Episode #84
5 Small Sales Habits That Make (Or Break) Deals
While many professional services firms focus on massive strategic shifts to close deals, it is often the tiny, day-to-day behaviors of doer-sellers that quietly make or break a sale. In this episode of Breaking BizDev , John and Mark break down the five critical sales habits that successful professionals exhibit to build trust, take control of opportunities, and win more work. Through humorous roleplay skits and practical good-vs-bad behavioral breakdowns, they show you how to transition these actions from intentional effort into second-nature habits. In this episode, you'll learn: Proactivity: How to take the initiative and anticipate client needs instead of waiting for RFPs to drop or letting deals stall in "the waiting game". Ownership: Why true accountability means setting clear revenue goals and owning the outcomes of your pursuits—especially when assuming responsibility for the losses. Curiosity: How to ditch the slide deck and focus entirely on the client's business problems through disciplined preparation, active listening, and client-focused storytelling. Situational Awareness: How to "read the room," spot subtle verbal and visual cues (even over Zoom), and dynamically pivot the sales conversation rather than sticking to a rigid script. Humble Confidence: How to strike the perfect balance between knowing your value and putting the client's needs first, including mastering "the power of I don't know" and redirecting prospects to competitors when you aren't a good fit. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 03:27 Proactivity 07:51 Ownership 11:10 Curiosity 16:56 Situational Awareness 23:16 Humble Confidence 29:01 Final Thoughts Relevant Past Episodes: Slides Don't Sell The Perfect (Sales) Proposal Create Stronger Client Bonds With Empathy and Understanding Share your feedback in our listener survey : https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7
