For everyone in the field of sales – whether manager or professional it’s been a challenging year. The economic downturn and the chaos in the United States and around the globe have caused confusion among sales teams. Beyond the typical politics and personal disagreements is the main problem with sales teams not reaching their goals. This puts stress on the senior management and everyone else concerned.
Since the new decade of our millennium approaches, it is evident that sales will change from the previous model. In reality, change is essential. With global competition is on the rise, as technology, the Internet, along the global economy moves through, new sales platforms are established. It is imperative to change because, in the absence of change, some businesses will be defeated.
With more than 28 years of experience working in the field of sales, we have indeed witnessed the good times and bad times. With the start of the New year will come new trends. Through research in the field as well as directly with our clients, here are what we believe to be the top-selling trends in 2011 and beyond.
End the Peddler years, and the sales industry was attributed to local and street merchants selling items (milk eggs, cheese, etc.)) as well as services (mortar and lawn maintenance) to the public. Later on, these skills became professionals such as stock or insurance brokers, etc. A variety of training courses taught the skills of cold calling as well as other ways to market products.
The Internet has transformed this. The consumer of today isn’t just better educated but has more information about products than ever before. Don’t customers want a sales pitch? Customers wish for a stimulating discussion with someone who brings fresh ideas and perspectives to the company. Furthermore, customers want to establish a relationship with sales experts. It is essential to ensure the sales team is developing relationships rather than selling widgets.
Optimize Productivity
The trend for the past couple of years has been to employ sales professionals to conduct. The seats will be filled, and production will rise. A lot of people believe that hiring friendly reps is the way an effective sales team does. That isn’t the reality. Sales managers have discovered hiring anyone was a waste of both time and cash. Employ for the talent, not just for behavior. Be sure to have the right members on your team. Some skills are inherent, and selling abilities are not taught.
Sales Leadership
Some believe that hiring the most successful person out of business and promoting the position of sales supervisor is a wise option. There is ample evidence to show that this isn’t the case. It’s beneficial to keep a top-producing producer on the job to do the things they are best at producing. The new style that is sales management will be developed by those who want to and have worked with sales teams.
The sales team is held accountable for specific measures of performance. The only way to guarantee that they meet the goals of the organization is to implement accountability standards.
Fits and Starts of Training
The recession shook many of the businesses of training, including consultants. While the multibillion-dollar industry will be back, sales managers and top officers will recognize that the training process isn’t working. Training is an activity. The method to start with a new way of doing things is through procedures. Sales managers will have to create programs that change behavior and satisfy organizational requirements.
Furthermore, organizations with resources can implement formal onboarding plans. Onboarding is a planned strategy to increase productivity for new staff members immediately. Onboarding is a way to invest in the retention of employees, their morale as well as productivity. Research shows that employees who have an orientation program that was structured were more likely to stay with the business after three years than employees who didn’t participate in the same process.
Functionality and Futility of CRM
A lot has been written in the last 20 years on the advantages of CRM – Customer Relationship Management. There’s definitely an advantage to using these products. But, a lot of time, money, research, and development has gone into making cool devices for professionals in sales. They are not used. A lot of companies have been spending money on systems that sales personnel do not believe to be helpful. More time is invested in products that are not just more efficient but also utilize more significant resources, which facilitate a relationship with customers.
Finding Prospective Clients
There is no doubt that many businesses utilize social networks as marketing tools. The problem is how many genuine buyers are spending time on social media? In this crazy-busy world, the decision-makers are crazy busy. Why should you spend a lot of time online when you could be used to spend time with people who are critical? Sales managers will ensure that the sales team invests time developing relationships with customers that are centered on crucial decision people. The majority of their time will be devoted to direct networking as well as introductions to the third party.
Value
Customers prefer doing business with people they know and trust. Sales professionals of the next decade must establish relationships with their customers. It is essential to have discussions about the value and benefits. Sales professionals should be able to talk about deliverables and the best ways they can improve the situation of their clients.
Before you Say Hello
The World web offers a range of information about suppliers. Furthermore, customer-to-customer interactions result in solid attitudes about the products and services. Thus, sales professionals have to apply methods of knowledge management that offer strategies to assist customers. Examples include improving performance, lessening the burden of work, enhancing productivity, etc. The ability to demonstrate value from the beginning is what makes a sales rep an asset for the customer.
Education
Like the athlete who trains to improve their performance, sales professionals also require strategies to enhance their professional skills. Sales managers will expect that sales professionals put their energy and time into improving their skills. Numerous research institutions now provide certificates (credentialed or professionally accredited) on selling. Sales leaders desire competitive individuals, not spectators.
