Walking Digital Corridors - A Better Future For Sales!

Alex Abbott

Walking Digital Corridors, hosted by Alex Abbott, exploring the intersection of B2B sales and digital innovation, helping professionals build authentic connections in the digital space. Each week Alex and his sons Jordan and Jensen discuss current challenges and best practises in B2B sales and on occasion invite special guests who share their story about how they're walking digital corridors safely and effectively to build meaningful relationships and pipeline!

  1. 11/08/2024

    Elevate Your LinkedIn Strategy with Expert Insights from Steven Morell

    Welcome to Walking Digital Corridors, the essential podcast for those navigating the evolving world of B2B sales and digital transformation. Hosted by Alex Abbott, known as the Bearded Sales Guy, alongside Jensen and Jordan Abbott, each episode delves into modern sales strategies, social selling techniques, and the digital landscape’s changing dynamics. About the Hosts: Alex Abbott: Co-founder of Critical Convo and founder of Supero, Alex brings a wealth of insight into conversation systems in B2B sales and the importance of a digital-first approach. Jensen Abbott: A Senior BDR at Kontent.AI, Jensen shares his perspective from both tech and hands-on experience in B2B sales. Jordan Abbott: Known as the Sales Poet, Jordan, Business Development Manager at the Institute of Sales Professionals, presents fresh, accessible views on sales strategies. Special Guest – Steven Morell: In this episode, Alex welcomes Steven Morell, founder of Teamfluence and a leading figure in B2B social selling and team-based social media strategies. Steven’s journey from Madison Avenue to software development and digital innovation has equipped him with a vast knowledge of go-to-market and sales strategy. Episode Highlights: LinkedIn Strategy: Steven encourages adding 25 new LinkedIn connections each day, transforming networking into meaningful opportunities. Beyond amassing numbers, he advocates for building genuine relationships that lead to real outcomes. Engagement over Posting: Rather than focusing solely on posting, Steven discusses the power of engaging through comments on LinkedIn to boost visibility and drive conversions—a tactic supported by Alex’s benchmark studies. Prospect Research: Jordan shares techniques for using LinkedIn’s “show all posts” and “comments” features to track prospect activity and connect with the right audience. Content Generation Tips: Steven’s “hack” for content ideas includes revisiting past conference topics and speakers to tap into issues that resonate with industry audiences. AI in Sales: The discussion touches on tools like Peel AI for pre-qualifying leads and the potential of “AI Wingman” tools to help sustain engagement with buyers who aren’t immediately ready to purchase. Trust and Social Selling: Steven and Jensen reflect on the importance of respectful, permission-based interactions as the foundation of trust-building in sales. Balancing Automation and Authenticity: Steven cautions against excessive automation in sales, warning that it can erode trust, and highlights the irreplaceable value of genuine human connection. Key Takeaways: Building Trust: Steven outlines the journey from stranger to trusted advisor, emphasising the need for consistent, valuable engagement. Shifting Sales Techniques: Moving away from cold calling to network-driven strategies, Steven and the Abbotts stress the growing importance of relationship-based sales. Future Trends: They explore effective social selling techniques, focusing on authenticity and engagement over volume. Tune into Walking Digital Corridors to learn from Steven Morell and the Abbotts as they reveal the secrets to succeeding in the B2B world today. Discover the future of social selling, digital tools, and relationship-based sales. Find Steven Morell on LinkedIn or at myteamfluence.com, and stay ahead in B2B social selling by joining our journey.

    43 min
  2. 08/09/2024

    The C-Suite Pursuit: The Salesperson's Odyssey

    Welcome to Walking Digital Corridors, your go-to podcast for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of sales and marketing in the digital age. In today's episode, "C-Suite Pursuit: The Salesperson's Odyssey," your hosts Alex, Jordan, and Jensen Abbott dive deep into the importance and challenges of engaging the C-suite in sales. Engaging with senior executives can be a daunting task, but it's crucial for achieving higher close rates and sales velocity. Our hosts will share proven strategies for building relationships internally, leveraging your network, and increasing the seniority of your stakeholders. They'll also discuss the role of personalisation, relevance, and thoughtful outreach in successful C-suite engagement. Throughout the episode, we'll explore real-world examples of effective engagement using social media and relevant messaging. Jensen Abbott will share insights on featuring industry-specific content on your profile to stay top-of-mind when targeting accounts, while Jordan Abbott will summarise the importance of maintaining a passive social presence and actively engaging with prospects' content. We'll also delve into the concept of social selling and how it naturally extends to daily activities, as well as the importance of building reciprocal engagement and creating meaningful conversations. Our hosts will emphasise the need for proper sales enablement and organisational support in fostering a consultative approach to sales. So, whether you're a seasoned sales professional or just starting your journey, join us as we navigate the complexities of engaging the C-suite and unlocking the secrets to success in the digital sales landscape. Let's embark on this odyssey together, on Walking Digital Corridors.

    34 min
  3. 08/07/2024

    The Tie Breaker When All Else is Equal

    In the latest episode of Walking Digital Corridors, hosts Alex Abbott, Jensen Abbott, and Jordan Abbott delve into the critically important topic of personal branding for sales professionals in the digital age. The discussion centers around the idea that in a world where products and services are increasingly commoditised, a strong personal brand can be the differentiating factor that sets a salesperson apart from the competition. The conversation turns to the practical steps that salespeople can take to develop their personal brands. The hosts emphasise the importance of intentionally designing both passive and active social media presence. Passive presence refers to the information that is available about a salesperson online, such as their LinkedIn profile and any content they have created or shared. Active presence, on the other hand, refers to the way a salesperson engages with their network and contributes to online conversations. One of the key statistics mentioned in the episode is that 84% of C-level executives use social media to influence their B2B purchase decisions. This highlights the importance of salespeople having a strong online presence and engaging with decision-makers early in the sales process. The hosts also reference insights from the Supero social selling benchmark, which has shown that increasing stakeholder engagement can significantly impact sales velocity. Interestingly, the discussion also touches on some of the finer points of digital communication etiquette. The hosts share their thoughts on appropriate keyboard use during video calls and discuss the occasional need to end calls abruptly due to time constraints. As the episode draws to a close, the hosts reiterate their key message: in a world where all else is equal, a strong personal brand can be the deciding factor in sales success. They encourage listeners to start small and focus on consistency in their personal branding efforts. Finally, the hosts preview the topic for their next episode, which will focus on how salespeople can engage with decision-makers at the highest levels of an organisation.

    39 min
  4. 07/26/2024

    How To Grow Influence With Your Territory, on Social

    Welcome to another insightful episode of "Walking Digital Corridors." Hosted by the dynamic trio of Alex Abbott, Jordan Abbott, and Jensen Abbott, this episode delves deep into the strategic intricacies of leveraging social media to grow influence within your sales territory. Alex, often referred to as "the bearded sales guy," Jordan, who goes by "the sales poet," and Jensen, the razor-sharp yet easygoing strategist, come together to impart their collective wisdom, sharing actionable insights and engaging anecdotes. Episode Highlights The episode kicks off with Alex and Jordan indulging in light-hearted banter about beards and personal grooming. This casual start sets a relatable tone and eases the audience into the discussion about the day's topic—a clever technique for immediately capturing listener interest. Jensen joins them with his characteristic wit, setting the stage for a robust discussion on social selling and storytelling. The Importance of Social Selling Alex introduces the primary thematic focus: how to successfully leverage social media for sales. He highlights questions that often arise in training sessions: 1. What does your territory look like? 2. How well connected are you within those accounts on LinkedIn? These questions serve as the foundational pillars for the ensuing discussion. Alex emphasises the significance of being visible within your target accounts and the potency of having a strategic network. Flipping the Funnel and Strategic Networking Jordan elaborates on the concept of "flipping the funnel," arguing that traditional sales approaches are becoming increasingly obsolete. Instead, by leveraging one's strategic network, sales professionals can broaden their reach and improve engagement. This reframing isn't just about making a call; it’s about cultivating a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy to engage multiple stakeholders. They discuss three core questions that help define this strategic network: 1. Who within your territory could influence purchasing decisions? 2. Who are the partners that already have a foot in the door? 3. Who are the influencers and micro-influencers within your industry? This comprehensive episode provides an invaluable roadmap for sales professionals looking to navigate the complexities of modern digital selling, making it a must-listen for anyone aiming to elevate their social selling strategy.

    27 min

About

Walking Digital Corridors, hosted by Alex Abbott, exploring the intersection of B2B sales and digital innovation, helping professionals build authentic connections in the digital space. Each week Alex and his sons Jordan and Jensen discuss current challenges and best practises in B2B sales and on occasion invite special guests who share their story about how they're walking digital corridors safely and effectively to build meaningful relationships and pipeline!