Practical Do’s and Don’ts for Lead Generation, Ep #520
Sales Reinvented
This week I’m joined by three inspiring industry experts, Mark Hunter, Sonia Dumas, and Diane Helbig, who unravel the secrets behind effective prospecting and lead generation. We discuss best practices and attitude shifts, and each guest shares their story sharing their experience of the transformative power of the right prospecting process. You’ll be inspired by my guests' essential prospecting and lead generation do’s and don’ts that have shaped successful outreach strategies. As well as tactical advice, we also dig into the mindset changes necessary for long-term...
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How to Win at Prospecting, Ep #519
Sales Reinvented
Sales prospecting and lead generation are the lifeblood of any thriving sales career—but they’re also some of the most misunderstood and mismanaged aspects of the job. Carole Mahoney, Darryl Praill, and Tim Hughes share insights that challenge traditional mindsets and equip listeners to approach prospecting with precision, empathy, and creativity. We explore the necessity of ongoing learning, time-blocking for prospecting, and seeking support from peers. My experts also discuss the risks of overvaluing a single champion in the sales cycle and the power of humanized content to...
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Building Connections that Convert, Ep #518
Sales Reinvented
We’re digging deep into the essentials of prospecting and lead generation with guests Brynne Tillman, Jeff Bajorek, and Caryn Kopp this week. They share their top actionable do's and don'ts, revealing prospecting strategies that they have found to work. You’ll hear real-world success stories—from making warm connections on LinkedIn to the power of consistent, quality touchpoints and the importance of solving your client’s real challenges, not just following the standard playbook. Outline of This Episode [05:53] Challenges of prospecting and leads [07:09] Taking...
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Unlocking the Science of Prospecting, Ep #517
Sales Reinvented
This episode of Sales Reinvented dives deep into the essential do’s and don’ts of prospecting and lead generation with advice from three industry trailblazers. I host Bill McCormick, Mary Grothe, and Tony Hughes to help you transform cold outreach into meaningful connections and qualified leads. You'll hear their top do's and don'ts for successful lead generation, compelling real-world sales stories, and get their lessons learned from overcoming challenges in the field. Outline of This Episode [01:49] Nurture prospects on LinkedIn by providing value and insight...
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Spinning Sales Gold—Why Stories Sell, Ep #516
Sales Reinvented
Today’s “Best Of” episode brings together top minds in storytelling for sales success. In this episode, you'll hear practical do’s and don’ts from Philip Humm, Doug Keeley, and Patti Pokorchak, who share how to craft stories that engage, connect, and create real value for clients. Whether it’s making your customer the hero, keeping stories concise and relevant, or demonstrating the undeniable power of value-driven storytelling, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate your sales conversations and results. Get ready to be inspired by compelling examples and...
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How to Captivate Customers, Ep #515
Sales Reinvented
Storytelling isn’t just a buzzword in the world of sales, it’s a transformative tool that can turn mundane pitches into memorable, persuasive conversations. This week, I bring together industry experts Mark Smyth, Kristie Jones, and Park Howell to share their top storytelling do’s and don’ts for sales professionals. Whether you struggle to keep your stories concise, want to captivate your audience, or wonder how to make your data more compelling, this episode will give you actionable advice and inspiring real-world examples. Outline of This Episode [01:40] Guide the...
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Don’t Just Tell—Engage, Listen, and Share Stories that Stick, Ep #514
Sales Reinvented
Sales isn't just about products, features, or numbers, it's all about forging genuine human connections. The best way to do this is by mastering the craft of storytelling. In this episode, I speak to some phenomenal sales experts, Mike Adams, John Livesay, and Kyle Gray, who share their favorite storytelling do’s and don’ts, and their personal strategies for winning business and building trust. Listen in as they share their wisdom and practical tips to help you refine your own sales storytelling. Outline of This Episode [00:00] Importance of knowing what a story is and isn't...
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Mastering Sales Storytelling, Ep #513
Sales Reinvented
This week, my three expert guests, Mary Jane Copps, Paul Smith, and Roy Furr, cover everything from injecting humor and vulnerability into your stories to crafting narratives that move prospects closer to a sale. They discuss the importance of using stories with purpose: tailoring them to your audience, keeping them concise, and ensuring they support your sales process. They also share their thoughts on the dangers of boastfulness, going off topic, or using stories without a clear connection to your sales goals. Tune in for practical advice, real-world examples, and memorable lessons to help...
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Mastering Referral Selling: Strategies, Stories, and Lessons from the Pros, Ep #512
Sales Reinvented
Referral selling remains a game-changer in modern sales, not just for filling pipelines with high-quality leads, but for building lasting business relationships rooted in trust. My guests, Stacey Brown Randall, Steve Hall, and Dr. Ivan Misner shared their most impactful referral selling strategies, missteps to avoid, and stories that deliver invaluable lessons for any sales professional looking to maximize their impact through referrals. The lessons shared in this episode will help you elevate your referral selling game to new heights. Outline of This Episode [01:04] Identify and revisit...
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How to Build Powerful Referral Networks, Ep #511
Sales Reinvented
Referrals are the lifeblood of high-performing sales organizations, yet many teams overlook their full potential. In this Best Of episode of Sales Reinvented, I bring together three dynamic referral selling experts, Steve Benson, Lori Richardson, and Joanne Black, to share actionable strategies, hard-hitting do’s and don’ts, and memorable stories from their own careers. Outline of This Episode [0:00] When to ask for referrals [00:55] Importance of tracking referrals [02:03] Making the referral process fun and personal [05:48] Creating value leads to natural,...
info_outlineI’m delighted to welcome back Lisa Dennis, an expert in buyer-focused value proposition strategy and key account management. We’re discussing what differentiates key accounts from regular ones and exploring why so many organizations struggle to clearly define them. Lisa shares her insights on aligning with customer priorities, avoiding common pitfalls when transitioning from selling to managing strategic accounts, and developing account plans that stay relevant amidst dynamic business shifts. You’ll also hear practical methodologies for effective stakeholder engagement, the importance of speaking the buyer’s language, and actionable dos and don’ts for successful key account management.
Outline of This Episode
- [00:00] Key account managers matter more
- [01:14] The importance of aligning with customer priorities
- [02:43] Mapping strategic priorities, pressures, and buyer language
- [04:46] Difference between mapping org charts and mapping influence
- [07:50] Making account plans about customer context
- [10:35] Lisa’s top do’s and don’ts in key account management
- [13:16] Reframing messaging for better client engagement
Key Accounts Beyond the Dollar Value
Most organizations struggle to clearly define what differentiates a key account from a regular account. A key account is best characterized by strategic alignment plus mutual value creation, according to Lisa. Instead of focusing solely on the revenue potential, the emphasis should be on relevance to the customer’s priorities—on managing the alignment between the customer's needs and your company’s unique value.
This means adopting a mindset where the salesperson becomes a partner, helping the client realize outcomes that matter most to them. It’s not about pushing solutions, but about understanding how those solutions fit into the client’s broader strategic aspirations.
Staying Stuck in Sales Mode
Transitioning from selling to managing a key account can be challenging. One of the most common mistakes is remaining in a sales mentality—selling products and solutions instead of managing outcomes. Many continue to focus on a single stakeholder rather than the entire buying team, leading to missed opportunities for deeper engagement and sustainable growth.
A static account plan that doesn’t drive meaningful conversations also impedes progress. The solution is a shift from “sales mode” to “value alignment mode,” a deliberate approach that centers around the customer’s defined value and changing needs.
Speak the Buyer’s Language
Developing an effective key account strategy begins with understanding the customer's business—how they make money, their strategic priorities, and the risks they face. Mapping these priorities to the buyer’s language enables personalized conversations that speak directly to what matters most to each stakeholder. Instead of selling into “white space,” the focus is on mapping capabilities to desired business outcomes and activating engagement through account-based marketing.
Stakeholder Mapping: From Org Charts to Influence Networks
Traditional stakeholder mapping often starts and ends with an org chart. But true influence is what counts. Understanding who can sway decisions, who holds economic or technical buying power, and who sits in the executive suite is essential. Gaining access to senior decision makers requires leading with insight, speaking in business terms, and tying conversations directly to their strategic initiatives.
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