The seven steps of the sale

The original commonly used Seven Steps terminology is in bold. In recent years more sophisticated interpretation and application of the Seven-Step selling process requires the model to be expanded and interpreted with more subtlety and flexibility, as shown here:

1. preparation/planning/research/approach (using facilitative methods)

2. introduction/opening/approach/establish initial credibility

3. questioning/identify needs/ask how and what, etc/establish rapport and trust

4. presentation/explanation/demonstration

5. overcoming objections/negotiating/fine-tuning

6. close/closing/agreement/commitment/confirmation

7. follow-up/after-sales/fulfill/deliver/admin