Customer Feedback in Sales

Handle objections like a six-figure salesperson It’s not about talent—it’s about preparation. Here’s how to tackle objections effectively: → Anticipate common objections, plan your responses. → Reframe objections into opportunities to add value. → Practice these strategies until they become second nature. 👉 Get more cheat sheets like this: sign up for SalesDaily Premium: salesdaily.co/upgrade Here are 12 common sales objections and how to respond to them: 1.) We’re already working with another vendor. ⇢ Acknowledge their loyalty and ask what they value most. ⇢ Differentiate by emphasizing areas where you outperform competitors. ⇢ Ask: “What’s one thing you wish they did better?” 2.) This isn’t a priority. ⇢ Show understanding and suggest exploring how you can prevent a specific problem later. ⇢ Ask: “Would a quick chat now help for when it does become a priority?” 3.) We don’t have the budget. ⇢ Use humor or empathy to acknowledge their constraints. ⇢ Offer a preview so they can assess if it should be on their radar for next year. ⇢ Ask: “Would that work for you?” 4.) I need to think about it. ⇢ Respect their hesitation and offer to schedule a follow-up. ⇢ Ask: “What specific questions are still on your mind?” 5.) Send me an email. ⇢ Agree but provide context to ensure relevance. ⇢ Ask: “Would these outcomes align with what you’re focused on now?” 6.) I’m not interested. ⇢ Subtly acknowledge their position while offering value. ⇢ Ask: “Would exploring this together make sense before deciding further?” 7.) Where did you have my number from? ⇢ Clarify politely and explain where you found their contact information. ⇢ Reassure them by tying your outreach to their goals. 8.) Your price is too high. ⇢ Acknowledge their concern and reframe the conversation to focus on value. ⇢ Ask: “Do you feel confident our solution would help you achieve your goals?” 9.) We’re happy with what we have. ⇢ Validate their satisfaction but share examples of clients who improved despite being content initially. ⇢ Ask: “Would you be open to exploring potential gains on your end?” 10.) Call me back in 4 months. ⇢ Agree and ask what’s expected to change in that timeframe. ⇢ Probe lightly to uncover urgency: “Would anything make it worth discussing sooner?” 11.) I’m not interested. ⇢ Acknowledge their decision and highlight how their role impacts outcomes. ⇢ Ask indirectly: “Would it make sense to explore other perspectives before deciding?” 12.) We tried something similar before, and it didn’t work. ⇢ Avoid sounding defensive and reframe the conversation by emphasizing how you’re different. ⇢ Transition back to the pitch confidently: “Let’s dive in, and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.” Preparation is the key to handling objections confidently. Save this guide, adapt these responses to fit your style, and turn challenges into opportunities. Want a high-res version of this cheat sheet? 👉 Sign up for salesdaily.co

Something remarkable happened when we started bringing Customer Success leaders into our sales conversations. The traditional sales process transformed into a strategic partnership discussion that benefited everyone involved. After implementing this approach across hundreds of deals, we discovered benefits that went far beyond our initial expectations. Sales teams gained a deeper understanding of post-implementation challenges, which helped them qualify opportunities more effectively. Instead of focusing solely on closing deals, they began asking questions about operational readiness, internal champions, and resource allocation. Prospects received authentic insights into what successful implementation truly requires. Our CS leaders shared real examples of customers who thrived and openly discussed common obstacles they might face. This transparency built trust and helped prospects make informed decisions. Better aligned customer expectations from day one. When CS leaders joined these conversations, they highlighted potential roadblocks and success metrics based on similar customer profiles. This practical guidance helped prospects understand the work required to achieve their desired outcomes. This early involvement proved invaluable for our CS team. They gained visibility into the customer's vision before contracts were signed, allowing them to proactively plan resources and create tailored onboarding strategies. A surprising result was the reduction in "rescue" situations during implementation. We eliminated many issues that typically surfaced months into the relationship by addressing potential challenges during sales discussions. The data supported our approach. Deals that included CS leaders showed 40% higher implementation success rates and 25% faster time-to-value. More importantly, these customers renewed at significantly higher rates. For those considering this approach, start small. Choose strategic opportunities where CS insights could substantially impact the prospect's decision-making process. Document the outcomes and refine your strategy based on that feedback. Great customer relationships begin with the very first conversation.

Most sales VPs I talk to are frustrated. Their teams hit numbers sporadically. Deals slip. Reps plateau. They feel like they're babysitting adults instead of leading high performers. (Is this you?) Here's what I learned scaling teams to multiple 9 figures while hitting President's Club every single year: → High performance isn't about talent. It's about systems. The same 3 pillar system I used as a frontline leader (and now teach to sales VPs at 8 and 9-figure companies) can transform your team from reactive to proactive. PILLAR 1: Systematic Weekly 1-on-1s Not check ins. Performance drivers. 🔹Have THEM verbalize their numbers 🔹Review specific action items from last week 🔹Set crystal clear next actions (so specific a 2nd grader could understand) 🔹Use a pre-meeting form to drive self-awareness PILLAR 2: Weekly Scoreboards Visibility drives behavior. Period. 🔹Stack rank by your most important KPI 🔹Send every Monday morning 🔹Everyone sees where they stand 🔹Celebrate top performers publicly PILLAR 3: Strategic Call Shadowing This is where transformation happens. 🔹Plan monthly in advance 🔹Require agenda with minimum 3 calls 🔹Coach in real-time, not a week later 🔹Start with what they did well, then max 3 improvements If your AE can't prepare a solid half day for their sales leader, what are they doing when you're not watching? The result of this system: → Reps know exactly where they stand and what to do next → Problems surface early, not at quarter-end → Your team CRAVES feedback because they know it drives results → You hit bigger numbers without needing heroics every quarter Bottom line: Stop managing by hope. Start leading with systems. Your team (and your numbers) will thank you. — Ready to systemize your sales leadership? Book a call to see how we can implement this in your organization: https://lnkd.in/ghh8VCaf

Every company says they listen to customers. But most just hear them. There's a difference. After spending years building feedback loops, here's what I've learned: Feedback isn't about collecting data. It's about creating change. Most companies fail at feedback because: - They send random surveys - They collect scattered feedback - They store insights in silos - They never close the loop The result? Frustrated customers. Missed opportunities. Lost revenue. Here's how to build real feedback loops: 1. Gather feedback intelligently - NPS isn't enough - CSAT tells half the story - One channel never works Instead: - Run targeted post-interaction surveys - Conduct deep-dive customer interviews - Analyze product usage patterns - Monitor support conversations - Build customer advisory boards - Track social mentions 2. Create a single source of truth - Consolidate feedback from everywhere - Tag and categorize insights - Track trends over time - Make it accessible to everyone 3. Turn feedback into action - Prioritize based on impact - Align with business goals - Create clear ownership - Set implementation timelines But here's the most important part: Close the loop. When customers give feedback: - Acknowledge it immediately - Update them on progress - Show them implemented changes - Demonstrate their impact The biggest mistakes I see: Feedback Overload: - Collecting too much data - No clear action plan - Analysis paralysis Biased Collection: - Listening to the loudest voices - Ignoring silent majority - Over-indexing on complaints Slow Response: - Taking months to act - No progress updates - Lost customer trust Remember: Good feedback loops aren't about tools. They're about trust. Every piece of feedback is a customer saying: "I care enough to help you improve." Don't waste that trust. The best companies don't just collect feedback. They turn it into visible change. They show customers their voice matters. They build trust through action. Start small: 1. Pick one feedback channel 2. Create a clear process 3. Act quickly on insights 4. Show results 5. Scale what works Your customers are talking. Are you really listening? More importantly, are you acting? What's your approach to customer feedback? How do you close the loop? ------------------ ▶️ Want to see more content like this and also connect with other CS & SaaS enthusiasts? You should join Tidbits. We do short round-ups a few times a week to help you learn what it takes to be a top-notch customer success professional. Join 1999+ community members! 💥 [link in the comments section]

Getting the right feedback will transform your job as a PM. More scalability, better user engagement, and growth. But most PMs don’t know how to do it right. Here’s the Feedback Engine I’ve used to ship highly engaging products at unicorns & large organizations: — Right feedback can literally transform your product and company. At Apollo, we launched a contact enrichment feature. Feedback showed users loved its accuracy, but... They needed bulk processing. We shipped it and had a 40% increase in user engagement. Here’s how to get it right: — 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟭: 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 Most PMs get this wrong. They collect feedback randomly with no system or strategy. But remember: your output is only as good as your input. And if your input is messy, it will only lead you astray. Here’s how to collect feedback strategically: → Diversify your sources: customer interviews, support tickets, sales calls, social media & community forums, etc. → Be systematic: track feedback across channels consistently. → Close the loop: confirm your understanding with users to avoid misinterpretation. — 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟮: 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘇𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 Analyzing feedback is like building the foundation of a skyscraper. If it’s shaky, your decisions will crumble. So don’t rush through it. Dive deep to identify patterns that will guide your actions in the right direction. Here’s how: Aggregate feedback → pull data from all sources into one place. Spot themes → look for recurring pain points, feature requests, or frustrations. Quantify impact → how often does an issue occur? Map risks → classify issues by severity and potential business impact. — 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟯: 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 Now comes the exciting part: turning insights into action. Execution here can make or break everything. Do it right, and you’ll ship features users love. Mess it up, and you’ll waste time, effort, and resources. Here’s how to execute effectively: Prioritize ruthlessly → focus on high-impact, low-effort changes first. Assign ownership → make sure every action has a responsible owner. Set validation loops → build mechanisms to test and validate changes. Stay agile → be ready to pivot if feedback reveals new priorities. — 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟰: 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 What can’t be measured, can’t be improved. If your metrics don’t move, something went wrong. Either the feedback was flawed, or your solution didn’t land. Here’s how to measure: → Set KPIs for success, like user engagement, adoption rates, or risk reduction. → Track metrics post-launch to catch issues early. → Iterate quickly and keep on improving on feedback. — In a nutshell... It creates a cycle that drives growth and reduces risk: → Collect feedback strategically. → Analyze it deeply for actionable insights. → Act on it with precision. → Measure its impact and iterate. — P.S. How do you collect and implement feedback?

Why Your Sales Team Isn't Hitting Targets and HOW TO FIX IT 📊Today many businesses struggle with declining sales performance, and one of my clients - a mid-sized tech firm, faced this very issue. Despite having a talented team, they consistently missed their sales targets, leading to frustration and dwindling morale. They started sales coaching with me, and here's how we started and turned things around. Conducting Diagnosis: Understanding the Core Issues through a sales audit, and after an initial assessment, it became evident that several factors contributed to the poor performance. These are listed broadly as follows: 🚫Lack of Clear Goals: The sales team didn’t have well-defined, achievable targets. They were chasing numbers without a strategic plan. 🌀Inadequate Training: Despite their talent, the team lacked training in the latest sales techniques and tools. There was also an inefficient sales process at play. 🗯Poor Communication: There was a significant disconnect between the sales team and other departments, leading to missed opportunities and misunderstandings. 📌Low Motivation: Constant failure to meet targets had demoralized the team, impacting their productivity and drive. To address these issues, we implemented a comprehensive coaching and facilitation program focusing on well executed strategies: 🎯 Setting SMART Goals - to give the team clear direction and purpose. Fine tuning the sales process also contributed to efficiency. 💪Enhanced Training - on advanced sales techniques, product knowledge, and customer engagement strategies. 🧲Optimizing the Sales Process - by identify the bottlenecks and making necessary adjustments, we ensure that the process is customer-focused and aligns with their buying journey. 🎎Improving Communication - by establishing regular cross-departmental meetings and open communication channels to ensure everyone was on the same page. 👊Motivation and Incentives - by introducing a reward system to recognize and celebrate achievements, boosting morale and encouraging a healthy competitive spirit. Within three months, there was a complete transformation - the team had a high morale and camaraderie. Soon, they not only met but also exceeded their sales targets, achieving a 30% increase in sales. The clear goals, enhanced skills, and improved communication fostered a collaborative and motivated environment. The client’s sales performance skyrocketed, and the once-struggling team became a powerhouse of productivity and success. ✨✨ Need help identifying and fixing the issues in your sales team? Contact me for expert guidance and tailored solutions! 📌https://lnkd.in/dGGM5vCK #sonniasingh #sonniasinghleadershipcoach #salescoaching #salesoptimization #businessresults #SalesPerformance #SalesTargets #TeamMotivation #SalesTraining #SalesProcess #SalesLeadership

Surveys can serve an important purpose. We should use them to fill holes in our understanding of the customer experience or build better models with the customer data we have. As surveys tell you what customers explicitly choose to share, you should not be using them to measure the experience. Surveys are also inherently reactive, surface level, and increasingly ignored by customers who are overwhelmed by feedback requests. This is fact. There’s a different way. Some CX leaders understand that the most critical insights come from sources customers don’t even realize they’re providing from the “exhaust” of every day life with your brand. Real-time digital behavior, social listening, conversational analytics, and predictive modeling deliver insights that surveys alone never will. Voice and sentiment analytics, for example, go beyond simply reading customer comments. They reveal how customers genuinely feel by analyzing tone, frustration, or intent embedded within interactions. Behavioral analytics, meanwhile, uncover friction points by tracking real customer actions across websites or apps, highlighting issues users might never explicitly complain about. Predictive analytics are also becoming essential for modern CX strategies. They anticipate customer needs, allowing businesses to proactively address potential churn, rather than merely reacting after the fact. The capability can also help you maximize revenue in the experiences you are delivering (a use case not discussed often enough). The most forward-looking CX teams today are blending traditional feedback with these deeper, proactive techniques, creating a comprehensive view of their customers. If you’re just beginning to move beyond a survey-only approach, prioritizing these more advanced methods will help ensure your insights are not only deeper but actionable in real time. Surveys aren’t dead (much to my chagrin), but relying solely on them means leaving crucial insights behind. While many enterprises have moved beyond surveys, the majority are still overly reliant on them. And when you get to mid-market or small businesses? The survey slapping gets exponentially worse. Now is the time to start looking beyond the questionnaire and your Likert scales. The email survey is slowly becoming digital dust. And the capabilities to get you there are readily available. How are you evolving your customer listening strategy beyond traditional surveys? #customerexperience #cxstrategy #customerinsights #surveys

Survey response rates: the most common challenge I hear in demos. But honestly, it’s not the customer’s fault. It’s yours. Let me explain. Example 1: You want to survey people who took a test drive but didn’t buy. You send them an email or SMS. Response rate? Zero. Of course, they’re not your customers yet. Why would they bother? Try this: Don’t send a survey. Call them. Have a real conversation. Example 2: You’re a new bank. Your customers are retired professionals aged 60+. You send them a feedback email. Will they reply? Unlikely. Try this: Use WhatsApp. Then call. (We’ve seen surprising response rates on WhatsApp in this segment.) Example 3: You’re an NBFC, and your customers are in Tier 3/Tier 4 cities. And you send… an email? Try this: WhatsApp. Then call. Example 4: You’re an airline, and you send a survey 2 weeks after the flight. Do you think they even remember the experience? If you want better response rates: --Be in your customer’s shoes --Choose the right channel for your audience --Ask at the right time --Most importantly, don’t let feedback sit in a dashboard. Act on it. And let the customer know. That’s how you earn feedback. Not with reminders, but with respect. #VoiceOfCustomer #ResponseRates #CustomerFeedback #CustomerExperience

The Voice of the Customer (VoC) can be your secret weapon in making smarter decisions. This valuable data is a treasure trove of insights that can help analysts truly understand what customers are thinking. Whether it comes from online reviews, social media posts, or survey responses, VoC data provides real-time feedback on what matters most to your target audience. But simply collecting this data isn't enough; it's important to analyze and make sense of it. This is where tools like Topic Models come into play. See the example below used to visualize three of the themes that emerged from a few thousand hotel reviews posted by customers to an online review site. These models categorize feedback into important themes such as pricing, customer service, or product quality, allowing you to uncover the driving forces behind customer sentiment by seeing the words they use when speaking about that theme. Topic Models can also be combined with quantitative data like star ratings or sentiment analysis, which measures the intensity of customer perception and emotions. By carefully analyzing VoC data, you can turn unstructured feedback into actionable insights that can improve your products, refine your marketing messages, and enhance your customer service based on what your customers are really saying. You’ll not only be listening to your customers — you’ll be learning from them, too. Art+Science Analytics Institute | University of Notre Dame | University of Notre Dame - Mendoza College of Business | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | University of Chicago | D'Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University | ELVTR | Grow with Google - Data Analytics #Analytics #DataStorytelling

Having processed 100,000+ customer feedbacks with AI, I can confidently say: Customer feedback analysis is one of the best use cases for AI. And it’s also one of the worst. Let me explain: I’ve worked a lot lately on use cases that deal with analyzing customer feedback with AI: → Comments → Surveys → Reviews Thanks to Large Language Models, it’s never been easier to process this stuff at scale. Where you previously had to build complex topic models, you can now simply paste text into ChatGPT and get an interesting-sounding answer. Which is exactly the problem. Because dumping customer feedback into an LLM doesn’t actually give you any insight. It gives you a summary. Like: “Users want better usability.” “They’re confused by onboarding.” (You didn’t need AI to tell you that.) LLMs rarely generate true novelty. They compress to the mean. Which means they’ll repeat what you already suspect – just faster and fancier. If you want actual insight, you need structure. Here’s the 5-step method I use with clients: 1. Start with a problem hypothesis. Don’t ask: “What are they saying?” Ask: “Are they struggling with X?” 2. Build a taxonomy that maps to action. “Didn’t get login email” → “Email deliverability issue” “Too expensive” → “Pricing objection” 3. Count what matters. Still the most underrated skill in analytics: frequency by category. 4. Analyze temporal trends. *When* people say something often matters more than *what* they say. 5. Look for what’s missing. No positive feedback in 1,000 comments? That’s a signal too. I’m sharing the exact approach I use to turn raw customer comments into real buyer insight – using AI the right way. If you work with feedback, you’ll want this breakdown. Sign up before Friday 12pm CET → https://lnkd.in/eFzzQrMJ