Chally Assignment
Account Management.pdf
Sales Education Foundation 3123 Research Blvd., Ste. 250 Dayton, OH 45420 Phone: (800) 254-5995 www.saleseducationfoundation.org
Career Development Program
Account Management Profile Summary
The Career Development Program Assessment
Goal: To maximize your successful and profitable sales growth.
The Sales Education Foundation has partnered with Chally Group Worldwide to provide you with a practical career aid. The information collected through this assessment will help you identify the type of sales that will be most natural for you.
Added benefit: Chally will also offer you an opportunity, at no charge, to forward your results, along with your resume, to any of the major sales forces in our database … if you are a positive fit for their selection criteria. Most students in the past have matched positions at several major sales forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Chally assessment measure?
The assessment measures motivation and relevant work habits that you have acquired. The results for most people are highly reliable and stable over time. It is not like a school test that is graded “pass” or “fail”; the assessment only evaluates a natural affinity for the position. The assessment also does not penalize individuals with little or no experience, and does not penalize individuals on the basis of age, race, sex, etc.
Is the assessment scored according to right and wrong answers?
Most parts of the assessment battery have no absolute right answer. It is most effective for you to answer the questions as quickly as possible. Trying to read through the questions to guess what answer Chally is looking for almost always lowers the score. In addition, the assessment includes validity scales to measure if you are answering candidly and completing the right questions in the right answer spaces, and even to measure your ability to understand the questions (in the event of a reading or language problem). The assessments can’t be “fooled,” and if you try to manipulate the assessment, the assessment is adjusted according to the degree of manipulation attempted.
What if I do not feel well or if I am in a bad mood when I take the assessment? Will this affect the results?
Situational factors, such as not feeling well, being in a bad mood, or having a “bad day,” will not affect the results. Only long-term, more innate attitudes and skills will come through. In addition, there are validity scales in place to detect an attempt to put yourself in a good light, so trying to outthink the assessment is likely to produce a poorer result.
How long does the assessment take to complete?
For most candidates, the assessment will take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. There is no advantage to spending excessive time on the assessment. It is best to respond quickly to individual assessment items with the “top of mind” answers in order to produce the most accurate results. Also, you can start the assessment and go back to it later if you do not finish in one session.
How Statistically-Predictive Skills are Identified
The skills defined and explained in this Profile Interpretation Summary are the result of comparisons among the critical requirements of the role to Chally’s extensive research database of skill/role pairings. This database consists of profiles (sets of skills) identified through hundreds of validation studies with large groups of incumbents. There are two main parts to each validation study: the quantitative part (i.e., numbers based) and the qualitative component (i.e., narrative information). A general description of each is presented below.
Quantitative Part
First: Incumbents who complete the Assessment are scored against 140 work-related skills mea- sured by the assessment.
Second: Measures of each incumbent’s success in the role are collected in the form of one or more actual job results or performance ratings.
Third: Skills with consistent high scores among high performers AND low scores among low performers are retained for further (qualitative) analysis.
Specific information related to the number of incumbents involved in this study, as well as outcomes of the statistical analyses used to make these determinations, are presented in detail in the Technical Summary for this profile. These data also include statistical proof that the profile meets the non-discriminatory requirements of the EEOC in the United States, as well as similar requirements for other countries across the world.*
Qualitative Part
First: Chally believes that providing the scientific proof that a set of assessment skills accurately predict job performance is not enough to make the assessment results fully useful. A strictly mathematical approach would ignore incumbents’, managers’, or other subject matter experts’ judgments regarding the most important components and skills of the role.
Second: To bring the job to life, researchers capture the thoughts, opinions, and insights of these stakeholders through a series of job analysis calls (as well as job descriptions and other relevant documents). During each job analysis call, Chally researchers obtain information about the duties, activities, and responsibilities of those in the focus position. Individual differences, in terms of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other attributes are also discussed and distinctions among high performers and low performers are described.
INTEGRATION: Skills deemed most relevant on the basis of both statistical analysis and expert judgment are submitted to a final series of analyses to ensure that protected classes (per Title VII- CRA, 1964) were not adversely impacted.
The skills presented on the following pages represent the optimal set which:
empirically predict job performance metrics in a very similar job •
are consistent with subject matter experts’ description of the role •
demonstrate a lack of adverse impact for protected groups •
*You may speak with a Chally representative to inquire about a specific country’s non-discriminatory impact.
Scoring Explanation
Scoring Explanation
For ease in visual scanning, individuals’ score percentiles are plotted out graphically. The percentile score is reported based on a standard of salespeople who are performing the same job or comparable jobs at compensation levels similar to the position for which the candidate is applying.
Three key points are needed to evaluate the job skill scale scores accurately.
First, unlike “school tests” where 70 is passing, 50 is failing, and 95 is an “A,” percentile scores compare the current applicant to all other comparable salespeople. Thus, a score of 51 percent indicates a skill potential better than one half of all comparable salespeople. Remember, however, skills potential still depends on “content,” i.e., experience, product knowledge, etc. A “green” candidate will not execute at full potential the first day on the job.
Second, it is not practical to set an unrealistic cutoff or minimum score across all skills. For example, most top salespeople will have 2, 3, or 4 exceptional skills and 1 or 2 average skills. The odds against finding a candidate who can hit like Babe Ruth, win 25 games pitching, and still win the Golden Glove award are so high that no professional baseball manager would ever try. The table below gives an indication of the percentage of salespeople at different skill levels.
Setting criteria based on reasonable but high standards is useful and demanding enough. Getting an entire sales force, all of whom compared favorably to 70% of all salespeople would devastate the competition.
Third, don’t compare apples to oranges. Not all skills are equally important. Weak presentation skills may be covered by other sales team members in the consultive marketplace. Weak customer relations skills in the relationship market, however, could be serious, even if other skills are stronger.
Score % of Salespeople
All skills above 90% 1 in 2000
All skills above 70% 1 in 100
All but 1 skill above 70% 1 in 20
All but 2 skills above 70%, with none below 40%
1 in 10
Scoring Explanation
Score Explanations and Coaching Tips
Selling skills, as with any other skills, are complex, i.e., they are made up of multiple components. Most selling skills are actually comprised of 2 or 3 component factors (or facts, for short). For example, the skill of closing requires timing and the ability to test buyer readiness with trial closes, among other things. To be of greatest assistance, the Chally report focuses on explaining the weaker factors so managers will understand areas for improvement. For example, a score of 60%, while well above average, is not outstanding. The written explanation will highlight the deficiency blocking the candidate’s fuller potential.
In addition to highlighting the weaker factors in a candidate’s skills, Chally will suggest a “coaching tip.” Coaching tips are suggestions for training, supervising, or other techniques that have been found to be most useful for bolstering the weakness or deficiency. Because the technology revolution is affecting supervisory principles, not to mention training techniques, Chally will keep updating these coaching tips as new techniques prove useful.
The Chally Profile: Motivational Characteristics and Management Tips
Regardless of the similar skills and experience needed to do a job well, individuals are more different than similar in their overall makeup. Recognizing a candidate’s unique motivational needs is the most difficult to determine, but the most useful tool a sales manager has. The Chally report also provides an accurate description of the major motivational drives and restrictions, i.e., the candidate’s “hot” and “cold” buttons, along with suggestions to maximize the ability to motivate this unique candidate.
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
Account Management (Farmer)
TYPE OF CONTACT: Face-to-face sales calls (outside)
CONTACT WITH END-USER: Direct to purchaser
SCOPE OF PRODUCTS: Full line
TYPE OF CUSTOMER: Big enough prospect to represent a major client for seller
TYPICAL DECISION MAKER: Financial and/or technical buyer; cross- functional team for larger purchases
WHAT IT IS WHAT IT ISN’T
Almost exclusively sells to an existing book of customers with the expectation of growing share of wallet – may engage in cross-selling
Role that develops deep and broad relationships within the customer
Strong customer advocate within the seller’s organization and does proactive planning
Sales cycle is ongoing with annual purchase agreements possible for the larger accounts
Strong focus on quality of personal service to the client
Fast expansion of sales through active prospecting outside of the current customer base
Territorial sales to small and medium-size customers
Reactive and content to keep existing customers at current usage levels
This position is responsible for optimizing sales in an existing set of major accounts. This is usually accomplished by increasing the seller’s share of current purchases as well as expanding sales both by line extension and penetrating additional buyers within the accounts. This type of sales is proactive in strengthening customer relations and focuses on continually growing revenue by meeting customer needs and making it easy to do business with the seller.
Some typical account management roles would include selling financial planning to high net worth clients, raw materials to mid and large manufacturers, or second-tier suppliers to major manufacturers.
Top account managers tend to be disciplined in their account planning process and set a contact schedule that reinforces their commitment to increasing customer satisfaction. They develop a network of internal support to facilitate special requests and quick problem resolution. When forced to increase the account base, they will be slow to add customers and use a referral process almost exclusively to identify possible prospects.
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
MAXIMIZES RESULTS BY SYSTEMATICALLY MANAGING AN ACCOUNT PLAN Consistently meets or exceeds sales targets through personally controlling the critical aspects of the sales and delivery processes; systematically works each account plan and anticipates problems in order to work around them; is driven to win customers’ attention and treats their business as an honor, never letting them feel taken for granted HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Meets or surpasses his sales goals as a means to gain
more freedom and independence
Maintains personal control over those aspects of the sales and delivery process identified as top priorities
Sets high expectations for himself and holds associates to the same stringent standards of dedication
Expects to encounter barriers a fair percentage of the time and prepares to deal with setbacks or delays in order to ensure the success of his plans
Concentrates full energy and attention on systematically accomplishing key tasks
Places his customers on a pedestal and shows them how valued they are
May adopt a casual or relaxed approach that fails to project personal commitment or dedication
Comfortable with achieving average results, rising above the bottom of the performance chart but not striving to be the best
Adopts a more interdependent and team-oriented approach to accomplishing goals
May depend too much on fate or ‘being in the right place at the right time’ rather than plan and work to make things happen
Expects his account management plan to proceed without the need for careful monitoring and contingencies
Can take customer relationships for granted and may not work at continually demonstrating appreciation for the business
This skill is common among top-producing Relationship oriented sales professionals. They are driven to meet or surpass their goals as a means to gaining more freedom and independence. They prefer to personally control the critical elements of their job function. They expect things to go wrong a fair percentage of the time, so they are prepared to deal with setbacks or delays in order to ensure the success of their plans. They set high expectations for themselves and hold their associates the same stringent standards of dedication. As part of controlling the factors that influence their success, they tend to develop specific sales plans for each account so they can maintain and where possible increase the sales volume. They don’t simply hope for an increase in overall sales by trying to get across the board gains from each customer with only superficial analysis of each one’s potential and product requirements.
Lower scores may indicate:
A drive for excellence through a more flamboyant or charismatic approach
A comfort with achieving average results; it is not imperative to be the best, it is important not to be at the bottom of the performance charts
An expectation that things will go as planned without the need for careful monitoring and contingencies
A more interdependent and team-oriented approach to accomplishing goals
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
DRIVEN TO PRODUCE BY INCREASING SALES TO EXISTING ACCOUNTS Motivated to advance in a sales career by increasing the product diversity offered to existing accounts; concentrates on finding avenues to generate increased sales from established accounts; works to increase revenue by identifying additional products to complement what is currently sold to the existing customer base HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Driven to generate growth through account penetration and
referral and directs effort toward building sales
Unwilling to settle for maintaining the status quo in generating revenue or increasing sales just incrementally
Prefers the efficiency of increasing sales with existing customers to spending the time cultivating new accounts
Takes advantage of opportunities to penetrate existing accounts via new product applications
Builds business with existing accounts by utilizing creative means to answer their needs with his products
May be satisfied with moderate growth in sales
Diverts resources from his sales effort to respond to administrative tasks
May offer what is familiar to existing customers rather than build a repertoire of products or services that can match additional needs
Those who score high in this skill are intense people who channel their drive into expanding their book of business. They are not easily satisfied with maintaining current levels of business or even modest growth. They understand that their products don't just sell themselves, and they look for creative ways to match their products and services to diverse needs. Likewise, they are willing to explore new product applications to be able to increase the repertoire of products they can offer to existing customers. They understand that their intensity and strong values can come across as being opinionated or judgmental; so they are careful not to provoke others and prefer to keep the focus on the customer. Their goal is to grow sales either by finding additional opportunities to serve existing customers or expanding the base through referral to other contacts. They want to reach their growth goals and maximize their efficiency by selling more to fewer people rather than spend a significant amount of time trying to acquire new customers.
Lower scores may indicate:
A tendency to be comfortable with little or modest growth in sales
A preference for a standard sales approach with little innovation and variation
A strong value system that supports the belief that everyone needs the product and should respond to one's prepared sales proposition
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
WORKS THE SYSTEM FOR THE CUSTOMER Shows skill and ease at working in groups; works with others to achieve better results and forges close working relationships and alliances in order to get things done; is quick to cooperate versus expect others to bend to his wishes; supports joint ownership and shared recognition for results; recognizes the advantages of group participation in planning and problem solving HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Works collaboratively in a group effort to effectively
accomplish a goal or task
Puts team and management objectives ahead of his own
Performs own role effectively on the team and helps team members as needed
Forges working relationships and alliances with others in order to get things done
Willing to compromise and give others the benefit of the doubt when he disagrees
Proactively shares information, ideas, suggestions and support
Encourages joint ownership and shared recognition for results
Functions as more of an individualist than as a team player
Finds it simpler or more convenient to focus independently on his own tasks or direction
Prefers to exercise personal control over results and outcomes
Is more likely to emerge as a leader than an equal player
Believes compromise for the sake of cooperation can potentially threaten the quality of the end result
Wants to be personally recognized for individual contributions
High scores in this skill indicate a preference for working with others to achieve better results than are possible by working on one's own. These individuals are comfortable putting the group goal ahead of their own and are proactive in offering support and help where they can. They are congenial and willing to give others the benefit of the doubt when they disagree or don't understand their point of view. They are quick to cooperate versus expect others to bend to their wishes. They are comfortable working in an environment of shared control. They do not feel a need to impose their judgment or will on the group. They are not expecting everything to be enjoyable or fun in their work life and don’t take disagreements or differences personally.
Lower scores may indicate:
A strong need for individual contribution or personal recognition
A preference for working alone and ensuring the results through personal control
A desire to be more of a leader than one of the pack
A belief that compromise may lengthen the time to reach the end result and/or threaten the quality of the desired outcome
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
EDUCATES CUSTOMERS THROUGH STRUCTURED TRAINING Helps the customer to gain maximum benefit from the product or service by committing to continuous education that provides information updates or product training; prepares more structured sessions to cover the most critical areas of learning; stays on top of information needed by customers in an effort to serve as a resource; takes responsibility for motivating customers to update their information; reinforces shared information through periodic repetition; routinely adjusts education process to address individual and group progress or understanding HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Prepares scheduled and consistent programs to train or
educate others
Establishes measurable criteria for assessing progress in the learning process
Demonstrates patience and a willingness to repeat or reinforce ideas and information until the audience understands
Focuses training sessions on those competencies that will make a difference in the group’s ultimate effectiveness
Concentrates more on the results produced or change accomplished through his training than with how attractive or entertaining the training can be
Prefers one-on-one training or a more loosely organized curriculum to the structured requirements of a scheduled class session
Expects the people he is training to be self-motivated to learn and becomes impatient when required to repeat or reinforce information he has already covered
Does not implement a tracking process for assessing the effectiveness of his teaching efforts or the progress of his trainees
Enjoys working on content delivery and may be more concerned with the audience’s assessment of his public speaking skills than with the subject matter
Tries to make the training entertaining at the expense of providing only relevant information
There is an old expression that says, "there are some who do and some who teach." While it is often used in a derogatory sense to imply that people who teach can't do, the greater likelihood is that people who are competent at doing, have the ability to demonstrate to others how to do, and expand their overall potential by working through others, do have a strong offering to make. Those who demonstrate proficiency in this skill understand the need for continued reinforcement of those issues previously covered, in addition to presenting new concepts and ideas. They are comfortable seeing themselves as responsible for the group’s continued learning and their motivation for the process. This skill is focused on structures sessions to provide information to a group to help them do their job more effectively. This skill is applied by managers to clearly communicate changes and new information while integrating them into the current set of policies and procedures for their reports. These sessions are also used to reinforce and support any corporate training initiatives. This is usually done in regularly scheduled meetings that can be face-to-face or by teleconference. Salespeople and individual contributors apply this skill to help internal or external customers take best advantage of the deliverables that the individual is responsible for providing. Those who score high will work to provide regular updates and reinforcement for past communication so that their constituents get a clear and consistent message.
Lower scores may indicate:
A tendency to rush through the training without gauging how much is being absorbed or retained by the group
A preference for one-on-one coaching and/or more free form curriculum than formal class sessions
A preference for a more off-the-cuff training style
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
PROMOTES CUSTOMER RELATIONS BY SOLICITING FEEDBACK Seeks customer feedback regularly to verify satisfaction and uncover minor issues which could escalate if left unattended; solicits suggestions for continuous improvement and demonstrates personal attention to the customer even when there is no problem; listens to feedback without judgment or defensiveness, remaining focused on results rather than personal feelings; stays logical and objective and refrains from expressing personal frustrations to the customer; ensures future business by anticipating and removing potential sources of dissatisfaction HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Demonstrates continued personal attention to the
customer, calling regularly and soliciting suggestions for improvement
Disciplined and consistent in initiating contact with the intent of monitoring satisfaction and detecting potential problems
Welcomes opportunities to demonstrate his willingness to make the customer’s experience even better
Aims emotional intensity at addressing a customer’s needs or concerns, not at the customer personally
Does not allow the mood or feeling about a customer to alter the degree or quality of the follow-up
Assumes that a customer will make him aware of problems but is otherwise satisfied
Tends to ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ and is reticent to probe for problems that may be in the early stage of development
Finds it difficult to keep emotions in check and remain logical when presented with suggestions for improvement
Takes customer feedback or criticism as a personal jab and may inappropriately display a negative response
People who score high in this skill tend to be able to separate their feelings from their intention to maximize their ability to satisfy customer needs. They understand that the strength of their relationship with a customer depends on frequency of contact and demonstrating a keen interest in their satisfaction. They are comfortable asking for feedback and suggestions for improvement on a continuous basis to prevent small frustrations from building to become more serious issues. They can listen to the feedback and remain focused on the result rather than personally identify with others' concerns and need to justify past actions. They stay logical and objective. They welcome opportunities to demonstrate their willingness to make the customer’s experience even better. If they do experience personal frustration, they will choose an appropriate time and place to express their feelings without the customer's knowledge.
Lower scores may indicate:
A tendency to assume that the customer is satisfied if there is no overt evidence to the contrary
A reticence to probe the customer or a preference for letting the customer dictate the direction and flow of the interaction
A tendency to try and anticipate needs and act without checking to be sure the customer's needs are really understood
A difficulty keeping emotions in check and remaining logical when confronted with suggestions for improvement
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
RESPONDS AT ANY HOUR Organizes time to cover ongoing priorities and will make arrangements to cover whenever absence is unavoidable; understands that rewards are commensurate with effort and invests the time to get the job done; uses time efficiently during regularly scheduled hours so that extra hours are not inevitable, but is responsive to additional requirements or demands when necessary HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Makes himself available after hours to respond to the
needs of both internal and external customers
Organized and efficient in how he spends his time during the day so that the need to work unscheduled hours is the exception rather than the rule
Resists the distraction of nonwork-related issues that can interfere with his coverage of ongoing priorities
Accepts that his strong sense of duty to those who are counting on him cannot always be met during regular working hours
Prepares a back-up system to cover unpredictable or unpreventable overloads in his absence
Believes his personal time is off-limits and may resist interrupting his leisure activities to deal with work demands
Loses control of his action list and can become overwhelmed by ongoing priorities
May not feel a need to put forth more effort, but will accept delays instead
Allows outside distractions, commitments or time demands to consistently take priority and prevent an efficient use of his time and resources
Fails to put into place systems or resources to cover customer needs when he is unprepared or unavailable, creating delays in response time
This is a measure of the amount of time a person is willing to devote to dealing with the demands of internal and external customers. People who score high tend to have a strong sense of duty to their constituents. Likewise, they know that unexpected issues will arise, and they try to remain available to deal with them appropriately. They are likely to have backups in place for the times they are not available so the customer can get contact satisfaction in their absence. Their goal is to prevent the escalation of a problem as a primary priority and they are not distracted by non- work issues.
Lower scores may indicate:
A higher need for short-term, personal gratification from one’s activities or the tendency to use one’s mood to determine the amount of time to devote to a specific outcome
A tendency to place a higher value on non-work endeavors
A preference for personally handling customer interactions even if that forces delays in response time
The Sales Education Foundation is a component fund of the Dayton Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity
www.saleseducationfoundation.org
Indirect Sales.pdf
Sales Education Foundation 3123 Research Blvd., Ste. 250 Dayton, OH 45420 Phone: (800) 254-5995 www.saleseducationfoundation.org
Career Development Program
Indirect Sales Profile Summary
The Career Development Program Assessment
Goal: To maximize your successful and profitable sales growth.
The Sales Education Foundation has partnered with Chally Group Worldwide to provide you with a practical career aid. The information collected through this assessment will help you identify the type of sales that will be most natural for you.
Added benefit: Chally will also offer you an opportunity, at no charge, to forward your results, along with your resume, to any of the major sales forces in our database … if you are a positive fit for their selection criteria. Most students in the past have matched positions at several major sales forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Chally assessment measure?
The assessment measures motivation and relevant work habits that you have acquired. The results for most people are highly reliable and stable over time. It is not like a school test that is graded “pass” or “fail”; the assessment only evaluates a natural affinity for the position. The assessment also does not penalize individuals with little or no experience, and does not penalize individuals on the basis of age, race, sex, etc.
Is the assessment scored according to right and wrong answers?
Most parts of the assessment battery have no absolute right answer. It is most effective for you to answer the questions as quickly as possible. Trying to read through the questions to guess what answer Chally is looking for almost always lowers the score. In addition, the assessment includes validity scales to measure if you are answering candidly and completing the right questions in the right answer spaces, and even to measure your ability to understand the questions (in the event of a reading or language problem). The assessments can’t be “fooled,” and if you try to manipulate the assessment, the assessment is adjusted according to the degree of manipulation attempted.
What if I do not feel well or if I am in a bad mood when I take the assessment? Will this affect the results?
Situational factors, such as not feeling well, being in a bad mood, or having a “bad day,” will not affect the results. Only long-term, more innate attitudes and skills will come through. In addition, there are validity scales in place to detect an attempt to put yourself in a good light, so trying to outthink the assessment is likely to produce a poorer result.
How long does the assessment take to complete?
For most candidates, the assessment will take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. There is no advantage to spending excessive time on the assessment. It is best to respond quickly to individual assessment items with the “top of mind” answers in order to produce the most accurate results. Also, you can start the assessment and go back to it later if you do not finish in one session.
How Statistically-Predictive Skills are Identified
The skills defined and explained in this Profile Interpretation Summary are the result of comparisons among the critical requirements of the role to Chally’s extensive research database of skill/role pairings. This database consists of profiles (sets of skills) identified through hundreds of validation studies with large groups of incumbents. There are two main parts to each validation study: the quantitative part (i.e., numbers based) and the qualitative component (i.e., narrative information). A general description of each is presented below.
Quantitative Part
First: Incumbents who complete the Assessment are scored against 140 work-related skills mea- sured by the assessment.
Second: Measures of each incumbent’s success in the role are collected in the form of one or more actual job results or performance ratings.
Third: Skills with consistent high scores among high performers AND low scores among low performers are retained for further (qualitative) analysis.
Specific information related to the number of incumbents involved in this study, as well as outcomes of the statistical analyses used to make these determinations, are presented in detail in the Technical Summary for this profile. These data also include statistical proof that the profile meets the non-discriminatory requirements of the EEOC in the United States, as well as similar requirements for other countries across the world.*
Qualitative Part
First: Chally believes that providing the scientific proof that a set of assessment skills accurately predict job performance is not enough to make the assessment results fully useful. A strictly mathematical approach would ignore incumbents’, managers’, or other subject matter experts’ judgments regarding the most important components and skills of the role.
Second: To bring the job to life, researchers capture the thoughts, opinions, and insights of these stakeholders through a series of job analysis calls (as well as job descriptions and other relevant documents). During each job analysis call, Chally researchers obtain information about the duties, activities, and responsibilities of those in the focus position. Individual differences, in terms of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other attributes are also discussed and distinctions among high performers and low performers are described.
INTEGRATION: Skills deemed most relevant on the basis of both statistical analysis and expert judgment are submitted to a final series of analyses to ensure that protected classes (per Title VII- CRA, 1964) were not adversely impacted.
The skills presented on the following pages represent the optimal set which:
empirically predict job performance metrics in a very similar job •
are consistent with subject matter experts’ description of the role •
demonstrate a lack of adverse impact for protected groups •
*You may speak with a Chally representative to inquire about a specific country’s non-discriminatory impact.
Scoring Explanation
Scoring Explanation
For ease in visual scanning, individuals’ score percentiles are plotted out graphically. The percentile score is reported based on a standard of salespeople who are performing the same job or comparable jobs at compensation levels similar to the position for which the candidate is applying.
Three key points are needed to evaluate the job skill scale scores accurately.
First, unlike “school tests” where 70 is passing, 50 is failing, and 95 is an “A,” percentile scores compare the current applicant to all other comparable salespeople. Thus, a score of 51 percent indicates a skill potential better than one half of all comparable salespeople. Remember, however, skills potential still depends on “content,” i.e., experience, product knowledge, etc. A “green” candidate will not execute at full potential the first day on the job.
Second, it is not practical to set an unrealistic cutoff or minimum score across all skills. For example, most top salespeople will have 2, 3, or 4 exceptional skills and 1 or 2 average skills. The odds against finding a candidate who can hit like Babe Ruth, win 25 games pitching, and still win the Golden Glove award are so high that no professional baseball manager would ever try. The table below gives an indication of the percentage of salespeople at different skill levels.
Setting criteria based on reasonable but high standards is useful and demanding enough. Getting an entire sales force, all of whom compared favorably to 70% of all salespeople would devastate the competition.
Third, don’t compare apples to oranges. Not all skills are equally important. Weak presentation skills may be covered by other sales team members in the consultive marketplace. Weak customer relations skills in the relationship market, however, could be serious, even if other skills are stronger.
Score % of Salespeople
All skills above 90% 1 in 2000
All skills above 70% 1 in 100
All but 1 skill above 70% 1 in 20
All but 2 skills above 70%, with none below 40%
1 in 10
Scoring Explanation
Score Explanations and Coaching Tips
Selling skills, as with any other skills, are complex, i.e., they are made up of multiple components. Most selling skills are actually comprised of 2 or 3 component factors (or facts, for short). For example, the skill of closing requires timing and the ability to test buyer readiness with trial closes, among other things. To be of greatest assistance, the Chally report focuses on explaining the weaker factors so managers will understand areas for improvement. For example, a score of 60%, while well above average, is not outstanding. The written explanation will highlight the deficiency blocking the candidate’s fuller potential.
In addition to highlighting the weaker factors in a candidate’s skills, Chally will suggest a “coaching tip.” Coaching tips are suggestions for training, supervising, or other techniques that have been found to be most useful for bolstering the weakness or deficiency. Because the technology revolution is affecting supervisory principles, not to mention training techniques, Chally will keep updating these coaching tips as new techniques prove useful.
The Chally Profile: Motivational Characteristics and Management Tips
Regardless of the similar skills and experience needed to do a job well, individuals are more different than similar in their overall makeup. Recognizing a candidate’s unique motivational needs is the most difficult to determine, but the most useful tool a sales manager has. The Chally report also provides an accurate description of the major motivational drives and restrictions, i.e., the candidate’s “hot” and “cold” buttons, along with suggestions to maximize the ability to motivate this unique candidate.
Job Description
Indirect Sales
TYPE OF CONTACT: Face-to-face sales calls (outside)
CONTACT WITH END-USER: Indirect through channel partner(s)
SCOPE OF PRODUCTS: Full line
WHAT IT IS WHAT IT ISN’T
Quasi sales management role with no authority
Teaches and excites channel salespeople
Regular, repeated contact
Closer that uses channel as lead generators
A salesperson with a “scripted” sales pitch that is standard for all customers
Reactive contact only when asked
This position sells to end-users through a distribution network of distributors, agents, value added resellers, or manufacturer’s representatives. It can also be called selling through an alternative channel. Often, the seller is a manufacturer of commodity products such as printing paper, janitorial supplies, or office supplies with no cost-effective way to service their customer base with a dedicated sales force. Examples of large distribution organizations are: Arrow Electronics, Corporate Express, Motion Industries, and Insight Computers. The seller has little direct authority over these sales forces except in rare cases where they are under contract to sell only the seller’s products. As a result, it is the responsibility of the seller’s salesperson to train and motivate its distribution partners often through joint calls, promotions, or special bonuses.
Top indirect salespeople are adept at capturing share of mind throughout the channel and helping their agents sell effectively and thus become more personally successful. They tend to develop extensive product and application knowledge so they can be a useful resource in developing individual salespeople and educating end-users when appropriate. They meet consistently to train and inspire their agents. They act as a resource to individual salespeople to model techniques and/or help close the tough or large deals.
Indirect salespeople are keenly aware of the competitive advantages and disadvantages of their products and services. They work to overcome negatives with extra service and incentives for channel sales personnel. They understand the need to provide relevant training and information to optimize sales success for both novice and seasoned salespeople.
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
RESPONDS AT ANY HOUR Organizes time to cover ongoing priorities and will make arrangements to cover whenever absence is unavoidable; understands that rewards are commensurate with effort and invests the time to get the job done; uses time efficiently during regularly scheduled hours so that extra hours are not inevitable, but is responsive to additional requirements or demands when necessary HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Makes himself available after hours to respond to the
needs of both internal and external customers
Organized and efficient in how he spends his time during the day so that the need to work unscheduled hours is the exception rather than the rule
Resists the distraction of nonwork-related issues that can interfere with his coverage of ongoing priorities
Accepts that his strong sense of duty to those who are counting on him cannot always be met during regular working hours
Prepares a back-up system to cover unpredictable or unpreventable overloads in his absence
Believes his personal time is off-limits and may resist interrupting his leisure activities to deal with work demands
Loses control of his action list and can become overwhelmed by ongoing priorities
May not feel a need to put forth more effort, but will accept delays instead
Allows outside distractions, commitments or time demands to consistently take priority and prevent an efficient use of his time and resources
Fails to put into place systems or resources to cover customer needs when he is unprepared or unavailable, creating delays in response time
This is a measure of the amount of time a person is willing to devote to dealing with the demands of internal and external customers. People who score high tend to have a strong sense of duty to their constituents. Likewise, they know that unexpected issues will arise, and they try to remain available to deal with them appropriately. They are likely to have backups in place for the times they are not available so the customer can get contact satisfaction in their absence. Their goal is to prevent the escalation of a problem as a primary priority and they are not distracted by non- work issues.
Lower scores may indicate:
A higher need for short-term, personal gratification from one’s activities or the tendency to use one’s mood to determine the amount of time to devote to a specific outcome
A tendency to place a higher value on non-work endeavors
A preference for personally handling customer interactions even if that forces delays in response time
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
ACCOUNT PENETRATION BY CROSS SELLING Increases sales with existing customers by stimulating the demand for currently purchased products and services; makes a proactive effort to build volume within established accounts by expanding the breadth of products purchased; monitors the potential for growth in volume by regularly tracking the purchasing history and spotting trends or problems in need of a solution; sees himself as responsible for facilitating the customer’s reorder and replenishment process HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Develops a sales plan for increasing business with
existing customers that promotes an expansion of the current product line
Pays attention to trends or problems for which the current buying pattern does not provide a solution
Works to generate continued business from existing accounts, emphasizing steady maintenance over periodic ‘home runs’
Tracks changes in the customer’s organization or specifications that would alter the existing business contract
Monitors product consumption to ensure uninterrupted delivery of the desired benefits
Concentrates efforts on new business development at the expense of maintaining existing accounts
Expects the requirements of existing accounts to be static and automatically met without a need for monitoring or intervention
Waits for the customer to present a repeat sales opportunity rather than monitor his purchasing history and take proactive steps to facilitate the reorder process
Misses opportunities to modify an existing business contract to include new products and solutions because he was not attentive to changes in the customer’s organization
This is a measure of one’s focus on increasing business with existing customers through developing a sales plan and tracking purchases against the expected pattern. People who score high work to increase the demand for currently used products or services. In addition, they are diligent in tracking purchase history to spot trends or problems and deal with them to maximize sales to current customers. They stay abreast of changes in the customer’s organization in order to vary the value proposition or product offering when appropriate to ensure continued growth in purchases.
Lower scores may indicate:
A tendency to expect customer requirements to be static and automatic without the need for monitoring or intervention
A preference for focusing on bringing in new customers and the thrill of the hunt
A preference for reacting to opportunities as they arise versus setting a plan and consistently executing the steps
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
MAKES FORMAL SALES PRESENTATIONS Focuses on sharing information in an exciting and memorable manner; prefers group presentations; focuses equally on preparing delivery and content; stages a formal presentation to promote a more intangible product or service; responds to audience cues and reactions by altering a prepared presentation as it progresses HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Customizes the program to the audience, using minimal
boilerplate components
Takes the time to prepare a studied presentation, injecting into the content and delivery the cues and jargon with which the audience can identify
Sensitive to audience feedback and adjusts the presentation to sustain their interest
Creates a memorable stage presence
Enjoys applause and attention when successful
Prefers to share information in a more spontaneous and off-the-cuff manner
Does not prepare a presentation with the audience in mind, but starts with a standard framework and makes cursory adjustments
Without the structure of a prepared presentation, he may fail to incorporate key components into the presentation or respond effectively to audience reactions
The most common misunderstanding in evaluating an individual’s ability to make presentations is the assumption that all presentations are the same. There are at least three kinds of presentations appropriate in business: 1. Formal or stage presentations - usually with AV equipment and a limited opportunity to individually interface with an audience. Typical at major meetings, conventions and even radio or TV appearances, these skills are exhibited in those we would call personalities and reflect descriptive terms such as "presence," or "charisma," and who are often useful for promotions and other advertising events. This skill is less relevant in every-day sales contact, but useful if one becomes a product specialist responsible for representing the company or product at industry meetings. 2. Group meetings—informal sales presentations to a group or more structured presentations to groups of customers or internal colleagues. These skills include the ability to project, attract and hold attention, and appear smooth, comfortable and "in charge" of the occasion. If the goal is more to persuade more than simply inform then more enthusiasm and emotionally charged content may be appropriate. 3. One-on-one or across the table—the most typical sales call which often requires verbal skills strong enough for good communication, even with minimal graphic or AV equipment. The emphasis is on understanding the prospect/customer’s needs or concerns and varying the presentation to address them effectively. The first and third of these skills tend to conflict. Those who are the strongest on stage are least comfortable with the more informal/casual across the desk selling of verbal only communication and vice versa. Many who are talented on stage target the degree of impact or drama of the program, whereas face-to-face presenters target listening more than projecting their ideas. People who score high on this scale tend to take a studied approach to preparing for a presentation. They take pains to tailor their benefit offering to the needs of the audience and structure their presentation in a formal manner. They use a one-on-group versus an informal or off-the-cuff style to communicate important information and stimulate the group to remember and act on the message. Those who score high also tend to seek feedback and read the audience well so they can adapt the presentation to maintain interest and communicate effectively. While the word “formal” may be used in the description, this is not meant to connote stuffy or overly factual. The presenter uses the information gathered to inject the appropriate amount of jargon and levity so the audience can identify with and accept the solutions that are presented. This skill has proven to be useful in multiple business settings. It applies to communicating with direct reports as well as situations where indirect influence is necessary to gain cooperation from external resources, other departments, or customers.
Lower scores may indicate:
A preference for spontaneity and minimal preparation when communicating key messages
A tendency to rely on a standard presentation with little customization
Assuming the audience’s awareness and level of interest
A tendency to be so involved in the presentation and being the focus of attention that one forgets the goal of persuading toward a buying decision
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
CLOSES THROUGH PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION WITH THE PRODUCT/SERVICE Uses strong personal identification with the product to influence others to promote and sell the product line; keeps the distributor fired up and committed to buying into a program or plan; works with other salespeople to help them close the large or elusive deal; breaks up the selling cycle into small increments and sets goals for each step; maintains the pressure to move forward through each step without becoming too pushy or overbearing; proactively reinforces the purchase decision, recognizing the risk that a product or program can be supplanted by the competition HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Personally believes in the benefits of his product or solution
and is willing to stand behind his offering when competing for the distributor’s interest or shelf space
Recognizes that the customer may have second thoughts or is being courted by the competition, and plants additional benefits or recalls to support the commitment to the buying program
Keeps the distributor motivated to promote his product line by working with distribution salespeople to close a challenging sale
Breaks the sales process into manageable steps, seeking continued agreement from the customer at each step before moving on
Applies enough pressure to keep a buying commitment from stalling but resists pushing the distributor into a neutral or negative position
Expects the product or solution to stand on its own merits and does not find it necessary to reinforce the benefits and ensure that the distributor is comfortable with the result
Does not take advantage of an opportunity to reinforce the added value of his program by working with the distributor’s salespeople to help close a deal
Excessive patience and a willingness to wait for developments in the sales process can result in displacement by the competition
Unknowingly loses customers early in the sales process because he does not continually assess their commitment throughout an extended sales cycle
This measure of closing sales was developed in indirect selling situations where the person needs to influence others to promote and sell his or her product line. Those who demonstrate this skill tend to strongly identify with the benefits of their products and feel that others will be as committed if they truly understand those benefits and are reminded regularly. Those who score high tend to break up the selling cycle into small increments and set goals for each step. They have a good sense of timing and maintain pressure to move forward through each step without becoming too pushy or overbearing. Likewise they understand the need to frequently reinforce the benefits they can provide and work with other salespeople to help them close the large or elusive deal. At times, this skill is predictive of success in a direct sales model. In those cases, the salespeople demonstrate this skill by applying their persuasive approach to the prospect or customer without an intermediary. They promote the benefits of their product to prospects and use each contact to move closer to a sale. With existing customers, they are using each contact to reinforce the benefits of past purchase decisions and to prepare for the next buying opportunity.
Lower scores may indicate:
A tolerance for patience in the selling process with a willingness to wait for things to develop
An expectation that the product/service sells itself without a need to reinforce the benefits and be sure the customer is comfortable with the result
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
TEACHING IN A STRUCTURED SETTING Demonstrates a commitment to the continuous education and training of others as a means of increasing their overall competency and productivity; prepares more structured sessions to cover the most critical areas of learning for the audience; stays on top of information needed by colleagues and customers in an effort to serve as a resource; takes responsibility for motivating others to learn and retain key information; reinforces what is being taught through periodic repetition; regularly assesses individual and group competencies and routinely addresses them by adjusting his training HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Prepares scheduled and consistent programs to train or
educate others
Establishes measurable criteria for assessing progress in the learning process
Demonstrates patience and a willingness to repeat or reinforce ideas and information until the audience understands
Focuses training sessions on those competencies that will make a difference in the group’s ultimate effectiveness
Concentrates more on the results produced or change accomplished through his training than with how attractive or entertaining the training can be
Prefers one-on-one training or a more loosely organized curriculum to the structured requirements of a scheduled class session
Expects the people he is training to be self-motivated to learn and becomes impatient when required to repeat or reinforce information he has already covered
Does not implement a tracking process for assessing the effectiveness of his teaching efforts or the progress of his trainees
Enjoys working on content delivery and may be more concerned with the audience’s assessment of his public speaking skills than with the subject matter
Tries to make the training entertaining at the expense of providing only relevant information
There is an old expression that says, "there are some who do and some who teach." While it is often used in a derogatory sense to imply that people who teach can't do, the greater likelihood is that people who are competent at doing, have the ability to demonstrate to others how to do, and expand their overall potential by working through others, do have a strong offering to make. Those who demonstrate proficiency in this skill understand the need for continued reinforcement of those issues previously covered, in addition to presenting new concepts and ideas. They are comfortable seeing themselves as responsible for the group’s continued learning and their motivation for the process. This skill is focused on structures sessions to provide information to a group to help them do their job more effectively. This skill is applied by managers to clearly communicate changes and new information while integrating them into the current set of policies and procedures for their reports. These sessions are also used to reinforce and support any corporate training initiatives. This is usually done in regularly scheduled meetings that can be face-to-face or by teleconference. Salespeople and individual contributors apply this skill to help internal or external customers take best advantage of the deliverables that the individual is responsible for providing. Those who score high will work to provide regular updates and reinforcement for past communication so that their constituents get a clear and consistent message.
Lower scores may indicate:
A tendency to rush through the training without gauging how much is being absorbed or retained by the group
More of a preference for one-on-one coaching and/or more free form curriculum than formal class sessions
A preference for a more off-the-cuff training style
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
MAKES JOINT CALLS Understands the critical role joint calls play in the ongoing development of salespeople; commits to using joint sales calls as opportunities to share expertise; demonstrates effective techniques; observes progress and judges the effectiveness of assigned salespeople; is dedicated to providing backup and expertise to help salespeople secure a close; accepts a supporting role in the sales process and sets level of involvement in accordance with what the primary salesperson needs HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Commits to doing regular joint calls; sets a call plan and
agrees upon the goal for each call with the primary salesperson
Is willing to step out of the limelight and function in a supporting role to improve the likelihood of a sale or to take the lead, when appropriate, to increase the odds of making the sale
Keeps his focus on coaching and support to get the order, relegating his own administrative or procedural tasks to a lower priority
Regularly observes assigned salespeople in action to offer suggestions and feedback for skill development
Uses joint calls to model sales techniques for less experienced salespeople
Can be tempted to take the sale out of the salesperson’s hands (show him how it’s done) rather than stand back and function as a final safety net (let him learn from his mistakes)
May focus on tracking administrative or procedural issues at the expense of joining the salesperson on actual calls
May not feel comfortable evaluating reports’ performance and providing suggestions for improvement or alternate approaches
Those who are effective in this skill tend to enjoy the challenge of the sales process and sharing their expertise with colleagues. They will take as active or passive a role as is appropriate to help the primary salesperson get the sale. They know the value of a team approach and will provide application expertise or model behavior for new recruits. Likewise since their sales approach is often intuitive, joint calls may be the only way they can effectively communicate winning techniques. When responsible for training salespeople, joint calls can be used for call planning and observation of the plan execution. Those who score high don't let the administrative pressures of the job interfere with regularly scheduled ride-alongs.
Lower scores may indicate:
A strong preference for making solo calls or a difficulty playing a supporting role in the sales process
A tendency to place a higher priority on the administrative and procedural aspects of the sales management job
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
DEVELOPS COMPREHENSIVE PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE TO BE A CREDIBLE RESOURCE Develops a comprehensive knowledge of products and potential applications; understands that up-to- date knowledge is required to maintain credibility as a subject matter expert with distributors and end- users; acquires knowledge through sources of published information supplemented with personal internal and industry contacts; keeps current on product/service developments through more formal learning opportunities; assumes the role of resident expert and develops product knowledge for the purpose of serving as a resource to others HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Acquires the comprehensive knowledge of products and
product sales strategies required to keep on target with client needs
Has the confidence in his expertise to establish himself as an effective resource
Believes that there is always something new to learn
Recognizes that his credibility as a resource to customers is dependent upon the frequency and thoroughness with which he updates his product and applications knowledge
Seeks or maximizes appropriate educational materials that will help him to stay on top of his job
Takes advantage of formal training opportunities that offer current product information
Utilizes the expertise of manufacturing resources as well as the input of end users to enhance his existing product knowledge
Prefers to focus on the big picture and may not develop an awareness of product modifications at a more detailed level
Thinks he can stay ahead of the customer with only a superficial understanding of products and applications
Believes that most recent developments are cosmetic and do not require in-depth investigation
Embarrassed to admit he does not know something, and will not feel comfortable asking for help or seeking the appropriate resources
Discounts study and training opportunities as an inefficient use of his time and resources
Keeping up with product developments and applications in the customer’s workplace is a strong value to those who score high in this skill. They view themselves as continuous learners and don’t overrely on past experience. They prefer learning and sharing their information through personal interaction versus reading and studying. They take pride in being a sought-after resource for their customers. They like to anticipate questions and be prepared. However, they are comfortable admitting what they don’t know and getting back with the appropriate information in a timely manner.
Lower scores may indicate:
A tendency to rely on an overview of the information and remain a big-picture person
A belief that recent developments are only cosmetic and don’t require in-depth investigation
A tendency to think that a superficial understanding of products and applications will be enough to meet the customer’s requirements
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New Business Development.pdf
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Career Development Program
New Business Development Profile Summary
The Career Development Program Assessment
Goal: To maximize your successful and profitable sales growth.
The Sales Education Foundation has partnered with Chally Group Worldwide to provide you with a practical career aid. The information collected through this assessment will help you identify the type of sales that will be most natural for you.
Added benefit: Chally will also offer you an opportunity, at no charge, to forward your results, along with your resume, to any of the major sales forces in our database … if you are a positive fit for their selection criteria. Most students in the past have matched positions at several major sales forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Chally assessment measure?
The assessment measures motivation and relevant work habits that you have acquired. The results for most people are highly reliable and stable over time. It is not like a school test that is graded “pass” or “fail”; the assessment only evaluates a natural affinity for the position. The assessment also does not penalize individuals with little or no experience, and does not penalize individuals on the basis of age, race, sex, etc.
Is the assessment scored according to right and wrong answers?
Most parts of the assessment battery have no absolute right answer. It is most effective for you to answer the questions as quickly as possible. Trying to read through the questions to guess what answer Chally is looking for almost always lowers the score. In addition, the assessment includes validity scales to measure if you are answering candidly and completing the right questions in the right answer spaces, and even to measure your ability to understand the questions (in the event of a reading or language problem). The assessments can’t be “fooled,” and if you try to manipulate the assessment, the assessment is adjusted according to the degree of manipulation attempted.
What if I do not feel well or if I am in a bad mood when I take the assessment? Will this affect the results?
Situational factors, such as not feeling well, being in a bad mood, or having a “bad day,” will not affect the results. Only long-term, more innate attitudes and skills will come through. In addition, there are validity scales in place to detect an attempt to put yourself in a good light, so trying to outthink the assessment is likely to produce a poorer result.
How long does the assessment take to complete?
For most candidates, the assessment will take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. There is no advantage to spending excessive time on the assessment. It is best to respond quickly to individual assessment items with the “top of mind” answers in order to produce the most accurate results. Also, you can start the assessment and go back to it later if you do not finish in one session.
How Statistically-Predictive Skills are Identified
The skills defined and explained in this Profile Interpretation Summary are the result of comparisons among the critical requirements of the role to Chally’s extensive research database of skill/role pairings. This database consists of profiles (sets of skills) identified through hundreds of validation studies with large groups of incumbents. There are two main parts to each validation study: the quantitative part (i.e., numbers based) and the qualitative component (i.e., narrative information). A general description of each is presented below.
Quantitative Part
First: Incumbents who complete the Assessment are scored against 140 work-related skills mea- sured by the assessment.
Second: Measures of each incumbent’s success in the role are collected in the form of one or more actual job results or performance ratings.
Third: Skills with consistent high scores among high performers AND low scores among low performers are retained for further (qualitative) analysis.
Specific information related to the number of incumbents involved in this study, as well as outcomes of the statistical analyses used to make these determinations, are presented in detail in the Technical Summary for this profile. These data also include statistical proof that the profile meets the non-discriminatory requirements of the EEOC in the United States, as well as similar requirements for other countries across the world.*
Qualitative Part
First: Chally believes that providing the scientific proof that a set of assessment skills accurately predict job performance is not enough to make the assessment results fully useful. A strictly mathematical approach would ignore incumbents’, managers’, or other subject matter experts’ judgments regarding the most important components and skills of the role.
Second: To bring the job to life, researchers capture the thoughts, opinions, and insights of these stakeholders through a series of job analysis calls (as well as job descriptions and other relevant documents). During each job analysis call, Chally researchers obtain information about the duties, activities, and responsibilities of those in the focus position. Individual differences, in terms of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other attributes are also discussed and distinctions among high performers and low performers are described.
INTEGRATION: Skills deemed most relevant on the basis of both statistical analysis and expert judgment are submitted to a final series of analyses to ensure that protected classes (per Title VII- CRA, 1964) were not adversely impacted.
The skills presented on the following pages represent the optimal set which:
empirically predict job performance metrics in a very similar job •
are consistent with subject matter experts’ description of the role •
demonstrate a lack of adverse impact for protected groups •
*You may speak with a Chally representative to inquire about a specific country’s non-discriminatory impact.
Scoring Explanation
Scoring Explanation
For ease in visual scanning, individuals’ score percentiles are plotted out graphically. The percentile score is reported based on a standard of salespeople who are performing the same job or comparable jobs at compensation levels similar to the position for which the candidate is applying.
Three key points are needed to evaluate the job skill scale scores accurately.
First, unlike “school tests” where 70 is passing, 50 is failing, and 95 is an “A,” percentile scores compare the current applicant to all other comparable salespeople. Thus, a score of 51 percent indicates a skill potential better than one half of all comparable salespeople. Remember, however, skills potential still depends on “content,” i.e., experience, product knowledge, etc. A “green” candidate will not execute at full potential the first day on the job.
Second, it is not practical to set an unrealistic cutoff or minimum score across all skills. For example, most top salespeople will have 2, 3, or 4 exceptional skills and 1 or 2 average skills. The odds against finding a candidate who can hit like Babe Ruth, win 25 games pitching, and still win the Golden Glove award are so high that no professional baseball manager would ever try. The table below gives an indication of the percentage of salespeople at different skill levels.
Setting criteria based on reasonable but high standards is useful and demanding enough. Getting an entire sales force, all of whom compared favorably to 70% of all salespeople would devastate the competition.
Third, don’t compare apples to oranges. Not all skills are equally important. Weak presentation skills may be covered by other sales team members in the consultive marketplace. Weak customer relations skills in the relationship market, however, could be serious, even if other skills are stronger.
Score % of Salespeople
All skills above 90% 1 in 2000
All skills above 70% 1 in 100
All but 1 skill above 70% 1 in 20
All but 2 skills above 70%, with none below 40%
1 in 10
Scoring Explanation
Score Explanations and Coaching Tips
Selling skills, as with any other skills, are complex, i.e., they are made up of multiple components. Most selling skills are actually comprised of 2 or 3 component factors (or facts, for short). For example, the skill of closing requires timing and the ability to test buyer readiness with trial closes, among other things. To be of greatest assistance, the Chally report focuses on explaining the weaker factors so managers will understand areas for improvement. For example, a score of 60%, while well above average, is not outstanding. The written explanation will highlight the deficiency blocking the candidate’s fuller potential.
In addition to highlighting the weaker factors in a candidate’s skills, Chally will suggest a “coaching tip.” Coaching tips are suggestions for training, supervising, or other techniques that have been found to be most useful for bolstering the weakness or deficiency. Because the technology revolution is affecting supervisory principles, not to mention training techniques, Chally will keep updating these coaching tips as new techniques prove useful.
The Chally Profile: Motivational Characteristics and Management Tips
Regardless of the similar skills and experience needed to do a job well, individuals are more different than similar in their overall makeup. Recognizing a candidate’s unique motivational needs is the most difficult to determine, but the most useful tool a sales manager has. The Chally report also provides an accurate description of the major motivational drives and restrictions, i.e., the candidate’s “hot” and “cold” buttons, along with suggestions to maximize the ability to motivate this unique candidate.
Job Description
New Business Development (Hunter)
TYPE OF CONTACT: Face-to-face sales calls (outside)
CONTACT WITH END-USER: Direct to purchaser
SCOPE OF PRODUCTS: Full line
TYPE OF CUSTOMER: Big enough prospect to represent a major client for seller
TYPICAL DECISION MAKER: Financial and/or technical buyer; cross- functional team for larger purchases
WHAT IT IS WHAT IT ISN’T
Almost exclusively sells to new customers or dormant existing relationships
Not responsible for ongoing client contact after the sale
Rain-maker for new product introduction
Sales cycle is typically 3 months or less, but can extend to 6 months for complex deals
Builds a book of customers and then services them to maintain and increase revenue from them
Territory sales role to deal with mid and small customers
A “closer” whose only function is to seal the deal
This position is usually responsible for bringing in new business from larger accounts. Those who excel tend be comfortable uncovering opportunities and continuously promoting their benefits in the hopes of uncovering a match. The position focuses almost exclusively on the prospect conversion process, and the salesperson typically does minimal post-sale contact. This type of position is used to develop a presence in a competitive stronghold or to expand sales coverage beyond the firm’s current customer base. Most often, hunters sell products or services that are relatively new or, at least, represent a new approach to the potential customer.
The sales cycle is typically six months or less but may extend longer if service is a small percentage of the sales. An example of this approach is Office Equipment salespeople who demonstrate and sell while others service until renewal is required.
Hunters tend to be very opportunistic and look for novel ways to apply their products and services. This process needs to be carefully managed if the organization is not equipped to cost-effectively customize the offering for diverse customer applications.
Those who excel at new business development are not likely to easily move to a customer maintenance mode once they have sold a specified number of customers. They would be likely to look for a new position if required to continuously service the customers that they have closed. They will thrive in a situation where they can hand off their recently closed customer to a sales professional who is responsible for account maintenance so they are free to continue their quest for new customers.
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
EFFECTIVE NETWORKING Takes a proactive approach to business/social interactions; will expand contacts consistently; is comfortable meeting new people and stimulating the conversation HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Prefers to take the lead in social interactions and is quite comfortable ‘working a room’ as he meets people and puts them at ease
Moves easily between people or groups both familiar and unfamiliar to him as he notes opportunities for potential business dealings in the future
Enjoys socialization, sharing information about himself and asking questions about others to ‘break the ice’ and initiate a conversation
Tends to hold back in social situations until others demonstrate interest
More at ease interacting with established and familiar acquaintances while he scopes out opportunities to develop new contacts from a comfortable distance
Prefers the role of observer in social interactions
May not be comfortable making social small talk without first rehearsing or scripting what he is going to say
This is a measure of the degree to which a person is outgoing and comfortable taking the lead in a conversation with relative strangers as well as long-term acquaintances. People with high scores usually feel comfortable networking and developing new contacts for possible future business dealings. They meet people easily and feel free to ask questions as well as share some of themselves to make the other person feel at ease. They have an enthusiastic and friendly manner. In a crowd, those who score high would tend to move from group to group and meet a variety of people versus focus on an individual or group and spend most of the time there. After surveying the situation, they may concentrate on those with the most promise for the purpose at hand. This is commonly called “working the room.” In a sales role, a person with a high score will continually use his personal enthusiasm to communicate the benefits of his product or service to those he meets. He is likely to make a memorable impression and be called upon as a resource if the need arises for his contacts. In addition, he is likely to use first meetings with prospective customers as a springboard to begin the sales process. This method of lead development is more informal and varies from the structured process of lead generation used by many salespeople to manage their funnel and ensure a continuous flow of prospects.
Lower scores may indicate:
A preference for dealing with a known group of contacts or watching from the wings in new situations until a comfort level is reached
The need for self-discipline and a script to explore a group of strangers in a networking opportunity
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
PROBLEM SOLVING Objectively analyzes a problem situation and takes steps to provide a solution; identifies the root of the problem before pressing for a resolution; remains engaged until a solution is reached; tries to see all sides of the problem and thus understand others’ assessment of the issue or response; takes personal responsibility for identifying a resolution HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Objectively isolates and defines problem areas clearly
Determines the true nature of the problem rather than deal with its symptoms
Willing to ‘think outside the box’ to find a solution
Displays sensitivity and genuine interest in understanding others’ perspectives and will not ignore their concerns
Regards any problem as a challenge to be met with eagerness and enthusiasm
Remains engaged until a problem has been resolved
Takes personal accountability for the result
Can be biased and make judgmental or inappropriate assumptions without analyzing the situation objectively
May press toward resolution without identifying the root of the problem
Becomes wrapped up in his own views and loses sight of how others may see the problem or response
Becomes frustrated with solving the same or similar problems over and over again
Tends to take complaints and problems personally and feel oppressed by them
Sees problem resolution as an inconvenience and a distraction
May oversimplify a problem and its solution and disengage his efforts before identifying a satisfactory solution
Resists taking ownership of the solution
This scale was originally developed to assess the problem-solving competency of people in customer service or inside sales roles. This skill focuses on the process and measures the ability to objectively analyze a customer’s situation and work to provide a solution. It is not a measure of the creativity or exquisite precision of the solution. People who score high are genuinely interested in understanding the customer’s perspective when problems occur. They remain focused and positive while looking for a solution. They are generally optimistic that they can work through the issues and provide an acceptable outcome. They see the situation as an opportunity to increase the strength of the relationship rather than as an inconvenience to them. They are willing to go beyond standard processes and procedures to uncover the cause of the problem and its possible solutions. Once the solution is identified, they remain engaged until they are sure the problem has been resolved and the customer is satisfied. This may involve interfacing with internal people on the customer’s behalf or finding external resources to provide the solution. All the while, personal accountability for the result is retained. This skill can be demonstrated throughout the sales cycle. With prospective customers, those who score high are interested in providing solutions to those issues that could be seen as barriers to proceeding toward a sale. They will work for resolution so that they can ask for the order or close the deal. With existing customers, the goal shifts to retention and increasing customer satisfaction by removing obstacles to fully experiencing the expected benefits.
Lower scores may indicate:
A frustration with seemingly solving the same problem over and over again
A press toward resolution before the root of the problem has been identified
A tendency to take complaints and problems personally and feel oppressed by them
A tendency to rigidly follow procedures or pass the problem on to another to close the loop with the customer
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
QUALIFIES PROSPECTS WITH STANDARD PROBES Uses a formula or series of questions to determine the prospect’s fit with the product; expects to sell to the majority of prospects since they are known to need the seller’s products; reacts quickly and objectively to the answers to standard probes by disqualifying the prospect or proceeding through the selling process HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Probes with tough questions around profitability, capacity and readiness to buy when evaluating a prospect for potential business opportunities
Uses a formula approach to qualifying prospects that addresses typical interest points, such as price and ability to deliver
Does not allow his time to be consumed by prospects who should be disengaged or deferred based on the quality of business they will provide
Remains emotionally detached from the prospect’s situation, allowing him to stay objective in assessing the potential for profitable business
Uses an inconsistent approach to uncovering needs
May have difficulty probing to obtain sufficient information to accurately assess the likelihood of a profitable match
Exhibits too much optimism and not enough pragmatism to cut loose potential business that would not be profitably serviced
Finds it difficult to be objective in assessing the potential of demanding or challenging contacts
This measure of qualifying prospects centers on the use of some fairly standard questions to assess the potential buyer’s readiness to make a decision and willingness to pay at a rate that includes a reasonable profit for the seller. Once the determination is made those who score high allocate their efforts and resources to spend the most time with the prospects that are most ready and capable of reaching a profitable deal. Those who could be good future customers are contacted periodically to establish timing for the next steps. Low likelihood prospects are tactfully dropped from the sales funnel so they are not a distraction. This process is dispassionate and relies on fit with the ideal prospect profile and purchase readiness rather than personal chemistry. Those who score high are consistent in determining the prospect’s fit with the seller’s existing capabilities and spend the bulk of their time with the best ones. They are not tempted to focus too much on volume and opportunity versus fit with the production capacity and profitability of the potential deal.
Lower scores may indicate:
Using interest in prospects' problems or compatibility with contacts as the criteria for spending time with them in the selling process
Trying to be all things to all people or sell something to each lead
Having difficulty recognizing the potential of contacts that are demanding or challenging to deal with
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
COMMITS TIME AND EFFORT TO ENSURE SUCCESS Thrives on working; tends to achieve higher results in direct proportion to the time he is willing to commit to his work; remains focused on the goal and is not easily discouraged or distracted; uses work as an opportunity for interaction and incorporates interpersonal contacts into task accomplishment; sees work as a major source of personal satisfaction HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Seeks to balance work and life priorities while commiting time and resources to results accomplishment that surpasses what is just acceptable or expected
Dedicated to achieving business results, even at some personal sacrifice
Defines himself to a great extent by his work and derives personal satisfaction from his success and accomplishments in his career
Builds into his schedule the time required to lay the groundwork and develop the plans for achieving his work objectives
Retains control of his objectives by preparing action steps and evaluating his progress
Remains focused when the commitment to his work is threatened by internal or external distractions
Enjoys finding opportunities to mix personal interaction with goal accomplishment
May embrace a somewhat rigid separation of professional and personal commitments that limits flexibility in balancing the time and resources devoted to work and leisure
More inclined to work a set schedule of hours than to commit resources as required by the objective
Distinguishes personal time from work and career commitments and is not likely to make consistent sacrifices in his personal life to accommodate extraordinary advancements in his work objectives
Becomes distracted by unexpected obstacles or may not effectively plan to deal with his job demands
May not recognize that opportunities to advance his goals can be present in the personal interactions that occur in the workplace
This scale was originally developed using a sample of consultive salespeople who tended to achieve higher results in direct proportion to the time they were willing to commit to their work. People who demonstrate this skill thrive on working and place a high value not only on accomplishing the tasks specified in their job description, but devoting the additional time necessary for planning, preparation, and skill development. They are hard workers and like the social aspects of the job. However, they tend to use the social interaction as a means to accomplishing their goals rather than as an end in itself. High-scoring individuals typically use the extra time to develop more in-depth plans to achieve their objectives. They also build personal sales tools and tracking processes that enable them to increase their sales volume and margins. They tend to believe that the basic job is accomplished between 9 and 5, and the effort required to be a top performer is spent from 5 to 9. They tend to be perfectionists and want to do the job right.
Lower scores may indicate:
A desire for balance in one’s life with sufficient personal and family time
A preference for a 40-hour work week with stable and predictable time requirements
Career advancement is not a strong priority
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
CLOSES THROUGH LOGICAL, INCREMENTAL STEPS Reinforces the purchase decision with a series of logical reasons that support the sale; moves closer to a purchase decision in a multiphase sale by setting an objective for each encounter and gaining agreement at each of the milestones in the process; provides ammunition for the buyer to justify the cost and defend the purchase within the customer organization; encourages a buying decision by demonstrating future savings and ease of transition to the proposed system; keeps the sales process from stalling by taking control and focusing the customer on the incremental steps leading to a buying decision; remains patient but focused on reaching the end result HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Bases a logical appeal on the demonstration of future savings and ease of transition to the proposed system or benefit
Provides the buyer with purchase justifications that may be needed to reach a buying decision or sway additional influencers
Breaks the sales process into manageable steps, seeking continued agreement from the customer at each step before moving on
Continually checks the customer’s understanding of how their needs would be satisfied
Reaches agreement on the concept or pilot test, with a contract coming later
Recognizes that the close is soft, but remains focused on accomplishing that result
Asks for the opportunity to begin the project or deliver the benefit
Makes an emotional appeal for the buying decision, using the strength of the personal relationship that has developed as the basis for a commitment
Emphasizes the potential loss due to inaction versus promoting the potential benefits gained by acting on the purchase decision
Unknowingly loses customers early in the sales process because he does not continually assess their commitment throughout an extended sales cycle
May lose patience in a long sales cycle and rush the customer toward a purchase decision when it is more appropriate to test the water and give the customer more control through trial closes
This approach to closing sales is based on a series of logical appeals that demonstrate the benefits to the customer or prospect. It is consistent with a consultive selling style that builds or tailors a system to specifically meet the individual’s needs and usually requires at least a six-month sales cycle. Those who score high are consistently encouraging a buying decision by demonstrating future savings and ease of transition to the proposed system. They provide ammunition for the buyer to justify the cost and defend the purchase within the customer organization. In the light of such a complex selling environment, those who score well tend to exercise their closing skills to progress toward the final close by gaining agreement at each of the milestones in the process. While not impatient, they are focused on the end result.
Lower scores may indicate:
A more emotional appeal for the buying decision based on the strength of the relationship that has developed
A strong focus on potential loss due to inaction as an impetus to buy
A reticence to probe to determine the key benefits for the prospect or customer and/or to ask for the sale
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
OPPORTUNISTIC Is spontaneous and flexible; tries the untested when standard procedures or methods for satisfying a need will not suffice; takes action so that opportunities will not slip away due to procrastination; offers ideas or suggestions in a timely manner; builds trust through a candid and unguarded approach; is comfortable exploring new areas and experimenting with new ideas HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Spontaneously seizes opportunities presented and takes full advantage of them
Capitalizes on unexpected events or circumstances and turns them into an advantage
Has the propensity to immediately exploit unexpected, timely opportunities and circumstances as they occur
Values what has proven successful in the past but is willing to stretch past comfortable or known methods to meet customer requirements in spite of extra pressure or risk
Comfortable speaking his mind and suggesting innovative or creative ideas
Builds immediate trust and rapport by presenting a visible and candid agenda
Focuses on preventing mistakes and protecting against the downside
Unwilling to risk public failure and will usually look for the safest or surest way to avoid failure
Exhibits a strong need for control and a reticence to implement new methods until they have been proven
Can appear unwilling to offer ideas without due consideration
Tends to defer a decision or action until all options are completely evaluated
This scale measures one’s comfort exploring new areas and openness to experimenting with new ideas. Those who score high are spontaneous and comfortable quickly reacting to a suggestion. They value the tried and true, but are not constrained by current approaches or policies and procedures. If current methods are not able to meet customer requirements, they would be flexible and try untested remedies. They are open to exploring unconventional applications of their products and services to address novel customer needs. They make decisions quickly. They see little value in waiting to act unless there is sufficient reason to expect that additional information would warrant a change of direction. Their candid and unguarded approach helps to build trust and rapport quickly, since their agenda seems so visible and straightforward.
Lower scores may indicate:
A focus on preventing mistakes and protecting against the downside
A habit of needing to sleep on a decision before acting
A reticence to use new methods until they have been proven and a strong need for control
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System Specialist.pdf
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Career Development Program
System Specialist Profile Summary
The Career Development Program Assessment
Goal: To maximize your successful and profitable sales growth.
The Sales Education Foundation has partnered with Chally Group Worldwide to provide you with a practical career aid. The information collected through this assessment will help you identify the type of sales that will be most natural for you.
Added benefit: Chally will also offer you an opportunity, at no charge, to forward your results, along with your resume, to any of the major sales forces in our database … if you are a positive fit for their selection criteria. Most students in the past have matched positions at several major sales forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Chally assessment measure?
The assessment measures motivation and relevant work habits that you have acquired. The results for most people are highly reliable and stable over time. It is not like a school test that is graded “pass” or “fail”; the assessment only evaluates a natural affinity for the position. The assessment also does not penalize individuals with little or no experience, and does not penalize individuals on the basis of age, race, sex, etc.
Is the assessment scored according to right and wrong answers?
Most parts of the assessment battery have no absolute right answer. It is most effective for you to answer the questions as quickly as possible. Trying to read through the questions to guess what answer Chally is looking for almost always lowers the score. In addition, the assessment includes validity scales to measure if you are answering candidly and completing the right questions in the right answer spaces, and even to measure your ability to understand the questions (in the event of a reading or language problem). The assessments can’t be “fooled,” and if you try to manipulate the assessment, the assessment is adjusted according to the degree of manipulation attempted.
What if I do not feel well or if I am in a bad mood when I take the assessment? Will this affect the results?
Situational factors, such as not feeling well, being in a bad mood, or having a “bad day,” will not affect the results. Only long-term, more innate attitudes and skills will come through. In addition, there are validity scales in place to detect an attempt to put yourself in a good light, so trying to outthink the assessment is likely to produce a poorer result.
How long does the assessment take to complete?
For most candidates, the assessment will take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. There is no advantage to spending excessive time on the assessment. It is best to respond quickly to individual assessment items with the “top of mind” answers in order to produce the most accurate results. Also, you can start the assessment and go back to it later if you do not finish in one session.
How Statistically-Predictive Skills are Identified
The skills defined and explained in this Profile Interpretation Summary are the result of comparisons among the critical requirements of the role to Chally’s extensive research database of skill/role pairings. This database consists of profiles (sets of skills) identified through hundreds of validation studies with large groups of incumbents. There are two main parts to each validation study: the quantitative part (i.e., numbers based) and the qualitative component (i.e., narrative information). A general description of each is presented below.
Quantitative Part
First: Incumbents who complete the Assessment are scored against 140 work-related skills mea- sured by the assessment.
Second: Measures of each incumbent’s success in the role are collected in the form of one or more actual job results or performance ratings.
Third: Skills with consistent high scores among high performers AND low scores among low performers are retained for further (qualitative) analysis.
Specific information related to the number of incumbents involved in this study, as well as outcomes of the statistical analyses used to make these determinations, are presented in detail in the Technical Summary for this profile. These data also include statistical proof that the profile meets the non-discriminatory requirements of the EEOC in the United States, as well as similar requirements for other countries across the world.*
Qualitative Part
First: Chally believes that providing the scientific proof that a set of assessment skills accurately predict job performance is not enough to make the assessment results fully useful. A strictly mathematical approach would ignore incumbents’, managers’, or other subject matter experts’ judgments regarding the most important components and skills of the role.
Second: To bring the job to life, researchers capture the thoughts, opinions, and insights of these stakeholders through a series of job analysis calls (as well as job descriptions and other relevant documents). During each job analysis call, Chally researchers obtain information about the duties, activities, and responsibilities of those in the focus position. Individual differences, in terms of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other attributes are also discussed and distinctions among high performers and low performers are described.
INTEGRATION: Skills deemed most relevant on the basis of both statistical analysis and expert judgment are submitted to a final series of analyses to ensure that protected classes (per Title VII- CRA, 1964) were not adversely impacted.
The skills presented on the following pages represent the optimal set which:
empirically predict job performance metrics in a very similar job •
are consistent with subject matter experts’ description of the role •
demonstrate a lack of adverse impact for protected groups •
*You may speak with a Chally representative to inquire about a specific country’s non-discriminatory impact.
Scoring Explanation
Scoring Explanation
For ease in visual scanning, individuals’ score percentiles are plotted out graphically. The percentile score is reported based on a standard of salespeople who are performing the same job or comparable jobs at compensation levels similar to the position for which the candidate is applying.
Three key points are needed to evaluate the job skill scale scores accurately.
First, unlike “school tests” where 70 is passing, 50 is failing, and 95 is an “A,” percentile scores compare the current applicant to all other comparable salespeople. Thus, a score of 51 percent indicates a skill potential better than one half of all comparable salespeople. Remember, however, skills potential still depends on “content,” i.e., experience, product knowledge, etc. A “green” candidate will not execute at full potential the first day on the job.
Second, it is not practical to set an unrealistic cutoff or minimum score across all skills. For example, most top salespeople will have 2, 3, or 4 exceptional skills and 1 or 2 average skills. The odds against finding a candidate who can hit like Babe Ruth, win 25 games pitching, and still win the Golden Glove award are so high that no professional baseball manager would ever try. The table below gives an indication of the percentage of salespeople at different skill levels.
Setting criteria based on reasonable but high standards is useful and demanding enough. Getting an entire sales force, all of whom compared favorably to 70% of all salespeople would devastate the competition.
Third, don’t compare apples to oranges. Not all skills are equally important. Weak presentation skills may be covered by other sales team members in the consultive marketplace. Weak customer relations skills in the relationship market, however, could be serious, even if other skills are stronger.
Score % of Salespeople
All skills above 90% 1 in 2000
All skills above 70% 1 in 100
All but 1 skill above 70% 1 in 20
All but 2 skills above 70%, with none below 40%
1 in 10
Scoring Explanation
Score Explanations and Coaching Tips
Selling skills, as with any other skills, are complex, i.e., they are made up of multiple components. Most selling skills are actually comprised of 2 or 3 component factors (or facts, for short). For example, the skill of closing requires timing and the ability to test buyer readiness with trial closes, among other things. To be of greatest assistance, the Chally report focuses on explaining the weaker factors so managers will understand areas for improvement. For example, a score of 60%, while well above average, is not outstanding. The written explanation will highlight the deficiency blocking the candidate’s fuller potential.
In addition to highlighting the weaker factors in a candidate’s skills, Chally will suggest a “coaching tip.” Coaching tips are suggestions for training, supervising, or other techniques that have been found to be most useful for bolstering the weakness or deficiency. Because the technology revolution is affecting supervisory principles, not to mention training techniques, Chally will keep updating these coaching tips as new techniques prove useful.
The Chally Profile: Motivational Characteristics and Management Tips
Regardless of the similar skills and experience needed to do a job well, individuals are more different than similar in their overall makeup. Recognizing a candidate’s unique motivational needs is the most difficult to determine, but the most useful tool a sales manager has. The Chally report also provides an accurate description of the major motivational drives and restrictions, i.e., the candidate’s “hot” and “cold” buttons, along with suggestions to maximize the ability to motivate this unique candidate.
Job Description
System Specialist
TYPE OF CONTACT: Face-to-face sales calls (outside)
CONTACT WITH END-USER: Direct to purchaser
SCOPE OF PRODUCTS: Focused group of system components to deliver a solution
TYPE OF CUSTOMER: All sizes of organizations within the niche served by the system(s)
TYPICAL DECISION MAKER: Varies by size of purchase from technical/user buyer to executive level
WHAT IT IS WHAT IT ISN’T
Responsible for maximizing sales of a specific subset of the systems marketed by the seller
Selling systems that require a significant amount of customization and training to implement
Providing extensive technical expertise to configure the system for maximum benefit
Selling systems that are familiar to the organization and require little customization beyond choosing the relevant components to gain the maximum benefit
This position is responsible for selling a specific system and is not usually bound by territorial constraints. The salesperson is the resident expert and may work as a resource to the existing field organization to penetrate current customers with the appropriate set of business needs. Likewise, the salesperson may have direct account responsibility for customers and prospects with needs focused on the specific system being sold. Titles like Sales Engineer or System Engineer are common for this role which often requires certification to demonstrate expertise. Since applications may vary across vertical markets, individual specialists may concentrate on serving customers in specific industries. These positions are common in selling computer and telecommunications systems.
The salesperson develops extensive product and market knowledge in order to establish credibility and to provide the necessary orientation/training so customers can fully utilize the system they have purchased. Examples would be advertising and market research.
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
GAINS CUSTOMER COMMITMENT Maintains priorities by keeping the focus specific and defined; helps others to understand key priorities by repeatedly articulating the goals and how each contributes; has the ability to inspire and influence others; gains followers by being easy to follow; gives credit to others and assumes responsibility for external obstacles; motivates others by helping them to feel good about themselves HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Understands that he needs to be flexible and to provide
different solutions based on the varied needs of different roles within the client organization
Takes responsibility for making it easy to work with him and is quick to make customers feel good about their decisions and contributions to the organization
Deals diplomatically with negative issues
Earns power as a result of the customer choosing to be influenced in the selling arena
Keeps communication focused and simple so there is little room for distraction or misunderstandings
Assumes that all customers share the same goals and fails to distinguish between different needs, motivations and objectives
Lacks a strong desire to take the lead in the selling situation, preferring to be responsive to specific requests
Exercises personal control by imposing his will versus attracting customers by finding the most appropriate way to help them succeed
Overwhelms the customer by introducing too many concurrent strategies, options, or solutions, making it difficult to maintain a clear focus
This skill of inspiring people to do their best for a cause and be accountable for their committed results is a hallmark of good leadership. Leadership in a management setting is manifested by inspiring others to embrace their role and work together to reach the stated goals of the group. People who score high motivate people by helping them feel good about who they already are. They make themselves easy to follow. They are quick to give credit to their reports and shield them from external hassles and rebukes by assuming responsibility or blame. They help others understand the key priorities by repeatedly articulating the goals and how each person contributes to them. They don't clutter communication with irrelevant issues. Good leaders maintain the focus on key priorities despite any day-to-day distractions. Good leaders demonstrate their skill when they are in a selling role by focusing on learning the customers' requirements and helping them be more successful in their job. They understand that they need to be flexible and provide different solutions based on the varied needs of different roles within the client organization. They also understand the need to keep communication focused and simple so there is little room for distraction or misunderstandings. They take responsibility for making it easy to work with them and are quick to make customers feel good about their decisions and contributions to the organization.
Lower scores may indicate:
A lack of desire to take the lead in a management or selling situation, and a preference for being responsive to specific requests
A tendency to presume that most people are motivated in the same manner as oneself and treat them accordingly
A strong need for personal control with a preference to impose one's will versus attract followers by finding the most appropriate way to help them succeed
A belief that everyone is motivated by pretty much the same things so the same rewards can be equally effective for each report
A highly motivated individual who expects others to be equally self-driven and focused
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
IDENTIFYING CUSTOMER NEEDS Seeks to provide an appropriate solution by understanding what the customer is trying to accomplish; spends time in a needs analysis process that identifies key objectives specific to an individual customer; gives the customer’s agenda priority over a standard response; changes the sales approach or solution to accommodate the customer versus force fit the customer to an existing model HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Asks questions and studies the customer’s key priorities
Incorporates the customer’s responses and input into a business plan tailored to fit that customer’s needs
Takes the time to explore options or alternatives for helping the customer to achieve key objectives
Accepts the rejection or modification of his suggestions in an effort to best understand and help the customer
Lacks a thorough approach to a customer needs analysis, preferring to move immediately to an existing solution
Can be distracted from learning customer requirements by the personalities or politics of a situation
Tries to fit the customer’s methods or goals into a standard model or solution
Takes it as personal criticism when his suggestions are challenged
Can be too invested in his own agenda to comfortably yield to the customer’s agenda
People who score high in this skill are interested in understanding what customers are trying to accomplish and how they are prioritizing their responsibilities. This information is used to "step into the customers' moccasins" and look for ways to effectively integrate the seller's products and services on a case by case basis. The focus is on suggestions for helping the customer achieve his or her key objectives rather than imposing an external standard or offering a cookie-cutter process. Likewise, those who score high don't tend to take it personally when suggestions are modified or rejected. They are not uncomfortable adopting the customers' agenda.
Lower scores may indicate:
A tendency to try to get the customer to change their methods or goals in order to better fit the sellers' model or solutions
A frustration with having suggestions challenged
A tendency to gloss over the needs analysis process and move quickly to proposing a fairly standard solution
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
COMMITS TIME AND EFFORT TO INCREASE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Sets job as a top priority and devotes extra hours to skill development; accomplishes objectives dictated by his present position while investing additional time and effort to increase his competence and improve his professional standing HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Defines himself to a great extent by his work and derives
personal satisfaction from his career success and accomplishments
Dedicated to improving his professional standing, even at some personal sacrifice
Commits time and resources to career advancement by preparing himself to deal with a wider scope of challenges, even within current position
Dedicates some of his after-hours time to laying the groundwork for developmental activities
Continually works to develop the skills and abilities that will support his career progression while devoting the time and resources to be effective in his present responsibilities
Accepts moderate standards for his career goals so that time requirements for accomplishing those goals are not excessive
External demands on his time can limit the attention and resources he dedicates to career advancement
Prefers to spend all of his after-work hours in family or social activities rather than designate time for career planning and skill development
People who score high in this skill are intense and focused on their job as a major source of personal satisfaction. They may be somewhat of a perfectionist and seek to continuously improve their ability to complete their job requirements. They are willing to put in the time that is necessary to achieve the level of results they expect of themselves. They are not distracted by external pressures and enjoy building their skill though devoting time to practicing their occupation. They are typically open to suggestions and feedback so they can become more effective. They tend to pride themselves on following the rules and will work the system to deal with obstacles and cumbersome processes or procedures in order to get the desired result. They can thrive in a bureaucratic environment because they will do what it takes to reach their objectives. They are self-developmental and usually seek a position that offers career advancement through promotion to a position of broader scope. However, when in a role with little expectation of progression for an extended period, they are likely to concentrate their developmental efforts on increasing their professional standing and job skills.
Lower scores may indicate:
A need to segregate work related activities to specified work hours and use non-work time exclusively for leisure
A preference for a lot of social interaction that is unrelated to a work environment
A willingness to accept more moderate quality standards for one's personal development so that time requirements for skill development are not excessive
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
DELIVERS ADDED VALUE TO CUSTOMERS Stays in touch with market trends, including environmental and competitive forces influencing the market, so that he can be seen as a valuable resource to important constituents internal or external to the organization; constantly seeks information that will be useful but is not readily available to colleagues; enjoys being sought for advice and instruction; spends the time to build a base of knowledge that ultimately helps others to be more effective HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Takes professional pride in maintaining an in-depth
awareness of market issues
Believes there is a benefit to continually building and adding to his knowledge base in market and competitive issues
Wants to be prepared to serve as a source of advice and information to his customers
Updates his own market information in order to be of assistance to customers who may not have the time or resources to research changing market trends themselves
May believe he can get by on a cursory understanding of market trends and conditions because he doesn't appreciate its added value to others
Comfortable with his present knowledge of the market and may believe the incremental gains he could achieve by developing his knowledge base would not justify the time spent
Does not increase his understanding of market issues for the purpose of sharing that information with others
Assumes his customers will utilize their own resources to stay on top of changing market conditions
People who score high in this skill are motivated to stay in touch with market issues so they can be seen as a valuable resource to important constituents like internal or external customers. They are on the lookout for information that will be useful and yet not readily available to their colleagues. They spend the required time to acquire the knowledge they need to help others do their job more effectively. Their real pay comes in being sought for advice and instruction. They enjoy being a resource and guiding people to learn new procedures and processes so they can be more adept at their job.
Lower scores may indicate:
A lack of interest in training or teaching on an individual level
A preference for providing information through a lecture format more than by hands-on demonstration
A tendency to rely on a dazzling presentation to cover an inadequacies in content
A belief that staying current has little added benefit to being a resource to others
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
MAKES PERSUASIVE PRODUCT PRESENTATIONS Excites the customer with an enthusiastic presentation style; demonstrates value and actively promotes products and services by making an emotional appeal; holds the customer’s attention and interest by keeping the presentation content relevant; varies style to build toward a buying decision HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Makes formal presentations that focus on creating an
impact while communicating information
Has the potential to capture and hold the audience's attention
Takes charge and keeps control of the information being communicated through a presentation that is polished and rehearsed
Varies his style and content to appeal to the audience
Projects his enthusiasm about a solution to the audience, moving them closer to a buying decision
Monitors audience response and adjusts his presentation to stay on target
May be more comfortable with establishing a dialogue that emphasizes listening and an exchange of ideas than with making an impact on the audience
Uses presentations to entertain rather than inform or persuade
Sticks too closely to a script and does not vary the content or emphasis to address the needs of each audience
Too focused on the mechanics of the presentation itself to pay attention to audience understanding and concurrence
Cannot easily adjust to a nonsupportive audience response and may rush an ineffective presentation just to finish it rather than alter the presentation to change that response
The most common misunderstanding in evaluating an individual’s ability to make presentations is the assumption that all presentations are the same. There are at least three kinds of presentations appropriate in business: 1. Formal or stage presentations - usually with AV equipment and a limited opportunity to individually interface with an audience. Typical at major meetings, conventions and even radio or TV appearances, these skills are exhibited in those we would call personalities and reflect descriptive terms such as "presence," or "charisma," and who are often useful for promotions and other advertising events. This skill is less relevant in every-day sales contact, but useful if one becomes a product specialist responsible for representing the company or product at industry meetings. 2. Group meetings—informal sales presentations to a group or more structured presentations to groups of customers or internal colleagues. These skills include the ability to project, attract and hold attention, and appear smooth, comfortable and "in charge" of the occasion. If the goal is more to persuade more than simply inform then more enthusiasm and emotionally charged content may be appropriate. 3. One-on-one or across the table—the most typical sales call which often requires verbal skills strong enough for good communication, even with minimal graphic or AV equipment. The emphasis is on understanding the prospect/customer’s needs or concerns and varying the presentation to address them effectively. The first and third of these skills tend to conflict. Those who are the strongest on stage, so to speak, are least comfortable with the more informal/casual across the desk selling of verbal only communication and vice versa. Many who are talented on stage target the degree of impact or drama of the program, whereas face-to-face presenters target listening more than projecting their ideas. This particular skill measures the effectiveness of presentations that are designed to grab attention and excite people about the benefits of the product offering. Those who score high tend to be able to project their enthusiasm about the solution to the audience and move them closer to a buying decision. They are careful to vary their style and content to fit most effectively with the audience. Even while trying to project and deliver their message, they are monitoring audience reaction to be sure they are on target. They realize that when selling a complex product they need to address the variety of benefits that touch each of the individual decision makers without losing the interest of the others. Likewise when offering a simple product or service, they can elevate interest by creating excitement about the benefits of ownership and use.
Lower scores may indicate:
Relying on a script or set presentation too much and not varying the content and/or emphasis to match the needs of the audience.
Gives equal emphasis to each benefit even if those listening are only interested in one or two.
Focusing more on speaking and technique than determining if audience understands and is motivated to agree.
May be technically good at "public speaking" to inform or entertain.
May be effective only in situations where the focus is on the product/service rather than the salesperson as the major benefit.
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
EDUCATES CUSTOMERS THROUGH STRUCTURED TRAINING Helps the customer to gain maximum benefit from the product or service by committing to continuous education that provides information updates or product training; prepares more structured sessions to cover the most critical areas of learning; stays on top of information needed by customers in an effort to serve as a resource; takes responsibility for motivating customers to update their information; reinforces shared information through periodic repetition; routinely adjusts education process to address individual and group progress or understanding HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Prepares scheduled and consistent programs to train or
educate others
Establishes measurable criteria for assessing progress in the learning process
Demonstrates patience and a willingness to repeat or reinforce ideas and information until the audience understands
Focuses training sessions on those competencies that will make a difference in the group’s ultimate effectiveness
Concentrates more on the results produced or change accomplished through his training than with how attractive or entertaining the training can be
Prefers one-on-one training or a more loosely organized curriculum to the structured requirements of a scheduled class session
Expects the people he is training to be self-motivated to learn and becomes impatient when required to repeat or reinforce information he has already covered
Does not implement a tracking process for assessing the effectiveness of his teaching efforts or the progress of his trainees
Enjoys working on content delivery and may be more concerned with the audience’s assessment of his public speaking skills than with the subject matter
Tries to make the training entertaining at the expense of providing only relevant information
There is an old expression that says, "there are some who do and some who teach." While it is often used in a derogatory sense to imply that people who teach can't do, the greater likelihood is that people who are competent at doing, have the ability to demonstrate to others how to do, and expand their overall potential by working through others, do have a strong offering to make. Those who demonstrate proficiency in this skill understand the need for continued reinforcement of those issues previously covered, in addition to presenting new concepts and ideas. They are comfortable seeing themselves as responsible for the group’s continued learning and their motivation for the process. This skill is focused on structures sessions to provide information to a group to help them do their job more effectively. This skill is applied by managers to clearly communicate changes and new information while integrating them into the current set of policies and procedures for their reports. These sessions are also used to reinforce and support any corporate training initiatives. This is usually done in regularly scheduled meetings that can be face-to-face or by teleconference. Salespeople and individual contributors apply this skill to help internal or external customers take best advantage of the deliverables that the individual is responsible for providing. Those who score high will work to provide regular updates and reinforcement for past communication so that their constituents get a clear and consistent message.
Lower scores may indicate:
A tendency to rush through the training without gauging how much is being absorbed or retained by the group
A preference for one-on-one coaching and/or more free form curriculum than formal class sessions
A preference for a more off-the-cuff training style
The Sales Education Foundation is a component fund of the Dayton Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity
www.saleseducationfoundation.org
Territory Consultive System Sales.pdf
Sales Education Foundation 3123 Research Blvd., Ste. 250 Dayton, OH 45420 Phone: (800) 254-5995 www.saleseducationfoundation.org
Career Development Program
Territory Consultive System Sales
Profile Summary
The Career Development Program Assessment
Goal: To maximize your successful and profitable sales growth.
The Sales Education Foundation has partnered with Chally Group Worldwide to provide you with a practical career aid. The information collected through this assessment will help you identify the type of sales that will be most natural for you.
Added benefit: Chally will also offer you an opportunity, at no charge, to forward your results, along with your resume, to any of the major sales forces in our database … if you are a positive fit for their selection criteria. Most students in the past have matched positions at several major sales forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Chally assessment measure?
The assessment measures motivation and relevant work habits that you have acquired. The results for most people are highly reliable and stable over time. It is not like a school test that is graded “pass” or “fail”; the assessment only evaluates a natural affinity for the position. The assessment also does not penalize individuals with little or no experience, and does not penalize individuals on the basis of age, race, sex, etc.
Is the assessment scored according to right and wrong answers?
Most parts of the assessment battery have no absolute right answer. It is most effective for you to answer the questions as quickly as possible. Trying to read through the questions to guess what answer Chally is looking for almost always lowers the score. In addition, the assessment includes validity scales to measure if you are answering candidly and completing the right questions in the right answer spaces, and even to measure your ability to understand the questions (in the event of a reading or language problem). The assessments can’t be “fooled,” and if you try to manipulate the assessment, the assessment is adjusted according to the degree of manipulation attempted.
What if I do not feel well or if I am in a bad mood when I take the assessment? Will this affect the results?
Situational factors, such as not feeling well, being in a bad mood, or having a “bad day,” will not affect the results. Only long-term, more innate attitudes and skills will come through. In addition, there are validity scales in place to detect an attempt to put yourself in a good light, so trying to outthink the assessment is likely to produce a poorer result.
How long does the assessment take to complete?
For most candidates, the assessment will take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. There is no advantage to spending excessive time on the assessment. It is best to respond quickly to individual assessment items with the “top of mind” answers in order to produce the most accurate results. Also, you can start the assessment and go back to it later if you do not finish in one session.
How Statistically-Predictive Skills are Identified
The skills defined and explained in this Profile Interpretation Summary are the result of comparisons among the critical requirements of the role to Chally’s extensive research database of skill/role pairings. This database consists of profiles (sets of skills) identified through hundreds of validation studies with large groups of incumbents. There are two main parts to each validation study: the quantitative part (i.e., numbers based) and the qualitative component (i.e., narrative information). A general description of each is presented below.
Quantitative Part
First: Incumbents who complete the Assessment are scored against 140 work-related skills mea- sured by the assessment.
Second: Measures of each incumbent’s success in the role are collected in the form of one or more actual job results or performance ratings.
Third: Skills with consistent high scores among high performers AND low scores among low performers are retained for further (qualitative) analysis.
Specific information related to the number of incumbents involved in this study, as well as outcomes of the statistical analyses used to make these determinations, are presented in detail in the Technical Summary for this profile. These data also include statistical proof that the profile meets the non-discriminatory requirements of the EEOC in the United States, as well as similar requirements for other countries across the world.*
Qualitative Part
First: Chally believes that providing the scientific proof that a set of assessment skills accurately predict job performance is not enough to make the assessment results fully useful. A strictly mathematical approach would ignore incumbents’, managers’, or other subject matter experts’ judgments regarding the most important components and skills of the role.
Second: To bring the job to life, researchers capture the thoughts, opinions, and insights of these stakeholders through a series of job analysis calls (as well as job descriptions and other relevant documents). During each job analysis call, Chally researchers obtain information about the duties, activities, and responsibilities of those in the focus position. Individual differences, in terms of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other attributes are also discussed and distinctions among high performers and low performers are described.
INTEGRATION: Skills deemed most relevant on the basis of both statistical analysis and expert judgment are submitted to a final series of analyses to ensure that protected classes (per Title VII- CRA, 1964) were not adversely impacted.
The skills presented on the following pages represent the optimal set which:
empirically predict job performance metrics in a very similar job •
are consistent with subject matter experts’ description of the role •
demonstrate a lack of adverse impact for protected groups •
*You may speak with a Chally representative to inquire about a specific country’s non-discriminatory impact.
Scoring Explanation
Scoring Explanation
For ease in visual scanning, individuals’ score percentiles are plotted out graphically. The percentile score is reported based on a standard of salespeople who are performing the same job or comparable jobs at compensation levels similar to the position for which the candidate is applying.
Three key points are needed to evaluate the job skill scale scores accurately.
First, unlike “school tests” where 70 is passing, 50 is failing, and 95 is an “A,” percentile scores compare the current applicant to all other comparable salespeople. Thus, a score of 51 percent indicates a skill potential better than one half of all comparable salespeople. Remember, however, skills potential still depends on “content,” i.e., experience, product knowledge, etc. A “green” candidate will not execute at full potential the first day on the job.
Second, it is not practical to set an unrealistic cutoff or minimum score across all skills. For example, most top salespeople will have 2, 3, or 4 exceptional skills and 1 or 2 average skills. The odds against finding a candidate who can hit like Babe Ruth, win 25 games pitching, and still win the Golden Glove award are so high that no professional baseball manager would ever try. The table below gives an indication of the percentage of salespeople at different skill levels.
Setting criteria based on reasonable but high standards is useful and demanding enough. Getting an entire sales force, all of whom compared favorably to 70% of all salespeople would devastate the competition.
Third, don’t compare apples to oranges. Not all skills are equally important. Weak presentation skills may be covered by other sales team members in the consultive marketplace. Weak customer relations skills in the relationship market, however, could be serious, even if other skills are stronger.
Score % of Salespeople
All skills above 90% 1 in 2000
All skills above 70% 1 in 100
All but 1 skill above 70% 1 in 20
All but 2 skills above 70%, with none below 40%
1 in 10
Scoring Explanation
Score Explanations and Coaching Tips
Selling skills, as with any other skills, are complex, i.e., they are made up of multiple components. Most selling skills are actually comprised of 2 or 3 component factors (or facts, for short). For example, the skill of closing requires timing and the ability to test buyer readiness with trial closes, among other things. To be of greatest assistance, the Chally report focuses on explaining the weaker factors so managers will understand areas for improvement. For example, a score of 60%, while well above average, is not outstanding. The written explanation will highlight the deficiency blocking the candidate’s fuller potential.
In addition to highlighting the weaker factors in a candidate’s skills, Chally will suggest a “coaching tip.” Coaching tips are suggestions for training, supervising, or other techniques that have been found to be most useful for bolstering the weakness or deficiency. Because the technology revolution is affecting supervisory principles, not to mention training techniques, Chally will keep updating these coaching tips as new techniques prove useful.
The Chally Profile: Motivational Characteristics and Management Tips
Regardless of the similar skills and experience needed to do a job well, individuals are more different than similar in their overall makeup. Recognizing a candidate’s unique motivational needs is the most difficult to determine, but the most useful tool a sales manager has. The Chally report also provides an accurate description of the major motivational drives and restrictions, i.e., the candidate’s “hot” and “cold” buttons, along with suggestions to maximize the ability to motivate this unique candidate.
Job Description
Territory Consultive System Sales
TYPE OF CONTACT: Face-to-face sales calls (outside)
CONTACT WITH END-USER: Direct to purchaser
SCOPE OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES: Full line
TYPE OF CUSTOMER: Usually small and mid-sized businesses
TYPICAL DECISION MAKER: Technical buyer who will use the system to improve the efficiency of the organization
WHAT IT IS WHAT IT ISN’T
Responsible for maximizing sales within a territory by finding new customers and servicing existing customers; usually 70/30 ratio of new to existing business
Sales cycle is 6 months to 1 year
Selling systems that are familiar to the organization and require little customization to gain the maximum benefit
This position covers a territory, or market segment, and sells the full array of its business unit’s product offerings. The salesperson is responsible for acquiring new small to mid-sized customers as well as servicing existing ones. New Business Development is usually a large component of quota attainment chiefly because the salesperson has support from others within the seller’s organization to provide ongoing service to the existing customer base. The salesperson’s chief responsibility is to do a thorough needs analysis and then help configure the appropriate offering from the array of options to produce the system with the most relevant benefit package to meet customer needs. The system is usually sold as a turnkey with installation and implementation the responsibility of the seller. These sales are typically to buyers with little previous experience with the product offering, so they need orientation and support to gain the maximum benefit. This installation and support is usually provided by specialists within the seller’s organization who are responsible for keeping the salesperson informed of progress.
The mix of revenue from new business to existing business can be a much as 70/30. The sales cycle is long (usually six months to one year), and the system that is installed is expected to require only minor modification and expansion in the near term. Thus, the seller is free to pursue new business while periodically monitoring the satisfaction level and changing needs of the existing base.
Typical examples of this type of sales would include computer systems to auto dealerships, document management, communications/telecommunications, and direct marketing campaigns to mid-level companies.
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
DEVELOPS SALES LEADS Demonstrates the initiative to uncover sales opportunities; actively attracts the interest of potential customers; networks to increase contacts; stays on top of market conditions to uncover new leads; consistently follows up with leads to assess their interest in the product/service offering HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES • Methodically and regularly networks to develop a prospect list, regardless of the number of leads in the sales funnel • Develops a frequent and familiar personal profile in organizations or activities that attract the interest of prospective customers • Recognizes opportunities to uncover hidden or less obvious prospects by monitoring the competition and keeping on top of market conditions • Remains pragmatic and objective, versus intuitive and emotional, believing that the payoff comes from steadily working the numbers regardless of how he feels at the moment • Hard-driving and persistent, and tends to downplay social involvement that may interfere with or drain time from his prospecting efforts • Organizes contact information in order to systematically follow up on leads
• Limits networking opportunities by being drawn into social or casual interactions, or by spending time with people he enjoys or are already known to him • Waits for prospects to raise their hands, believing that marketing efforts or the product/service itself will attract interest • May limit his networking efforts to those times when the sales pipeline is empty • May be inconsistent in creating and following a process that systematically and continually casts a net with the expectation of eventual success • Becomes frustrated or discouraged if a successful ‘hit’ is not achieved in a fairly short period of time • May be satisfied with ‘cherry picking’ and find it tedious to churn through a stream of new contacts to identify the warm or lukewarm leads
This skill is a measure of one’s discipline to spend an appropriate amount of time each week in prospecting for new leads. This ensures that there is a continuous stream of contacts in the sales funnel. Those who score high meticulously organize their contact information to make it easier to follow-up, demonstrate an interest in the prospect and determine the prospect’s needs. They are process oriented and rigorously follow the steps they have devised to make new acquaintances and probe to learn enough about them to decide if they warrant full attention as a prospective customer. Good lead generators keep their antennae up and regularly assess market information to uncover names to target for further investigation. They check for start-ups and announcements of relocation or expansion that could signal a need for the seller’s products or services. They actively network with community or business contacts to become identified with their products or services by an ever-increasing number of potential purchasers. Many people who are capable of lead generating very well, but only actively do so when there is a need, and do less when the pipeline is full, will achieve lower scores. Even though they are capable, they are naturally less consistent or compulsive about maintaining the habit.
Lower scores may indicate:
A lack of consistency in the process, not necessarily a result of inability or incompetence
Interacting with others in a more reactive or superficial manner, e.g., going to a networking event and chatting with only one or two people or known quantities
A preference for taking a laid back approach and relying on the advertising or marketing efforts of the organization to prompt prospects to raise their hands
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
QUALIFIES PROSPECTS WITH STANDARD PROBES Uses a formula or series of questions to determine the prospect’s fit with the product; expects to sell to the majority of prospects since they are known to need the seller’s products; reacts quickly and objectively to the answers to standard probes by disqualifying the prospect or proceeding through the selling process HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES • Probes with tough questions around profitability, capacity and readiness to buy when evaluating a prospect for potential business opportunities • Uses a formula approach to qualifying prospects that addresses typical interest points, such as price and ability to deliver • Does not allow his time to be consumed by prospects who should be disengaged or deferred based on the quality of business they will provide • Remains emotionally detached from the prospect’s situation, allowing him to stay objective in assessing the potential for profitable business
• Uses his interest in a prospect’s needs or problems or his compatibility with contacts as the criteria for spending time with them in the selling process • Finds it difficult to narrow his focus to the quality as opposed to the quantity of the business available • Exhibits too much optimism and not enough pragmatism to cut loose potential business that would not be profitably serviced • Finds it difficult to be objective in assessing the potential of demanding or challenging contacts
This measure of qualifying prospects centers on the use of some fairly standard questions to assess the potential buyer’s readiness to make a decision and willingness to pay at a rate that includes a reasonable profit for the seller. Once the determination is made those who score high allocate their efforts and resources to spend the most time with the prospects that are most ready and capable of reaching a profitable deal. Those who could be good future customers are contacted periodically to establish timing for the next steps. Low likelihood prospects are tactfully dropped from the sales funnel so they are not a distraction. This process is dispassionate and relies on fit with the ideal prospect profile and purchase readiness rather than personal chemistry. Those who score high are consistent in determining the prospect’s fit with the seller’s existing capabilities and spend the bulk of their time with the best ones. They are not tempted to focus too much on volume and opportunity versus fit with the production capacity and profitability of the potential deal.
Lower scores may indicate:
Using interest in prospects' problems or compatibility with contacts as the criteria for spending time with them in the selling process
Trying to be all things to all people or sell something to each lead
Having difficulty recognizing the potential of contacts that are demanding or challenging to deal with
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
MAKES PERSUASIVE PRESENTATIONS Excites the customer with an enthusiastic presentation style; demonstrates value and actively promotes products and services by making an emotional appeal; holds the customer’s attention and interest by keeping the presentation content relevant; varies style to build toward a buying decision HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES • Makes formal presentations that focus on creating an impact while communicating information • Has the potential to capture and hold the audience's attention • Takes charge and keeps control of the information being communicated through a presentation that is polished and rehearsed • Varies his style and content to appeal to the audience • Projects his enthusiasm about a solution to the audience, moving them closer to a buying decision • Monitors audience response and adjusts his presentation to stay on target
• May be more comfortable with establishing a dialogue that emphasizes listening and an exchange of ideas than with making an impact on the audience • Uses presentations to entertain rather than inform or persuade • Sticks too closely to a script and does not vary the content or emphasis to address the needs of each audience • Too focused on the mechanics of the presentation itself to pay attention to audience understanding and concurrence • Cannot easily adjust to a nonsupportive audience response and may rush an ineffective presentation just to finish it rather than alter the presentation to change that response
The most common misunderstanding in evaluating an individual’s ability to make presentations is the assumption that all presentations are the same. There are at least three kinds of presentations appropriate in business: 1. Formal or stage presentations - usually with AV equipment and a limited opportunity to individually interface with an audience. Typical at major meetings, conventions and even radio or TV appearances, these skills are exhibited in those we would call personalities and reflect descriptive terms such as "presence," or "charisma," and who are often useful for promotions and other advertising events. This skill is less relevant in every-day sales contact, but useful if one becomes a product specialist responsible for representing the company or product at industry meetings. 2. Group meetings—informal sales presentations to a group or more structured presentations to groups of customers or internal colleagues. These skills include the ability to project, attract and hold attention, and appear smooth, comfortable and "in charge" of the occasion. If the goal is more to persuade more than simply inform then more enthusiasm and emotionally charged content may be appropriate. 3. One-on-one or across the table—the most typical sales call which often requires verbal skills strong enough for good communication, even with minimal graphic or AV equipment. The emphasis is on understanding the prospect/customer’s needs or concerns and varying the presentation to address them effectively. The first and third of these skills tend to conflict. Those who are the strongest on stage, so to speak, are least comfortable with the more informal/casual across the desk selling of verbal only communication and vice versa. Many who are talented on stage target the degree of impact or drama of the program, whereas face-to-face presenters target listening more than projecting their ideas. This particular skill measures the effectiveness of presentations that are designed to grab attention and excite people about the benefits of the product offering. Those who score high tend to be able to project their enthusiasm about the solution to the audience and move them closer to a buying decision. They are careful to vary their style and content to fit most effectively with the audience. Even while trying to project and deliver their message, they are monitoring audience reaction to be sure they are on target. They realize that when selling a complex product they need to address the variety of benefits that touch each of the individual decision makers without losing the interest of the others. Likewise when offering a simple product or service, they can elevate interest by creating excitement about the benefits of ownership and use.
Lower scores may indicate:
Relying on a script or set presentation too much and not varying the content and/or emphasis to match the needs of the audience.
Gives equal emphasis to each benefit even if those listening are only interested in one or two.
Focusing more on speaking and technique than determining if audience understands and is motivated to agree.
May be technically good at "public speaking" to inform or entertain.
May be effective only in situations where the focus is on the product/service rather than the salesperson as the major benefit.
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
COMMITS TIME AND EFFORT TO ENSURE SUCCESS Thrives on working; tends to achieve higher results in direct proportion to the time he is willing to commit to his work; remains focused on the goal and is not easily discouraged or distracted; uses work as an opportunity for interaction and incorporates interpersonal contacts into task accomplishment; sees work as a major source of personal satisfaction HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES • Seeks to balance work and life priorities while committing time and resources to results accomplishment that surpasses what is just acceptable or expected • Is dedicated to achieving business results, even at some personal sacrifice • Defines himself to a great extent by his work and derives personal satisfaction from his success and accomplishments in his career • Builds into his schedule the time required to lay the groundwork and develop the plans for achieving his work objectives • Retains control of his objectives by preparing action steps and evaluating his progress • Remains focused when the commitment to his work is threatened by internal or external distractions • Enjoys finding opportunities to mix personal interaction with goal accomplishment
• May embrace a somewhat rigid separation of professional and personal commitments that limits flexibility in balancing the time and resources devoted to work and leisure • Is more inclined to work a set schedule of hours than to commit resources as required by the objective • Distinguishes personal time from work and career commitments and is not likely to make consistent sacrifices in his personal life to accommodate extraordinary advancements in his work objectives • Becomes distracted by unexpected obstacles or may not effectively plan to deal with his job demands • May not recognize that opportunities to advance his goals can be present in the personal interactions that occur in the workplace
This scale was originally developed using a sample of consultive salespeople who tended to achieve higher results in direct proportion to the time they were willing to commit to their work. People who demonstrate this skill thrive on working and place a high value not only on accomplishing the tasks specified in their job description, but devoting the additional time necessary for planning, preparation, and skill development. They are hard workers and like the social aspects of the job. However, they tend to use the social interaction as a means to accomplishing their goals rather than as an end in itself. High-scoring individuals typically use the extra time to develop more in-depth plans to achieve their objectives. They also build personal sales tools and tracking processes that enable them to increase their sales volume and margins. They tend to believe that the basic job is accomplished between 9 and 5, and the effort required to be a top performer is spent from 5 to 9. They tend to be perfectionists and want to do the job right.
Lower scores may indicate:
A desire for balance in one’s life with sufficient personal and family time
A preference for a 40-hour work week with stable and predictable time requirements
Career advancement is not a strong priority
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
MAXIMIZES RESULTS BY PARTNERING AS A CUSTOMER ADVOCATE Consistently achieves above-average sales results by understanding the customer’s business, empathizing with their problems and setting a plan to meet their needs; tirelessly focuses on building strong relationships with customers by acting on their behalf to work the seller’s internal systems to meet their requirements; sees partnering with customers as the efficient method to reach personal sales career goals HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES • Is driven to achieve or exceed targeted results and uses sales as a means to get there; hungry to be a top producer • Holds results achievement to a high personal standard • Believes in taking personal responsibility for the level of success achieved • Is unwilling to have his goal achievement derailed by internal politics or bureaucratic procedures • Promotes a sense of partnering with customers • Takes the first step to establish a trusting relationship that assures customers of his commitment • Is genuinely interested in understanding customer needs and works the company’s internal systems to satisfy those needs • Collaborates with a network of support resources to satisfy customer requirements
• May adopt a casual or relaxed approach that fails to project personal dedication to achieving or surpassing sales targets • Can be content with marginal success or lowers goals to reach a level of success that is easier to accomplish • May not sustain the intensity needed to consistently meet or exceed sales objectives • Wants to be successful on his own terms without tying his efforts or results to effectively fulfilling customer requirements • Achieves results that will support his career progression more so than strengthen his partnerships with customers • Can be impersonal or detached in his approach to the sales process, minimizing the opportunity to build a customer alliance
This skill measures the ability to produce consistent and above-average sales results by staying focused on personally imposed goals. People who score high are less likely to be distracted by internal politics or constrained by bureaucratic procedures. They monitor their progress and are on the lookout for obstacles that can negatively impact their results. While not necessarily pessimistic, they exhibit a healthy amount of skepticism about internal systems and customer input. Likewise, individuals with high scores are emotionally intense and seemingly driven to be one of the best. As a consequence, they can be difficult to manage at times. They demand a lot of themselves, are strong customer advocates, and get frustrated with perceived 'half-hearted' attempts to meet customer requirements. They understand the value of 'going first' to establish trust and demonstrate their commitment to satisfying customers. They usually develop a network of internal support resources so they can gain access to information and intervene when customer requirements are in jeopardy.
Lower scores may indicate:
A desire to be a top salesperson on one’s own terms versus objectively fulfilling customer requirements
A willingness to produce above-average results short-term while using sales as a vehicle for promotion into management
One who enjoys the thrill of the hunt with an impersonal approach to the sales process
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
ADAPTS APPROACH TO DIFFERENT BUYER MOTIVATIONS Gathers essential information to determine the benefits customers need in order to be sold; is willing to adjust sales approach to fit different buyer motivations; influences or persuades others by determining how the other individual can benefit, and then communicates those advantages HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES • Will work to acquire the information needed to determine what benefits will motivate prospects to buy • Able to use knowledge gleaned about prospect needs to vary sales approach according to different buyer motivations
• May not be committed to researching what benefits the prospect needs in order to be sold • Might not recognize that prospects have different buying motivations and may sell the same way to all people
People who score high in this skill are interested in determining what is important to the prospect or customer. They can vary their approach to persuading someone to adopt their ideas. This is not necessarily a measure of knowledge of techniques. People with no formal sales experience often score quite well if they have practiced uncovering others' buying triggers so they could gain cooperation. Often nurses and teachers, who do not think of themselves as salespeople, are surprised by their high scores. With a little investigation, it becomes evident that when they are trying to influence patients or students they intuitively focus their information on the interests and hot buttons of the listener. In general, those who score high, effectively sell their ideas by being willing to determine how those ideas will benefit the other person and then clearly communicate those advantages. They are not dependent upon specific approaches to work prospects and customers through the sales process with each contact. This is a measure related to uncovering buying triggers and flexibility of approach, not necessarily drive to be a top seller. Those who are highly motivated to be a top producer may use this or a different skill set to reach their objectives.
Lower scores may indicate:
A tendency to believe that most people are like them and, thus similarly motivated; effectiveness is determined by the prospect's similarity to the salesperson
A lack of depth in the needs analysis process resulting in a superficial understanding of the buyer’s needs and triggers
An overly dogmatic approach supported by the belief that everyone needs what is being sold and the purchase is for their own good
The Sales Education Foundation is a component fund of the Dayton Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity
www.saleseducationfoundation.org
Territory Relationship Product Sales.pdf
Sales Education Foundation 3123 Research Blvd., Ste. 250 Dayton, OH 45420 Phone: (800) 254-5995 www.saleseducationfoundation.org
Career Development Program
Territory Relationship Product Sales
Profile Summary
The Career Development Program Assessment
Goal: To maximize your successful and profitable sales growth. The Sales Education Foundation has partnered with Chally Group Worldwide to provide you with a practical career aid. The information collected through this assessment will help you identify the type of sales that will be most natural for you.
Added benefit: Chally will also offer you an opportunity, at no charge, to forward your results, along with your resume, to any of the major sales forces in our database … if you are a positive fit for their selection criteria. Most students in the past have matched positions at several major sales forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Chally assessment measure?
The assessment measures motivation and relevant work habits that you have acquired. The results for most people are highly reliable and stable over time. It is not like a school test that is graded “pass” or “fail”; the assessment only evaluates a natural affinity for the position. The assessment also does not penalize individuals with little or no experience, and does not penalize individuals on the basis of age, race, sex, etc.
Is the assessment scored according to right and wrong answers?
Most parts of the assessment battery have no absolute right answer. It is most effective for you to answer the questions as quickly as possible. Trying to read through the questions to guess what answer Chally is looking for almost always lowers the score. In addition, the assessment includes validity scales to measure if you are answering candidly and completing the right questions in the right answer spaces, and even to measure your ability to understand the questions (in the event of a reading or language problem). The assessments can’t be “fooled,” and if you try to manipulate the assessment, the assessment is adjusted according to the degree of manipulation attempted.
What if I do not feel well or if I am in a bad mood when I take the assessment? Will this affect the results?
Situational factors, such as not feeling well, being in a bad mood, or having a “bad day,” will not affect the results. Only long-term, more innate attitudes and skills will come through. In addition, there are validity scales in place to detect an attempt to put yourself in a good light, so trying to outthink the assessment is likely to produce a poorer result.
How long does the assessment take to complete?
For most candidates, the assessment will take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. There is no advantage to spending excessive time on the assessment. It is best to respond quickly to individual assessment items with the “top of mind” answers in order to produce the most accurate results. Also, you can start the assessment and go back to it later if you do not finish in one session.
How Statistically-Predictive Skills are Identified
The skills defined and explained in this Profile Interpretation Summary are the result of comparisons among the critical requirements of the role to Chally’s extensive research database of skill/role pairings. This database consists of profiles (sets of skills) identified through hundreds of validation studies with large groups of incumbents. There are two main parts to each validation study: the quantitative part (i.e., numbers based) and the qualitative component (i.e., narrative information). A general description of each is presented below.
Quantitative Part
First: Incumbents who complete the Assessment are scored against 140 work-related skills mea- sured by the assessment.
Second: Measures of each incumbent’s success in the role are collected in the form of one or more actual job results or performance ratings.
Third: Skills with consistent high scores among high performers AND low scores among low performers are retained for further (qualitative) analysis.
Specific information related to the number of incumbents involved in this study, as well as outcomes of the statistical analyses used to make these determinations, are presented in detail in the Technical Summary for this profile. These data also include statistical proof that the profile meets the non-discriminatory requirements of the EEOC in the United States, as well as similar requirements for other countries across the world.*
Qualitative Part
First: Chally believes that providing the scientific proof that a set of assessment skills accurately predict job performance is not enough to make the assessment results fully useful. A strictly mathematical approach would ignore incumbents’, managers’, or other subject matter experts’ judgments regarding the most important components and skills of the role.
Second: To bring the job to life, researchers capture the thoughts, opinions, and insights of these stakeholders through a series of job analysis calls (as well as job descriptions and other relevant documents). During each job analysis call, Chally researchers obtain information about the duties, activities, and responsibilities of those in the focus position. Individual differences, in terms of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other attributes are also discussed and distinctions among high performers and low performers are described.
INTEGRATION: Skills deemed most relevant on the basis of both statistical analysis and expert judgment are submitted to a final series of analyses to ensure that protected classes (per Title VII- CRA, 1964) were not adversely impacted.
The skills presented on the following pages represent the optimal set which:
empirically predict job performance metrics in a very similar job •
are consistent with subject matter experts’ description of the role •
demonstrate a lack of adverse impact for protected groups •
*You may speak with a Chally representative to inquire about a specific country’s non-discriminatory impact.
Scoring Explanation
Scoring Explanation
For ease in visual scanning, individuals’ score percentiles are plotted out graphically. The percentile score is reported based on a standard of salespeople who are performing the same job or comparable jobs at compensation levels similar to the position for which the candidate is applying.
Three key points are needed to evaluate the job skill scale scores accurately.
First, unlike “school tests” where 70 is passing, 50 is failing, and 95 is an “A,” percentile scores compare the current applicant to all other comparable salespeople. Thus, a score of 51 percent indicates a skill potential better than one half of all comparable salespeople. Remember, however, skills potential still depends on “content,” i.e., experience, product knowledge, etc. A “green” candidate will not execute at full potential the first day on the job.
Second, it is not practical to set an unrealistic cutoff or minimum score across all skills. For example, most top salespeople will have 2, 3, or 4 exceptional skills and 1 or 2 average skills. The odds against finding a candidate who can hit like Babe Ruth, win 25 games pitching, and still win the Golden Glove award are so high that no professional baseball manager would ever try. The table below gives an indication of the percentage of salespeople at different skill levels.
Setting criteria based on reasonable but high standards is useful and demanding enough. Getting an entire sales force, all of whom compared favorably to 70% of all salespeople would devastate the competition.
Third, don’t compare apples to oranges. Not all skills are equally important. Weak presentation skills may be covered by other sales team members in the consultive marketplace. Weak customer relations skills in the relationship market, however, could be serious, even if other skills are stronger.
Score % of Salespeople
All skills above 90% 1 in 2000
All skills above 70% 1 in 100
All but 1 skill above 70% 1 in 20
All but 2 skills above 70%, with none below 40%
1 in 10
Scoring Explanation
Score Explanations and Coaching Tips
Selling skills, as with any other skills, are complex, i.e., they are made up of multiple components. Most selling skills are actually comprised of 2 or 3 component factors (or facts, for short). For example, the skill of closing requires timing and the ability to test buyer readiness with trial closes, among other things. To be of greatest assistance, the Chally report focuses on explaining the weaker factors so managers will understand areas for improvement. For example, a score of 60%, while well above average, is not outstanding. The written explanation will highlight the deficiency blocking the candidate’s fuller potential.
In addition to highlighting the weaker factors in a candidate’s skills, Chally will suggest a “coaching tip.” Coaching tips are suggestions for training, supervising, or other techniques that have been found to be most useful for bolstering the weakness or deficiency. Because the technology revolution is affecting supervisory principles, not to mention training techniques, Chally will keep updating these coaching tips as new techniques prove useful.
The Chally Profile: Motivational Characteristics and Management Tips
Regardless of the similar skills and experience needed to do a job well, individuals are more different than similar in their overall makeup. Recognizing a candidate’s unique motivational needs is the most difficult to determine, but the most useful tool a sales manager has. The Chally report also provides an accurate description of the major motivational drives and restrictions, i.e., the candidate’s “hot” and “cold” buttons, along with suggestions to maximize the ability to motivate this unique candidate.
Job Description
Territory Relationship Product Sales
TYPE OF CONTACT: Face-to-face sales calls (outside)
CONTACT WITH END-USER: Direct to purchaser
SCOPE OF PRODUCTS: Full line
TYPE OF CUSTOMER: Usually small and mid-sized businesses
TYPICAL DECISION MAKER: User buyer who is responsible for maximizing the efficiency of a process or function in the customer organization
WHAT IT IS WHAT IT ISN’T
Responsible for maximizing sales within a territory by finding new customers and servicing existing customers; usually 20/80 ratio of new to existing business
Selling products that are familiar to the organization and require little customization beyond choosing from a standard group of features and options
Likely to be replacing consumed product and introducing substitutes where appropriate
Selling products that require a significant amount of customization and training beyond the “standard” options or specifications to receive the desired benefit
This position covers a geographic territory and sells the full array of its business unit’s product offerings. The salesperson is responsible for acquiring new small to mid-sized customers as well as servicing existing ones. The emphasis is on maintaining and growing sales within existing accounts through increasing the share of wallet for existing purchases and uncovering additional buyers in other areas of the organization. New Business Development activities are low key and meant to at least replace those customers lost due to natural attrition. The ratio of new business to existing is likely to be 20/80.
The salesperson sells products, and consumables associated with them, to buyers who are reasonably expert at using them and deriving the maximum benefit from them. The salesperson’s major role is to work as an advocate to make it easy to do business with his/her organization, solve problems, and to actively work at strengthening the customer relationship. The salesperson accomplishes this with regular contact used to demonstrate interest, update needs analysis, uncover concerns, and seek referrals.
Typical Relationship Product sales include fine paper to printers, office supplies or janitorial supplies to general business, and maintenance parts for factories.
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
ANSWERS OBJECTIONS BY REMOVING EMOTIONAL CONCERNS Focuses on uncovering and resolving the emotional component of customer or prospect barriers to the sale; responds to any hint of concern or complaint that will keep a prospect from buying; takes responsibility for relieving the tension or distress of a prospect; draws on strong empathy for the prospect or customer to offer product alternatives and/or increased personal service to address concerns; is willing to take the heat of a prospect’s concerns, believing that keeping the prospect happy is worth future business or goodwill; keeps the customer focused on what can be provided and compensates for objections that cannot be removed with personal support and commitment HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Intent on probing for concerns that may prevent customer
acceptance of the solution
Works hard at being responsive to any hint of concern or complaint that could keep a prospect from buying
Promises support or enhancement of, not replacement of, in-house expertise or invention
Justifies cost to the organization in terms of superior delivery and added value advantage
Takes steps to ‘win over’ the user as well as the decision maker (when not one in the same)
Knows the pros and cons of each offering in the product line to help the customer select the best-fit choice
Acts as an advocate for the prospect, offering alternatives when feasible
Does not take customer resistance personally
May believe so strongly in the product that there does not appear to be a need to probe for additional concerns
Misinterprets unspoken objections as nonexistent objections
Dismisses objections without validating the prospect’s concerns
Does not believe there is a realistic chance to find a mutually satisfying resolution to objections
Is argumentative in an effort to overcome versus resolve objections
Can take objections personally
This skill is a measure of one’s genuine intent to understand and remove the barriers to arriving at an agreement. Those who score well are practiced at probing to understand and resolve the possible roadblocks to agreeing on the proposed solution. They expect to be able to find a common ground if they persist in understanding the roots of the concern. They work to provide alternatives and keep the process constructive and cooperative. They do not take the fact of resistance personally and stay focused on the desired outcome. They understand that objections are a sign of interest and welcome them. The objections provide an opportunity to demonstrate the reciprocal concern for the customer’s or prospect’s satisfaction. Those who score high also are careful to address both the logical and emotional aspects of the concerns. They want the customer to feel good about the purchase so there is the basis for a long-term working relationship.
Lower scores may indicate:
A reluctance to probe to uncover underlying concerns for fear of being seen as too pushy or invasive
A tendency to take resistance as a personal affront and bring too much emotion into the discussion
An impatience to get to an agreement so concerns are taken at face value and solutions are suggested before the full extent of the concern is uncovered
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
CLOSES BY BUILDING PERSONAL TRUST AND LOYALTY Bases an assumptive close on personal friendship and loyalty; focuses more on emotional than logical benefits of the sale, such as what it takes for the individual to meet business goals and get ahead, versus emphasizing cash savings and cost reduction; determines and addresses relevant benefits important to the individual rather than work from a checklist; builds a personal trust and empathy with the customer, securing the purchase decision by becoming a player on their team HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Patiently builds a personal relationship that will cement
the deal
Brings the customer to an acceptance of the purchase decision by understanding what he needs and addressing issues of specific concern to that customer
Accepts a purchase decision on a handshake
Makes a personal investment in the client relationship, and builds a mutual trust and loyalty that enables him to ask for the order
Reticent to invest the time needed to cultivate a personal relationship, preferring to emphasize logical over emotional reasons for making the purchase decision
Tends to use a standard checklist that ends with asking for the order rather than approach the close by understanding what motivates a customer to sign off on an agreement
Waits for the customer to come to the conclusion that his needs will be satisfied by the product or service offered
There are several approaches to closing sales. While they all involve asking for the order in some fashion, they differ in style and technique rather dramatically. This particular scale measures one’s willingness to spend the time to understand the potential customer’s needs and develop a relationship. Those who score high tend to encourage doing business with friends and are willing to demonstrate their concern and friendship. They work to be popular with their prospects and customers so they can take an assumptive approach to asking for any specific order. They guide the prospect or customer to the buying decision with a series of questions about future use and feature preferences of the product or service to be purchased. Then they ask for the order by suggesting the delivery of the appropriate product or service. Those who score high enjoy the interpersonal aspects of their job and thrive in a relationship sales approach where mutual loyalty is valued and rewarded by customers.
Lower scores may indicate:
Letting the prospect/customer take control and responsibility for the timing of the selling process; not wanting to be seen as too pushy
A reticence to spend time building relationships so the focus is almost totally on the logical versus emotional reasons to make a specific purchase
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
PROVIDES SERVICE BY EMPATHIZING WITH CUSTOMER CONCERNS Empathizes with customers who feel they are not getting what they expect; is sensitive to customer concerns and demonstrates a sincere desire to help; listens to the nature of the problem without feeling that it is a personal attack; identifies with the customer’s pain and works to relieve it; gives priority to making the customer happy; judges the success of service skills by how the customer feels about the resolution HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Demonstrates loyalty to the customer by using their
satisfaction as a key performance measure
Seeks service solutions that resolve the problem with ease, convenience and minimal disruption to the customer
Provides an immediate response, even if just to reassure the customer that the concern has been heard and will be addressed
Increases a customer’s comfort with communicating problems or dissatisfaction by keeping his own emotions in check and absent from the resolution process
Asks for customer feedback about a service solution to ensure complete satisfaction and a continuing relationship
Believes the ultimate test of a service solution is the customer’s happiness with the outcome
May treat the resolution and dismissal of a problem from his list of tasks as more important than the customer’s satisfaction with the resolution
By personalizing negative input from the customer, he may adopt a position that is more adversarial than supportive
Spotlights his contribution to the solution rather than keep the focus on how the customer feels about the outcome
Wants to impress customers with what he can accomplish for them, turning their attention from being pleased with the solution to being pleased with his efforts
This measure was developed on people working in a Relationship approach to selling and servicing customers. Those who score high in this skill tend to be helpful and concerned about resolving customer complaints. They can listen to determine the nature and scope of the issue without feeling personally attacked. They can identify with the customer's pain and work to relieve it. They take pride in being helpful and able to relate to people even if they are quite different from them. They work to make people happy and derive satisfaction from seeing customers satisfied.
Lower scores may indicate:
A tendency to try to solve the problem before getting enough information to understand the severity and scope of the issue
A mechanical or less personal approach to the customer
A tendency to vary the quality of service depending on the level of personal identification with the specific customer
A desire to be seen as an equal with difficulty adopting a service orientation
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
MAKES ONE-ON-ONE SALES PRESENTATIONS Communicates product information and benefits in an informal and conversational manner; prefers to share information in a one-on-one or small group situation; varies style and language to ensure listener understanding and is attentive to closing the loop on communications; seeks feedback and responds appropriately to listener reactions; makes sales presentations that are unrehearsed and adapted to individual situations HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Sensitive to the customer's circumstances and response,
adjusting the communication of information or ideas to accommodate their need to know or level of understanding
Encourages questions, comments, feedback from the customer
Backs an informal presentation with professional sales tools and company guarantees
Gives specific details of how/who/when, promising that the complexity of delivery and servicing of the product line will be shouldered by the salesperson
Keeps the focus on content and substance, not flash and performance
Creates a presentation that is informal, low-key, and unrehearsed
Talks with the customer, creating a team feeling of working together, versus directing a speech at the customer
May attempt a one-size-fits-all communication style that does not account for different information needs
By sticking to a prepared script, he does not leave any room for customer feedback or reaction and cannot adjust his presentation in response to that input
Unwilling to risk personal rejection or judgment, he may create an image or persona rather than be himself
Keeps the audience at arm's length, making his presentation seem less personal to the customer
The most common misunderstanding in evaluating an individual’s ability to make presentations is the assumption that all presentations are the same. There are at least three kinds of presentations appropriate in business: 1. Formal or stage presentations - usually with AV equipment and a limited opportunity to individually interface with an audience. Typical at major meetings, conventions and even radio or TV appearances, these skills are exhibited in those we would call personalities and reflect descriptive terms such as "presence," or "charisma," and who are often useful for promotions and other advertising events. They are less typically seen in day-to-day sales. 2. Informal group meetings—informal sales presentations to a bigger group than expected. These skills include the ability to project, attract and hold attention, and appear smooth, comfortable and "in charge" of the occasion. 3. One-on-one or across-the-table—the most typical sales call which often requires verbal skills strong enough for good communication, even with minimal graphic or AV equipment. The first and third of these skills tend to conflict. Those who are the strongest on stage are least comfortable with the more informal/casual across the desk selling of verbal only communication and vice versa. Many who are talented on stage target the degree of impact or drama of the program, whereas face-to-face presenters target listening more than projecting their ideas. People who score well in this scale tend to do well in one-on-one or in small-group situations where they can read the audience and vary their style and language to be sure the ideas are clear and meaningful. It is a more informal and personal presentation style designed to persuade others to listen. They feel comfortable initiating the contact and taking responsibility for being sure the communication loop is completed. While they are capable of using presentation tools such as PowerPoint shows or overheads, these are not intended to be the centerpiece of the presentation process. Most presentations will be interactive in nature so that points can be clarified if necessary and questions can be answered as they naturally arise.
Lower scores may indicate:
A tendency to rely on a very formal presentation style which is not as suitable for intimate groups or easily varied to meet their needs
A preference for being reactive to questions rather than preparing a presentation of key ideas
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
MAXIMIZES RESULTS BY SYSTEMATICALLY MANAGING AN ACCOUNT PLAN Consistently meets or exceeds sales targets through personally controlling the critical aspects of the sales and delivery processes; systematically works each account plan and anticipates problems in order to work around them; is driven to win customers’ attention and treats their business as an honor, never letting them feel taken for granted HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Meets or surpasses his sales goals as a means to gain
more freedom and independence
Maintains personal control over those aspects of the sales and delivery process identified as top priorities
Sets high expectations for himself and holds associates to the same stringent standards of dedication
Expects to encounter barriers a fair percentage of the time and prepares to deal with setbacks or delays in order to ensure the success of his plans
Concentrates full energy and attention on systematically accomplishing key tasks
Places his customers on a pedestal and shows them how valued they are
May adopt a casual or relaxed approach that fails to project personal commitment or dedication
Comfortable with achieving average results, rising above the bottom of the performance chart but not striving to be the best
Adopts a more interdependent and team-oriented approach to accomplishing goals
May depend too much on fate or ‘being in the right place at the right time’ rather than plan and work to make things happen
Expects his account management plan to proceed without the need for careful monitoring and contingencies
Can take customer relationships for granted and may not work at continually demonstrating appreciation for the business
This skill is common among top-producing Relationship oriented sales professionals. They are driven to meet or surpass their goals as a means to gaining more freedom and independence. They prefer to personally control the critical elements of their job function. They expect things to go wrong a fair percentage of the time, so they are prepared to deal with setbacks or delays in order to ensure the success of their plans. They set high expectations for themselves and hold their associates the same stringent standards of dedication. As part of controlling the factors that influence their success, they tend to develop specific sales plans for each account so they can maintain and where possible increase the sales volume. They don’t simply hope for an increase in overall sales by trying to get across the board gains from each customer with only superficial analysis of each one’s potential and product requirements.
Lower scores may indicate:
A drive for excellence through a more flamboyant or charismatic approach
A comfort with achieving average results; it is not imperative to be the best, it is important not to be at the bottom of the performance charts
An expectation that things will go as planned without the need for careful monitoring and contingencies
A more interdependent and team-oriented approach to accomplishing goals
Expanded Explanation of Profile Scores
ACCOUNT PENETRATION BY CUSTOMER BASE EXPANSION Networks throughout an existing customer’s organization to identify opportunities for expanding product or service purchases; uses established contacts as a referral base to identify new areas for expanded usage of currently sold products/services and new opportunities for expanded sales offerings; seeks to increase the volume of purchases by establishing relationships with multiple users HIGH SCORES LOW SCORES Expands his relationships to include other potential users
in the organization by networking through satisfied contacts
Regularly audits customer relationships to uncover opportunities to build himself into the customer ‘family’ and solicit referral sales from his main contacts
Monitors changes in the customer’s focus or specifications that would alter the existing business contract
Watches for new trends in the industry that could impact customer needs or service capabilities
Establishes a plan to deal with the customer’s ordering patterns
Is uncomfortable expanding the contact base within the customer’s organization beyond his initial contact
Expects his initial or primary customer contact(s) to be the funnel of any additional opportunities within the organization and conducts all business with that contact
Takes repeat business for granted and depends upon the customer to initiate additional or altered needs for products or services
Focuses on servicing immediate needs at the expense of recognizing and addressing additional or future needs that could be met
Inconsistently tracks or reviews consumption, allowing a deterioration of sales cues generated by inventory management
This Account Penetration scale was developed with relationship-oriented salespeople and measures the willingness to network throughout the customer’s organization to identify new areas for expanding the use of currently sold products or services along with uncovering new opportunities for expanded product offerings. In essence, the person sees each customer as a prospect for additional business and uses his or her main contact as the focal point for referrals into new areas. They prefer the comfort of dealing with known contacts or using them as a natural entrée for introductions to enhance credibility and speed the sales process. Those who score high also tend to monitor usage of products so they can help the customer with effective inventory management to ensure the appropriate level is maintained. They are likely to be alert to changing requirements and keep in touch to determine when alterations to the buying cycle are required.
Lower scores may indicate:
A focus on “share of wallet” for currently sold products and a discomfort with expanding the contact base within an organization
A tendency to let the customer take charge of the order process once the account is established
A tendency to pigeonhole the customer and not be on the lookout for new applications to sell
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