subject: 4 Creative Planning Tips For A Killer Whiteboard Sales Story [print this page] Not feeling too creative? But need a killer whiteboard sales storyfor tomorrows client meeting? Find out how to ace your presentation with 4 rapid creativity tips.
In business presenting and selling, its tough to keep your creative edge. Lets face it. Theres not enough time in the day, right? Wrong.
If youre seeking creative inspiration for your killer whiteboard sales storyyoure in the right place. There is a system. A creative formula, if you will. Once you know it, you can use it. Anytime. Anywhere. Any topic.
I could have used this yesterday! These are the exact words a client of mine said when he saw this system. Most clients Ive shared this with actually get a little peeved. Why didnt I learn this in high-school?
Understandable. Really. When you learn how to use creative planning, youll see that its easier to keep your edge than you might have imagined.
Here are the highlights of the 4 critical steps in creative planning. Hint: use a sales opportunity you have in mind. Best ones are the ones you have coming up today, tomorrow and this week.
1.Get Visual
When working at a whiteboard, go visual. Show your product, process, service, solution in pictures and words. Dont make the mistake were seeing on a lot of whiteboards.
You know the ones. The ones that are covered from top to bottom with words. If your whiteboards are entirely filled with words, youre missing tremendous opportunity. Youre missing the chance to show your solution in pictures that everyone will instantly understand.
2.Actively Incubate
The creative process includes an incubation phase. This is referred to with lots of interesting terms from soaking to noodling to letting it simmer.
Whatever terms you use, allow for incubation time in planning your whiteboard sales story. Go for a walk. Visit a park. Talk to a friend from outside of work. Do something other than sitting at your desk, hammering at the keyboard.
If youre used to putting in the hours, now its time to give yourself a break. Go outside of your office. Let the ideas incubate. Youre not looking for answers. Youre investing in distraction.
3.Wild Output
As the third stage, its now time to focus on outputs. This is a highly experimental zone. No bad ideas. No judgments. Just output.
In terms of creative thinking, this is often called the zone of wild ideas, brainstorming and creative collaboration. If you want help, get input from people on your team. Ask for collaborative output on ways to share your story.
4.Verify
This is the testing phase. Its time to make decisions. Which idea will work within the timeframewith this specific audience?
Verifying includes making decisions, selecting an option, practicing, rehearsing, getting feedback and refining. Its not an instant thing.
Think of it as a critical phase. This is where youll work through your choices at a whiteboard, practice with a test audience, and make adjustments.
Whats the value of using these 4 phases of creativity? Youll discover that creativity is fun. Instead of being a hassle or another thing on your overflowing to-do list, creative thinking is a critical aspect of successful sales presenting.
With a disciplined and creative approach to presenting, youll continuously improve. Youll come up with new ideas faster and easier than others. Youll try things out. Some youll reject. Others youll keep and strengthen.
Additionally, youll have a roadmap for building creativity across your sales teams and across your organization.
Now, the curious thing isonce you start consciously being creative, you cant stop. Its just too much fun and too rewarding.
With this newfound energy and enthusiasm, what do you think your clients will feel? Theyll instantly see your excitement and passion. Your authentic passion comes through loud and clear while your selling, drawing and showing solutions. Thats the secret for killer results at the whiteboard.
