In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, host Kelly Riggs welcomes back sales expert and Objective Management Group (OMG) founder Dave Kurlan to uncover the “holy grail” of sales success: predictability and consistency. Drawing on over 35 years of experience and data from assessing 2.4 million salespeople, Kurlan explains why desire and commitment are non-negotiable traits for top-performing salespeople. He shares a fascinating study demonstrating how these traits directly influence results, alongside the critical role of a well-defined sales process. “The difference between winging it and owning it is sales process,” Kurlan emphasizes, as he and Riggs discuss sequencing milestones and building sales strategies anchored in proven methodologies.

The conversation dives deep into the consultative approach, highlighting its transformative potential in creating meaningful client connections and shortening sales cycles. Kurlan warns against common pitfalls, such as jumping into product pitches or skipping crucial discovery steps, which derail deals. He shares actionable advice on uncovering compelling reasons to buy and adopting a more client-centric mindset. Listeners will walk away with a clear understanding of how to align raw talent, disciplined processes, and consultative selling for scalable success. Check out Dave’s blog, “Understanding the Sales Force,” for more insights, and visit Kelly at bizlockerroom.com. Don’t miss this goldmine of sales wisdom!

Follow the audio podcast and watch OR listen wherever you are: https://linktr.ee/salesuntraining

Kelly Riggs is an author, speaker, and business consultant for executives and companies throughout the United States and Canada. He has written two books: 1-on-1 Management: What Every Great Manager Knows That You Don’t and Quit Whining and Start SELLING! A Step-by-Step Guide to a Hall of Fame Career in Sales.

Get more Kelly: www.BizLockerRoom.com.

Widely recognized as a powerful speaker and performance coach in the areas of sales, management leadership, and strategic planning, Kelly is a former sales executive, a two-time national Salesperson-of-the-Year, a business owner, and a member of the Forbes’ Coaches Council since 2019.

Music and Editing by Pod About It Productions @dougbranson

In this thought-provoking episode of Sales [UN]Training, Kelly Riggs dives into one of the most polarizing topics in sales: practice and role play. Why do salespeople, who are supposed to excel under pressure, shy away from practicing their craft? Drawing inspiration from Allen Iverson’s famous “practice” rant, Kelly dismantles common excuses sales teams use to avoid role play. He shares compelling analogies from sports, revealing how lack of preparation leads to missed opportunities, just like in football or basketball.

Kelly discusses how ineffective practices or lack of a defined sales process can sabotage success. He introduces three transformative steps for fostering a culture of practice in sales teams, including breaking down processes into repeatable steps and mastering the art of discovery through role play. With anecdotes and actionable strategies, this episode is packed with insights to help leaders rewire their sales teams for success. Tune in to uncover why the results you’re getting are exactly what you’re allowing—and how to change that.

Follow the audio podcast and watch OR listen wherever you are: https://linktr.ee/salesuntraining

Kelly Riggs is an author, speaker, and business consultant for executives and companies throughout the United States and Canada. He has written two books: 1-on-1 Management: What Every Great Manager Knows That You Don’t and Quit Whining and Start SELLING! A Step-by-Step Guide to a Hall of Fame Career in Sales.

Get more Kelly: www.BizLockerRoom.com.

Widely recognized as a powerful speaker and performance coach in the areas of sales, management leadership, and strategic planning, Kelly is a former sales executive, a two-time national Salesperson-of-the-Year, a business owner, and a member of the Forbes’ Coaches Council since 2019.

Music and Editing by Pod About It Productions @dougbranson

In this insightful episode of Sales [UN]Training, host Kelly Riggs is joined by James Muir, author of The Perfect Close, to tackle the challenges of stuck deals—a common pain point in sales. The conversation explores why traditional sales tactics often fail, particularly in complex B2B environments, and how sales training falls short in preparing reps for real-world scenarios. Muir emphasizes the importance of genuine engagement, proper discovery, and a shift from manipulation to facilitation, asserting that sales is about “helping clients make good decisions.” Listeners will learn why trust and intention outweigh competency and how adopting a consultative approach can unlock opportunities.

James also previews his upcoming book, which delves deeper into identifying and resolving stuck deals. Together, he and Kelly discuss actionable strategies, such as shifting focus to minimizing client fears and improving the “muchness, soonness, and sureness” of business cases. Muir’s advice to sales leaders includes redefining training paradigms, incorporating client-side internships, and emphasizing problem-solving over product pitching. Don’t miss this episode packed with practical advice and paradigm-shifting insights! For more about James, visit puremuir.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Follow the audio podcast and watch OR listen wherever you are: https://linktr.ee/salesuntraining

Kelly Riggs is an author, speaker, and business consultant for executives and companies throughout the United States and Canada. He has written two books: 1-on-1 Management: What Every Great Manager Knows That You Don’t and Quit Whining and Start SELLING! A Step-by-Step Guide to a Hall of Fame Career in Sales.

Get more Kelly: www.BizLockerRoom.com.

Widely recognized as a powerful speaker and performance coach in the areas of sales, management leadership, and strategic planning, Kelly is a former sales executive, a two-time national Salesperson-of-the-Year, a business owner, and a member of the Forbes’ Coaches Council since 2019.

Music and Editing by Pod About It Productions @dougbranson

In this special compilation episode of Sales [UN]Training, Kelly Riggs dives into the recurring pitfalls that sales leaders face when building and managing teams, featuring insights from Paul Fuller and Robin Burr. From the ill-fated decision to promote top-performing salespeople into managerial roles to the lack of structured training for new sales leaders, Kelly doesn’t hold back. He explains why most great salespeople are poorly equipped for leadership, lacking essential coaching and team-building skills, and how this misstep can lead to a “dumpster fire” of lost talent. “We assume great salespeople will make great managers—that is a serious dumpster fire assumption,” Kelly states. He underscores the importance of defining clear goals, prioritizing coaching over micromanaging, and fostering a culture of accountability.

The episode also highlights practical strategies to avoid these mistakes, such as redefining onboarding processes and aligning performance management with long-term growth rather than quick fixes. Joined by guests sharing real-world insights, including the importance of consistent training and thoughtful hiring practices, the discussion drives home how a strong foundation in leadership skills can transform a sales team. If you’ve ever struggled with turnover, onboarding, or meeting quotas, this episode is a masterclass in avoiding the costly errors that hold teams back. Tune in to rethink your approach to sales leadership.

Follow the audio podcast and watch OR listen wherever you are: https://linktr.ee/salesuntraining

Kelly Riggs is an author, speaker, and business consultant for executives and companies throughout the United States and Canada. He has written two books: 1-on-1 Management: What Every Great Manager Knows That You Don’t and Quit Whining and Start SELLING! A Step-by-Step Guide to a Hall of Fame Career in Sales.

Get more Kelly: www.BizLockerRoom.com.

Widely recognized as a powerful speaker and performance coach in the areas of sales, management leadership, and strategic planning, Kelly is a former sales executive, a two-time national Salesperson-of-the-Year, a business owner, and a member of the Forbes’ Coaches Council since 2019.

Music and Editing by Pod About It Productions @dougbranson

In this engaging episode of Sales [UN]Training, Kelly Riggs welcomes special guest Robin Burr, a UK-based sales coach renowned for his expertise in the psychology of selling. The episode dives into the foundational principles of sales as a psychological process, emphasizing the role of influence and persuasion in shaping customer decisions. Robin shares his unique perspective as a “sales therapist,” discussing how emotional intelligence, curiosity, and asking the right questions are more critical than memorizing product details. Listeners will learn about Robin’s Perfect Discovery Call Framework and how understanding customer motivations can transform a salesperson’s approach, helping them join the top 4% of performers.

The conversation also explores the pitfalls of traditional sales training, which often overemphasizes product knowledge while neglecting the art of human connection. Robin and Kelly discuss how focusing on the “why” behind customer decisions can reveal invaluable insights, as well as the importance of personal development and ethical influence in achieving sales success. This episode is a must-listen for sales leaders and professionals looking to rewire their approach to training and strategy.

Find Robin Burr on LinkedIn to explore his groundbreaking tools and concepts, and stay tuned to hear his thoughts on the biggest mistakes sales leaders make in team development.

Follow the audio podcast and watch OR listen wherever you are: https://linktr.ee/salesuntraining

Kelly Riggs is an author, speaker, and business consultant for executives and companies throughout the United States and Canada. He has written two books: 1-on-1 Management: What Every Great Manager Knows That You Don’t and Quit Whining and Start SELLING! A Step-by-Step Guide to a Hall of Fame Career in Sales.

Get more Kelly: www.BizLockerRoom.com.

Widely recognized as a powerful speaker and performance coach in the areas of sales, management leadership, and strategic planning, Kelly is a former sales executive, a two-time national Salesperson-of-the-Year, a business owner, and a member of the Forbes’ Coaches Council since 2019.

Music and Editing by Pod About It Productions @dougbranson

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, Paul Fuller, the Chief Revenue Officer at Membrain, stops by to break down the top three mistakes sales leaders often make and how to sidestep these common pitfalls. Together, they delve into issues like failing to truly know team members and defaulting to mandates rather than collaboration. Paul emphasizes the need to understand each team member’s unique strengths and motivations to coach effectively, while Kelly highlights how inspiring, rather than coercing, leads to a stronger, more productive sales force. They both agree that recruiting the right talent is essential, as missteps here can reverberate through a team.

Kelly and Paul also stress the importance of a structured onboarding process and a clear sales roadmap. Paul points out that leaders often lean too much on relationships and forget the value of a process that guides the team, provides coaching context, and builds accountability. Kelly adds that strong sales culture hinges on consistent training, active engagement, and healthy competition, noting that setting up contests and rewards can drive results and team morale. To dive deeper into building a high-performing sales team and hear Kelly and Paul’s insights, join this engaging episode.

Find Paul on LinkedIn and explore Membrain’s sales growth platform for more tools and strategies.

Follow the audio podcast and watch OR listen wherever you are: https://linktr.ee/salesuntraining

Kelly Riggs is an author, speaker, and business consultant for executives and companies throughout the United States and Canada. He has written two books: 1-on-1 Management: What Every Great Manager Knows That You Don’t and Quit Whining and Start SELLING! A Step-by-Step Guide to a Hall of Fame Career in Sales.

Get more Kelly: www.BizLockerRoom.com.

Widely recognized as a powerful speaker and performance coach in the areas of sales, management leadership, and strategic planning, Kelly is a former sales executive, a two-time national Salesperson-of-the-Year, a business owner, and a member of the Forbes’ Coaches Council since 2019.

Music and Editing by Pod About It Productions @dougbranson

In this episode of Sales [UN]Training, Kelly Riggs tackles a critical yet often overlooked question for sales leaders: How long does it actually take to bring a new salesperson up to speed? Riggs argues that most leaders have no real metrics or benchmarks for the ramp-up period, often relying on vague estimates like “two weeks” to six months. However, he points out that understanding the true time frame is vital—not just to meet revenue goals but to protect the significant investment made in hiring and training new reps. From mastering product knowledge and industry vocabulary to understanding CRM systems and internal processes, Kelly outlines four key “buckets” of learning that every new salesperson must navigate to reach functional independence in the field.

Getting a salesperson to a “break-even” point—where they’re generating enough margin to cover their salary and benefits—requires a structured onboarding process. Building a detailed timeline that spans weeks and months, involving regular testing, field training, and continuous coaching ensures steady progress. For sales leaders, Kelly offers a hard truth: If sales performance falters, it’s often due to flawed onboarding rather than market conditions or the quality of sales hires. He advises leaders to think like business people, understanding the financial impact of turnover and designing onboarding strategies that minimize downtime and maximize confidence and competence in new hires. For those struggling with onboarding, Kelly also highlights his consulting services to support structured and predictable ramp-up plans.

Follow the audio podcast and watch OR listen wherever you are: https://linktr.ee/salesuntraining

Kelly Riggs is an author, speaker, and business consultant for executives and companies throughout the United States and Canada. He has written two books: 1-on-1 Management: What Every Great Manager Knows That You Don’t and Quit Whining and Start SELLING! A Step-by-Step Guide to a Hall of Fame Career in Sales.

Get more Kelly: www.BizLockerRoom.com.

Widely recognized as a powerful speaker and performance coach in the areas of sales, management leadership, and strategic planning, Kelly is a former sales executive, a two-time national Salesperson-of-the-Year, a business owner, and a member of the Forbes’ Coaches Council since 2019.

Music and Editing by Pod About It Productions @dougbranson

In Part 3 of the Crush Your Number series, Kelly sits down with Rich Gaffney, VP of Commercial Operations at Sentry Equipment, to explore how aligning sales with operations can drive both short-term wins and long-term success. Rich shares his insights from over 20 years of experience leading sales teams, emphasizing the critical role of integrating sales with backend functions like engineering and manufacturing. In this episode, Rich and Kelly discuss why sales teams often fail when they operate in silos and how building business acumen—rather than just focusing on sales tactics—can transform a team from good to great.

Throughout the conversation, Rich breaks down the importance of empathy, communication, and ownership in the sales process. He shares strategies for developing salespeople who think like business leaders, not just closers, and how delivering on promises after the sale is just as important as securing the deal. Whether you're a sales leader or a sales professional, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to create a holistic, customer-centric approach that fosters trust and future opportunities.

Key Topics:

• Breaking down the silos between sales and operations for better results
• The importance of business acumen in creating well-rounded salespeople
• How empathy and communication can prevent deals from going sideways
• The value of staying engaged with customers post-sale to ensure delivery success
• Developing a robust training program that includes internal collaboration and business-wide understanding

Follow the audio podcast and watch OR listen wherever you are: https://linktr.ee/salesuntraining

Kelly Riggs is an author, speaker, and business consultant for executives and companies throughout the United States and Canada. He has written two books: 1-on-1 Management: What Every Great Manager Knows That You Don’t and Quit Whining and Start SELLING! A Step-by-Step Guide to a Hall of Fame Career in Sales.

Get more Kelly: www.BizLockerRoom.com.

Widely recognized as a powerful speaker and performance coach in the areas of sales, management leadership, and strategic planning, Kelly is a former sales executive, a two-time national Salesperson-of-the-Year, a business owner, and a member of the Forbes’ Coaches Council since 2019.

Music and Editing by Pod About It Productions @dougbranson