Relationship Selling - Creating Customer Value

Relationship selling is all about creating customera buying frame of mind even if it wasn't what
value. When you recognize the customers needsthey were thinking prior to your call. Asking the
and help them define them better and deeperright kind of questions will help them dig deeper
your value goes up. It's not just seeing value inand define their true needs better.
your product. They want value from your solutionIdentify their triggers. What is their real pain?
to their problem. They must perceive unique valueWhat are their real needs? All customers are not
from you. This is where your USP (unique sellingcreated equal and as such must be treated
proposition) comes in. You must differentiatedifferently. What works for one may not work at
from the competition.all for another. Get to know their real reasons;
So how do you differentiate? Why should theyunderstand their pain. Know what keeps them
buy from you?awake at night. Find out what is happening in their
Just being different isn't really enough. They wantlife. These answers give you a very powerful tool
to see your added value. As a businessto adjust your consultation to fit their needs.
professional its necessary to take a leading role toFocus on the prospects goals. If you are just
create the value for your customers. You wantselling your product you are missing the point.
to understand their situation and adapt to theirCustomers are looking beyond the product. They
particular wants and needs. If you recognizeare looking for the solution to their needs and that
customers' needs and create the value for them,you are understanding their situation. You are a
they will move from the initial meeting to asolutions provider. That means that in addition to
decision much easier. In today's world you can'tyour product you include help and advice too.
survive if you are not creating value for theConcentrate on understanding their issues and
customer.show them how to solve more than one goal
What creates customer value?with your product. When you create customer
Relationship selling skills. In the old days this wouldvalue this way, you will make the sale regardless
be a skilled sales force. Today this is another hatof the price.
you need to wear as a small business owner.Alternatively if you don't do this you will not get
Understand that the sales process is a process. Athe sale whatever your price is. Even if its the
step by step progression which requires learninglowest price on the market it won't mean much
some new skills.to the prospect because they won't see the
In relationship selling, you create the value whendifference between your product and the
you recognize the customers needs. You cancompetitions. Buyers buy from someone that has
create customer value in each step of the salescrafted a compelling solution to their needs and
process but the most value can be created earlyunderstands their needs. Then they focus on the
in the process by helping customers to definefinancial part of the deal. In a nutshell; create value
their needs. Asking open-ended questions will openthrough how you're selling, not just through what
the door to a meaningful conversation. Byyou're selling. That is they way to be a true
creating a specialized situation you can put them inbusiness professional.