Overcoming Objections and Closing, Part 2

Mark CichowskismartPRENEUR Blog Series

Here are few a typical objection scenarios. “I want to think about it”. Just be sincere and non-confrontational and ask, “may I ask what specifically you would like to think about?” You’ll find that many people will tell you what’s holding them back. It’s then more likely to be an objection rather than an excuse. “I need to ask my partner, ...

Overcoming Objections and Closing, Part 1

Mark CichowskismartPRENEUR Blog Series

Let’s get a saying out of the way that you may have heard before: ABC or Always Be Closing. As illustrated in prior blogs, asking great qualifying questions, truly listening to the buying prospect, answering their questions and concerns and taking them down a path that satisfies their wants and needs is the smoothest way a “close” occurs. With that said, there ...

Selling Under the Influence – How do YOU work with various Communication Styles?

Mark CichowskismartPRENEUR Blog Series

Every personality is not absolute. People can reflect three styles, but typically not the fourth. Refer to the grid below. An Analyst personality may also have traits from a Driver or Relater, but less likely an Expressor. A Driver may have traits of an Analyst and Expressor, but less likely warm and fuzzy Relater traits. Perhaps sometimes, but not their core. Opposite styles ...

Selling Under the Influence – Influence Buying Behaviors of Communication Styles

Mark CichowskismartPRENEUR Blog Series

In the last blog, we identified style traits. Let’s look at how to work with those traits. Communication Style: The Driver - Result Driven - Confrontation No Problem  Be direct and to the point, quick & concise  Be businesslike, avoid ‘fuzzy’ conversations  Provide well thought-out recommendations  Stick with tasks and results  Avoid stories, too many opinions and surprises  Present a ...

Selling Under the Influence – Communication Styles

Mark CichowskismartPRENEUR Blog Series

Let’s identify the four basic styles and the personality behind the style. First, write down the name of someone that you have a difficult time getting along with. We’ll revisit that later. Communication Style: The Driver - Result Driven - Confrontation No Problem  Tend to be visionaries  Black and white viewpoint & dress  Charts & graphs, few/no people pictures (applies to ...

Sales Foundations, Part 2

Mark CichowskismartPRENEUR Blog Series

These are a few more of the most common, proven and useful professional techniques you can use in sales. Feature, Advantage, Benefit (FAB) Salespeople tend to “feature dump” when selling. Being the expert in your industry is fantastic. Sometimes that knowledge overwhelms to buyer prospect if the salesperson bombards them with features. An example is, “someone asks you for the time and you ...

Sales Foundations, Part 1

Mark CichowskismartPRENEUR Blog Series

These are a few of the most common, proven and useful professional techniques you can use in sales. To use a corny phrase, it is not rocket science... Let’s look at some. Be a Human Getting to know your buyer prospect, not just sell to them, is a crucial component of the sales process. We’ll get into personalities in other blogs, but ...
Mark Cichowski

Meet the Faculty: Mark Cichowski

Mark CichowskismartPRENEUR Blog Series

Mark Cichowski, CEO at Clarity AV International, Inc. Relevant Past Positions & Experience: Broad experience includes business development (domestic and international), sales management, marketing, client relations, training, extensive domestic and international travel, successful P&L management, operational responsibility, product launches, direct sales, and more. Mark has a results oriented approach with an inquisitive personality, and he's been described as direct, outgoing and positive. Audio/Video roots ...