During the presentation the customer might show some curiosity or raise certain questions. What is it called?
It is called Objections or Customer Queries. When a customer shows curiosity or raises questions during a presentation, these are termed as objections or queries. A skilled salesperson should handle these positively as they indicate the customer's interest.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark: Correctly identifying it as 'objections' or 'customer objections/queries' in the context of the sales presentation stage. Award mark if student mentions that these indicate customer interest. No mark for vague answers such as 'questions' or 'feedback' without the term 'objections'.
Hint
During a presentation, when a customer seems curious and starts asking things or showing hesitation, a salesperson treats this positively — the technical term is the same word used in a courtroom when a lawyer challenges a statement.
Quick Oral Answer
When a customer shows curiosity or raises questions during a presentation, it is called objections. A skilled salesperson treats objections as a sign of customer interest and handles them positively to move closer to closing the sale.
Analysis & Explanation
Handling objections is the fifth step in the personal selling process and is widely considered the most skill-intensive stage. The core insight — that objections signal interest, not rejection — is counterintuitive and frequently tested in CBSE exams. Students must understand that the correct answer to 'What is curiosity or questions during a presentation called?' is objections or customer queries, and more importantly, that a good salesperson treats these as opportunities rather than obstacles. The exam trap here is assuming that objections are negative and should be avoided or deflected; the correct approach is to acknowledge, empathise, and address the objection with evidence or demonstration. In real-world selling, objections can be pre-empted by a strong presentation that anticipates common concerns. For example, if price is typically an objection, a smart salesperson builds a cost-benefit comparison into the presentation before the customer asks. The six major categories of objections — price, product, source, time, need, and competition — each require a distinct response strategy. Beyond sales, this concept applies to everyday persuasion: when someone questions an idea in a group discussion, the effective communicator welcomes the question, validates it, and then provides a reasoned response rather than becoming defensive. Recognising objections as engagement is a life skill that extends well beyond the sales floor.
Common Mistakes
- 1Writing 'feedback' or 'questions' instead of the specific CBSE term 'objections' — the syllabus uses 'objections' as the technical term for customer queries raised during a presentation.
- 2Stating that objections are a negative sign indicating the customer does not want to buy — objections signal interest and engagement, not rejection.
- 3Confusing 'objections' with 'rejection' — objections are questions or concerns that can be overcome, while rejection is a refusal to purchase.
Previously Asked
What are 'objections' in the context of a sales presentation?
When a customer raises doubts or concerns during a sales pitch, what is it called?
How should a salesperson handle objections raised by a customer?
Interesting Facts
Research by sales platform Gong.io, based on analysis of over one million sales calls, found that top-performing salespeople actually encounter more objections than average performers — because they engage customers more deeply, drawing out hidden concerns that less skilled salespeople never uncover.
The word 'objection' in a legal courtroom and in a sales room shares the same root idea — raising a challenge to something stated. Just as lawyers must respond to objections with evidence, salespeople must respond with facts, demonstrations, and testimonials.
IBM's legendary sales training programme from the 1960s-1980s dedicated more hours to objection-handling than to any other sales skill, making it the backbone of their salesforce's success in selling complex technology solutions to corporate clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are objections a negative sign during a sales presentation?
No — objections are generally a positive sign. When a customer raises questions or shows curiosity during a presentation, it signals that they are actively engaged and interested in the product. A completely silent customer who raises no questions is often more difficult to close, as their silence may indicate disinterest. Skilled salespeople are trained to welcome objections as opportunities to provide information and build confidence in the purchase decision.
What is the difference between an objection and a rejection in sales?
An objection is a concern, doubt, or question the customer raises about the product — such as price, quality, or features. It does not mean the customer refuses to buy; it means they need more information or reassurance. A rejection is a definitive refusal to purchase. Objections can be overcome with the right response; rejections require re-engagement at a future time or with a different offer.
What are the most common types of objections a salesperson faces?
The most common objections are price objections ('It is too expensive'), product objections ('I am not sure this will work for me'), time objections ('I need to think about it'), source objections ('I have not heard of your company'), need objections ('I do not think I need this right now'), and competition objections ('I prefer Brand X'). Each type requires a different handling technique.