Don Talbert’s Post

Two people can share the same wine yet have two different experiences. Matt: “This wine is bad.” Mandy: “This wine is good.” The wine isn’t bad or good. Objects are neutral. Wine just is. It’s only bad or good from a person’s perspective. The wine is bad because Matt thinks it’s bad. The wine is good because Mandy thinks it's good. It’s the same with selling. Matt: “Cold calling is a chore.” Mandy: “Cold calling is a privilege.” Matt: “My territory is rotten.” Mandy: “My territory is ripe.” What’s the point? It’s not always easy, but you always have an opportunity to view any event through different lenses. Your mind can close or open doors. It’s a choice. Choose wisely.

The Single Most Important Lesson I’ve Learned About Selling Wine Wine is immensely complex, but complexity kills sales. So why on earth do we wine professionals devote so much time studying arcane bits of knowledge we hope will impress our customers? I came into wine late, changing careers twice in pursuit of my passion, and for years felt a desperate need to catch up to my better-educated peers. Twenty years later, the hardest and most important lesson I've learned about how to sell wine is quite simple: Share joy generously. Share knowledge sparingly. And here's why: The only reason wine exists in the modern world is so that we might be a little bit happier after we pop the cork than we were a moment before. That's it. That's all there is to it. For the vast majority of wine consumers, happiness in a bottle of wine comes from visceral pleasures related to sight, smell, and flavor. Something in this moment may make them happy. Watch carefully for signs of their joy. This is when the sale happens. Feed their pleasure as if it were a seed that requires more joy to grow. Encourage their happiness by sharing your excitement, ideally with no more than a smile. If you speak, speak only of the joy you find in this particular wine. Please, please, please do not distract their pleasure with facts about geology, winemaking, or the history of the Cistercian monks in a small Burgundian village. The customer is just as selfish as you and I. They want to focus on their happiness in this moment. Relax and let the wine speak for itself. Your heartfelt joy will communicate more confidence and expertise than any detail ever can. Embrace your joy. Share your joy. Sell more wine. Photo Credit: Gosia Matuszewska, Rishi Productions Chicago Photo Details: Evie Olson and Tracey Ramsey bringing joy to a Candid Wines event.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭? A well-chosen wine gift not only reflects the quality and standard of a company, but also serves as a subtle expression of appreciation towards its clients. The appreciation itself is not just a thank you, but a clear message: your business is important to us, you are important to us. Gifting wine with Vinvie is about how it is presented, selected, and what message is used. Personalization in this regard is key. In a world of standard corporate gifts that become forgotten, personalized wine stands as evidence that you have taken time and effort to create unique and special moments for your clients. That is why we carefully select our wines, beautifully package them, and provide customized sets, listening in on your requirements and wishes. Contact us at 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨@𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐞.𝐝𝐞 so we can provide the right selection for your clients.

Customers are your best 'sales reps' 💰 No amount of marketing or money spent elsewhere can do for you what a customer referral can. Wineries (or any business in hospitality) should for this very reason not neglect the in-person experience, i.e Tasting Rooms. Simple, sustainable ways to do this are: - Knowledgeable and friendly staff 👨🍳 (knowledge can be taught, but friendliness is a personal trait. Choose staff wisely.) - Convenient services 🏪 (make it easy for the customer to purchase wines, use facilities etc.) - Private tastings 🍷 (people prefer people, always have the option of private tastings and make the standard tasting 'more' personal.) If you could add more, what would it be?

Two people can share the same bottle of wine and have two different experiences. Matt: “This wine is terrible.” Mandy: “This wine is excellent.” The wine isn’t bad or good. Objects are neutral. Wine just is. It’s only bad or good from a person’s perspective. The wine is bad because Matt thinks it’s bad. The wine is good because Mandy thinks it's good. It’s the same with selling. Matt: “Cold calling is a chore.” Mandy: “Cold calling is a privilege.” Matt: “My territory is rotten.” Mandy: “My territory is ripe.” Your perceptions shape your experiences. Rotten or ripe. It’s a choice. Choose wisely.

Josh Braun's latest post highlights the profound 🙏🏾 impact of perception on our professional experiences. He uses a relatable analogy in his post: two individuals tasting the same wine and reacting differently, to illustrate how our attitudes and beliefs fundamentally shape our reality, especially in sales environments. This principle is universally applicable! Our view of tasks as either chores or privileges largely stems from our perception. Braun's insights underscore that our mindset can indeed transform everyday tasks into meaningful activities and turn challenges into opportunities. This perspective shift is particularly valuable in sales, where attitude profoundly influences outcomes. Understanding that "objects are neutral" and that our experiences are shaped by our perceptions can free us from self-imposed limitations, enabling a more positive and effective approach to work. How have your perceptions affected your professional life? Have you noticed changes in your work approach or outcomes after shifting your viewpoint? #SalesMindset #ProfessionalGrowth #PerceptionIsReality #PositiveOutlook #BusinessSuccess

💎 Crafting Excellence: Like Fine Wine, Great Businesses Age to Perfection 💎 At Maroc Edge, we believe that excellence is not born overnight—it is crafted over time, nurtured with care, and refined through experience. Much like the meticulous process of ageing fine wine, building a successful business requires patience, precision, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Just as a winemaker carefully selects the finest grapes, we meticulously evaluate every opportunity to enhance your business. Our comprehensive services include market analysis, brand development, and strategic planning. We aim to nurture your potential, guiding you towards a future where your business stands out as a symbol of excellence. We invite you to embark on this journey with Maroc Edge, where we blend the art of wine ageing with the science of business development. Together, we will craft a story of success, one that stands the test of time. Like a fine wine, your business deserves to be savored, celebrated, and remembered. At Maroc Edge, we don't just build businesses; we craft excellence. Let's age to perfection.

I'VE NEVER BEEN A GREAT SALESPERSON 🤷♀️ I've never had that boldness, that grit that a salesperson needs when closing a deal. I've always been afraid of being too pushy and probably too polite towards the final buyer. My strength was working on the strategies behind, in preparing tools useful to our salespeople, in being able to see open opportunities and respond to the market with highly creative and, above all, measurable solutions. However, now that I've become an entrepreneur and I inevitably have to make calculations at the end of the month 🤷♀️, I must measure myself against the art of selling! A few days ago, I received one of the feedbacks that perhaps gave more meaning to my personal strength, my uniqueness as a professional figure. During a brief exchange of emails with a client, where I proposed a selection of wines for his private cellar, he concluded by saying: 'Claudia, I don't have time to shop. I like it when it's you telling me what to buy.’ For a few seconds, I was speechless. That's when I understood what the true strength of my profession is: having the experience, credibility, and trust of my clients when it comes to choosing one bottle of wine over another. When clients rely on you not just for your products or services, or for your nice and smiley approach, but for your expertise and judgment, that's when you know you've truly succeeded in sales! #wine #entrepeneur #winebusiness —— 🍷 I am Claudia, WSET Lev. 3 certified wine professional. If you are fascinated by Tuscany but you don't know how to scout the most authentic and unique wines of this region🍷 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄! 📩

The $900/Day Wine Secret ... Close your eyes and inhale deeply. Can you smell it? The rich aroma of financial freedom, with notes of success and hints of leisure. You're standing in your private wine cellar, surrounded by bottles you've collected from around the world. This isn't just a hobby anymore—it's a symbol of your prosperity. How did you get here? Let me pour you a glass of reality: The Bouquet of Automation: Our done-for-you sales funnel works like a master sommelier, pairing customers with offers while you sleep. The Body of Community: Our 35,000 members form a blend as complex and supportive as a vintage Bordeaux. The Finish of Time Freedom: Just 2 hours a day, leaving you free to swirl, sniff, and savor life's pleasures. The Legs of Proven Results: $900 daily potential, as consistent as the stripes on a well-poured glass. The Terroir of Expertise: Our system adapts like vines to changing soil, ensuring your business thrives in any market climate. This isn't about getting tipsy on dreams—it's about crafting a robust, full-bodied future. Are you ready to uncork your potential ? Check comments to start blending your passion for wine with the sweet taste of success. To your perfect pairing of passion and prosperity🍷 P.S. Like a fine wine, this opportunity only gets better with time. But unlike wine, it won't wait forever. Seize it today.

There’s event follow-up and then there’s *creative* event follow-up. This post (and my next two, as well!) will focus on event follow-up because it’s such an area of opportunity for anyone who plans events. A quick “thanks for coming, [FIRST.NAME]! Want to talk to sales?” email is just not the way people want to be treated anymore. So here’s a more creative way to follow up if you’ve got a little bit of budget: At the beginning of an event, have everyone introduce themself with an icebreaker question. In your follow-up, send them something related to what they mentioned. For example, if you’re hosting a wine tasting and ask everyone to share their name, company, and favorite type of wine, follow up by mailing prospects their favorite wine. It shows you a) listened, and b) care about them. Cheers to better follow-up! 🥂 #eventplanning #eventfollowup #fieldmarketing