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The Letter of Understanding

Written by: Rene Zamora

Article Overview: Owners and managers should have your sales people begin using the letter of understanding and you will see how well and deep they are approaching the sales discovery process. It serves as accountability for how well the sales person is discovering needs, offers concrete data to coach with and manages expectations with prospects.

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The Letter of Understanding

The letter of understanding is a way to qualify your buyer. It helps you know if you should keep moving and confirms how well you understand their needs and situation. You should have your manager review these letters before you send them until they start coming back with no suggestions. You will probably need 6 or 7 letters to get there.

In this letter (mail or email) you want to confirm the following:

Buyers goals, needs or problems
Current situation
Vision of how they see things after implementing a solution
Value – areas that will cost justify the purchase
Access to other buyers if they exist

Here is a sample

Dear Bob,

Thank you for your interest in ICU Security Group. The purpose of this letter is to summarize my understanding of our discussion today. You told me your primary goal is to be able to monitor the activity in your businesses from anywhere in the world.

Today you have four different locations and they each have a security recording device. The businesses are open 24/7 and do not have management in the store for 16 hours of the day. The security systems were originally installed to prevent robberies and they have, but shortages have risen 20% over the last year totaling $50,000. The cameras do not cover the whole store and no one is checking the recordings since they were installed for robberies and none have taken place. You believe you can reduce shortages if you have the following capabilities:

Camera coverage over the whole retail and stock room floors to remove blind spots and bring accountability to staff and customers.
The ability for you and your managers to monitor the store anytime of day from any internet connection including PDA to add additional accountability.
Ability of managers to see cash register transactions on the video recording to monitor purchase transactions and audit register tapes.

You indicated you would like me to visit with you managers before moving forward to gain additional input. I would suggest the following as a course of action:

Confirm you are in agreement with this summary.
Arrange interviews with your managers.
Summarize my findings and meet back with you to discuss solutions.

I will call you on Tuesday, January 7th at 9:00am to review this letter and discuss our next steps. If that time is not convenient for you, please let me know an alternative. I look forward to working with you and your company.

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Home > Sales > Rene Zamora > The Letter of Understanding
Article Tags: 7 letters, accountability, blind spots, camera coverage, cameras, capabilities, cash register, current situation, internet connection, letter mail, letter of understanding, purchase transactions, robberies, room floors, security group, security systems, stock room, value areas, video recording, world today

About the Author: Rene Zamora
RSS for Rene's articles - Visit Rene's website

My name is Rene Zamora and I am the President of Sales Manager Now. The concept of bringing professional sales management services to small businesses evolved through my own professional experience. Twenty seven years of sales and sales management experience combined with a training and consulting practice(www.renezamora.net) birthed Sales Manager Now. The vision was two fold. First, make it possible for professional sales managers like myself to work with small business and escape the corporate environment. Secondly, bring high level sales management to progressive small businesses at an affordable fee. When I say sales management, that is what I mean, I become the company sales manager or advisor. The most significant reason I work with small businesses is I enjoy being part of the team. I enjoy rolling up my sleeves and being part of a business struggles and successes. I work on the Jerry McGuire philosophy, less clients with more personal attention. I wish you the best, Rene Zamora

Click here to visit Rene's website
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