Content provided by: Susan Merlo is the CEO of Next Level iMedia and the Founder of The Digital Distributor™ Program a program that shows distributors how to maximize the results of their digital sales transformation.
Distributors are the absolute best when it comes to face-to-face sales. It’s difficult to stray from something that’s worked so well for so many years.
Now that the mask mandates are starting to be lifted, I wonder what the sales landscape will look like for distributors. I imagine not much different for your existing customers, but what about your efforts to bring in new business?
Will things go back to how they were before COVID? And if so, will that even be good enough?
The Writing is on the Wall
At an event this past November, I listened as two case studies were presented by two very different distribution companies who, during 2020 and 2021, went “all in” on a new sales enablement program. They achieved remarkable results.
In listening to some of the more candid parts of the discussions, it was clear the process was tough-going. But in looking at their numbers, it was undoubtedly worth their efforts!
Both companies went through significant changes, which can be uncomfortable for just about everyone involved. And, I’d guess it may have been uncomfortable to watch from the sidelines as well.
How About Your Company?
Perhaps your company would instead take its time in moving toward becoming more digital, avoiding the possible chaos and drama, taking it one small step at a time.
Perhaps you’re waiting to see the results some of the other distributors achieve.
Or (and I hope it’s not this one), perhaps you believe things will go back to how they were pre-COVID.
Whatever is holding you back from your digital sales transformation, don’t be too late to the table. There’s a high level of product research and purchasing taking place online today. So, if you think people are looking for your products, solutions, or services, YOU’RE RIGHT!
Some Tips for Folks Moving Forward
When planning your sales transformation, include longevity in your formula for success. Pursue only those strategies that you can leverage for years to come, and please, invest in technology that’s been fully vetted.
One of the most significant benefits of launching digital sales and marketing strategies is that everything can be intentional and measurable. If a strategy or tactic doesn’t work, you’ll know right away what and where it went wrong, and you can immediately tweak your campaign to get it on track.
Whether you’re already on your path forward to a more digital presence, or you’re still mulling it over, be sure to have the following success markers in place:
- Your digital collateral should attract and drive buyers through your sales funnel and move them in the right direction (i.e., toward a sale.)
- Your strategies MUST be measurable. If they’re not, you won’t know if they’re working.
- Your buyer’s journey should be a positive experience for all who enter it – easy to follow by your intentional targets and 100% frictionless. When planning out your workflows, go through each as a customer and be sure the journey forward is crystal clear.
Now really is the time to take advantage of digital and start to deploy (even slowly if necessary) strategies that will up your sales game. There’s no question it will be a real game-changer, especially if you’re trying to capture new business.
If you’d like additional information or need to ask a question, please get in touch with me at Susan@SusanMerlo.com. I’m here to help in any way I can.
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