Dr Karsten Wagner - Consulting for Dental - posing with chess pieces
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FAQ – Questions that arouse curiosity

Interview with Dr. Karsten Wagner

I have been working in the medical device market for over 30 years – in sales, marketing and management. Over the years, it became clear to me that the decisive moments do not happen in the office, but out in the field with the customer. That is where trust is built – or lost. That is why I now work where the results really happen: in real conversations, directly on site.

When evaluating the work of the sales force, many people focus on measuring visits or sales. But what really happens during those 10–15 minutes with the customer remains invisible. Questions, reactions and nuances are often overlooked. It is precisely this phase that I call the ‘black box’, because it is crucial but rarely consciously considered.

Sales signals are often not recognised or are misinterpreted. This leads to deals that are actually ready to be closed being left unfinished. I show you how to correctly perceive and classify these signals so that more deals are successfully closed

A good conversation opens doors; a bad one closes them – this is often underestimated. People talk about it, but they don’t really address the issue. Most of the time, it’s about the number of visits, but that’s not nearly enough! Take a look at the topic of the ‘black box’. It’s more about the depth of the conversations – honest and attentive listening. This is how you build a lasting connection with the customer. Those who master this will gain the necessary trust in the long term – and with it, success.

Not exactly, but you can make it visible. I use tried-and-tested methods and tools and know when each one is most effective. This makes quality measurable and improves it. You can identify the areas that need work and where there is untapped potential.

Thanks to my extensive experience in various roles related to this field, I understand sales from many perspectives: I have sold products myself, established products and led teams. Above all, it was important to me to be out in the field with my team on a regular basis, rather than just observing processes from above and from the outside. And in doing so, I learned an enormous amount, step by step!
 
This practical experience flows directly into my coaching.

For me, selling means that the customer dares to do something they didn’t want to do before. Everything else is distribution. Selling is therefore about persuasion and change, not just a transaction. But selling also means creating trust – trust in the product, but also in the salesperson. The latter is even more important in the dental industry!

We would be blind not to take advantage of the opportunities offered by AI, but we would also be crazy to underestimate the problems. AI provides data, products and arguments, but it does not feel or understand nuances. People buy from people – because of trust, attitude and credibility. That remains indispensable. So, of course, I use AI in my daily work, and of course I pass on what I know about it – but I am always aware that developments are racing ahead of us. It remains to be seen how this will establish itself in the long term.
 
We cannot escape the gradual automation of the dental sector either. I am observing developments and incorporating the latest findings into my coaching.

Knowledge is available faster and more readily. That’s why the relationship between buyer and salesperson is becoming even more important. Salespeople who understand, listen and guide are now more crucial than those who simply present products. Nevertheless, the process will change. Salespeople must increasingly expect buyers to have already gathered information and even sought advice from AI. They must be able to respond to this as well.

I help identify sales signals, improve the quality of conversations and secure deals. My strength lies in the combination of decades of practical experience, sound academic expertise and the ability to put knowledge directly into practice.

In chess, the queen is the strongest piece – not because it dominates, but because it moves freely, sees far and acts precisely. It combines strategy with agility, clarity with impact. This is precisely the approach that characterises my work: leadership, coaching and development with vision, structure and depth of impact.
The queen represents an attitude – the ability to hold multiple perspectives, recognise options and make the right moves at the right moment.
 
She is not a symbol of power, but a benchmark for leadership that works from the second row, quietly but consistently.
 
That is why she is my symbol – and my aspiration.
My goal is to prepare people and organisations to be good when it matters.
In coaching, as in training, it is important to be capable of acting, present and clear at the decisive moment – precisely when pressure, complexity or uncertainty are at their greatest.
As in handball, timing determines success or failure. This ability can be trained: perceive, focus, react – at the right moment.
My goal is to empower managers, teams and individuals to draw on their strengths when they are needed.

Practice-oriented sales training

We don’t impart knowledge – we create skills. Our formats are all about real experience, trying things out and reflecting – with immediate benefits for everyday life.
If you would like to know how this leads to tangible progress, let’s talk about it.
No marathon of theory, no barrage of standard slides – instead, a training approach that changes behaviour and makes results visible.
I would be happy to explain how this format works – and why it has a measurable effect.
Arrange a free initial consultation
Usually faster than many people expect.
Thanks to the high proportion of practical work and the clear structure, the first changes are usually visible after just a few weeks. I would be happy to explain how we make progress measurable.
For teams working in complex customer relationships – whether in sales, service or customer success.
For organisations that want lasting impact, not just momentary motivation.
 
Is this concept right for your company? Let’s find out together.
Because in 15 minutes, you will understand why modern learning works differently today – and how you can use it to create real competitive advantages.
 
In short: less knowledge transfer, more behavioural change, tangible success.
Dr. Wagner sitzt im Trikot eines Handballtorhüters mit einem Ball und lächelt in die Kamera.
Dr Karsten Wagner - Consulting for Dental - posing with chess pieces

karsten.wagner@what-matters-most.coach

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 +49 160 96266948

KKW Consulting Dental

Dr. Karsten Wagner

Hügelstraße 25b

65510 Hünstetten, Germany

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