In this episode, Bryan is joined by John Barrows to talk about the high-stakes final stage of the sales process, where deals are either won or lost. Together, they explore why so many sales teams stumble here, often resorting to last-minute discounts or high-pressure tactics driven by forecast anxiety.

Bryan and John share strategies to keep control of the process, including engaging procurement early, coaching reps through nuanced situations, and avoiding the trap of reactive discounting. They also dive into the balance between the science (process) and art (closing) of sales—why the art has been lost in today’s risk-averse market, and how leaders can teach reps to customize their approach for authentic, effective selling.

Whether you’re a sales leader or an individual contributor, this episode will show you how to play to win, not just avoid losing, when it matters most.

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Curious about certification in the Blind Zebra Sales Operating System? Learn more here.

Discover how to build the introductory video that works 24/7 for your pipeline on October 3rd, 12PM EST. Join at advancedsellingpodcast.com/insider

Discover how to build the introductory video that works 24/7 for your pipeline on October 3rd, 12PM EST. Join at advancedsellingpodcast.com/insider

Tired of perfecting your sales skills but struggling to get in front of the right people? Bill and Bryan tackle the universal challenge every B2B professional faces: visibility. Using a real client case study from the tax law industry, they reveal why traditional cold calling is dead and share actionable strategies to become visible where your prospects are already looking.

Discover how to leverage weekly insight videos, LinkedIn article publishing (including the brilliant interview strategy that gets you access to C-suite executives), strategic conference attendance, and hosting your own executive events. Plus, learn why 80% of sales success comes down to getting the meeting – not perfecting your pitch.

Ready to stop being the best-kept secret in your industry? This episode shows you exactly how to get found.

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Is it time to make a BOLD move in your business? If so, download our brand new book, "12 Bold Moves - Insider Secrets to Reinventing Yourself and Your Business." http://12boldmoves.com

The Insider program is open for enrollment. To check out our small learning group, go to http://advancedsellingpodcast.com/insider

If you haven't already, join 14,000+ other sales professionals in our LinkedIn group at advancedsellingpodcast.com/linkedin

Discover how to build the introductory video that works 24/7 for your pipeline on October 3rd, 12PM EST. Join at advancedsellingpodcast.com/insider

In this episode, Bill and Bryan debunk one of the most persistent myths in sales training - that you can create urgency in buyers through clever tactics and techniques. They explore why deals are taking longer to close in 2025, examining both macro factors (economic uncertainty, decision-making complexity) and micro factors (changed buyer behavior, technology overload).

The guys discuss how traditional urgency-creating methods like pattern interrupts and pressure tactics are not only ineffective but counterproductive in today's market. Instead, they reveal a modern approach focused on two key strategies: de-risking for the buyer and providing thorough explanations of what happens after the purchase.

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Is it time to make a BOLD move in your business? If so, download our brand new book, "12 Bold Moves - Insider Secrets to Reinventing Yourself and Your Business." http://12boldmoves.com

The Insider program is open for enrollment. To check out our small learning group, go to http://advancedsellingpodcast.com/insider

If you haven't already, join 14,000+ other sales professionals in our LinkedIn group at advancedsellingpodcast.com/linkedin

Discover how to build the introductory video that works 24/7 for your pipeline on October 3rd, 12PM EST. Join at advancedsellingpodcast.com/insider