Mastering Negotiation in B2B Sales with Keno Helmi

In this episode, John Kaplan and John McMahon are joined by return guest Keno Helmi, a seasoned five-time CRO, to delve into the nuances of negotiation in B2B sales. Keno offers insights into effectively managing price perception and ensuring the customer's focus remains on the value of the solution, rather than cost. With a focus on crafting an impactful ROI and leveraging business cases, Keno highlights the importance of negotiation as a competency requiring strategic planning and training. Tune in to hear a detailed overview of Keno's negotiation protocol, which includes qualifying negotiation conditions, understanding the customer's alternatives, and the importance of preparing for trade-offs to secure a favorable deal. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Connect and learn more about Keno Helmi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keno-helmi-74779329/ Enjoying the podcast? Sign up to receive new episodes straight to your inbox: https://hubs.li/Q02R10xN0 HERE ARE SOME KEY SECTIONS TO CHECK OUT [00:01:07] Kino Helmi's Career Journey [00:02:05] The Importance of Early Negotiation [00:04:51] Characterizing Your Product as Premium [00:08:03] Handling Pricing and Value Discussions [00:12:24] The Role of Discovery in Negotiation [00:26:12] Budgetary Pricing and ROI [00:33:32] Navigating Late-Stage Sales Challenges [00:35:04] The Importance of ROI in Negotiations [00:40:35] Mastering the Art of Shock and Awe [00:41:53] Qualifying the Negotiation [00:43:34] Leveraging Non-Price Elements [00:44:37] Aligning Sales Reps and Company Goals [00:56:31] Establishing a Walkaway Point HIGHLIGHT QUOTES [00:09:25] "Negotiation is a process, not an event." [00:35:47] "Ultimately, you're going to be judged relative to the ROI." [00:41:04] "Shock and awe: No matter what the counter proposal is, fall out of your seat; provoke a reaction." [01:00:13] "Every great deal has a thousand mothers and fathers to it. Everybody signs up and says, 'Oh, we were part of that deal.' Every bad deal is a rep on an island."