Weekly Sales Meetings

Sales Meeting (Jan 12-18): 10 Fatal First Impressions That Kill Sales

Customers decide in seconds whether to buy from you. Eliminate these deal-killing first impressions.

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2026

INSTORE Staff

Sales Meeting (Jan 12-18): 10 Fatal First Impressions That Kill Sales

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INTRODUCTION: Many sales trainers suggest holding sales meetings on Tuesdays or Fridays, but your store’s reality will obviously determine the best time for your meetings. Your weekly meeting can last 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 60 minutes.

Week 2 (Jan 12-18): 10 Fatal First Impressions That Kill Sales

OPENING SEQUENCE (5-7 minutes)

Minutes 1-2: Recognition & Praise

Start with specific wins from yesterday/this week
Point out behaviors you want repeated
Examples: “Sarah’s perfect use of the T.O. technique” or “Mike’s follow-up that brought a $5,000 sale”
Make it sincere and specific

Minutes 3-4: Numbers Check & Store Updates

Yesterday’s sales highlights (what sold, who sold it)
Today’s appointments and special situations
Rush repairs ready for pickup
Items no longer in cases
Quick progress check on weekly/monthly goals
This week’s spiff.

Minutes 5-7: Team Connection

Inspirational quote (rotate who selects)
Check current gold prices (market awareness)
Any personal celebrations to acknowledge
Set positive energy for the day

CORE TRAINING SECTION (20-45 minutes)

FEATURED SUBJECT

Week 2 (Jan 12-18): 10 Fatal First Impressions That Kill Sales

Training resources for this lesson — Shane Decker’s columns in July 2007, March 2017 and May 2011.

The 10 Sale Killers to Eliminate:

1. Greeting from behind counter – Get out front
2. Taking longer than 5 seconds – They feel unwanted
3. Not covering sweet spot – Like leaving front door unmanned
4. Doing busy work – Nothing matters more than the customer
5. Huddling with coworkers – Makes them feel like outsiders
6. Saying “What can I help you with?” – Lazy and uncreative
7. Not getting up from desk – Show respect by standing
8. Answering the phone when with a customer — Walk-ins always come first; someone else handles the phone
9. Looking then walking away – Says “I don’t want to wait on you”
10. Packing up before closing – Pack at 6:01, not 5:30

Practice Elements:

Identify which killers your store is guilty of
Role-play the wrong way, then right way
Create accountability partners

Measurement:

Track this week which killers occur most
Assign team members to watch for specific violations

CLOSING SEQUENCE (5-8 minutes)

Option A – Team Member Presentation (twice monthly)

5-minute presentation by assigned staff
Topics can include:
Book Report: 5-10 key takeaways from a business book
Customer Experience Report: What other retailers do well
Mystery Shop Report: Insights from visiting competitors
Learning Summary: Online course or training completed

Option B – Action Planning (alternate weeks)

Review “wow” opportunities for the day
Assign follow-up calls
Preview upcoming store events
Set individual daily goals
Quick round: “What’s one thing you’ll implement today?”

FINAL MINUTE

Restate the main learning point
Team energy boost (high-five, cheer, or affirmation)
“Let’s make today count!”
Open doors ready to excel

INSTORE Staff

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