Category Archives: Sales / Traction

Ep. 045 – Top 10 Red Flag Sales Rep. Expressions

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350x350-2Is emotion running your sales process? In this episode, host Tom Ryan explains the importance of keeping your sales team objective, and how to recognize when a sales rep is letting their optimism overrule their critical perspective. And what better way to explore this topic than with a top 10 list?

Join Tom and co-host Jason Pyles for this fun discussion about the things sales reps say that should set off all kinds of alarms for entrepreneurs and business owners. These are phrases are warning signs that deals aren’t quite coming together, that meetings didn’t go as well anticipated, or that situations aren’t as favorable as hoped for. Continue reading →

Ep. 044 – Why Sales Is Vital For Building Traction

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350x350-6Do you know what the most important core process is when it comes to building traction for your business? The answer might surprise you. In this episode, host Tom Ryan explores the importance of building a strong sales process in attracting outside investment.

Joined by co-host Jason Pyles, Tom examines why sales is such a key element for creating traction, why investors place a strong sales process at a premium, and why so many startups struggle to develop this core part of their business. Continue reading →

Ep. 043 – The Importance of Traction

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350x350-5In this episode, host Tom Ryan discusses the importance of traction for startups seeking investment. But what is traction, exactly? And how can a young, vulnerable business gain traction to increase their business momentum?

Joined by co-host Jason Pyles, Tom takes listeners through a step-by-step examination of traction, from understanding its importance to investors to exploring some of the most common indicators that a business is gaining real momentum. Continue reading →

Ep. 024 – Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business Part 8: Identifying Your Prospective Customers

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Today’s episode is a continuation of the series, “Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business,” which was initiated by one of the show’s listeners, Kathy. She is making the shift from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, and is in the process of starting her first business; she asks, “What do you suggest that I consider and avoid before taking the leap of faith?” Tom discusses the eighth thing to remember before starting your business, knowing your customers.

Key Takeaways
A big part of telling your story includes knowing who your audience is, and today’s episode delves deeper getting to know your customers. Tom offers five tips to accomplish this in your own business.

Tip 1: Ask them

The first thing you must do is get out there and seek immediate and direct feedback from your audience or prospective audience. There’s no better way to figure out what someone is thinking than to go out and ask them. In order to do this, use whatever means you have to connect and test out your assumptions. Different ways include Continue reading →

Ep. 019 – Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business Part 4: Learning How to Sell

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Hello fellow entrepreneurs! Today on Episode 19 of the Success in Business Podcast your host Tom Ryan continues his 10-part series on things to consider before starting your business. Tom delivers realistic advice and expectations for your startup. It doesn’t matter what stage of business development you are at, sales are supremely important. Develop sales as part of your DNA. Own, don’t rent, this core competency. You’ll love it! Continue reading →

Ep. 013: How to Calculate Your Price Point, Part 2

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Good morning! Today on Episode 13 of the Success in Business Podcast your host Tom Ryan gives the second half of his answer to the listener voicemail question about pricing your product. Given that Nikki is interested in the health food market, Tom references his work consulting health food companies, but this advice applies to any industry. Sinless Raw Foods, Lusty Monk Mustard and Chipotle are fantastic examples! Networking can be incredibly helpful. Tom also teaches us how to conduct market surveys and assess the conditions of the market you’re breaking into! Join us! Continue reading →

Ep. 012: How to Calculate Your Price Point, Part 1

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Good morning! Today on Episode 12 of the Success in Business Podcast your host Tom Ryan answers a listener question from Nikki. She’s asking about how to price her product. You may have struggled with the same dilemma. Tom teaches us how to determine our costs and assess our competition. There are many things to take into consideration to make sure that you properly place your product in the market. Tom shares a ton of information for entrepreneurs! Join us! Continue reading →

Ep. 008: How to Attract Investors

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Good morning! Today on Episode 8 of the Success in Business Podcast your host Tom Ryan discusses the steps you’ll need to take in order to make your company attractive to investors. As an entrepreneur and investor himself, he knows exactly what investors are looking for. What are the core competencies that you should be able to demonstrate? Most importantly, Tom reminds us how critical it is to have repeatable, scaleable systems in place! Join us! Continue reading →

Ep. 005: Your First Appointment With a Qualified Buyer

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Good morning fellow entrepreneurs! Today on Episode 5 of the Success in Business Podcast your host Tom Ryan demystifies sales for you. Understand the break down of the sales process so that when you get your first appointment with a qualified buyer you are ready! Continue reading →

Ep. 004: What is the Least “Expensive” Form of Capital?

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Welcome to Episode 004 of the Success in Business Podcast with Tom Ryan. In this show, Tom explains that the right sales foundation is the least “expensive” form of capital. So, what exactly are the four components of a sales foundation? Join us! Continue reading →