While sales negotiation is traditionally considered a formal process conducted by teams of buyers and sellers, this handy reference recognizes that negotiating strategies and techniques are actually required in many instances in day-to-day selling activities as well, and provides advice geared to the salesperson's specific daily needs. The chapters present material in a factual, step-by-step manner so it is easy to assimilate. The work commences with an overview of the role and importance of skillful negotiation strategy in sales, provides insight into the buyer's perspective, and treats the strategic and psychological aspects of the interaction. It then focuses on the negotiation tactics which are essential for the effective preparation, application, and closing of a sale. While these concepts and skills are recognized as part of the formal negotiation process, Stumm argues that most sales negotiations occur instead in daily informal conversations and presentations, and he shows the reader how to recognize and use these situations for negotiating advantages.

Drawing on 25 years of experience as a salesman, sales manager, and training consultant, David Stumm provides a thoughtful analysis of the sales training process--where it succeeds, why it fails, and what is lacking in current practice--and presents field-tested techniques for creating an effective training program. The book is built around three concepts: reading what is happening in any sales situation; recognizing situational need areas as a common theme in all sale techniques development; and building sales strategies that blend selling techniques into an integrated effort. Each chapter explains the theory behind a different sales skill and translates it into specific sales applications.