for this project. Identifying these
needs and expectations is critical so
that you can work with your own
technology support people and
develop a customized system as a
solution to Farmland’s needs.
Join with a group of fellow students to role play
this first sales call and demonstrate how you
would (a) build a rapport with the team members,
(b) identify the needs and expectations
the team members have for this information
technology project, and (c) bridge the gap
between the sales manager and the MIS director
that seemed to kill the project once before.
Scene 2: Location—Aimee Linn’s office at
Farmland Companies.
Action— Based on the needs and
expectations discovered in your first
sales call, you have worked with
your support team at Candoo Computers
to develop a customized
system meeting Farmland’s primary
needs. You are now making a follow-
up sales call for the purpose of
presenting your proposed system
and making the sale.
Upon completion of the role play, address the following
questions:
1. In what way would the different communication
styles of the buying team members present complications
in the critical stages of building a rapport
and discovering the buyers’ needs and
expectations?
2. How can a salesperson effectively build a rapport
with a team of different individuals that have
large variations across their communication styles?
3. In a buying team situation, it is typical that certain
needs will be championed by specific members
while other members will be vocal
in support of other needs the solution must
address. How might a salesperson best present