Sales Training anyone can use...

So I've had a thought about compiling some sales training for clients who want to improve/train/teach their team.  It's not part of any step-formula to the "sale", but is critical before you ever "step to the plate".  What is interesting about this foundational or ground-floor lesson, is that it can prove beneficial to anyone.  I'll relay that point with a short (real) story.

I was at a children's birthday party with my family some months ago, and while the children attending played, the parents did the "fellowship thing" and chatted small-talk.  Another gentleman and I got to talking about the personal weather-stations you can purchase on the market.  He related that he read a review of a particular model that was top-notch, did everything it promised in the marketing, and wasn't too expensive (trifecta!).  The critical factor in his relaying this information was he didn't remember the model number or even the manufacturer.

The takeaway from this story is simple: know your product.  Especially in the realm of sales, if you are not somewhere on the trail to knowing the absolute most about your product you are not going to close the sale (in most cases).  Naturally, we are not robots with infinite and fast-response memory, so a client/customer will understand if you ask them if you can get back to them on one thing or another.  But at least know the bullet-points!  Do your best in the information-gathering stage to learn all you might be asked so that you can adequately represent the manufacturer or service provider.  As mentioned above, there are step-intensive processes to selling being taught here and there on the web or otherwise.

I hold the opinion (loosely) that everyone sells, but not everyone closes all the time. Although the bulk of this post is aimed at those in a actual selling profession, it's probably evident how this would apply to those who don't sell for a living in some way.  You don't want to tempt someone to be annoyed with you because you didn't know at least more than a miniscule about something!