Sales-101 Sample Questions Answers

Confirming is thestage in the sales process where the sales representative delivers the proposal and checks in with the prospect on the perceived value and alignment. This stage is also known as the presentation or proposal stage, and it involves demonstrating how the solution meets the prospect’s needs, goals, and challenges, and addressing any objections or concerns. The sales representative should also confirm the decision criteria, timeline, and next steps with the prospect, and ask for their commitment to move forward.Connecting is the stage where the sales representative identifies and reaches out to potential prospects, and establishes rapport and trust. Collaborating is the stage where the sales representative works with the prospect to understand their situation, needs, and desired outcomes, and co-creates a solution that fits their requirements. References: Certification - Sales Representative - Trailhead, [Sales Rep Training: Create Effective Selling Habits - Trailhead]

Empathetic listening is the level of listening that the sales rep is leveraging when they show respect for the customer’s opinion after receiving an objection. An objection is a reason or concern that the customer has for not buying the product or service that the sales rep offers. Empathetic listening is a type of listening that involves understanding and sharing the feelings and emotions of the customer, as well as acknowledging and validating their perspective. Empathetic listening helps to build trust and rapport, reduce resistance, and resolve objections. 

Tracking which opportunities in their pipeline contain items that customers need for an event next month helps the sales rep manage risk by allowing them to expedite these deals if required. Expediting means accelerating or speeding up the delivery or completion of these deals to meet the customer’s urgent or specific needs. Expediting helps to ensure customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention, as well as to increase revenue and profitability.References:https://www.salesforce.com/resources/articles/sales-pipeline/#sales-pipeline-management

Providing unique selling points to the prospect that add value each time is the approach thatthe sales rep should take to communicate with a key prospect. A unique selling point is a feature or benefit of the product that distinguishes it from competitors and appeals to the prospect’s pain points or needs. Providing unique selling points helps toshow how the product can help the prospect succeed and grow, as well as to persuade them to take action.

The duration of a contract is one of the factors that affect the value of a deal, along with the price, terms, and conditions. Longer contracts can increase thecash flow predictability for both the seller and the buyer, as they reduce the uncertainty and variability of future payments and revenues. Longer contracts can also help build stronger and more loyal relationships with customers, as they demonstrate trustand commitment. On the other hand, shorter contracts can increase the risk of losing customers to competitors, as they offer more opportunities for switching or renegotiating. Shorter contracts can also create more pressure on the seller to deliver valuequickly and consistently, as they have less time to prove their worth and earn customer satisfaction. References:

Cert Prep:Salesforce Certified Sales Representative, unit “Assess Risks and Opportunities”

[Sales Rep Training], unit “Create Effective Selling Habits”

A customer-centric proposalis one that emphasizes the value and benefits that the solution will provide to the customer, rather than the features and specifications of the product or service. By focusing more on the anticipated outcomes, the sales rep can show how the solution aligns with the customer’s objectives and needs, and how it will help them achieve their desired results. This will also help the sales rep differentiate themselves from the competition and build trust and credibility with the customer. References:

Cert Prep: Salesforce Certified Sales Representative, Unit 4: Value Selling

[Sales Rep Training], Unit 2: Sell with Value

Salesforce Certified Sales Representative Exam Guide, Section 4: Value Selling

In an industry that's rapidly changing and with increasing channels to engage customers, a junior sales representative can identify the most effective communication methods by collaborating with internal departments. Teams such as marketing, customer service, and others who interact with customers can provide insights into customer preferences and effective communication strategies. This collaborative approach allows for a broader understanding of customer behaviors and trends, leading to more tailored and effective engagement strategies. Salesforce encourages cross-departmental collaboration to leverage diverse insights and expertise, enhancing customer engagement efforts.

Sharing a customer success story is a powerful way to convince a contact to make an introduction to the decisionmaker, as it demonstrates the value and credibility of the sales rep’s solution. A customer success story should include the following elements: the customer’s challenge, the solution they implemented, and the results they achieved. The sales rep should also tailor the story to match the contact’s industry, role, and pain points, and highlight how the solution can help them achieve their goals. By sharing a customer success story, the sales rep can create a sense of urgency and curiosity in the contact, and motivate them to introduce the sales rep to the decision maker who can benefit from the solution as well. References:

Sales Rep Training: Create Effective Selling Habits, unit “Use Customer Success Stories to Sell with Value”.

Cert Prep: Salesforce Certified Sales Representative, unit “Close Deals with Value”.

According to the Salesforce Sales Representative Learning objectives, one of the skills that a sales rep should have is to ensure customer satisfaction through streamlined fulfillment and order management. This includes collaborating with internal teams to handle any special requests or requirements from the customer, such as tax, shipping, or billing issues. By working closely with the relevant departments, the sales rep can ensure that the customer’s tax requirements are met and that the order is processed correctly. This will also help to avoid any delays, errors, or disputes that could affect the customer’s experience and satisfaction. References:

[Sales Rep Training: Prepare Your Team to Sell Successfully], Unit 4: Manage the Order Process

Salesforce Certified Sales Representative Exam Guide, Section 5: Fulfillment and Order Management, Objective 5.2: Given a scenario, demonstrate how to handle special requests or requirements from the customer.

Routinely scrubbing pipeline records and consistently dispositioning deals is a best practice that the sales reps can use to satisfy management and maintain a healthy pipeline. Scrubbing pipeline records means reviewing and updating the status, accuracy, and quality of the opportunities in the pipeline. Dispositioning deals means moving the opportunities to the next stage, closing them as won or lost, or removing them from the pipeline. These practices help to ensure that the pipeline reflects the reality of the sales situation, as well as to identify and prioritize the most promising opportunities.References: https://www.salesforce.com/resources/articles/sales-pipeline/#sales-pipeline-management

The customer role that the sales rep should meet with to address the concernsabout a liability risk is legal. Legal is the customer role that is responsible for reviewing and approving the contractual terms and conditions, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and mitigating any potential risks or liabilities. The sales rep should consult with their own legal team and work collaboratively with the customer’s legal team to resolve any issues or objections, and to finalize the agreement. References: [Sales Rep Training: Negotiate and Close], [Cert Prep: Salesforce Certified Sales Representative: Negotiate and Close]

Focusing on behaviors and attributes that define a quality lead is a way that the sales rep can work with marketing to improve the health of their pipeline. A quality lead is a prospect who has shown interest in the product, has a need or problem that the product can solve, has the authority and budget to make a purchase decision, and is ready to buy within a reasonable time frame. Focusing on quality leads helps to increase conversion rates, reduce salescycles, and optimize resources.References:https://www.salesforce.com/resources/articles/lead-generation/#lead-generation-strategies

When a customer experiences issues with a product after the sale is complete, the sales representative should not pass the responsibility to the service team, nor should theygive up on finding a solution. Instead, the sales representative should escalate the issue to higher-level stakeholders, such as managers, executives, or product experts, and work collaboratively with them and the service team to find a solution that satisfies the customer. This shows the customer that the sales representative cares about their success and is willing to go the extra mile to resolve the issue. References: [Sales Rep Training: Handle Customer Issues], [Cert Prep: Salesforce Certified Sales Representative: Service and Support]

Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a metric that evaluates the loyalty and satisfaction of customers based on how likely they are to recommend a product or service to others. It is calculated by asking customers one question: “On a scale from 0 to 10, how likely are you to recommend this product/service to a friend or colleague?” Customers who respond with a 9 or 10 are considered promoters, customers who respond with a 7 or 8 are considered passives, and customers who respond with a 6 or lower are considered detractors. The NPS is then calculated by subtracting the percentage of detractors from the percentage of promoters. NPScan help sales reps identify their most enthusiastic and loyal customers, as well as those who are at risk of churn or dissatisfaction. NPS can also help sales reps generate referrals, testimonials, and reviews from their promoters, as well as improve their products and services based on the feedback from their detractors and passives. References:

What is Net Promoter Score (NPS)? How to Calculate & Interpret - Hotjar

Net Promoter Score (NPS): The Ultimate Guide - Qualtrics

What is Net Promoter Score (NPS)| Definition and Examples - ProductPlan

Brainstorming, observation, and surveys are three elicitation techniques that the sales rep should use to gain a better understanding of their customer’s business strategies, goals, initiatives, and challenges. Elicitation is the process of gathering information from various sources using different methods. Brainstorming is a technique that involves generating ideas or solutions through creative thinking and collaboration. Observation is a technique that involves watching or monitoring how customers perform their tasks or use their products. Surveys are a technique that involves collecting feedback or opinions from customers using structured questions or scales. References:https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/modules/sales-representative-certification-prep/sales-representative-certification-prep-prepare-for-your-exam

Attending industry conferences is how a sales rep should identify and generate new additions to the pipeline. A pipeline is a set of opportunities or potential customers that a sales rep is pursuing or managing in order to close sales. Attending industry conferences helps to network with prospects or customers who are interested or involved in the same field or market as the sales rep, as well as to showcase their products or services, generate leads, and build relationships.

Determining current products and opportunities to sell additional products is how whitespace analysis can improve a sales rep’s account management strategy. Whitespace analysis is the process of identifying gapsor opportunities in an account where the sales rep can offer more products or services that can add valueto the customer. Whitespace analysis helps to increase revenue, profitability, and customer loyalty, as well as to prevent competitors from enteringthe account.

Determining if the customer needs have changed is a potential benefit of revisiting dead opportunities. Dead opportunities are prospects who did not buy the product for various reasons, such as budget, timing, or fit. Revisiting dead opportunities can help to identify if their situation has changed, if their pain points have increased, or if they are more open to considering the product again.References:https://www.salesforce.com/resources/articles/lead-generation/#lead-generation-strategies

 Analyzing the potential deal size and decision makers’ authority is the best strategy to increase the pipeline health, because it can help the sales rep to prioritize the most valuable and likely opportunities, and focus on influencing the key stakeholders who can approve the purchase.This can increase the average deal size and the win rate, and ultimately help the sales rep to achieve their quota. Being patient or challenging the manager are not effective strategies, because they do not address the root cause of the low pipeline volume, and may result in missed targets or reduced motivation. The sales rep should take proactive actions to improve their pipeline quality and quantity, and seek feedback and guidance from their manager if needed. References: Certification - Sales Representative - Trailhead, [Sales Rep Training: Create Effective Selling Habits - Trailhead]

Business acumen is the ability to understand the business environment, the customer’s industry, and the customer’s specific challenges and goals. A junior sales representative who engages with key accounts to understand their pain points, current solutions, and future goals is growing their business acumen skill. By doing so, they can better align their product or service with the customer’s needs and expectations, and create more value for them. Business acumen isone of the core competencies of a sales professional, as it helps them build credibility, trust, and rapport with the customer, and differentiate themselves from the competition. References:

Cert Prep: Salesforce Certified Sales Representative, unit “Build and Maintain Relationships with Key Accounts”

[Sales Rep Training], unit “Prepare Your Team to Sell Successfully”

Negotiating is the final stage of the sales process, where the sales rep and the customer agree on the terms and conditions of the deal. Negotiating helps to overcome any remaining objections, address any concerns, and close the deal with mutual satisfaction.References: https://www.salesforce.com/resources/articles/sales-process/#negotiate

Gathering prospect contact information is the best place to start for a sales representative whois asked to lead a cold-calling campaign, because it is the first step in identifying and reaching out to potential customers. The sales rep should use various sources and methods to find the names, phone numbers, email addresses, and other relevant details of the prospects who match their ideal customer profile. The sales rep should also verify and update the contact information regularly, and track the results of their calls. Identifying prospect pain points or entering prospect leads into an auto dialerare not the best answers, because they are not the first steps in a cold-calling campaign. Identifying prospect pain points is something that the sales rep should do during or after the call, by asking open-ended questions and listening to the prospect’s needs and challenges. Entering prospect leads into an auto dialer is a tool that the sales rep can use to automate and streamline their calling process, but it requires having the prospect contact information first. References: Certification - Sales Representative - Trailhead, [Sales Rep Training: Create Effective Selling Habits - Trailhead]

Data integrity is the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of data in the pipeline. Data integrity is essential for effective forecasting, reporting, and decision making. A sales representative who works at a heavily siloed company may face challenges in gathering insights for renewals, such as customer satisfaction, usage, feedback, and retention. To improve data integrity in thepipeline working across silos, the sales rep should collaborate with other customer-facing teams, such as service, support, marketing, and product. By sharing information and insights with these teams, the sales rep can gain a holistic view of the customer’s needs, expectations, and challenges, and plan accordingly for renewals. The other options are not effective ways to improve data integrity, as they may compromise customer trust, violate privacy, or reduce profitability. References:

Cert Prep: Salesforce Certified Sales Representative, unit “Assess Risks and Opportunities”

[Sales Rep Training], unit “Create Effective SellingHabits”

Self-awareness, self-management, empathy, and skilled relationships are the four elements of emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions and those of others. Emotional intelligence helps to improve communication, collaboration, and influence in sales.References:https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/modules/emotional-intelligence/emotional-intelligence-introduction

Clarifying questions are the type of questions that the sales rep is leveraging when they encourage the customer to elaborate on their hesitation and responses. Clarifying questions are questions that help to understand, verify, or confirm the information or meaning of what the customer says. Clarifying questions help to avoid confusion, misunderstanding, or miscommunication, as well as to provide relevant information or solutions.References:https://www.salesforce.com/resources/articles/sales-questions/#sales-questions-types

The main objective of a value proposition presentation is to show the prospect how the solution can solve their problems, fulfill their needs, and provide them with benefits that outweigh the costs. A value proposition presentation should highlight the unique features and advantages of the solution, as well as quantify the expected outcomes and ROI for the prospect.References:https://www.salesforce.com/resources/articles/value-proposition/#value-proposition-presentation

Professional competency is the ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills that arerelevant and valuable to the customer. By collecting and processing information on products, competitors, and industries, a sales rep can show their expertise, credibility, and confidence in providing solutions that meet the customer’s needs and expectations. References:https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/modules/sales-representative-certification-prep/sales-representative-certification-prep-prepare-for-your-exam

Account planning is the business capability that can help a sales representative foster team selling, increase customer satisfaction, and decrease customer attrition at a critical account. Account planning is the process of creating and executing a strategic plan for each key account, based on the account’s goals, challenges, needs, and opportunities. Account planning helps the sales representative to align with the account team, understand the customer’s business and industry, identify and prioritize the most valuable opportunities, and deliver personalized solutions that drive customer success and loyalty. References: [Sales Rep Training: Plan for Success], [Cert Prep: Salesforce Certified Sales Representative:Plan for Success]

People are what the sales rep should focus on to create and maintain a trusted connection that supports the customer’s strategic priorities and requirements. People are the individuals or groups who are involved in or affected bythe customer’s business decisions, such as stakeholders, decision makers, influencers, endusers, etc. Focusing on people helps to understand their roles, needs, goals, preferences, and emotions, as well as to build rapport, trust, and loyalty with them.

A forecast is a projection of how much revenue you can generate in a quarter. A forecast rollup is the aggregation of a set of opportunities based on three dimensions: time, categories, and territories. Time refers to the fiscal period, such as month or quarter, that the forecast covers. Categories refer to the stages of the sales process, such as commit, best case, or pipeline. Territories refer to the sales regions or markets that the forecast applies to. References:

Certification - Sales Representative - Trailhead

Cert Prep: Salesforce Certified Sales Representative - Trailhead

[Forecasting Guide - Salesforce Help]

Providing timely support and training is one of the best ways to ensure the customer has a great experience with the product. Support and training help the customer to use the product effectively, efficiently, and confidently, as well as to troubleshoot any issues or challenges they may encounter. Support and training also help to build trust, loyalty, and retention with the customer.References:https://www.salesforce.com/resources/articles/customer-service/#customer-service-tips

A champion is a type of customer who is loyal to the sales rep, likely to recommend their solution, and well respected in their organization. A champion can help the sales rep gain access to new buyers by influencing their decision-making process, providing referrals and testimonials,and advocating for the solution within their organization.References:https://www.salesforce.com/resources/articles/sales-champion/#sales-champion-definition

A summary is a closure practice that the sales rep should use to gain a commitment with a prospect who is in discussions with multiple vendors. A summary is a concise recap of the valueproposition of the solution, highlighting how it addresses the prospect’s pain points and needs, and delivers tangible benefits and outcomes. A summary helps to reinforce the value of the solution, differentiate it from competitors, and persuade the prospect to take action.References:https://www.salesforce.com/resources/articles/sales-process/#close

Tailoring a message to meet a target audience’s needs is how a sales rep should use a client profile during the sales process. A client profile is a document that summarizesthe characteristics, preferences, and behaviors of a specific segment or group of customers. A message is a communication or presentation that the sales rep delivers to the customers to persuade them to buy their product or service. Tailoring a message helps to show relevance, value, and differentiation to the target audience, as well as to capture their attention and interest.