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SALES PERFORMANCE AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSIGHTS FROM AMY FRANKO
Video: Making the Most of Tradeshows & Events
Trade shows and events are among the biggest investments in any sales organization’s budget — and often among the hardest to measure in terms of ROI. From planning and execution to post-event follow-up, getting these right can mean the difference between wasted spend and high-value relationships. In this video, Amy Franko breaks down how to get more out of both curated events and large-scale trade shows as part of a sales strategy, along with a simple three-phase approach to maximize results. And for professional services firms, these strategies can turn events into credibility, relationships, and future engagements—not just booth traffic. Key Takeaways Blend both event types: Curated events build depth; large trade shows build reach. Think in phases: Pre-plan with a clear business case, execute with purpose, and follow up with precision. Track everything: Data drives better decisions for future...
Guest Article: Account-Based Selling
Many leadership teams begin the year with a familiar refrain: “We’re focused on growth.” The challenge isn’t understanding why growth matters—it’s deciding how to pursue it. One of the most overlooked and underutilized sources of growth is already in place: your existing clients. In the February issue of Smart Business Magazine, I explore why account-based selling should be a top priority for organizations looking to drive sustainable, predictable growth in 2026—especially professional services firms and complex sales organizations. You can read the full article here. Why Existing Accounts Hold More Growth Than You Think Many companies unintentionally leave revenue on the table because they focus on maintaining anchor accounts rather than expanding them. Without an intentional expansion strategy: Client relationships stagnate Assumptions replace real discovery conversations Competitors step in to solve...
Video: Help Your Decision Makers Actually Make Decisions in Complex Sales
In complex sales, indecision—not competition—kills deals. Learn how sales leaders can facilitate better executive decision-making and move opportunities forward with confidence. ******* My friends at Membrain.com shared two eye-opening statistics with me. Here’s the first one: 61% of sales losses are due to non-decision and not competitive loss. This means that your current pipeline may contain only 39% of opportunities that are truly decision ready. How do we improve this? It involves a key mindset shift you must make about your role in the client’s decision process, and then a fresh approach to your sales conversations. In this week’s video I share more on this, so you can make the most of the time you’ve earned with executives and decision makers. (And I also share the second statistic you’ll want to know!) Key Takeaways Why 61% of sales losses happen due to...
Guest Article: Consultative Sales Playbooks
Amy Franko's Training Industry article, “Consultative Sales Playbooks: The Ultimate Training Tool for Navigating Complex Deals,” won a 2025 Top Sales Award. It breaks down how consultative sales playbooks can actually get used—becoming a living, flexible framework that helps sellers navigate complex deals with confidence. ******* Sales Training professionals: Do you ever feel like you're handing off great content, only to see it collect dust? I wrote a piece for Training Industry, Inc. on how consultative sales playbooks can become a living, breathing part of your sales training strategy. It’s all about creating structure and flexibility for complex deals. Find the full article here: Consultative Sales Playbooks: The Ultimate Training Tool for Navigating Complex Deals. Who is the article for? The Consultative Sales Playbooks article by Amy Franko in Training Industry is written for sales training...
Productivity Habits for Modern Sellers & Growth-Minded Leaders
Amy Franko share's her top productivity tips for modern sellers and growth leaders—focused on revenue, momentum, and compounding habits. ******* The start of a new year always brings a familiar energy: fresh plans, ambitious goals, and the renewed desire to make every minute count. As we step into 2026, here are my most proven productivity habits. If you’ve followed my work for a while, you might recognize some of them from posts and conversations past. I share them again because they work, and because the new year is the perfect time to put them into practice with intention as part of your sales strategy. 1: Calendar Tips Your Calendar Is the Strategy Choose the top 3 things you must accomplish each week and each day to drive meaningful progress. Time-block your revenue work the same way you’d schedule a meeting—especially prospecting and client conversations. Use a timer for focused sprints and only...
Guest Article: AI, Strategy & Sales Growth: What Every Executive Needs to Know
AI is shaping sales strategy for 2026, but the companies winning big aren’t putting it on autopilot. They’re treating AI as strategic input, using it to sharpen forecasts and scale workflows, while human leaders decide what matters most. In my latest article for Professional Performance Magazine, I break down: - Where AI accelerates sales strategy & process - Why human insight remains the true differentiator - And the concept of Advisory Intelligence—blending AI-driven signals with expert decision-making The mandate for 2026 is clear: Integrate AI selectively. Lead with people. Build resilience into growth. You can read the article here: AI, Strategy & Sales Growth: What Every Executive Needs to Know I also encourage you to get your full copy of the issue here: https://www.professionalperformancemagazine.com/ AI doesn’t replace strategy—leadership does. Learn how Amy Franko helps...
Video: Cross-Selling Strategies for Profitable Growth: How to Expand Revenue Inside Existing Accounts
***** Cross-selling is a growth strategy and sales strategy that is an underused revenue accelerator. In this video, Amy Franko explains how to uncover new opportunities in existing accounts to drive profitable growth, strengthen loyalty, and outpace competitors. Key Takeaways Cross-selling or cross-servicing adds new products or services to existing clients to expand value and revenue. Cross-selling or cross-servicing protects your investment in long-term client relationships. Discussing new client problems creates a competitive buffer. New solutions in established accounts often come with higher margins. Account reviews and ongoing meetings are prime moments for cross-sell conversations. Why Should I Watch Amy Franko’s Video, Cross-Selling Strategies for Profitable Growth: How to Expand Revenue Inside Existing Accounts Today’s buying environment is filled with indecision, lengthy timelines, and...
Podcast: Planning for Sales Success in 2026
In this episode of The Sales Hunter podcast, Mark Hunter and I discuss art of planning for the next 12 months and how to master the balance between immediate targets and long-term vision. I share insights on key metrics that truly matter, avoiding the trap of being overwhelmed by data. Discover the power of having a clear “North Star” to guide your sales efforts and the impact of prioritizing actions like outbound conversations to consistently hit your goals. Some highlights: Balancing Strategic and Tactical Thinking (00:02:15) Focus on Key Metrics Over Activity Metrics (00:06:45) Daily Prioritization for Sales Success (00:12:30) Accountability as a Strategic Component (00:18:10) Weekly Revisiting of the Annual Plan (00:24:00) Consistency Over Occasional Greatness (00:30:45) You can listen to the episode here: Would you like to accelerate your sales growth in 2026? Don’t let your competition get an...
Video: Narrowing the Playing Field Sales Strategy
Key Takeaways: B2B buying decisions slow down when too many challenges are presented at once Narrowing the playing field helps decision-makers focus on one or two priorities they can act on now Smaller, focused proposals reduce risk and speed up approval A narrow initial scope often leads to larger engagements over time This strategy helps sales teams move deals forward in uncertain buying environments How Can Sellers Speed Up B2B Buying Decisions? Narrowing the playing field speeds up B2B buying decisions. Buyers stall when too many options compete for attention. Executive buyers want to move forward, but complexity creates hesitation. In the video below, Amy Franko breaks down a simple strategy that helps leaders and decision-makers move through decisions faster: narrowing the playing field. This approach helps sales and consulting teams reduce indecision, shorten approval cycles, and get proposals...
Video: Are You Dealing with Cancellations & Delays in Sales
Key Takeaways: Client indecision is a reality, not a personal sales failure. You control how you show up, even when buyers delay decisions. Open dialogue builds trust when urgency is low. Advisory conversations move deals forward faster than pressure. Immediate business impact drives momentum, even in uncertainty. Why Are Sales Teams Facing So Much Client Indecision Right Now? In today’s uncertain business environment, sales teams across industries are facing a common challenge: client indecision. Proposals are being delayed, projects are being canceled, and even strong opportunities are stalling. When decisions aren’t seen as immediately critical to the business, progress halts. What Can You Control When Market Conditions Stall Deals? While you can’t control market conditions or internal client politics, you can control how you show up in conversations. By shifting your mindset and focusing on...