russia has launched a full-scale war in Ukraine. Donate to support Ukraine and protect the world’s peace.

The Challenger Sale

summary ofThe Challenger SaleBook by Matthew Dixon, Brent Adamson

15 min
00:00
/
00:00
Get full summary

You’ll learn

  • Who the challengers are and why they dominate sales
  • About sales training's pivotal role
  • The power of customer insights
  • Why all challengers don’t make good managers

first KEY POINT

The challengers or how to skyrocket your business

In 2009, the world faced a massive economic decline. Chaos ensued as businesses found it difficult to put together a sales team.But even with the decline, a few people were selling more than ever. This situation spurred the Sales Executive Council to begin research. Four years, multiple companies, and a thousand salespeople later, there were glaring reasons why companies that managed to make sales even in decline stood out.

Every B2B — business to business — sales rep falls into one of five categories, each describing a particular set of skills defining their interaction with customers. When the results were compared, these groups revealed a clear winner and a clear loser. Yet, the results are hard to believe because the winning profile is least expected to win. More research showed that the winning profile wasn't raking in more sales because of a bad economy; it did so regardless. These winning sales reps were called the challengers.

Exceptional salespeople are taught, not born.

Are you searching for a technique guaranteed to improve your company's sales? Have you been looking for appropriate material for training your sales team? Or do you want to view your business from the customer's perspective? Follow through and become a challenger who wins in every sales endeavor.

second KEY POINT

Solving problems to sell products

The sales reps that made the most sales during the economic decline were not the most trained to survive in that situation. These individuals triumphed by excelling in a framework that imposed challenges on both the salespeople and clients to adopt and think out of the box. This approach, widely known as “solution selling,” is a prevailing trend in sales and marketing.

book cover

Continue reading with Headway app

Continue reading

Full summary is waiting for you in the app

first KEY POINT

The multiskilled set of a top sales rep

second KEY POINT

Creating a genuine challenger

third KEY POINT

Showing a brave new world to your customers

fourth KEY POINT

Challenging training leads to quick victories

fifth KEY POINT

There is no one-size-fits-all solution

sixth KEY POINT

Divide, control, and conquer

seventh KEY POINT

Separating grains from chaff, or seeking out the challengers

eighth KEY POINT

Conclusion

About the author

Matt Dixon is a sales and customer experience expert, Harvard Business Review contributor, and founding partner of DCM Insights. Brent Adamson is a researcher, presenter, trainer, and advisor to B2B commercial executives.

Join 55+ million learners worldwide

172K 5 reviews on App Store and Google Play

Get started

Frequently asked questions

What is The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation about?

The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation, authored by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson, focuses on how successful sales representatives leverage insight and challenge the status quo to engage customers. It proposes that the most effective sellers take control of their conversations by educating and guiding customers towards better solutions.

What are the key takeaways from The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation?

Key takeaways from The Challenger Sale highlight the importance of the Challenger sales model, which categorizes salespeople into five types and emphasizes the value of teaching, tailoring, and taking control. The book argues that effective sales involve challenging customers’ assumptions and providing unique insights that foster stronger business relationships.

Is The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation worth reading?

Yes, The Challenger Sale is worth reading for anyone involved in sales, marketing, or business strategy, as it offers practical insights and innovative approaches that can enhance selling techniques. Its methods are backed by research, making it a valuable resource for improving how you engage with customers.

How many pages is The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation and when was it published?

The Challenger Sale is approximately 240 pages long and was published on March 1, 2011. Its concise format makes it easy to digest, allowing readers to quickly grasp its essential selling concepts.