Several weeks ago I asked my Newsletter subscribers to send me their biggest sales challenges. So far, I have received 275 challenges. While I am still in the process of categorizing them, Inoticed that a number of them mentioned "Closing the sale" as yourbiggest challenge.

Closing the sale, cinching the deal, tying up all the loose ends, and getting to a yes decision is an important skill in the selling process. Even getting a "No" decision is better than holding onto an everlasting pending one.

Joe K., a friend and former client, discovered the importance of an effective close at an early age. Joe has been the president of major corporations and currently serves on several corporate boards - so pay attention to his comments.

Here's what he has to say about closing the sale . . .

"When I was in high school in downtown Philly, I went into a men's clothing store to buy a new suit. Obviously, many of the salespeople are career salespeople, and know all the lines and closing techniques. After trying on one suit, I came out of the dressing room and looked into the three-way mirror. The salesman approached me, smoothed out the back of the suit, tugged a little on the cuffs, and told me, "On you it looks good." I continued to look in the mirror, and moved from side to side, and he sensed some reluctance on my part. That's when he came up with the best close I have ever heard. He said," If you don't buy that suit, you are insulting yourself." So, not wanting to insult myself, I bought the suit."

Finally, it's not as important how you say what you say. What's more important is that you know exactly what you're going to say - during the "Close." Preparing and practicing in advance will always, and I mean always beat out on-the-spot improvisation.

Optional homework assignment - if you want to improve your closing technique and take it up to the next level grab a pen and a yellow legal pad. First think and then write how you plan to ask for the order in the future. Review and edit what you have written each day for four consecutive days. My guess is you'll have an incredible and powerful closing statement by the fourth day.

If you skip the assignment your approach to closing the sale will continue to be a "Wing it and sing it" one. It's not a big deal for me. But I guarantee you every customer/prospect can tell the difference between "preparation and improvisation."