In the 60s and 70s, the Bell phone system had a catchy commercial slogan I remember to this day: “Long distance. It’s the next best thing to being there.” It was all about extolling the virtues of connecting with far away loved ones via super expensive long distance phone calls.
It made me wonder if that jingle still rings true today when it comes to how inside sales reps—and increasingly outside ones—are spending more time connecting with prospects and customers remotely versus face-to-face.
In a recent survey conducted with InsideSales.com, we asked more than 300 inside and outside salespeople about their “virtual” sales conversations. On average, 61% of respondents conduct at least half of their meetings over the phone or web. A significant slice—37%—conduct 75% or more of their conversations in non-face-to-face environments.
Whether it’s inside or outside sales reps, one thing is clear: virtual sales meetings are a big deal. But are they “the next best thing to being there?”
There are many opinions, but not much actual research—until now.
In collaboration with the International Journal of Sales Transformation and Dr. Nick Lee, a professor at Warwick Business School, we conducted a research simulation designed to answer one pivotal question: How do you become more remarkable and compelling in phone or web conference selling environments?
Our new report, produced in partnership with InsideSales.com, covers that research and all its implications for your virtual sales conversations. The results break with much conventional wisdom about selling in these environments—and chart a new path forward to increase value communication when your prospects and customers are not in the same room with you.
To Increase Value Delivery, View the report for Successful Sales Call Tips: