Walking Digital Corridors - A Better Future For Sales!

Hosted by Alex Abbott

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Nov 2024

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About the show

Walking Digital Corridors, hosted by Alex Abbott, exploring the intersection of B2B sales and digital innovation, helping professionals build authentic connections in the digital space. Each week Alex and his sons Jordan and Jensen discuss current challenges and best practises in B2B sales and on occasion invite special guests who share their story about how they're walking digital corridors safely and effectively to build meaningful relationships and pipeline!

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38 recent

November 8, 2024Episode 242 min

Elevate Your LinkedIn Strategy with Expert Insights from Steven Morell

Welcome to Walking Digital Corridors, the essential podcast for those navigating the evolving world of B2B sales and digital transformation. Hosted by Alex Abbott, known as the Bearded Sales Guy, alongside Jensen and Jordan Abbott, each episode delves into modern sales strategies, social selling techniques, and the digital landscape’s changing dynamics. About the Hosts: Alex Abbott: Co-founder of Critical Convo and founder of Supero, Alex brings a wealth of insight into conversation systems in B2B sales and the importance of a digital-first approach. Jensen Abbott: A Senior BDR at Kontent.AI, Jensen shares his perspective from both tech and hands-on experience in B2B sales. Jordan Abbott: Known as the Sales Poet, Jordan, Business Development Manager at the Institute of Sales Professionals, presents fresh, accessible views on sales strategies. Special Guest – Steven Morell: In this episode, Alex welcomes Steven Morell, founder of Teamfluence and a leading figure in B2B social selling and team-based social media strategies. Steven’s journey from Madison Avenue to software development and digital innovation has equipped him with a vast knowledge of go-to-market and sales strategy. Episode Highlights: LinkedIn Strategy: Steven encourages adding 25 new LinkedIn connections each day, transforming networking into meaningful opportunities. Beyond amassing numbers, he advocates for building genuine relationships that lead to real outcomes. Engagement over Posting: Rather than focusing solely on posting, Steven discusses the power of engaging through comments on LinkedIn to boost visibility and drive conversions—a tactic supported by Alex’s benchmark studies. Prospect Research: Jordan shares techniques for using LinkedIn’s “show all posts” and “comments” features to track prospect activity and connect with the right audience. Content Generation Tips: Steven’s “hack” for content ideas includes revisiting past conference topics and speakers to tap into issues that resonate with industry audiences. AI in Sales: The discussion touches on tools like Peel AI for pre-qualifying leads and the potential of “AI Wingman” tools to help sustain engagement with buyers who aren’t immediately ready to purchase. Trust and Social Selling: Steven and Jensen reflect on the importance of respectful, permission-based interactions as the foundation of trust-building in sales. Balancing Automation and Authenticity: Steven cautions against excessive automation in sales, warning that it can erode trust, and highlights the irreplaceable value of genuine human connection. Key Takeaways: Building Trust: Steven outlines the journey from stranger to trusted advisor, emphasising the need for consistent, valuable engagement. Shifting Sales Techniques: Moving away from cold calling to network-driven strategies, Steven and the Abbotts stress the growing importance of relationship-based sales. Future Trends: They explore effective social selling techniques, focusing on authenticity and engagement over volume. Tune into Walking Digital Corridors to learn from Steven Morell and the Abbotts as they reveal the secrets to succeeding in the B2B world today. Discover the future of social selling, digital tools, and relationship-based sales. Find Steven Morell on LinkedIn or at myteamfluence.com, and stay ahead in B2B social selling by joining our journey.

October 18, 202435 min

Cold Calling vs. Social Selling: Navigating AI in Modern Sales

Welcome back to "Walking Digital Corridors"! In today's exciting episode, "Cold Calling vs. Social Selling: Navigating the AI-Powered Sales Frontier," your hosts Jordan, Alex, and Jensen Abbott are joined by the energetic and insightful Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica Call Center. We'll dive deep into the evolving landscape of sales, exploring whether traditional cold calling holds its ground against the rise of AI and social selling. Richard shares his journey from Philadelphia to Costa Rica, his expertise in cold calling, and how personalization and empathy remain indispensable in sales. We'll also discuss AI’s potential to master human emotions, the balance between automation and the human touch, and practical tips for enhancing your cold calling strategies. Get ready for an engaging conversation packed with actionable advice, humorous anecdotes, and thought-provoking insights as we explore how to thrive in the new era of AI-powered sales!

August 9, 2024Episode 1133 min

The C-Suite Pursuit: The Salesperson's Odyssey

Welcome to Walking Digital Corridors, your go-to podcast for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of sales and marketing in the digital age. In today's episode, "C-Suite Pursuit: The Salesperson's Odyssey," your hosts Alex, Jordan, and Jensen Abbott dive deep into the importance and challenges of engaging the C-suite in sales. Engaging with senior executives can be a daunting task, but it's crucial for achieving higher close rates and sales velocity. Our hosts will share proven strategies for building relationships internally, leveraging your network, and increasing the seniority of your stakeholders. They'll also discuss the role of personalisation, relevance, and thoughtful outreach in successful C-suite engagement. Throughout the episode, we'll explore real-world examples of effective engagement using social media and relevant messaging. Jensen Abbott will share insights on featuring industry-specific content on your profile to stay top-of-mind when targeting accounts, while Jordan Abbott will summarise the importance of maintaining a passive social presence and actively engaging with prospects' content. We'll also delve into the concept of social selling and how it naturally extends to daily activities, as well as the importance of building reciprocal engagement and creating meaningful conversations. Our hosts will emphasise the need for proper sales enablement and organisational support in fostering a consultative approach to sales. So, whether you're a seasoned sales professional or just starting your journey, join us as we navigate the complexities of engaging the C-suite and unlocking the secrets to success in the digital sales landscape. Let's embark on this odyssey together, on Walking Digital Corridors.

August 7, 2024Episode 1039 min

The Tie Breaker When All Else is Equal

In the latest episode of Walking Digital Corridors, hosts Alex Abbott, Jensen Abbott, and Jordan Abbott delve into the critically important topic of personal branding for sales professionals in the digital age. The discussion centers around the idea that in a world where products and services are increasingly commoditised, a strong personal brand can be the differentiating factor that sets a salesperson apart from the competition. The conversation turns to the practical steps that salespeople can take to develop their personal brands. The hosts emphasise the importance of intentionally designing both passive and active social media presence. Passive presence refers to the information that is available about a salesperson online, such as their LinkedIn profile and any content they have created or shared. Active presence, on the other hand, refers to the way a salesperson engages with their network and contributes to online conversations. One of the key statistics mentioned in the episode is that 84% of C-level executives use social media to influence their B2B purchase decisions. This highlights the importance of salespeople having a strong online presence and engaging with decision-makers early in the sales process. The hosts also reference insights from the Supero social selling benchmark, which has shown that increasing stakeholder engagement can significantly impact sales velocity. Interestingly, the discussion also touches on some of the finer points of digital communication etiquette. The hosts share their thoughts on appropriate keyboard use during video calls and discuss the occasional need to end calls abruptly due to time constraints. As the episode draws to a close, the hosts reiterate their key message: in a world where all else is equal, a strong personal brand can be the deciding factor in sales success. They encourage listeners to start small and focus on consistency in their personal branding efforts. Finally, the hosts preview the topic for their next episode, which will focus on how salespeople can engage with decision-makers at the highest levels of an organisation.

July 26, 2024Episode 927 min

How To Grow Influence With Your Territory, on Social

Welcome to another insightful episode of "Walking Digital Corridors." Hosted by the dynamic trio of Alex Abbott, Jordan Abbott, and Jensen Abbott, this episode delves deep into the strategic intricacies of leveraging social media to grow influence within your sales territory. Alex, often referred to as "the bearded sales guy," Jordan, who goes by "the sales poet," and Jensen, the razor-sharp yet easygoing strategist, come together to impart their collective wisdom, sharing actionable insights and engaging anecdotes. Episode Highlights The episode kicks off with Alex and Jordan indulging in light-hearted banter about beards and personal grooming. This casual start sets a relatable tone and eases the audience into the discussion about the day's topic—a clever technique for immediately capturing listener interest. Jensen joins them with his characteristic wit, setting the stage for a robust discussion on social selling and storytelling. The Importance of Social Selling Alex introduces the primary thematic focus: how to successfully leverage social media for sales. He highlights questions that often arise in training sessions: 1. What does your territory look like? 2. How well connected are you within those accounts on LinkedIn? These questions serve as the foundational pillars for the ensuing discussion. Alex emphasises the significance of being visible within your target accounts and the potency of having a strategic network. Flipping the Funnel and Strategic Networking Jordan elaborates on the concept of "flipping the funnel," arguing that traditional sales approaches are becoming increasingly obsolete. Instead, by leveraging one's strategic network, sales professionals can broaden their reach and improve engagement. This reframing isn't just about making a call; it’s about cultivating a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy to engage multiple stakeholders. They discuss three core questions that help define this strategic network: 1. Who within your territory could influence purchasing decisions? 2. Who are the partners that already have a foot in the door? 3. Who are the influencers and micro-influencers within your industry? This comprehensive episode provides an invaluable roadmap for sales professionals looking to navigate the complexities of modern digital selling, making it a must-listen for anyone aiming to elevate their social selling strategy.

July 12, 2024Episode 825 min

How to Measure the Effectiveness of Multi-threading

Hey everyone, it's Alex Abbott here, aka the Bearded Sales Guy. In our latest episode of Walking Digital Corridors, we dove deep into the power of multithreading in sales. We explored how engaging multiple stakeholders within your target organization can dramatically increase your win rates. We also broke down strategic networking and the impact of leveraging social media for meaningful engagement. If you're struggling with pipeline and decision-making, you can't afford to miss this. Tune in now to get actionable insights and boost your sales game!

July 11, 2024Episode 728 min

Storytelling to Build Consensus & Close Deals

Hey, everyone! It's the Bearded Sales Guy from Walking Digital Corridors. In our latest episode, we dived deep into the power of storytelling in sales. We shared real-life scenarios of overcoming roadblocks, like budget constraints and internal reorganisations, by leveraging short, impactful stories. With storytelling, you not only capture hearts but also build consensus and close deals. Big thanks to Jordan and Jensen for sharing their insights. Don't miss out—tune in to learn how you can arm your champions with stories to inspire action and win those deals! Listen now!

June 18, 2024Episode 628 min

The Power of Storytelling for Differentiation

Hey there, it's Alex from Walking Digital Corridors! In our latest episode, we dove into the power of storytelling for differentiation in sales. We discussed how crafting the right success story can set you apart in competitive markets. Key takeaways include framing customers as heroes, injecting unpredictability to engage, and ensuring every story has a clear business point. Remember, facts tell, but stories sell. And our buyers remember how we make the feel, the emotions they felt in the conversation, not the facts that we spew! Tune in and learn how to make your success stories unforgettable. Catch the full episode now!

June 6, 2024Episode 521 min

Storytelling & The B2B Sales Process; When To Tell The Right Story?

Hey there, business builders! I'm Alex Abbott, and today on Walking Digital Corridors, we dived into the art of storytelling in the B2B sales process. We explored the critical moments to share personal and company stories that build trust, differentiate you and your product, and help close deals. Remember, stories forge connections and drive decisions. Ready to captivate your audience and boost your sales? Tune in to our latest episode and master the power of impactful storytelling! This is Alex Abbott aka the Bearded Sales Guy, empowering you for success. Keep moving forward! 🎙️ 🔑 **Key Takeaways:** The Stages of B2B Sales and Storytelling: Understand the four stages of a B2B purchase process and the importance of storytelling at each stage to make a connection, differentiate yourself, and build consensus. Personal Connection is Everything: Before you dive into success stories, make sure to share your personal story. This helps build trust and rapport with potential buyers. Remember, people buy from those they know, like, and trust. Crafting a Combined Story for Impact: Learn how to seamlessly blend your personal story with your company's story. This not only showcases your authenticity but also clearly communicates your business's value to the buyer. 🛠️ Tune in for practical tips and insights that you can implement right away to enhance your B2B sales process through the art of storytelling.

May 30, 2024Episode 424 min

Where does the value prop start, and when should value be positioned?

Welcome to Walking Digital Corridors. Today we dove into the essence of the value proposition in B2B sales and marketing. We explored the challenges of traditional funnels, discussed the importance of personal branding, and how building meaningful relationships can help cut through market noise (easier said than done!). We emphasised that combining personal and company value props through storytelling and strategic networking is key to standing out. This approach isn't just theory; it's proven to increase engagement and pipeline efficiency. Until next time, keep walking those digital corridors with purpose!