Mastering Sales with PIB Selling: My Approach to Adding Real Value
Fabio Marques
December 11, 2024
Mastering Sales with PIB Selling: My Approach to Adding Real Value
In my years of experience, I’ve come to understand that the art of sales is more than just closing deals—it’s about truly connecting with clients, uncovering their real needs, and providing solutions that add tangible value. My PIB Selling approach is designed to do just that. In this post, I’ll share insights on how you can transform your sales strategy to not only increase conversions but also establish yourself as a trusted advisor in the eyes of your clients.
The Importance of Understanding Needs
When a client comes to me and says, “Fabio, I need a sales training,” my first instinct is not to pitch a pre-packaged solution. Instead, I ask questions to dive deeper into their needs. For example:
Why do you need sales training?
What challenges is your team facing that this training would address?
What’s the potential impact on your business if these challenges are resolved?
By doing this, I shift the focus from the perceived value of my solution to the value of their need. When clients understand the true impact of addressing their challenges, the perceived value of my solution naturally increases.
Adding Value Through PIB Selling
The PIB (Problem, Impact, Benefit) approach helps me enhance the value of my client’s needs. Here’s how it works:
Problem: I identify the explicit needs the client is willing to share.
Impact: I explore how these problems are affecting their business or life. For instance, if a client says they want to increase sales by $5 million, I’ll ask what’s preventing that growth and how it’s impacting their bottom line.
Benefit: I ask what benefits they’re seeking from a solution. This helps me position my offering as the bridge between their current state and desired outcomes.
By following this process, I help clients see the full scope of their needs. For example, a $10,000 training program isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment that could unlock $5 million or more in revenue.
Eliminating Bad Deals
Not every business opportunity is a good one. I categorize prospects into three types:
Excellent Opportunities (round): High-potential, win-win situations.
Okay Opportunities (triangle): Moderate potential but still profitable.
Trouble Opportunities (square): Loss-making, lose-lose situations.
Using PIB Selling, I qualify leads more effectively, focusing only on excellent and okay opportunities. This helps me close more deals—sometimes increasing the win rate from 30% to 60%—and ensures my portfolio is filled with clients who appreciate the value I bring.
Selling the Concept First
Before presenting any solution, I sell the concept of my approach. I position myself as someone who:
Understands their problems deeply.
Explores the impacts of those problems.
Identifies the real benefits they’re seeking.
This builds trust and lowers the client’s defenses. When they see that I genuinely care about their success, they’re more receptive to my proposals.
Negotiating Value, Not Price
A common mistake in sales is focusing on price. When price becomes the focal point, the perceived value of the solution diminishes. Instead, I negotiate adjustments to the solution, ensuring it meets the client’s needs while maintaining its value. This approach eliminates the need for discounts and strengthens the overall proposition.
Becoming a Trusted Advisor
My ultimate goal is to become a trusted advisor for my clients. This means:
Helping them see the value of their needs.
Delivering results that exceed their expectations.
Building long-term relationships based on trust and mutual success.
By consistently delivering value, I open the door to repeat business and referrals, making future sales efforts more efficient and effective.
A Commitment to Excellence
Sales, for me, is a service. It’s about helping clients uncover their real needs and providing solutions that deliver measurable results. This requires a mindset of positive obsession—a relentless focus on adding value to clients’ lives and businesses.
I don’t rest until I’ve delivered on my promises. Every client is unique, with different motivations and challenges. My job is to adapt, learn, and grow to meet their needs with expertise, experience, and excellence.
Let’s Move Forward Together
If you’re ready to transform your sales approach and achieve better results for your organization, I’m here to help. I guarantee satisfaction and a return on investment. Let’s work together to create a fabulous experience and take your business to new heights.