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April 2026

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1: “A lot of people enjoy the Geico gecko commercials,” Erik Peterson and Tim Riesterer write in their book Conversations That Win the Complex Sale.

“They’re fun, and they get your attention,” the authors note.

Beyond entertainment, these commercials clearly communicate Geico’s main value proposition in just 30 seconds: “Fifteen minutes can save you 15 percent or more on your car insurance.”

“It’s perfect,” they note. “Simple, specific, and … continue reading

1: A prospect has a problem.

They reach out to you and two of your competitors.

“What words and phrases do you think your competitors will use to describe their products and services?”  Erik Peterson and Tim Riesterer write in their powerful book Conversations That Win the Complex Sale.

Here are some likely possibilities:

  • Customer-focused
  • Flexible
  • World-class
  • Easy to use
  • Scalable
  • Comprehensive
  • Total solution

“Now ask yourself,” they suggest, … continue reading

1: You are stuck.

“If only your prospects knew as much about your company and its solutions as you do, they would buy from you, right?” Erik Peterson and Tim Riesterer write in their powerful book Conversations That Win the Complex Sale.

Not so fast, the authors suggest.

Erik and Tim emphasize the importance of finding your unique story and point of view as a salesperson. This is essential … continue reading

1: Let’s go back in time to when you were dating. Perhaps that is you right now.

“Now, what happens to you when you go out on your first date?” Erik Peterson and Tim Riesterer ask in their powerful book Conversations That Win the Complex Sale.

Let’s say you start talking about yourself. And you keep talking about yourself. You spend the whole date talking about yourself.

What’s going … continue reading

1: “So many of my clients tell me profound, beautiful things about their loved ones,” Diane Button writes in her wonderful book What Matters Most: Lessons the Dying Teach Us About Living.

Yet, when asked if they have shared those thoughts or would like to write them down so they can be shared, they often reply, “I’m sure they already know” or “It goes without saying.”

As an end-of-life … continue reading

1: “Every Saturday, a siren goes off in Tim’s quiet suburban community, signaling that it is noontime. No one gives it much attention around town,” Erik Peterson and Tim Riesterer write in their terrific book Conversations That Win the Complex Sale.

It’s just the “noon whistle,” people say.

But the same siren is also used to signal a severe weather emergency.

“As a result,” the authors note, “the same … continue reading

1: “If you’re like most sales professionals, you think a successful client relationship is one in which everyone is always smiling,” Erik Peterson and Tim Riesterer write in their powerful book Conversations That Win the Complex Sale.

You intuitively believe your job is to keep clients happy, as if being well-liked is the goal.

You send birthday wishes. You inquire about their kids. You do whatever it takes to … continue reading