A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER, KRISTY DAVIES-SUMPTER
As we approach the end of the year, it’s easy to slip into “I’ll sort my sales in January” mode.
But the truth is this: Momentum doesn’t magically appear in January.
It’s built now.
A strong start in the New Year comes from the decisions, structure and clarity you set in motion today.
And that’s exactly what this month’s newsletter is about:
Helping you finish 2025 feeling focused, organised and confident about where your next sales are coming from, and even more prepared for a strong 2026.
Enjoy the read, and take action!
Why a “no” in sales stings (and how to change that)
Let’s talk about rejection.
Sales feels personal because you’re not just selling a product, you’re often putting yourself, your expertise, your time, your ideas and your energy out there.
So, when someone says “no”, it can hit harder than it should. But here’s the reality: A “no” isn’t about you.
It usually means “not now”, “not a priority”, or “not the right fit”.
Here’s how to bounce back with resilience:
- Don’t dwell: Move straight to your next action. Momentum is everything.
- Review: Was the offer clear? Was the timing right?
- Keep perspective: Sales is a numbers game. One “no” is just part of the equation.
- Focus on the pipeline: More conversations = more opportunities.
Sales Mistakes That Slow Your Down
(and what to do instead)
These come up a lot in my work with small business owners. Here are three to watch out for:
Mistake 1 - Letting follow-ups slide: Most deals aren’t won after the first conversation, but most people stop too early.
Fix it: Set a simple 3-5 step follow-up process you do every single time.
Mistake 2 - Confusing “busy” with “productive”: Being active isn’t the same as moving sales forward.
Fix it: Schedule daily sales actions with clear outcomes (not vague tasks like “work on LinkedIn”).
Mistake 3 - Not prioritising prospecting: If every lead feels like starting from scratch, that’s a system issue.
Fix it: Define your steps - prospecting, qualifying, quoting, closing, follow-up.
Small shifts. Big impact. Choose one and make a start.
Ready, Set, GROW: Free Webinar
Thursday 4 December
12pm - 1pm: Online
If you want 2026 to be your best sales year yet, join me for a practical session where I’ll walk you through:
- Why sales planning matters more than ever
- The biggest pitfalls and how to avoid them next year
- My four-part GROW framework for building consistent sales momentum
- What your weekly sales actions need to look like if you want real growth
The Sales Den: 6-Week Sales Boost
(Black Friday Offer)
To help small business owners get back in control of their sales, I’m offering a focused 6-week boost inside The Sales Den (My Sales Programme for Small Business Owners).
If you want to give your sales a serious shake-up without a long-term commitment, this is a perfect place to start.
Click here for more information and to book your 6-Week Spot.
Get the brochure here
Sales Videos
If you haven’t visited the Resources section of the new Zest website yet, you’re missing out on a whole lot of practical support.
I’ve pulled together a range of advice and guidance to help you improve your sales confidence, your pipeline and your approach, including:
- Sales prospecting and process
- Account Management
- Sales Mindset
- Social Selling
- Sales Software
And more. You can explore all the videos here.
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