How to succeed in Sales?

The only way to make it in this economy is to be great, because "it's the only thing that pays,"

"If you're not going to be great in sales, go get another career, because it's too hard to do if you're not going to succeed,"

So how does one become great? How do you close the deal faster than anyone else?

1)Great sales people are building a business, not just trying to make a sale. When you think beyond a sale, you're going to get other people's attention much more easily. They're going to be more interested in what you have to say. You want something that's going to survive beyond one sale.

2)Don't ever just make a sale and forget about that client. The last sale you make should always open the door to new relationships and clients.

3)Great sales people always ask their clients why they want something done. In listening more than talking, you can better accommodate what they are looking for.

4) There's an old sales mantra that says "under commit and over-deliver,", keep that mentality with you. 

5) Be really concerned about time. Great sales people consistently work on improving themselves and look for faster ways to close transactions, this benefits both yourself and the client, after all "Time" is just as precious as a commodity as what you are selling...