In Section 3 of the checklist, salespeople attempt to define the prospect’s buying motives. In other words, from the prospect’s perspective, what is most important in making this purchase decision? What will motivate the buyer to make a purchase? Buying motives may be rational or emotional, or a combination of both rational and emotional. Rational buying motives typically relate to the economics of the situation, including, cost, profitability, quality, services offered, and the total value of the seller’s offering perceived by the customer. Emotional motives such as fear, the need for security, the need for status, or the need to be liked, are sometimes difficult for salespeople to uncover as prospects are generally less likely to share such motives with salespeople. In business-to-business selling, rational motive motives are typically the most important buying motives, but salespeople should not ignore emotional motives if they are known to exist.
Understanding the competitive situation is essential in sales presentation planning. Since buyers make competitive comparisons in making purchase decisions, salespeople should do the same prior to the sales presentation. Section 4 of the Sales Presentation
EXHIBIT 6.4 Sales Presentation Checklist
1. Prospect Information
A. Key person information
B. Other influences on the purchase decision
Name (s) Departments Role in Purchase Decision