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Start at the Top.
   How much easier would mountain climbing be if you could always start at the top?  You would rappel down, and have the aid of the rope during the climb up!  That principle applies to selling to organizations too. 

   Many advertising sales people start their client relationship at the bottom because it is easier to get a media buyer to return a call or take a meeting.  Client or agency staff at the bottom flatter themselves that they are decision makers because they have been assigned to gather information or even assemble a recommendation.  They decide what to recommend.  Some sales people flatter themselves that they are talking to decision makers too.  But good sales people know that approval at higher levels is required to close a sale.  And we know that staff at every level want to please their boss, and get a recommendation approved easily.  So we know we’re going to have to influence those at the top of the hierarchy.

    Sales people who start at the bottom must scale the heights of the organization the hard way… always stretching to safely – diplomatically -- ‘go over the head’ of your contacts. 

    Sales people can do what mountain climbers can’t: start at the top.  By starting at the top, sales people open up a channel of communication with, and stay connected with, the senior executive who’ll approve the plan.  Even if you don’t get a meeting on your first call, the personal assistant will be much more likely to give you the direct dial, or the email of the VP of Marketing, and so on down the line.  Then, when you make the call to the lower level buyer you have a referral…rather than a cold call.

    And a savvy sales person can keep the top door at the top open a crack by sending a thank-you note, including some information of value, and explaining your plan to work with the staff to develop a plan that you hope will be presented to back to the top executives for approval.  Sometimes you’ll be so lucky that the senior executive will ‘buck’ you item down the chain with a note saying ‘lets look into this’ or ‘I’d like your opinion on this.’  That will further open doors for you.

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