RESPONDING TO OBJECTIONS

GOAL?

• Build relationships

• Sell Value

• When do buyers object? Anytime and all the time!

Why Do Buyers Raise Objections?

Objections- a concern or question raised by the buyer

• Do anticipate and eliminate hidden objections

• When do objections occur? Objections can be raised from the initial securing of an appointment to after-sale follow-ups

Objections In The Sales Process

Setting Up An Initial Appointment• Objections with appointment times or dates• When products, services, or concepts are unfamiliar to

the buyer

The Presentation• Disbelief in salesperson’s opening statement• Buyers dislike of small talk• Objections to salesperson’s stated goals for the meeting• Points raised in the presentation (potentially positive; shows prospect’s interest)

Objections in the Sales Process

Attempting To Obtain Commitment • Salesperson must uncover and respond to objections• Salesperson must understand probable objections and

provide supporting third-party documentation• Lots of objections often result from salespeople with

underdeveloped selling skills

After The SaleQuality of the product or service, customer service

personnel’s lack of friendliness, or accounts department’s refusal of terms promised by the salesperson

Common Objections

• Some buyers object to make salespeople nervous

• Conditioned salespeople recognize this practice

Five Major Types Of Objections 1) Objections related to needs

2) Objections related to the product 3) Objections related to the source 4) Objections related to the price 5) Objections related to time

Objections Related to Needs

I Do Not Need The Product Or Service• Logical if the salesperson cannot establish a need in the

buyer’s mind• More difficult in pioneer selling

I’ve Never Done It That Way Before• Buyer’s are hesitant to change (fear or ignorance)• Habits and customs help insulate the prospect from certain

risks

Objections Related To The Product

I Don’t Like The Product Or Features• Features are unsatisfactory or unavailable• (Ex. I like a higher dosage. We prefer IV prepartions!)

I Don’t Understand• Seller must carefully observe the buyer’s nonverbal cues• Misunderstanding of technical terms and benefits

I Need More Information• Attempt to get more information• Logical justification of the purchase

Objections Related To The Source

I Don’t Like Your Company• Satisfaction with the selling company is important• Unvoiced concerns regarding the company (Ex. Is it true you manufacture in UAE?)

I Don’t Like You• Lack of trust or dislike of a salesperson• Clashing personalities between buyer and seller Turnover- the account is given to a different salesperson

Objections Related To The Price

I Have No Money• Companies lack the resources for the purchase• Result of an incomplete or poor job of qualifying

The Value Does Not Exceed The Cost• Takes capital away from other necessary company functions• Value of the product or service doesn’t offset the sacrifice• Mask hidden reasons for the buyer’s reluctances

Objections Related To Time

I’m Just Not Interested Today• Lack of interest, time, not in the mood, or previous

unpleasant experiences• Aggressive, rude, impolite, or pesky salespeople

I Need Time To Think About It• Pressure to make a decision on the spot (Ex. I haven’t made up my mind, I’m not ready to buy)

Other Objections

Examples• I’m satisfied with the company I use now• There is no demand for your product• You’ll have to see Mr.X• I’ve heard complaints from my friends who use your product• We have no room for your line• It’s a lot of hassle in paperwork and time to switch suppliers

Behaviors of Successful Salespeople

• Anticipate objections

• Forestall objections (prevent by getting the answer ahead of time)

Preparing To Respond

Develop A Positive Attitude

• True sincerity, refraining from arguing or contradicting, and welcoming objections

• Signs of sincerity are in the actions of the salesperson • Temptations arise to prove a prospect wrong; keep focused• Salespeople hear a lot of objections; maintain a positive

attitude toward the prospect

Preparing to Respond

Relax and Listen- Do Not Interrupt• Important to listen to completely

• Defuse nervousness through HUMORHUMOR

Preparing to Respond Commit To Always Tell The Truth• Truthfulness establishes dignity, confidence and continued

relations• Understand your product and the industry• It’s ethical

Anticipate Objections• Many companies make lists of common objections and

effective answers and encourage salespeople• Successful sales reps take notes on new objections and

responses, and ask for suggestions

Continued

Evaluate Objections

• Objections can be classified as unsatisfied needs or excuses Excuses- concerns expressed by the buyer that mask the

buyer’s true objections• Real objections may be disguised as an excuse• Use observation, questioning, knowledge, and experience to

determine the validity of reasons offered for objections

SUCCESSFUL SALES PEOPLE

• They develop and maintain a positive attitude about objections.• They commit to always tell the truth.• They anticipate objections and prepare helpful responses.• They relax and listen and never interrupt the buyer.• They address known propblems before the prospect does; that is

forestall know concerns.• They make sure that the objection is not just an excuse.• They are sincerely empathetic to the buyer’s objection.

Effective Response Methods

• No specific technique to answering all objections

Procedure for responding to objections 1) Listen carefully; don’t interrupt 2) Repeat the prospect’s objection 3) Acknowledge the apparent soundness of the prospect’s

opinion 4) Evaluate the objection 5) Decide on the method(s) to use in answering the

objection 6) Get a commitment from the prospect

Effective Response Methods

Probing method- helps the prospect clarify their concerns and make sure they understand the objection

Seven most common methods for responding to objections 1) Direct denial 2) Indirect denial 3) Compensation method 4) Referral method (also known as feel/felt/found method) 5) Revisit method (also known as boomerang method) 6) Acknowledge method (also known as pass-up method) 7) Postpone method

Direct Denial

• Objections based on incomplete or inaccurate information by the buyer

Direct denial- the salesperson makes a relatively strong statement to indicate the error the prospect has made

• Be cautious!

• Use when devastating to the presentation, however, don’t use when the objection is true or if it’s a mere statement of the prospects opinion

Indirect Denial

• The salesperson denies the objection but attempts to soften the response

• Be agreeable!

• Recognize and address concern, followed by an introduction of substantial evidence

• Don’t use if a valid point is made, or of merely opinion

Compensation Method

• Used to respond helpfully to objections by agreeing that the objection is valid, but then proceeding to show any compensating advantages

• Also known as superior benefit method, because the benefit of one attribute overcomes a concern about a less important attribute

• Used in response to such comments as, “I’m just going to think about it. I’ll be in touch with you later.”

Referral Method

• Sometimes called the Feel-Felt-Found MethodDefinition: method of helpfully responding to objections in which the salesperson shows how others held similar views before trying the product or service

• I can see how you feel, others felt, yet they found

Third-party-testimony method- method of responding to an objection during a sales presentation that uses a testimonial letter from a third party to corroborate a salesperson’s assertions

Revisit or Boomerang Method

• The salesperson turns the objection into a reason for acting now

• Be careful, it may appear to be a pushy tactic

• Often the product or service is designed to save the buyer a substantial amount of time or money

Acknowledge or Pass-Up Method

• Method which lets the buyer talk, acknowledging that you heard the concern, and then moving on to another topic without trying to resolve the concern

• Many times buyers are just venting frustration

• Should not be used if the objection raised is factually false

Postpone Method

• The salesperson asks permission to answer the questions at a later time

• Generally seldom refuses if the sales rep appears to be acting in good faith

• Some objections are best answered when they occur; others can be responded to most effectively by delaying the answer

• Frequently occurs when a price objection occurs early in the presentation

Using The Methods

•One method may work for answering an objection, while others may use several methods for one answer

•Before moving on in the presentation, the salesperson needs to reassure the buyer agrees that all objections have been completely answered

•Selling to a group of buyers requires extra care (salesperson may have to throw the issue back to the group)

The Price Objection

• Price is the most frequently mentioned obstacle to obtaining commitment

• Only about 20% of buyers really buy just on price, but they use it as an excuse

Use Up-To-Date Information• Keep up with the most current pricing information• (Including competitors information)

Establish The Value• Determine the price a customer is willing to pay• Sell value and quality rather than price

Continued Use Communication Tools Effectively• Telling customers about quality and value is not enough• Tangible features- product demonstrations, test results

and quality control procedures, studies, and referrals.

Services• Faster deliveries, technical advice and assistance may

credit benefits, savings, and profit to a customer

Company Reputation• A reliable supplier is important; image of quality

The Salesperson• Sales reps who go out of their way to strengthen the

relationship

Dealing With Tough Customers

• Understand we all have bad days

Situational Actions• Reschedule meeting• If unreasonably rude, politely draw attention to the fact

• The buyer’s culture often dictates the way he or she will respond to a seller