The answers to the Critical Thinking Questions are worth 10 points.
UNIT 6 CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS
Critical Thinking Questions
1. Howard recently joined the sales team of a luxury car dealership. How is the company's
salesforce most likely organized? How is Howard's performance most likely evaluated?
What is the role of sales forecasting? If Howard I paid through a system of sales quotas
and commissions, what are the advantages and disadvantages of that approach?
2. Describe each step in the selling process, and explain which activities are most likely to
occur during each phase.
3. What factors determine how a product is priced? Provide examples of pricing policies for
a product that is a good, a service, and an idea
4. Discuss the role and importance of customer service and describe ways in which
products and services must satisfy customer needs before and after the sale to be
successful.
5. Identify the features and benefits of selling. Describe a range of sales situations, including
by telephone and the Internet, sales at flea markets and tradeshows, and sales performed
by an external sales team.



Answer :

The organization of a luxury car dealership's salesforce is typically structured in a way that maximizes efficiency and specialization. Sales teams may be organized based on geographic regions, types of clients, or product lines. Howard's performance is likely evaluated based on sales targets, customer satisfaction, and possibly feedback from clients and colleagues. Sales forecasting is crucial for predicting future sales trends and setting realistic targets for the team.

If Howard is compensated through a system of sales quotas and commissions, there are advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include incentivizing sales performance, motivating employees to achieve targets, and directly tying pay to performance. However, disadvantages may include potential stress from meeting quotas, competition among team members, and a focus on short-term sales rather than long-term customer relationships.

The selling process typically involves several steps: prospecting, approaching, presenting, handling objections, closing, and following up. During prospecting, salespeople identify potential customers. Approaching involves making initial contact with the customer. Presenting includes showcasing the product or service's features and benefits. Handling objections addresses any concerns or hesitations the customer may have. Closing is securing the sale, and following up involves ensuring customer satisfaction and potentially building long-term relationships.

Product pricing is influenced by factors such as production costs, competition, demand, and perceived value. Pricing policies vary for goods, services, and ideas. For example, a good may follow a cost-plus pricing strategy, a service could adopt value-based pricing, and an idea may use premium pricing to convey exclusivity or quality.

Customer service plays a crucial role in satisfying customer needs before and after a sale. Products and services must meet customer expectations to build loyalty and encourage repeat business. Providing excellent customer service can differentiate a company from its competitors and lead to positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

Selling involves understanding the features and benefits of a product or service to meet customer needs effectively. Sales situations can vary, including telephone and internet sales, flea market or tradeshow sales, and those conducted by an external sales team. Adaptability, communication skills, and product knowledge are essential for success across different sales scenarios.