Surviving Outside Sales

Surviving Outside Sales

Surviving Outside Sales is a podcast for outside sales pros that want to learn how to navigate the chaotic world of outside sales. Join host Mike O'Kelly as he shares his sales philosophies, biggest deals closed and some that got away during an award-winning, 20-year career, plus interviews with other sales experts from inside and outside sales, business owners who built something for themselves, as well as many other entrepreneurs. From building business process & systems that scale to landing the perfect sales job and hearing stories from entrepreneurs who have blazed a trail others can follow, it's all here!

Episodes

July 22, 2025 26 mins

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Ever wonder why your meeting requests keep getting ignored? In this eye-opening episode, I pull back the curtain on what really happens when you pitch a potential buyer and why most approaches fail miserably. Drawing on my experience of receiving 10-12 pitches daily, I break down the psychology behind why the same boring templates and self-centered approaches get immediately dismissed.

The truth is startling ...

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Connect with Mike:
Website:
Mike O'Kelly
Mike@survivingoutsidesales.com
LinkedIn: Mike O'Kelly | LinkedIn

Click to join: Surviving Outside Sales Page on LinkedIn
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Success in outside sales requires more than just closing techniques – it demands a strategic approach that includes finding the right mentors and developing comprehensive skills beyond the traditional sales pitch.

• Summer is not the time to stop selling – use this time to make hay while working on your craft and skills
• Most sales advice focuses only on tactics and mindset but neglects the foundational ...

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We're rebooting the Surviving Outside Sales podcast to focus on the three critical phases every sales professional goes through: getting in, dominating, and getting out. I'm excited to share new resources, a new community platform, and insights to help you prepare for Q3 and Q4 success.

• The "getting in" phase applies not just to industry newcomers but to anyone seeking a new role or prom...

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The outside sales world offers abundant opportunities to reinvent your approach and grow your business, but success requires building a strong foundation that can withstand market changes and client turnover.

• Without the right foundation, your territory becomes vulnerable like a house of cards 
• There's no such thing as status quo in sales – you're either growing or shrinking
• Recurring ...

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Building a relentless growth mindset is the foundation for scaling your sales business without fear, allowing you to overcome plateaus and consistently push forward. We explore how adopting a "yes mentality" can transform your territory and help you navigate market changes even when facing significant obstacles.

• Q2 brings increased seasonal disruptions to sales calendars as summer approaches
•...

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Mike O'Kelly shares insights on business self-examination and the foundations of sales success. He explores the importance of regularly evaluating your sales approach and focusing on the essential elements that drive sustainable results in outside sales.

• "Dumping out your bucket" every six months to examine your business through a fresh lens
• The critical importance of building strong ha...

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Unlock the secrets to becoming an "agent of change" in sales and setting the stage for a powerful start to 2025. Transform your approach by learning how to influence client behavior and lead them to new habits or systems through your product or service. Host Mike O'Kelly divulges how mastering the art of capturing attention and creating compelling interactions can give you an edge over the competition. ...

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Unlock the secrets to dominating the final quarter of your sales year with the P3 method—your ultimate guide to maximizing past, present, and potential opportunities. Discover how mental toughness, strategic planning, and cutting-edge technology can elevate your sales game, helping you exceed your targets and uncover hidden opportunities within your existing client base. By setting ambitious personal goals, you’ll not...

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Unlock the secrets to transforming your sales career by shifting your mindset. Discover how the power of a growth mindset can revolutionize not just your professional life, but also bring personal happiness and accomplishment. We promise that by tuning in, you'll learn how to conquer challenges with confidence and adaptability, leaving behind the shackles of doubt and inaction. Drawing from my own journey and the...

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What if the key to thriving in the fast-paced world of Q4 sales is hidden in the fundamentals we've all been overlooking? Join me, Mike O'Kelly, as we explore how the chaos of personal commitments and professional demands can actually be the perfect catalyst for reassessing your sales strategies. Discover why understanding your client's buying processes can mean the difference between a missed opportuni...

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Discover the secrets to thriving in outside sales as Mike O'Kelly returns to share his transformative journey from building a retail wellness business. Have you ever wondered how small actions like timely call notes could impact your career progression? Learn from Mike's personal stories and experiences, emphasizing the crucial balance between performance and trust. He reveals the blueprint for finishing the...

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Have you ever stood at the precipice of change, heart pounding with the exhilaration of a new venture? 

That's where my journey took me as I embarked on the daunting task of launching a health and wellness franchise. It was a test of resilience and a lesson in the importance of health as we sail through the years. In this rollercoaster update, I lay bare the hurdles of early business challenges, from mar...

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Strap in as I, Mike O'Kelly, take you on an exhilarating ride through my journey of surviving outside sales and mastering the Q4 sales period. Picture Q4 as the Super Bowl of sales - the stakes are high and the tension thicker. Drawing from my experience of setting up a brick and mortar business, I know the sweat and toil that's involved. But the real question is - are you equipped to seize the opportunity w...

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Ever felt like you've bitten off more than you can chew? 

Well, brace yourselves as I take you through my taxing adventure of investing in franchises, opening a new store, and enduring the challenging journey of outside sales. From the complexities of real estate to the arduous legal aspects of the franchise process, it's a wild ride that has taught me invaluable lessons. 

Peek through the ...

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Sometimes, life throws us curveballs that make us question everything. This episode of Surviving Outside Sales is a testament to that. I, your host, Mike O'Kelly, find myself wrestling with the imminent loss of my father, a veteran pharmaceutical sales rep who has been my greatest inspiration. As I navigate the emotional whirlwind, I hit the mic to discuss how personal challenges shape our professional lives.

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Imagine sustaining yourself comfortably on something less than a 250K annual income - does that sound like an impossible dream? Well, it isn't! I, Mike O'Kelly, am here to share my journey of how multiple income streams, from coaching programs to consulting, have allowed me to thrive in the outside sales landscape. I'll reveal how crucial it is to ensure that all your products and services have crossove...

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Are your sales stagnating, or worse, flatlining? What if you could revive your sales by attracting at least 10% new customers every month? Brace yourself for an enthralling episode of Surviving Outside Sales where we reveal game-changing strategies for prospecting and market canvassing. We're spilling the beans on how to be an exemplary prospector, reducing stress about individual deals, and keeping your growth o...

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Ever felt like your job has turned into a mundane routine with no spark? Well, it's time to break free from the shackles of dissatisfaction and strike out in search of new professional horizons. Mike O'Kelly is your torchbearer on this quest, emphasizing that life is too short to be stuck in a passionless job. Our conversation today explores the signs that it's time for change, and the importance of see...

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Ever tried to take on more than you can handle, only to find it was a mistake? 

That's what happened to me. I tried to up my game from five podcast episodes a week to seven. I took a leap of faith, thinking that pushing my boundaries would enhance my work. Guess what? It didn't. It was an unsustainable pace that left me scrambling, but it was a valuable learning curve.

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