Biology of Business

Concept · Sales & Marketing Frameworks

SPIN Selling

Origin: Neil Rackham (1988)

By Alex Denne

Biological Parallel

Wolves circle prey for minutes before attacking, using systematic observation to assess vulnerability—testing speed, scanning for limps, gauging herd protection. This sequential information gathering (Situation → Problem → Implication → Need) minimizes energy waste on futile hunts. SPIN's questioning sequence mirrors this predatory reconnaissance: invest small amounts of energy (questions) to determine if larger investment (solution effort) is warranted, exactly as foraging theory predicts.