111. How to Sell More by Saying Less - with Andy Bounds

Most sales leaders dread pipeline meetings – and their teams dread them even more. That’s because too often, they turn into boring history lessons nobody cares about. In this episode, I talk with Andy Bounds – award-winning sales trainer, bestselling author, and global keynote speaker – about how to make them short, sharp, and productive.

Andy shares his “Who Do” method to instantly focus sales conversations on what matters, the power of “Afters” in selling and leadership, and why great leaders under-communicate to empower their people. We dig into hiring, coaching, closing, and the art of making communication stick. If you want more sales, faster – without killing the will to live in your next meeting – this is the episode to steal ideas from.

How to run pipeline meetings your team will actually value

• Replace “update” meetings with “Who Do” meetings: Who is the client, and what do you want them to do next?

• Focus conversations on next actions and blockers, not history.

• Sell “Afters” – why the client is better off after working with you – not just your product or service.

• Under-communicate with capable teams to encourage ownership and problem-solving.

• Use coaching prompts like “What three things have you thought of?” to build initiative.

Timeline

[01:33] – The “Who Do” method for instantly sharpening sales conversations [03:40] – Why pipeline meetings fail and how to fix them [07:18] – Selling “Afters” instead of product features [10:53] – Start engaging, end with action: Andy’s 4-word rule for communication [14:45] – Systems over goals for consistent sales behaviours [19:03] – Under-communicating to empower capable people [24:47] – The mindset and traits to hire for in sales leaders [28:18] – The one interview question that reveals everything [31:12] – Andy’s billboard message to every leader and salesperson

Links & resources

• Andy Bounds’ website and Tuesday Tips: https://andybounds.com

• The Jelly Effect by Andy Bounds – https://andybounds.com/resources/

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