3 reasons September is the best time to sell to companies (with a proven sales process)
Selling To Corporate
STC183: 3 reasons September is the best time to sell to companies (with a proven sales process) In this episode, Jess Lorimer reveals why September is the most powerful month for selling to companies, provided you follow a proven sales process. The discussion covers key commercial drivers unique to Q4, the biggest employee turnover period, and strategies to secure business before companies allocate their budgets for the coming year. Jess breaks down the three commercial reasons that make September the single best buying period for anyone selling services to corporate clients, provided you're...
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Which is best: Inbound or outbound B2B sales processes for coaches / consultants?
Selling To Corporate
If you sell services to corporate clients, you've almost certainly asked yourself whether you should be focused on inbound or outbound sales. It's one of the most common questions coaches, consultants, trainers, speakers, and done-for-you service providers ask when they're trying to build a predictable pipeline of corporate clients, and the honest answer is that it depends on your business stage, your capacity, and how much control you want over your results. Inbound sales, in a B2B context, means working with inquiries that come to you: referrals, warm introductions, and prospects who find...
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Doing everything but your sales process still isn't converting in the way you want?
Selling To Corporate
Every August, Jess hears the same story on repeat: decision makers are on holiday, budgets are frozen, nobody's picking up the phone, so why bother? In this episode, Jess pushes back on that, hard. More decision makers and stakeholders are booking sales calls this August than she's seen in the last two years, and her own clients, working across leadership, performance, executive coaching, and fractional HR, are signing forty thousand pound retainers and hitting their entire annual revenue targets in six or seven months. It's not quiet out there - not even close! Jess is clear that when a sales...
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#1 problem in sales processes (even if you're generating revenue!)
Selling To Corporate
You might be following a proven sales process, you might even be generating consistent revenue. But if you are not building in a regular strategic thinking space, your sales results are almost certainly not as strong as they could be and they are more fragile than you realise. In this episode of the Selling to Corporate® podcast, Jess Lorimer addresses one of the most common and costly problems she sees across the sales processes of coaches, consultants, trainers, speakers, and done-for-you service providers: the failure to stop, think strategically, and work on the process rather than just...
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Single champion selling is dead; replacing enthusiasm with strategic sales!
Selling To Corporate
If your B2B sales process relies on one enthusiastic contact inside an organisation to champion your work, you are one resignation away from losing everything you have built. In this episode of the Selling to Corporate® podcast, Jess Lorimer makes the case that single champion selling is not just risky and is a strategy that actively limits the size of deal you can close and the speed at which you can close it. Jess explains the concept of multiple internal champions: who they are, why they matter, and how building relationships with three to five key people inside each target organisation...
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STC178: Why Corporate Buyers Can't Find You (Even When They're Looking)
Selling To Corporate
In this episode of Selling to Corporate, Jess Lorimer explains why 66% of corporate decision makers are now using AI tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Microsoft Copilot to research and shortlist external suppliers before they visit a single website. If you are a coach, consultant, speaker, trainer, or done-for-you service provider selling to corporate clients, this episode covers what that shift means for your lead generation strategy and what you need to do right now to stay visible. Who this episode is for Coaches, consultants, trainers, speakers, and done-for-you service providers...
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3 important sales actions to complete before summer starts
Selling To Corporate
What this episode is about Summer is closer than you think, and if you want a spectacular September and a strong Q4, the work starts now. In this episode of the Selling to Corporate® podcast, Jess Lorimer shares the three essential sales actions that every coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, and done-for-you service provider needs to complete before UK decision makers head off on their summer holidays. Whether you are hoping to book sales calls before mid-July or planning ahead for a September pipeline, Jess gives you the clear, practical framework to get it done, without the chaos and...
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The most important skill professional salespeople have (and how you can use it!)
Selling To Corporate
What This Episode Is About You’ve invested in a sales strategy. You’ve done the training. So why aren’t you getting the results you expected? In this episode of the Selling to Corporate® podcast, Jess Lorimer reveals the single most important skill that professional salespeople use to create consistent, replicable results - and it’s almost certainly not what you’d expect. Jess makes the case that the gap between coaches, consultants and professional salespeople isn’t intelligence, experience or even strategy. It’s one surprisingly simple skill that most business owners overlook,...
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Two types of B2B lead generation that coaches + consultants need to use!
Selling To Corporate
What this episode is about If you’ve been relying on warm referrals and introductions to bring in corporate clients, this episode is your wake-up call. Sales strategist Jess Lorimer breaks down the two distinct types of B2B lead generation that every coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, and done-for-you service provider needs to understand - and crucially, which one to prioritise depending on where you are in your business right now. With the summer window for reaching corporate decision makers closing fast, Jess explains why now is the time to audit your lead generation approach and plug...
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Why bids + tender processes are a complete waste of time
Selling To Corporate
In this episode Jess explores the complexities of procurement, including bids, tenders and preferred supplier agreements. If you’ve been looking at these as a shortcut to big contracts Jess shares the competitive realities of these processes and why they are rarely the 'easy win' they appear to be. With many decision makers often out of the office throughout the summer months it’s vital to prioritise the right business development activities and tighten up your sales strategy so tune in to learn why a sharp strategy in May is your best defense against a quiet July Key Topics Definitions...
info_outlineApril is buzzing with opportunity! Companies are hiring more external suppliers than ever, thanks to rising costs for permanent staff and a shifting economy. But here's the catch - decision makers are changing how they search for experts. It's all about referrals and real expertise, not just flashy marketing or big followings.
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External suppliers are in high demand due to increased costs of hiring permanent staff, particularly in the UK, Central Europe, and America. Companies are scaling with interim, freelance, or project-based resources rather than permanent hires.
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The biggest trend change in Q1: decision makers are shifting how they look for suppliers due to an influx of unqualified or marketing-savvy but under-skilled entrants into the B2B market. This is impacting how companies find and select external experts.
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Recommendations and referrals remain the primary method for organisations to find suppliers, which presents challenges for those new to the corporate market. If you’re not already known or top-of-mind with decision makers, you’re less likely to get referrals, emphasising the importance of strategic business development over content creation.
We’ll also explore the challenges posed by an influx of unqualified suppliers and strong marketers, and how that’s reshaping corporate buying behavior. If you’re aiming to land corporate clients without relying on cold outreach or a big following, stay tuned for practical advice and an invitation to a game-changing masterclass that promises to help you navigate these new opportunities.
Key Topics
Data-Driven Insights for Entrepreneurs
Instead of looking at just a few sales calls, this episode analyses thousands of data points - from finding leads to closing deals. This gives entrepreneurs a proven, data-backed plan for growth that actually works in today’s market.
The Importance of Sales Strategy vs. Marketing Activity
Don't mistake marketing for sales. While many business owners spend their time on content creation and social media, these activities have a limited impact in the B2B space. If you want to land corporate clients, you need to move beyond general marketing and build a specific sales strategy designed to close deals.
Market Trends: External Suppliers in Demand
Companies are shifting away from permanent hiring. Due to the high cost of recruitment and a shaky job market, businesses in the UK and abroad are now scaling up using external suppliers and freelancers. For independent consultants, this is a huge opportunity: organisations are actively seeking outside experts to fill the gaps and have the budget to pay for it.
Shift in How Companies Search for Suppliers
A major trend from the start of the year is that corporate bosses are becoming much more cautious about who they hire. Because the market is flooded with 'influencers' who have big social media followings but little experience, companies are now more skeptical.
While these famous names grab attention, they often take spots away from more qualified experts who simply aren't as well-known. We expect to see more of these 'influencers' moving into the business world as they look for new ways to make money.
Key Takeaways
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Focus on relationship-driven sales strategies and lead generation, not just content and marketing activity.
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Emphasise your genuine expertise and track record; companies are looking for proven external suppliers.
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Prepare for unpredictability in referrals and be proactive in building visibility with your target corporate clients.
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Leverage upcoming resources like the masterclass to stay at the forefront of industry shifts.
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Avoid quick-win trends and resist lowering your prices just to compete with newcomers - quality wins in corporate sales.
If you’re serious about landing consistent corporate clients, focus on genuine lead generation and proven skills. Stop racing to the bottom and start standing out where it counts.
Want to know how?
Sign up for my masterclass on ‘How to Get in Front of Corporate Clients Without Cold Outreach or Having a Big Following.’ The session is based on the latest data and will help you develop lead-generation strategies that work in the current environment.
Spaces are limited - secure your place by clicking the link in the show notes now!
Key Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Click below to register for the ‘How to get in front of corporate clients without cold outreach or a big following’ webinar on Friday 24th April at 12 Noon.
https://my.demio.com/ref/OP47ZXbEtzvVOlWq
Join the B2B Sales Edit https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/988ac64b-5875-4924-9d10-50faad2aa4ad?email=%EMAIL%
Episode sponsored by The Expert Services Directory: A key resource for coaches / consultants / trainers and done-for-you service providers to generate inbound leads. Access The Expert Services Directory here https://bit.ly/ExpertServicesDirectory and use code PODCAST for a special bonus.
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Content Disclaimer
The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article, video or audio are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article, video or audio. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article, video or audio. Jessica Lorimer disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article, video or audio.