I spotted a few people gathering beside the highway with their cars parked at the emergency lane. Just as I guessed – car accident.

I feel sad for them; It’s so unfortunate and dangerous whenever something like this happens because it endangers their life, their family’s lives, people around them and not to forget their precious car.

Now, moving back to sales, there are sales accidents that can be costly too and you might just lose that $500,000 sale. Here’s how a salesperson can avoid sales accidents.

Maneuvering your ride

When you drive, you observe how others drive and you maneuver around it. When someone cuts in, you break, or when someone drives slowly, you overtake him. In sales, when prospects object, you must know how to tackle it effectively or when they negotiate, you have to know how to negotiate a better deal.

That’s how you reach your destination safely and that’s how you get your sales.

Spotting subtle signals

When drivers put on their signal to turn, you know that they are going to make that turn in that junction ahead. In sales, prospects will give signals where you need to know if you should back off, persuade, or go for the close.

Most salespeople have problems noticing these signals and they end up getting the phone slammed, getting shouted or worse, not going for the close when the customer is all ready to sign that contract.

So look out for that sign. It’s there, and only trained salespeople know how to spot them.

What car are you driving?

The car matters. Some cars are made for speed, some for comfort, and some for off road driving. It is important to know what your car is good at and use it to your advantage. Likewise, know your product and use its strength to sell to your buyers. Whenever buyers give objections, use your Unique Selling Proposition (USP).

Any sale can be closed if you know your USP.

Reckless driving kills

Driving recklessly will eventually land you in trouble. In sales, if you are reckless in your sales process, you’ll lose that sale. Sales recklessness could mean you prospect aimlessly, lousy follow-ups, horrible pitching, or bad negotiation skills (always giving discounts).

If salespeople are careless in these areas and hope that sales will be closed, that would be based on luck. Reckless drivers who hope that they won’t get into an accident one day is basing that on luck.

If you want to close more sales, stop being reckless. Learn the proper way to close sales with the proper techniques. Continue here