I believe that when W. D. Boyce founded the Boy Scouts of America in 1910 he selected "Be Prepared" as the organisation's motto, because he understood that preparation was the key to unlock the door of opportunity.
Being prepared for an appointment gives the salesperson a major competitive edge and boosts his or her self-confidence, credibility, and professional image. Prospects are truly impressed when they meet with a salesperson who has taken the time to customise his or her presentation. Two thousand years ago the Roman philosopher Seneca remarked that "luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Here are some time-proven suggestions to help you prepare a customised presentation the next time you get the opportunity meet with a prospect:
I've never met a salesperson who admitted to losing a sale because he or she spent too much time preparing for the appointment. The twenty minutes or so that you invest in researching your prospect's company, products, and services is a smart business decision that will yield huge dividends during your appointment. If you want to improve your professional image, build rapport with your prospect, and dramatically increase your sales effectiveness, I suggest that you take a tip from the Boy Scouts and always "Be Prepared!"