When sales reps are hired, they are often tested for sales skills and personality traits. References are checked, previous employers called, they are trained on the products and considered ready to sell. Yet, the number one skill is overlooked: the ability to engage. There is seldom, if ever, engagement training.
Because they did well in the interview, the sales manager oddly enough assumes the new sales representative has the ability to engage with the most important tool they have, the telephone; that’s where the wheels come off the sales cart. It can take a company six to nine months before they realize the rep may know the product, but can’t get a conversation going with a prospect. 
In this program, host, Mari Anne Vanella, author and CEO of The Vanella Group tackles the little thought-out point of failure for most organizations: The Physiology of Engagement and how to train sales reps to succeed. Yes, she admits, its part art and a lot of process for reps to have a peer level conversation, but it can be done.  She covers:
Why calling skills are over-looked in sales training.
How to make a peer-level call
Why it’s easy to start call in an apologetic (bad manner)
Why reps have to be taught granular calling skills and adhere to a work structure to be a success
Why the art of conversation can be teachable
 Listen and learn.  
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Outstanding Outbound is hosted by MariAnne Vanella of The Vanella Group which is a program on the Funnel Radio Channel. The Vanella Group is the sponsor of Outstanding Outbound