How the Deal was Done | Deal Stories Podcast

Donald Kelly, highlights the challenges and strategies involved in closing a large-scale deal with a school district. Kelly shares insights on the importance of acting as a consultant rather than an order taker and the lessons learned from navigating a complex sales process.

Background: Donald Kelly transitioned from various sales roles into the founder of a sales training firm and podcast host. The deal discussed was with a school district, involving document management solutions, taking two years to close, and was valued at approximately $150,000. Challenges: Gaining access to key decision-makers and influencers beyond the purchasing director, and navigating a lengthy and specific buying cycle within the school district. Initially lacking a comprehensive understanding of the client's deep-rooted problems and the need to custom tailor solutions beyond standard offerings. Key learnings: The importance of establishing relationships with key stakeholders and understanding their personal and professional motivations for the deal. Adopting a consultant mindset, focusing on value and impact rather than price, and the necessity of thorough preparation and adaptability in sales strategies. Timestamps: The Sales Evangelist Journey (0:01:41-0:03:41) Overcoming Podcasting Challenges (0:03:41-0:06:19) Navigating a Complex School District Sale (0:06:19-0:11:22) Strategic Planning and Board Approval (0:16:45-0:19:29) Lessons Learned and Wrap-up (0:19:29-0:26:50) Connect with Donald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldckelly/ Listen to Donald's Podcast here: The Sales Evangelist Donald KellyApplehttps://podcasts.apple.com › podcast › the-sales-evangelist Thank you to OrgChartHub for Sponsoring this episode. OrgChartHub helps HubSpot customers get big deals done since 2018. Learn more at OrgChartHub.com/podcast Questions, comments, ideas - reach out to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewkappel/