Closing the Deal: Lessons from the Oracles Chamber

Today, I want to talk about why your business conversations are stalling and how you can maintain a forward-looking trajectory using two critical tools: advancements and scheduling.Too many of you are ending meetings with "we'll keep in touch" or "no wahala." That is not how business moves forward. An advancement is a mutual agreement between you and your potential client or investor on exactly what is going to happen next.If you don't secure an advancement every single time you talk, the chances of being ghosted or forgotten go through the roof.But securing the agreement is only half the battle you must schedule it. If you are handling more than two or three deals a month, scheduling with your brain will not work. You need an objective reminder outside of yourself, whether that is a CRM, Google Calendar, or even a physical diary.I'll admit, even I make mistakes. I recently realized I was supposed to have been in touch with someone eight weeks ago but I missed it. I had to "fall on the sword," take responsibility, and try to get that deal back on track.The reason some of you are broke today is because of the calls you didn't make and the proposals you didn't schedule weeks or months ago. If you take your foot off the gas, the other person will slack too. You must maintain the initiative. Log your calls, write down what was agreed upon, and set reminders with clear agendas so you never look unprepared.