Prioritize Discovery Over Demos with Tom Josephson, TCP Software

The Unexpected Lever

Is discovery or demos the secret weapon in sales?

In this episode of V5, host Jarod Greene chats with Tom Josephson, Director of Solution Consulting at TCP Software, about a controversial take: demos aren’t as crucial as everyone believes. Find out how mastering discovery can lead to deeper customer connections and more successful deals.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Power of Discovery: Tom explains why understanding your buyer’s needs through effective discovery can give you an edge over competitors, even when pricing becomes a factor.
• Shifting the Focus: Setting clear expectations for demos ensures they are laser-focused on what matters most to the customer.
• Value-Based Selling: Tom shares insights on how to sell capabilities during discovery, getting buyers excited and showing alignment long before the demo.

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Demos don’t matter, discovery does

(00:45) Lessons Tom learned from the deals he lost and won

(02:07) Why strong discovery sets up the demo for success

(03:02) What to do when a prospective client requests early demos

(03:53) Steps to secure buy-in on the importance of discovery