Wednesday 25 January

Today on StartupSmart, we ask five of Australia’s leading sales experts to recall their worst experiences dealing with clients.

Each of these gurus – Marcia Griffin, Sue Barrett, Trent Leyshan, Debra Templar and Simon Harris – have made, and witnessed, a variety of sales errors, from the ridiculous to the fundamental.

Crucially, each have prospered after learning from these mistakes. Today, they share their sales secrets to help other start-ups avoid a similar fate.

Elsewhere, mentor Philip Alexander has some advice on whether you should approach your bank for funding and 99designs explains how it has spent some of its $35 million investment money.

Finally, we have secured specially-discounted tickets for StartupSmart readers keen to attend Product Design 2012, a two-hour seminar on how to launch and sell a product to international buyers.

The events, to be held in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne in February, will feature Leni Mayo, founding investor in 99designs, and Halfbrick CEO Shainiel Deo.

To get a 15% discount on tickets, use the codeward SMART after following this link.