“Less is More” is a popular phrase that has been tossed around for years, even dating back to the ancient Greeks. You may have heard it in various settings — perhaps the Minimalist Movement comes to mind. “Less is More” is a simple yet powerful concept that can greatly impact your life. The essence of the principle is this: Instead of always striving for more, sometimes focusing on less and simplifying things is better. By doing so, you can reduce stress, increase clarity and achieve greater satisfaction in your daily life. This principle can be applied to many different areas of life — from home organization to cooking and more. You wouldn’t want to ruin a nice steak by putting too much salt on it! So, why not try embracing the idea that less can sometimes be more? This premise may be more valid in the sales business than any other. We often teach salespeople that in order to excel, they need to be product-knowledge experts on each vehicle model the dealership offers. And while this is true — product knowledge can be a catalyst for growth, confidence and professional development — it must be relayed in moderation. F&I managers are also encouraged to become experts in their product, or it could reflect badly on their business. Nobody wants to be sold anything by someone who doesn’t know what they’re selling. If the salesperson or F&I manager has put forth the effort to become a product expert, they should be prepared and ready to share what they’ve learned in response to a customer’s question. The issue is that some people tend to share excessive information about a product when asked a question, instead of providing a direct answer. This can turn their extensive product knowledge into a negative rather than a positive. Whether prompted or not, sharing everything you know is usually not the best course of action. A direct response that is clear and concise trumps the volume of information just about every time. Why waste time and energy using 10 words when one will do? It takes skill, awareness and experience to know how to answer and when to stop answering. Most customers are probably not interested in the details; instead, they want their answers and they want to get on with their day. So why is it so hard for some salespeople and F&I managers to get to the point? It’s possible that they don’t have a point. Perhaps they haven’t thoughtfully considered the question and how to answer it before they start talking, or maybe they lack experience or confidence, which can lead to over-answering. When Saying Less GETS YOU MORE 20
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