Why Your Discovery Call Isn’t Finding Real Problems | Bite-Sized Tactics

Why Your Discovery Call Isn’t Finding Real Problems | Bite-Sized Tactics

Max Licht (Enterprise AE @ MaestroQA) breaks down his shadow-based discovery process. This technique goes beyond typical discovery calls, allowing you to witness firsthand where inefficiencies and bottlenecks are happening. 1. Identify the Painful Process - Research the customer's current workflow and tools (e.g., Excel, Salesforce) to understand the manual, time-consuming steps involved. - This reveals where inefficiencies exist, giving you a clear picture of the pain your solution can alleviate. It also helps you identify the "drag them through the glass" moments where the pain is most acute, which is critical for building urgency. 2. Set Up the Shadowing Session - Frame the shadow as a collaborative step to fully understand their process. Instead of just making claims, say something like, *“Before I make any promises, I want to fully understand your current reporting process to see where we can add the most value.”* - This approach shifts the focus from selling to problem-solving, making you a trusted partner rather than just a vendor. It also sets the stage for a more meaningful business case. 3. Conduct the Shadow - Watch the prospect use their current tools and processes. Take notes, capture screenshots, and pay attention to friction points, inefficiencies, and workarounds they rely on. - Seeing the workflow in action often reveals unspoken pain points and limitations that even the prospect might not articulate in a standard discovery call. This firsthand observation helps you tailor your pitch to the reality of their day-to-day work. 4. Use Shadows to Build a Business Case - Use the insights gathered to frame your solution as a direct response to the pain points you observed. For example, highlight how your tool eliminates specific inefficiencies, reduces manual steps, or streamlines complex reporting. - This concrete evidence makes your pitch more credible and aligns your solution directly with their business goals, increasing the likelihood of internal buy-in. 5. Follow Up Strategically - After the shadow, summarize your findings in a follow-up email or meeting, highlighting specific pain points you observed and how your solution can address them. Use this to drive urgency and move the deal forward. - This reinforces your credibility as a problem-solver and keeps the conversation anchored in real, observed issues, rather than hypothetical value propositions. 6. Use the Shadow as a Catalyst for Future Conversations - Reference specific pain points in later stages of the sales cycle, using them to frame your solution as a clear, tangible fix for their current frustrations. - This approach keeps the focus on solving their problems, reducing friction in the decision-making process and increasing the likelihood of a successful close. RESOURCES DISCUSSED: ⁠Join our weekly newsletter⁠ ⁠Things you can steal⁠ ⁠Save $50 on any 30MPC course with code “PODCAST”

Episoder(511)

116 (Sell): Setting the steps of your Mutual Action Plan (MAP) (Ross Rich, CEO @ Accord)

116 (Sell): Setting the steps of your Mutual Action Plan (MAP) (Ross Rich, CEO @ Accord)

Join the most tactical sales newsletter in the world: https://hubs.ly/Q01-R33G0 FOUR ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS Identify your champion and the problem you’ll be trying to solve, THEN share the MAP with them. Map out the key milestones in the deal and customize them for the people who need to be involved. Don’t show every step in the MAP right away. Have the big stages listed, then deep dive into the current stage. Anchor the MAP to their go-live date so they know you’ll be coming to those steps at a later date and they won’t feel overwhelmed early on. PATH TO PRESIDENT’S CLUB CEO @ Accord Global Platforms, Partnerships Lead @ Stripe Marketing @ Columbia Records RESOURCES DISCUSSED Join our weekly newsletter Things you can steal

28 Sep 202232min

Product Roadmap: Q4 2022

Product Roadmap: Q4 2022

Join the most tactical sales newsletter in the world: https://hubs.ly/Q01-R33G0 RESOURCES DISCUSSED Join our weekly newsletter Things you can steal

22 Sep 20229min

115 (Sell): Selling the 20% (John Barrows, Founder @ Sell Better by JB Sales)

115 (Sell): Selling the 20% (John Barrows, Founder @ Sell Better by JB Sales)

Join the most tactical sales newsletter in the world: https://hubs.ly/Q01-R33G0 FOUR ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS Quantify the number of qualification questions you are going to ask to avoid discovery fatigue. Don’t claim to be the best at everything. Sell the 20% of A - what is most important and B - what you’re best at. Once you’ve heard their priorities, add to them so you can establish credibility as an advisor. Summarize key points from the meeting (priorities, impact, and timeline) and ask for confirmation of email receipt. PATH TO PRESIDENT’S CLUB Founder @ Sell Better by JB Sales Host of Make it Happen Mondays RESOURCES DISCUSSED Join our weekly newsletter Things you can steal

21 Sep 202233min

Hall of Fame: How to land a killer sales job

Hall of Fame: How to land a killer sales job

Join the most tactical sales newsletter in the world: https://hubs.ly/Q01-R33G0 FOUR ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS Build a top 25 accounts list that meet your criteria on space, prestige, size, etc. Have a non-hideous resume with short, punchy sentences and specific numbers. Prep for your interview by developing a point of view from the company’s perspective. Don't be afraid to negotiate the terms of your deal. If you don’t ask, you’ll never get. RESOURCES DISCUSSED Join our weekly newsletter Things you can steal

19 Sep 202234min

114 (Sell): Prospecting with a proper human touch (Charly Johnson, Account Executive @ Salesloft)

114 (Sell): Prospecting with a proper human touch (Charly Johnson, Account Executive @ Salesloft)

Join the most tactical sales newsletter in the world: https://hubs.ly/Q01-R33G0 FOUR ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS Start your email with research personalization to stand out in the inbox (vs generic greeting). Quote the prospect/company directly by researching where the company is investing its money (e.g. in job postings, funding announcements). Use a more humanized approach when prospecting. Sharing something you both have in common in the P.S. is a great place to add a human touch. Reach out to your prospect immediately after they engage with your content - no need to wait for the next sequence step. PATH TO PRESIDENT’S CLUB Account Executive @ Salesloft Team Lead, Sales Development @ Integrate SDR @ Akkroo, an Integrate company Enterprise SDR @ PatSnap RESOURCES DISCUSSED Join our weekly newsletter Things you can steal

14 Sep 202230min

113 (Sell): Storytelling to show prospects you can solve their problem (Armand Farrokh, VP of Sales @ Pave)

113 (Sell): Storytelling to show prospects you can solve their problem (Armand Farrokh, VP of Sales @ Pave)

Join the most tactical sales newsletter in the world: https://hubs.ly/Q01-R33G0 FOUR ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS Have a prep call with your champion before the demo. Identify who is in the room, what they want to get out of the call, and how past demos have gone. Connect what you’re selling to something that hits the P&L. Get one deep business impact, and tell one story that shows people that you can solve their problem. Get your prospect to tell you a story by using “typically” language to help prompt them with ideas that typically come up. Ensure the problem you are solving is not an isolated incident. Ask: Is this happening frequently, or just a one-off? PATH TO PRESIDENT’S CLUB Founder & Host @ 30 Minutes to President’s Club VP of Sales @ Pave Director, Sales @ Carta Sr Associate, Corporate Strategy & Venture Investments @ Flex RESOURCES DISCUSSED Join our weekly newsletter Things you can steal

7 Sep 202231min

112 (Sell): Uncovering the buying process with your customer (Marisa Sarabia, Principal Account Executive @ Dialpad)

112 (Sell): Uncovering the buying process with your customer (Marisa Sarabia, Principal Account Executive @ Dialpad)

Join the most tactical sales newsletter in the world: https://hubs.ly/Q01-R33G0 FOUR ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS Rank your buyer’s priorities in the first meeting so you know what to spend the majority of time on in the future. Give pricing early and pivot based on reactions. If you end up giving concessions, always add an expiration date. Stay engaged while your SE is demoing. It’s on you to keep the call on track. Use the Zoom gallery view to identify unengaged participants - ask them easy questions to keep them interested. PATH TO PRESIDENT’S CLUB Principal Account Executive @ Dialpad Account Executive @ Invoca SDR @ Velocify (acquired by Ellie Mae) RESOURCES DISCUSSED Join our weekly newsletter Things you can steal

31 Aug 202234min

111 (Sell): Creating close plans for every step of the sales process (Jeremey Donovan, EVP, Sales & Customer Success, Insight Partners)

111 (Sell): Creating close plans for every step of the sales process (Jeremey Donovan, EVP, Sales & Customer Success, Insight Partners)

Join the most tactical sales newsletter in the world: https://hubs.ly/Q01-R33G0 FOUR ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS Use a customer-facing close plan to map out the key steps (power, security, legal) in your sales cycle. Review the key steps of your plan live in EVERY call rather than just sending it once through email. Make a coach / champion determination by asking about past purchasing experience. Send the blank connect request on LinkedIn when mass prospecting - skip the “fake” tailoring. PATH TO PRESIDENT’S CLUB EVP, Sales & Customer Success @ Insight Partners SVP, Revenue Strategy @ Salesloft Head of Sales Strategy & Enablement @ CB Insights SVP & Head of Sales Strategy @ GLG RESOURCES DISCUSSED Join our weekly newsletter Things you can steal

24 Aug 202229min

Populært innen Business og økonomi

stopp-verden
dine-penger-pengeradet
e24-podden
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
rss-borsmorgen-okonominyhetene
tid-er-penger-en-podcast-med-peter-warren
finansredaksjonen
pengepodden-2
utbytte
morgenkaffen-med-finansavisen
rss-sunn-okonomi
livet-pa-veien-med-jan-erik-larssen
aksjesladder
stormkast-med-valebrokk-stordalen
stinn-av-gryn
lederpodden
pengesnakk
rss-impressions-2
okonomiamatorene
aksjepodden