What, Why, Who – the foundations for IT solution selling

If you are in IT sales, by definition you need to sell more technology (and probably services) to achieve your target.

Most of the time, achieving your sales target is going to be a stretch. If this is not the case for you – you can stop reading now. Mmm – I see you are still reading. Good. 

There are two main approaches to this challenge. The first is playing the numbers game – call more customers and ask them what they need. This does work but it will only get you so far. You will only skim the surface of the opportunity available to you. If you are early in your sales career – this may be a good start, but it’s not sustainable. Not if you have ambition to be a sales superstar.

The second approach is still a numbers game - you still need to speak to many customers – but it’s smarter because you take a more consultative approach. In consultative selling, you don’t focus on the products or services you would like to sell – instead, you focus on the customer.

Once you understand your customer’s situation more fully you will be in a better position to offer solutions to their problems comprising of your products and services. I will cover Consultative Selling in another post – but there is some groundwork you need to put in place first to maximise your chances of success. You need to understand the three W’s of the solutions you have to offer.

What , Why , Who - The Foundations for IT Solution selling

What

What is it? This refers to the technology or services in your portfolio. Step 1 is to understand what you have on offer. Of course, there will be many technologies that you are already successfully selling and I am sure you know at least a little about them. However, to grow your sales smartly, you need to broaden your personal portfolio. Learn about new technologies and services and so broaden your conversations with customers. The beauty of this is that you can have new conversations with existing customers. And we all know these are easier than with people that don’t know you at all.

2DeCipher.com is a great place to explore technologies which you can add to your personal portfolio.

Why

Why is it needed? This may vary depending on your target market. So if for instance you predominantly sell to mid-sized businesses, or schools, or hospitals or whatever – what are the hot buttons for these types of customer which means they will be interested in this technology area? The “why” of a solution links directly to business value, which means you need to find out about your customer’s business to make these links. Understanding why a particular technology will be of value to verticals or segments in your customer base naturally leads to the third W and dictates who you might start calling to look for new opportunities.

Who

Who needs it? At this level, we are not talking about market segments. You need to find out specifically if the customer you are about to speak to has a need for one of your solution offerings. The fact is you won’t know until you speak with them. The consultative approach is to find out about their situation and have a range of technologies in your personal portfolio which you can bring into conversation as and when appropriate.

In consultative selling it is always customer first – solution second (when appropriate).

www.2decipher.com will help you explore a growing range of technology solutions which you can add to your personal portfolio.