The SONCAS sales method is a sales technique based on customer psychology. The term SONCAS stands for the six key elements of this method, including: Security, Pride, Novelty, Comfort, Money, and Sympathy. This adaptive sales approach seeks to understand the customer's motivations and fears to better meet their needs and desires.

Definition of the SONCAS method
The SONCAS method is a powerful tool for sales professionals. It allows them to match the offer with the customer's profile during the sales process, taking into account the six elements mentioned above. It is a persuasion technique that takes into account the customer's intrinsic and explicit motivations.
Why use SONCAS in sales?
Using the SONCAS method in sales offers several advantages benefits. It helps you understand customer buying behavior, overcome objections, and tailor your sales pitch to each customer. This customer-centric approach emphasizes the salesperson's desire to best meet the customer's expectations.
Key elements of the SONCAS method
The six elements, which make up the acronym SONCAS, represent motivations or needs felt by the customer. The sales assistant must take each of these aspects into account to adapt his proposal and maximize his chances of closing the sale.
Study each element of the SONCAS method
Understanding each component of the acronym is essential to mastering the SONCAS method.
The 'S' for Security
Safety is an important motivator for customers. It can refer to the safety of the product, the service or even the warranty offered. A customer who is reassured on this point will be more inclined to buy.
The 'O' for Pride
Pride can be related to the image the customer wishes to project to others or to their own self-esteem. A product or service that enhances the customer's self-esteem will be more likely to be accepted.
The 'N' for Novelty
Novelty often attracts customersThey are generally interested in innovative products or services that allow them to stand out or meet their needs in a new way.
The 'C' for Comfort
Comfort is also a strong motivator for customers. Customers are attracted by solutions that make their lives easier, save them time or give them a sense of well-being.
The 'A' for Argent
Money is often a determining factor in purchasing decisions. Customers consider value for money and expect financial benefits such as discounts or payment options.
The 'S' for Sympathy
Likeability plays an important role in the customer-salesperson relationship. A customer will be more likely to buy from a salesperson who is likeable, attentive, and concerned about their needs.
Identify customer needs using the SONCAS method
One of the important aspects of the SONCAS method is identifying the client's needs. This involves a series of techniques to better understand the client's motivations.
Questioning techniques to identify needs
Asking the right questions is essential to uncovering the customer's motivations. This can include open-ended questions that invite the customer to share their impressions, expectations and needs.
Active listening to identify SONCAS clues
By listening carefully to the customer, the salesperson can identify SONCAS clues in the customer's speech. These clues can provide insight into the customer's primary motivations and help them tailor their sales proposition.
Observation of customer reactions and behaviour
Behaviors and expressions often reveal the customer's deepest motivations. An attentive and observant salesperson will be able to adjust his or her offer according to these non-verbal cues.
Adapt your communication to the customer's SONCAS
After identifying the customer's needs, the seller must adapt his communication to match the customer's SONCAS acronym.
Adopt communication adapted to each SONCAS element
Each element of the SONCAS acronym requires a different communication approach. For example, for the security-motivated customer, the salesperson must emphasize the quality and reliability of their offering.
The power of reformulation using SONCAS
Reformulation is a powerful communication tool. It helps ensure that the salesperson and customer have the same understanding. By using the acronym SONCAS, the salesperson can restate the customer's needs and clarify their offer.
Integrate SONCAS elements into your sales pitch
Once the salesperson has a good understanding of the customer's motivations, he or she can integrate these elements into the sales pitch. This helps to build a proposal that precisely meets the customer's needs and expectations.
Examples of concrete applications of the SONCAS method
The SONCAS method can be used in different sales situations, whether B2B (Business to Business) or B2C (Business to Consumer) sales.
Using SONCAS in B2B sales
In the B2B context, the SONCAS method can help the salesperson understand the expectations of the client company. For example, a B2B customer may be motivated by considerations of money, security, or novelty.
What SONCAS can do for a B2C transaction
In a B2C transaction, the customer is generally more sensitive to factors such as pride, comfort, or sympathy. The SONCAS method can help the seller understand and respond to these personal motivations.
SONCAS use cases in various sales situations
Whether selling a car, a cleaning service, or software, the SONCAS method helps the salesperson tailor their offering to the specific needs of each customer.
Preparing a sale using the SONCAS method
The SONCAS method is a valuable guide for preparing for a sale. It helps the salesperson structure their proposal and anticipate potential customer objections.
Planning the SONCAS approach
The salesperson must work upstream to determine the SONCAS approach that best suits each client. This requires a good understanding of the client and their motivations.
Provide counter-arguments for each SONCAS identified
Once the salesperson has identified the customer's motivations, he or she must anticipate possible objections by preparing counter-arguments for each SONCAS element.
Develop a sales strategy based on SONCAS
The SONCAS method allows the salesperson to design a sales strategy that aligns with the customer's needs and motivations. This maximizes the chances of a successful sale.
After-sales follow-up and the SONCAS method
The SONCAS method is not limited to the sale itself. It can also be useful in post-sales follow-up, to strengthen the relationship with the customer.
The importance of after-sales follow-up
Effective after-sales follow-up is essential to maintaining customer satisfaction and fostering long-term loyalty. The SONCAS method can help salespeople identify customer expectations after the purchase.
Apply the SONCAS method to customer follow-up
By applying the SONCAS method to after-sales follow-up, the sales assistant can understand the customer's concerns and respond appropriately. This can range from reassuring the customer about his purchase to taking into account his need for novelty or comfort.
Improving customer relations using SONCAS
With the SONCAS method, after-sales follow-up becomes an opportunity to improve customer relations. The salesperson can continue to value the customer, respond to their new needs, and strengthen their empathy for them.
Don't make mistakes with the SONCAS method
Like any method, using the SONCAS acronym requires a certain amount of skill to avoid common mistakes.
Avoiding stereotypes linked to each SONCAS element
Every customer is unique and should not be reduced to a single SONCAS element. It is therefore essential to avoid stereotypes and consider the customer's overall motivations.
Don't overlook any SONCAS elements
It's important not to overlook any of the SONCAS elements. Even if certain elements seem more relevant to a given customer, other factors should not be ignored.
The mistake of overusing the SONCAS method
Finally, the SONCAS method is not a panacea. It must be used in a balanced manner, complementing other sales tools and approaches.
The importance of professional training in the SONCAS method
Professional training can be very beneficial for effective use of the SONCAS method. It provides a thorough understanding of the method and teaches you how to apply it accurately.
The role of training in mastering the SONCAS method
Professional training can provide salespeople with the tools and techniques needed to successfully implement the SONCAS method. It also provides the opportunity to practice and practice using the method.
When should you consider SONCAS training?
SONCAS training can be considered on several occasions: when hiring a new salesperson, when changing sales strategy or simply as a means of strengthening salesperson skills.
How do I choose a SONCAS sales training program?
It is recommended to choose a training program that offers comprehensive content on the SONCAS method, with practical exercises and case studies to enable salespeople to master this sales technique.
Conclusion: The importance of the SONCAS sales method in the business world
The adoption of the SONCAS method by sales professionals demonstrates its effectiveness and importance in the business world.
Summary of SONCAS key factors
The SONCAS method, with its six key elements – Security, Pride, Novelty, Comfort, Money and Sympathy – provides a solid framework for understanding customer motivations and adapting the sales offer.
The impact of the SONCAS method on customer satisfaction
By responding to customer needs and expectations, the SONCAS method helps to maximize customer satisfaction, strengthen the relationship with the customer and increase the chances of a successful sale.
Preparing for the future with the SONCAS method
With its customer-centric approach, the SONCAS method is perfectly aligned with the current trends of the market, where the customer is increasingly at the center of companies' concerns. Mastering this method is therefore excellent preparation for the future in the business world.