You have been tasked with explaining to a junior salesperson the $10$ sequential steps that should be taken by a salesperson to increase the likelihood of a successful sales outcome. Which of the following would you characterise as the first step?

Question $36$ options:

A$)$

the approach

B$)$

prospecting

C$)$

the close

D$)$

the pre$-$approach

E$)$

the trial close