The Case of the Vanishing Deal

The Case of the Vanishing Deal

A Short Story for Halloween

It was a dark and stormy night when Mr. Simmons, a sales director, burst into 221B Baker Street, pale as a ghost. "Holmes, it's happening again! We had a deal lined up, everything was in place... and then, poof! The client vanished—without a trace!"

Holmes lit his pipe, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "Interesting, Mr. Simmons. Deals, much like apparitions, don’t just disappear. They leave clues—if you know where to look."

As the team at Simmons Enterprises described deal after deal that had mysteriously evaporated, Holmes quickly identified a pattern. "Watson, take note. The real issue is not supernatural, but human. Unspoken objections, lack of follow-up, failure to build trust—these are the real specters haunting your pipeline. Let's begin the hunt."

Holmes led a full investigation into Simmons’s lost deals. He interviewed past prospects, examined follow-up records, and analyzed the company’s communication. "Ah, as I suspected," Holmes mused. "Your clients had concerns—concerns you never addressed. Silent objections linger like ghosts until they destroy the deal. You failed to understand their fears or the value they sought."

Holmes quickly devised a plan. "We will re-engage your lost prospects, but this time, we address their concerns upfront, offer reassurance, and align your solution with their deepest needs."

Within days, the fog of mystery lifted. Lost deals reappeared, prospects returned, and Simmons Enterprises was back on track.

"Holmes, you’ve done it!" Mr. Simmons cried.

Holmes simply smiled, "Elementary, my dear Simmons. Deals don’t vanish—they’re simply lost to the darkness of unmet needs. Shine a light on them, and they’ll return."

Are deals vanishing from your pipeline like ghosts in the night? Don’t let silent objections and unmet needs haunt your sales any longer. Let’s work together to shed light on the hidden obstacles holding you back and bring those elusive deals back to life. Get in touch, and we’ll uncover the real value your customers are searching for—before it’s too late! ??

#ValueSelling #PipelineProblems #SalesStrategy #HalloweenSpecial #ValueChallenge #valuemystery

Steve Mills

Empowering Business Growth. Delivering RESULTS

3 周

Love the theme! Michael Wilkinson

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Great story Mike!!! That story haunts 90% of the sales organizations out there.

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Way to show how to clear the value fog associated with ghosted deals! Very timely perspective ????

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John Ray

Author, Pricing and Business Development for Professional Services Firms, Podcast Host and Producer

4 周

"Silent objections linger like ghosts until they destroy the deal. You failed to understand their fears or the value they sought." What a fantastic metaphor, Michael Wilkinson....excellent post!

Love how Holmes (and you) tell the story Michael Wilkinson shine a light and be close to your prospects, showing genuine interest in their challenges.

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