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#1 |
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Pro
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 246
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Dramatically Increase Your Sales
A couple of CT members have asked me to explain what I was fortunate enough to be taught years ago about how to recognize & sell different personality types. I appreciate all the help & advice I've received in here, so here goes...
WARNING: This is going to be a very, very long post - get the popcorn out. The fact is that we all fall (including myself) into 1 of 4 personality types. Each of us has a dominate type and some of us have a back-up personality type - more on that later. For those of you that have attended any sales "guru" seminar, you may have heard these types called: Type A personality, Type B and so on. I will refer to them as I was taught - the four types are DRIVER, ANALYTICAL, EXPRESSIVE (that’s me) and AMIABLE. Be sure to read this post all the way through, there is a “twist” at the end that you’ll want to know – and there may be a test…HA! I'll take each type individually & first explain how to recognize your prospects/customers type & then, effective ways to deal/sell that personality type. DRIVER: (How to recognize) This is a "bottom line" type of person. Very direct, usually in a hurry, won't stand for any BS, tries to do everything their self because they think they can do it better than anyone else. May try to be intimidating. Won’t give you very much time, etc. (How to handle the “DRIVER” type) GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT! Be straight and very direct, hold your ground (they will actually respect this), don’t “dance” around price, be ready to say “I realize we’re the highest estimate & here’s why”… (be an attorney & DIPLOMATICALLY state your case). NOTE: Diplomatically is the key word here – if you get into a pi**ing contest – you will lose, but you can “one call close” this personality type – IF they perceive you as a pro. ANALYTICAL: (How to recognize) This type wants to study & analyze everything, loves stats & specs, very organized, probably subscribes to consumer reports, etc., very difficult to “one call close” because they need time to “weigh their options” – you get the idea. (How to handle) Again, give them what they want! Be ready to supply brochures, stats, specs, etc. Explain the quality of materials you will use, the process of the job, etc. If positioned correctly, they will understand the concept of “cheaper doe’s not mean better”. This is the type that you will definitely want to give a follow-up call to in a couple of days. NOTE: With this type of personality, if you are late for your initial appointment – you’re dead… EXPRESSIVE: (this is my dominate personality, & I can tell that it is Matt & Ed’s also) (How to recognize) This type will do business & make a quick decision but, they are going to have “fun” doing it! This type likes to joke around, tends to be unorganized (not a slob, but a lot of loose papers on their desk), usually very talkative & animated. (How to handle) Again, give them blah, blah, blah… Joke, around with them, their spouse, their kids & for God’s sake… DON’T FORGET TO PET THEIR DOG! Have fun on the appointment (they need to feel comfortable with you, especially on a long project) but be professional – if they swear, DO NOT follow suit. The good news with an expressive is, they will make a decision, the bad news is that they are not very “detail” oriented – make sure the scope (and cost) of the work is fully understood to avoid a future problem. AMIABLE: This type has a “sweet as pie” personality (think Aunt Bee from Mayberry) and usually religious. They NEED to get to know you and will probably ask questions about your family, how long you’ve lived in the area, you get the idea. This type will put more “weight” on you personally than your company BUT, needs to know that you are not going to send Charles Manson over to do the work. This type is very hard to “one call close”. (How to handle) One more time…Give them what they want! Ask about their family, etc. Find out (as with any appointment) what is important to them. Live by the old saying “ People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care”. If you try to “hard close” this type, guess what, you’re dead – they will find a polite way to get you out of their house… forever. And again, DON’T FORGET TO PET THEIR DOG! NOW FOR THE “TWIST”: Some people (me for one) have a “back-up” personality. This back-up personality will surface upon pressure, as in, closing questions. Be prepared to recognize this & switch gears accordingly. My back-up personality is DRIVER. It usually (unconsciously) kicks in when sales people (usually advertising reps) try to BS me. I will do a “Jeckle & Hide” transformation in about a second and a half! You should see the look on a amateur salespersons face when they thought they were selling Jerry Seinfeld & I turn out to be Hannibal Lechter! If you practice & master these techniques, you will transform from a salesperson to a professional Master Salesperson – your bank account will reflect the change. |
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#2 |
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Restoration Crazy
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
Good post.
Funny how I pictured different clients faces while reading through the list.
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Jason E Whipple, General Manager Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio Facebook | Twitter |
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#3 |
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Pro
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 246
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
Jason - I know what you mean. I have been doing this for so many years now, I can stand just inside a prospects doorway, look around what I can see of their house, talk to them for less than 30 seconds & have their dominate personality type figured out.
It's like everything else, the more you do it, the better (and more accurate) you get. |
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#4 |
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Non-conformist
![]() Trade: Builder of businesses
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 825
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
Having spent some years selling both B2B and B2C, I enjoyed reading that post. I couldn't help thinking about the virtual equivalent that is just as true. These same 4 personality types exist in cyberspace too. The names may get changed to protect the innocent, but the characteristics, and the ability to combine different types with one usually being the most dominant, remains the same.
I mention this because company web sites rarely consider this in their design. Imagine trying to sell to every person the same way, yet web sites often do that. Since this was a great post, it also has a lot of added value to consider for every member here when they look at their web sites, brochures, or any other marketing materials.
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Steve Chittenden Web/SEO Geek • Graphic Artist • Writer • Marketing Guy One reason I know so much about the web and marketing is that I don't have to know as much about construction. |
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#5 |
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Lack Of All Trades
Trade: Professional handyman services
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 1,230
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
I'm lovin' this thread... I'm a combination of a few of these personalities... can you guess which one?
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#6 | |
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Workin' Hard & Havin' Fun
Trade: Deck Designer/Builder
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Reading, PA
Posts: 1,740
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your SalesQuote:
~Matt |
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| The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to BreyerConstruct For This Useful Post: |
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#7 |
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The Duke
Trade: Cabinet Maker
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Portland, Maine
Posts: 10,105
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
Thank you for that insight. What is your feeling on trying to sell to the analytical person? I can't remember who was saying it (Brian T. Or Zig Z.) that said "back slowly towards the door and say thank you for your time and leave"
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If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place ~Lao Tzu Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine Salmon Falls Cabinetry |
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#8 |
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Coming out of the closet
Trade: Closet Design-Install-Remodel
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Nor-Cal Baby!
Posts: 104
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
GREAT post! I've been in sales all my life and always knew of the different "types" of prospects..... just never knew they had a name. I always bragged to family & friends how I can "read" a client and adjust my personality to give them what they want. Sales are a blast, especially when they are buying!
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#9 |
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Pro
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 246
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
I think "back slowly to the door..." was Ziglar, can't remember for sure.
I strongly agree that there are some jobs/customers you don't want for various reasons - we have all had them. Framerman, you bring up a good point - the Analytical person is tough in more ways that one. When the analytical gets home from work, they will make a beeline to the area your working in, even before they drop their briefcase or IPod. They want to make sure that everything done that day meets their expectations. With that said, "expectations" is the key word here. If you are going to sell and accept a job from an analytical, the expectations MUST be discussed (and agreed upon, preferrably in writting) BEFORE any work starts or contract is signed. P.S. Engineers are the worst!!! IMHO, we, as an industry, have let the consumer call too many shots - when my appendix burst a few years ago, I didn't tell the surgeon how to remove it. My company is fortunatly busy enough, that we have the luxury of firing a customer/prospect if there is the slightest hint of a problem beyond our control - you get the idea... Contractors need to realize that a bad job loses money twice - the job that has gone sour & the good profit job you could have been doing in it's place. |
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| The Following User Says Thank You to Home Services For This Useful Post: | nEighter (05-05-2009) |
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#10 | |
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Restoration Crazy
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your SalesQuote:
__________________
Jason E Whipple, General Manager Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio Facebook | Twitter |
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#11 |
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Workin' Hard & Havin' Fun
Trade: Deck Designer/Builder
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Reading, PA
Posts: 1,740
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
Ditto this. There have been a few jobs (2 last year come to mind) where we would have been better off keeping the crew on the payroll and doing nothing.
One where we could have taken them to Disney on the clock... ah, the lessons learned...) ~Matt |
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#12 |
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Pro
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 246
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
You don't have to be crazy to be in this business...
But it sure does help!!! |
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#13 |
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Smart phone? Scan me!
Trade: Painting/Framing/Drywall
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: tWiliGht zOne
Posts: 2,118
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
I love these threads! Thanks for posting it!
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#14 |
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Pro
Trade: Roofing Contractor
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NW Suburbs of Chicago
Posts: 7,135
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
"can tell that it is Matt & Ed’s also) (How to recognize) This type will do business & make a quick decision but, they are going to have “fun” doing it! This type likes to joke around, tends to be unorganized (not a slob, but a lot of loose papers on their desk), usually very talkative & animated."
But I still know where everything is at, LOL. 1. My Desk 2. Secretery's Desk that I have to use because I can't find my desk 3. Estmators Desk, All those card files are filled up with archived photos from the past 25 years and all indexed. Ed
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Please Stay Tuned For A Very Important Message From Our Sponsor http://www.rightwayroofingcompany.com/ www.rightwayroofingcompany.com Roof Estimates, Roof Repairs, Roofers, Roof Leak Help, Elgin, Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee, Sleepy Hollow, Algonquin, South Elgin, Huntley, Lake In The Hills, Illinois Last edited by Ed the Roofer; 05-05-2009 at 09:09 PM. |
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#15 |
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Pro
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 246
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
Ed, looks just like my desk... after I've cleaned it!!!
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#16 |
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Member
Trade: Designer for a residential design/build firm.
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern California
Posts: 52
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales |
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#17 | |
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Pro
Trade: Plumbing, heating, real estate, general contractor
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 853
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your SalesQuote:
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"The glass is always half full" FREE MANUAL AND SOFTWARE http://www.contractortalk.com/f65/up...ps-free-72501/ |
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#18 |
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Pro
Trade: Public Insurance Adjuster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 590
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
How long til the 'Post a Picture of Your Desk' thread gets kicked off?
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Pinnacle Limited
Public Insurance Adjusters (800) 918-7840 |
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#19 |
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Pro
Trade: Roofing Contractor
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NW Suburbs of Chicago
Posts: 7,135
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
I apologize for getting this very appreciated topic drifted off onto my desk photos.
It was intended to convey some accuracy regarding the "Expressive" Personality type, but seemed to detract from the threads main purpose. Please ignore those photos and continue on with the appropriate topic discussion. Ed
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Please Stay Tuned For A Very Important Message From Our Sponsor http://www.rightwayroofingcompany.com/ www.rightwayroofingcompany.com Roof Estimates, Roof Repairs, Roofers, Roof Leak Help, Elgin, Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee, Sleepy Hollow, Algonquin, South Elgin, Huntley, Lake In The Hills, Illinois Last edited by Ed the Roofer; 05-06-2009 at 07:54 PM. |
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#20 |
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Pro
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 246
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Re: Dramatically Increase Your Sales
No problem Ed. I showed your pictures to my secretary, so she would quit bitchen' at me for the way mine usually looks...PRICELESS!
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