stop to ask yourself what the buyers of your products or services really think of the sales person that sells your products to them?  Recent research conducted by The Sales Club has unearthed a distinct trend,... read more

Triumph of Teamwork

What a busy and exciting summer of sport so far?  England winning the world Twenty20 cricket, Rafael Nadal winning Wimbledon and Holland & Spain reaching the final of the football World Cup.  But there has been a distinct common theme amongst... read more

Selling Hope

What an exciting and fascinating General Election we've all just experienced? As they say, you just couldn't make it up, especially the "love-in" between Dave and Nick in the Rose Garden at No 10. Even the most cynical hacks were taken by surprise.... read more

Confidence & Belief

Recent times have been tough for the majority of organisations.  The general economic situation did appear to be improving over the few weeks post Christmas, but recent stock market jitters highlight that this is likely to be a long road to recovery. Specific... read more

Snow Chains

The snow is causing severe problems throughout the UK this winter.  Apparently this has been the worst cold snap since the early 60’s.  Travel has become treacherous.  Official government advice has been to avoid travelling “unless... read more



Comments

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An excellent forum to inspire better sales performance
Richard Tams, BA

A good investment to make on yourself - it's great value for money
Jo Stevenson, Accor

I came away fired up with ideas. The K2 session was a top event!
Alan Kenny, Mimecast

An excellent event with a thought-provoking speaker
Caroline Ward, Geo Networks

I have got so much out of my membership of The Sales Club - an excellent investment of my time!
Nick Lennon, Mimecast

Cook School created a feeling of real camaraderie between members
Ian Wainwright, Ecclesiastical

A unique service & superb insight into the complex world of sales
Niall Mackin, Amex

Great material & presenter - pleasing to be founded in data and research
Mark Stead, QinetiQ

The events are excellent and give you time to step back and reflect
Jo Stevenson, Accor

This club is one of a kind, in all my searching I've not found anything like it
Damian Jeal, Copitrak

Sir Ian McGeechan's session on world-class performance was superb
Alan Kenny, Mimecast

A very enjoyable session: so valuable to step back from the day job
Steve McKenzie, Mimecast

Extremely interesting to hear cross-sector selling perspectives
Jo Stevenson, Accor

We're passionate about helping our members achieve sales excellence
Gordon McAlpine

A first class organisation, a professional forum that adds real value!
Dr Maria Yapp, Xancam

Really valuable listening to sales challenges from other sectors
Mike Bee, Eisai

A positive, self-educating experience
Steve McKenzie, Mimecast

Steve Smith was an inspirational, relevant & impactful speaker
Sean Green, BMW

Welcome to the Sales Club world.

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By night, the rich cityscape of Tokyo glows.

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