The Best Sellers Podcast with Doug Dvorak

Doug Dvorak

Elevate Your Sales Game with "The Best Sellers" Podcast.  Your Ultimate Destination for Winning Sales Strategies!

  1. 07/11/2025

    E18: Selling with Integrity: Mike Esterday on Values-Driven Sales Success

    In this episode of The Best Sellers Podcast, Doug welcomes Mike Esterday, Vice Chair of Integrity Solutions.  They discuss the essential elements of integrity selling and the importance of building trust and rapport with clients. Mike shares insights from his extensive career in sales and leadership, emphasizing the significance of mindset, emotional intelligence, and understanding clients' needs. They also touch on modern sales tools, coaching strategies, and overcoming challenges like sales burnout and evolving buyer behaviors.  Mike Esterday first discovered his talent for sales when he ranked number one out of 6,000 sales professionals in his first sales role, and then recruited and managed hundreds of salespeople. For over forty years, Mike has been a sought-after speaker, author and leader in sales training and performance improvement.  After 13 years as CEO of Integrity Solutions, Mike now serves as Vice Chair. A past board member of ISA, the global Association of Learning Providers, he is a regular contributor to Forbes Business Council and Top Sales Magazines worldwide. Mike is co-author of the book Listen to Sell: How Your Mindset, Skillset, and Human Connections Unlock Sales Performance. Mike lives in Nashville, TN with his wife, Terry, and they have three grown children. 00:00 Breaking Down Barriers in Sales 01:00 Introduction to the Best Sellers Podcast 02:11 Meet Mike Esterday: Sales Excellence Journey 03:40 Mike's Early Sales Experiences 05:52 Integrity Selling Solutions: A Unique Approach 08:11 Values-Based Selling and Core Values 11:57 The Importance of Trust and Rapport 13:14 Sales Tools and Overcoming Obstacles 16:05 Traits of Top Sales Performers 17:08 Instilling a Culture of Coaching and Accountability 18:07 Coaching for Potential 18:40 Understanding Buyer Behavior 20:07 Maintaining Team Integrity in Remote Work 20:59 Cultivating a Sales Mindset 23:52 Challenges for Future Sales Professionals 25:23 Measuring Success in Sales Training 27:13 Addressing Sales Burnout 32:44 Rapid Fire Questions 34:23 Conclusion and Resources

    36 min
  2. 04/04/2025

    Ep 16: Principal Consultant & Fractional/Virtual Sale Manager Practice Leader: Brian Panosian

    In today's episode of the Best Sellers Podcast, host Doug Deak chats with Brian Panosian, principal consultant, trainer, and fractional sales leadership practice leader at the Sales Coaching Institute. Brian shares insights from his journey, starting from Procter and Gamble to becoming a sales executive at Cisco, and finally to a sales coach. He discusses key elements like the importance of building relationships, establishing trust, and understanding the customer's needs. Brian introduces his sales model 'WYMN' (Who You Met New) and explains its impact on building client relationships. The episode also delves into how fractional sales leadership can benefit businesses, tips for integrating with existing teams, and the importance of alignment between sales and other departments. Brian emphasizes the need for continuous learning, closing deals effectively, and avoiding common sales mistakes. The rapid-fire round at the end gives a quick glimpse into Brian's practical advice for aspiring sales professionals. 01:46 Meet Brian Pian: Sales Leadership Expert 03:05 Brian's Journey from Healthcare to Cisco 05:46 The WYMN Sales Model: Building Relationships 09:24 The Role of Fractional Sales Leadership 16:47 Engaging Your Sales Team in Virtual Meetings 17:14 Essential Tools for Virtual Sales Management 18:06 Transformative Sales Management Examples 19:23 Creating Effective Sales Strategies 20:41 Challenges in Sales Leadership Tenure 24:08 Common Mistakes in Sales Team Management 25:36 Aligning Sales with Other Departments 26:41 Coaching Sales Reps and Teams 27:40 Hiring Fractional Sales Leaders 28:50 Future Trends in Sales Leadership 31:26 Rapid Fire Questions with Brian 32:33 Conclusion and Contact Information

    34 min
  3. 03/20/2025

    Ep 15: Mastering Introductions & Referrals with Dennis Fox

    In this episode of the Best Sellers Podcast, host Doug Dvorak chats with renowned sales trainer and author Dennis Fox. Dennis shares his journey in sales training and the creation of the Client Development Institute. The conversation covers the importance of building strong client relationships, the art of asking for referrals, and the power of truth in sales. Dennis also provides practical tips for leveraging LinkedIn, handling resistance, and making impactful first impressions. If you're looking to elevate your sales game, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring stories. 00:00 The Importance of Professionalism in Sales 02:35 Meet Dennis Fox: Sales Trainer and Thought Leader 04:34 Dennis Fox's Journey into Sales Training 09:37 The Power of Referrals and Introductions 13:01 Research and Preparation for Successful Sales 17:58 The Role of Storytelling in Sales 21:18 The Power of Referrals in Sales 21:57 Why Referrals Are Crucial in the Digital Age 23:29 Common Mistakes When Asking for Referrals 24:44 Turning Casual Connections into Reliable Referrals 26:07 Nurturing Relationships for Long-Term Referrals 28:06 Frameworks for Initiating Referral Requests 29:03 Leveraging Social Media for Referrals 30:09 Handling Resistance When Asking for Referrals 31:38 Memorable Success Stories in Referral Mastery 34:13 Key Advice for Introductions and Referrals 35:21 Rapid Fire Round: Sales Insights and Advice

    43 min
  4. 02/21/2025

    Ep 14: A Conversation with The Sales Hunter - Mark Hunter

    In this episode of the Best Sellers Podcast, host Doug Dvorak sits down with Mark Hunter, famously known as the Sales Hunter. The discussion centers around the essential metrics and strategies for successful sales, particularly focusing on the importance of having five meaningful conversations a day. Mark emphasizes the significant changes in sales over recent years, particularly with the rise of AI and the necessity of developing authentic relationships with customers. He shares insights on value-based selling, maintaining motivation amid rejection, and the critical role of mindset. Mark also stresses the importance of leadership in cultivating a high-performing and ethical sales culture. Practical advice on sales training, accountability, and adopting repetitive, disciplined habits for success are key takeaways from the conversation. 00:00 The Key Metric for Sales Success 00:51 Introduction to the Best Sellers Podcast 01:42 Mark Hunter's Journey in Sales 03:15 Prospecting with Integrity and Closing with Confidence 05:00 Maintaining Motivation in Sales 10:47 The Importance of Repetition and Discipline 13:20 Value-Based Selling Explained 15:16 Balancing Assertiveness and Empathy 16:55 Initiating Impactful Sales Conversations 19:27 Common Mistakes Salespeople Make 21:06 A CEO Lunch and Listening Strategy 21:47 The Role of Leadership in Sales Culture 27:04 Creating Accountability in Sales Teams 30:02 Assessing Sales Training Effectiveness 33:03 Top Habits for High-Performing Sales Teams 36:05 Mindset and Sales Success 37:27 Future Trends in Sales Training

    42 min

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Elevate Your Sales Game with "The Best Sellers" Podcast.  Your Ultimate Destination for Winning Sales Strategies!