Interpersonal Skills: How to Use Sales Psychology to Create Longer,
Lasting Sales-Winning Relationships
A participant in one of my recent seminars asked me, "Can I rearrange my client's office during a sales
presentation?"
The sales person had gone to an initial meeting where the chairs in the office were about eight feet from
the customer's desk. He wanted to know if it was OK to just pick up one of the chairs and move it next
to the desk and start his presentation.
How would you have answered this question? Believe it or not, your answer could have huge
implications on this meeting's success.
Everything in a customer's office tells you a story about him or her–from the way
the space is arranged to the items that have been collected and displayed.
Archeologists can dig up ancient cities and create a pretty accurate description of the inhabitants'
lifestyle just from the arrangement of the ruins and pottery fragments. As sales professionals we must do
the same thing with the artifacts surrounding our customers. This way we can communicate better and
develop longer lasting relationships with them.
Here's how you can promote a desirable impression and create sales-winning relationships by
understanding space and the hidden message in things.
How to Promote a Desirable Impression By Understanding Space
In 1966, when anthropologist Edward T. Hall described set measurable distances between people as they
interact he defined four distances:
· Intimate distance - 6" to 18", for embracing, touching or whispering
· Personal distance - 1.5 feet to 4 feet, for interactions among good friends
· Social Distance - 5 feet to 12 feet, for interactions among acquaintances
· Public Distance - more than 12 feet, for public speaking
How does this relate to your sales process?
Think about one of your customers. Divide her office into concentric circles, starting from where she
sits. The distance between the circles is about the width of her desk. Anything close to the person–
usually within arm's reach–is the most important part of her office. This space will generally contain
what she considers most important to her. It is filled with clues that reveal to the trained sales
professional a wealth of information about the customer and her needs and motivations.
As for the office the salesperson asked about rearranging, the chairs were set at the "social distance,"
which the customer was communicating as appropriate for interactions among acquaintances (or in this
case, sales people). For the sales person to pick up his chair and move into the next circle–personal
distance–would have meant that he was declaring that the two of them were friends.
From the customer's point of view this may or may not have been true. The customer could have reacted
positively and allowed it. Or she could have reacted negatively and asked the sales person to leave. Inany case, changing to another distance is likely to cause tension and would not promote a desirable
impression.
A better strategy would be to ask permission to move the chair closer to the desk. Or, he could say that
he had difficulty hearing the prospective customer clearly and then asked permission to move the chair.
How to Create Sales-Wining Relationships by Understanding the Hidden Message
in "Things"
Analyzing your clients or prospects' rooms will tell you their motivations and behavioral styles. By
paying close attention and analyzing the hidden message in things, you will know how to best serve your
customer.
If his desk is meticulous, it indicates a high degree of close tolerance, sometimes called analytical. Or
his desk could be very messy indicating an engaging personal or social trait, sometimes called
influencing. These are all clues to guide you in making a presentation that will have the greatest appeal
and impact on your customer.
The books on the bookcase will tell you what is currently or has been important to him. Trophies,
plaques and diplomas all tell you that he is motivated by recognition. While pictures of tropical isles
indicate an idealistic approach to life and business. All of this information will guide you in presenting
your case so the customer really "grasps" it.
Knowing how to analyze and use keys to the customer's psyche is what separates the
ordinary sales representatives from the sales professionals.
By understanding sales psychology and enhancing your interpersonal skills you will make more sales. I
guarantee it. With more than 30 years of experience and a Doctorate in Psychology, I've applied a
wealth of knowledge, know how, and high impact ideas to help over 10,000 sales professionals improve
their sales careers.
So, please take my advice. Take a moment to scope out your prospective customer's office. It's vital to
developing longer lasting client relationships. The information about the person's motivations and
behavior is always available to you. Are you available to the information?
About the Author:
Sales Psychology Expert Gregory Stebbins has helped over 10,000 sales professionals become the point
of differentiation while their competitors struggle with how to differentiate their product and service. In
his book PeopleSavvy for Sales Professionals, he unveils for the first time his simple but
groundbreaking plan to win your customers' trust and business forever. Get your free sneak preview at
http://www.peoplesavvy.com/book.htm