Sales [UN]Training

In this episode of  Sales [UN]Training, Kelly Riggs is talking about language. Why is there a disconnect that happens so often between salespeople and a buyer?  Kelly puts it simply. The majority of salespeople are taught the language of product, not the language of the customer. Drawing parallels between communicating in a foreign country and effective sales strategies, he argues for a customer i...

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, Kelly Riggs reveals the most important thing in sales. The most important thing is opportunity, and what is the one thing that creates opportunity? Yeah, you might not like the answer, but prospecting is the key to creating that most important thing, because it turns leads into opportunities.  And yes it may be a bit of a dirty word, because it's often the mo...

On today's episode, Kelly is here to make it clear that sales is indeed a competition, and there are no second place trophies. But fear not, he has four foundational principles to implement inorder to play at the top of the sales game. He gets into strategies for developing a winning sales team, the importance of continuous training, and the necessity of fostering a high-performance culture. Kelly...

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, Kelly gets to the root cause of many sales problems and it all comes back to people. The systemic issues plaguing sales teams often comes down lackadaisical approach to hiring and the prevalence of mediocrity in sales. Finding the right people is HARD, making coaching your B and C players to A level work is more critical than ever! He stresses the necessity o...

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, host Kelly Riggs tackles a pervasive issue in sales management: the lack of active, on-the-field engagement between sales leaders and their teams. Riggs emphasizes the critical need for sales managers to step away from their desks and directly participate in sales calls with their representatives. He reminisces about his early days in sales management, highli...

In this episode of "Sales [UN]Training," host Kelly Riggs welcomes renowned sales expert Mike Weinberg, author of several influential sales books including "The First Time Manager: Sales." The episode centers around the critical theme of accountability in sales, a topic that resonates deeply with sales managers and teams. Mike Weinberg emphasizes the pivotal role of accountability in sales success...

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, hosted by Kelly Riggs, the spotlight is on the crucial role of coaching in sales leadership. Kelly begins by sharing a startling statistic: only about one in ten sales leaders consistently engage in coaching, despite clear evidence that it significantly enhances team performance. He challenges the conventional understanding of coaching, emphasizing that it ex...

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, Kelly Riggs hosts Michael Lang, the founder of SG Partners, to dive deep into the intricacies of hiring salespeople and the common pitfalls that sales leaders encounter in the recruitment process. The discussion kicks off with a reflection on how sales organizations often miss the mark by not setting clear expectations during the hiring phase, leading to a hi...

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, host Kelly Riggs welcomes Lee Salz, a sales management strategist and author, to delve into the critical importance of sales differentiation. The discussion begins with a provocative question about the inherent value of products and services in a competitive market, setting the stage for a deep dive into why and how sales professionals should differentiate th...

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, host Kelly Riggs delves into the critical importance of having a detailed plan for sales success, starting with a notable quote by Yogi Berra: "If you don't know where you're going, you might wind up someplace else." Kelly emphasizes the surprising fact that many salespeople lack a concrete strategy to meet their revenue goals, sharing insights from his exten...

In this episode of the Sales [UN]Training podcast, host Kelly Riggs welcomes Kevin Gaither, a seasoned sales leader and former VP of Sales at ZipRecruiter, to tackle the critical role of leadership in sales performance. They dive into why sales training often fails and how the responsibility for a team's success falls squarely on the shoulders of sales leadership. Gaither shares insights from his...

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training Kelly challenges traditional sales training methods, highlighting the importance of understanding customer needs before diving into product details. He emphasizes a customer-centric approach, where understanding the client's industry and challenges is key to offering relevant solutions. It's time for a paradigm shift in sales training, moving away from product...

Today's sales industry faces significant challenges, chief among them being high turnover rates and a concerning trend of low quota attainment. A closer look at these issues reveals a deeper problem – a widespread deficiency in structured sales management and coaching. This gap in professional development is often overlooked, yet it has profound implications on the performance and retention of sal...

When a top sales performer is elevated to a leadership role, the transition can often be turbulent and fraught with unexpected challenges. This scenario, common in the sales industry, reveals a critical oversight: the assumption that success in sales seamlessly translates to effective leadership. This belief overlooks the distinct skill sets required for leading a team, a theme that resonates deep...

In this thought-provoking episode of Sales [UN]Training, host Kelly Riggs delves into the contentious topic of role play in sales training. Riggs challenges the common aversion to role play, arguing that its unpopularity stems not from the concept itself but from ineffective implementation. He emphasizes that role play, when done correctly, is an essential tool for skill development, allowing sale...

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, host Kelly Riggs engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Paul Fuller, CRO of Membrain. Fuller brings a wealth of experience from founding and leading successful growth organizations and has a deep understanding of B2B sales dynamics. The episode dives into the systemic issues plaguing traditional sales training, advocating for a more holistic approac...

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, host Kelly Riggs welcomes special guest Dave Kurlan, the legendary author of "Baseline Selling" and founder of Objective Management Group. The discussion revolves around the holy grail of selling: creating predictability and consistency in sales teams. Kurlan emphasizes the importance of having salespeople with strong desire and commitment, noting that this i...

Happy Holidays! Enjoy this episode that originally aired in August of 2023. We'll be back with new episodes beginning January 8th! Have you ever wondered why people seem to dislike salespeople so much? In this episode of Sales [UN]training, host Kelly Riggs digs into this question with Jeff Bloomfield, author of Neuroselling. They discuss how traditional sales training focuses too much on arming s...

In this episode of "Sales [UN]Training," host Kelly Riggs welcomes renowned sales expert Mike Weinberg, author of several influential sales books including "The First Time Manager: Sales." The episode centers around the critical theme of accountability in sales, a topic that resonates deeply with sales managers and teams. Mike Weinberg emphasizes the pivotal role of accountability in sales success...

In this final installment of the three-part series "When Sales Leaders Are the Weak Link in Sales," Kelly Riggs reveals the 2 big blunders newly promoted sales leaders typically make and how to fix them. The episode begins with Kelly acknowledging a critical issue: sales leaders often ascend to their positions due to their prowess in sales, not necessarily for their leadership or managerial skills...

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training Kelly Riggs discusses into the critical role of sales leaders play in quickly getting new salespeople up to speed. He highlights three key areas where sales leaders often fall short, impacting the overall effectiveness of sales training and onboarding processes. He emphasizes the importance of a detailed onboarding process, teaching new salespeople to ask insi...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Sales [UN]Training podcast, host Kelly Riggs delves into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of sales training: the role of sales leaders. Kelly opens by confronting a harsh reality - sales leaders can be the weak link in sales training. He argues that despite their responsibility to develop salespeople's skills and outcomes, many leaders make critical mi...

In this enlightening episode of Sales [UN]Training, hosted by Kelly Riggs, the spotlight is on what is often termed the 'magic bullet' in sales. Riggs challenges the common quest for quick fixes and revolutionary techniques in sales, directing attention instead to a fundamental yet frequently overlooked aspect: planning. He argues convincingly that effective planning is not only essential but can...

One of the most difficult things on the planet is consistently identifying and hiring high performing salespeople. We get fooled. A LOT! In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, host Kelly Riggs tackles the challenge every sales manager faces: hiring and developing effective salespeople. From the dangers of elevating top sales reps to managerial roles without proper training, to the pitfalls of the...