The CEOs of two different companies recently asked for my help. They have similar challenges, how to grow their revenue and market share, but from different perspectives. Company 1 delivers high-quality products to nationally known customers. They’ve grown their business by growing their customers and expanding their footprint across their customers’ business lines. Their customer […]
Read MoreBuilding a Sales Team
Element 6: Drive Specific Performance
Posted by David Wallace on December 19, 2019
Effective sales managers motivate their sales team to achieve higher performance levels that are specific to strategic success. They often employ three tactics: clear communication of expectations and strategy, incentive compensation and non-monetary incentive programs. Clear communications — If you clearly identify a goal and lay out a strategy or path to the goal, your sales […]
Read MoreElement 5: Develop and Manage Your People
Posted by David Wallace on December 19, 2019
It’s not enough to simply hire good sales representatives. You need to manage them to ensure they are working toward your goals and executing your strategy. Left to their own devices, even the best sales representatives will put their own interests first which may, or may not, coincide with your strategic goals. Training is also […]
Read MoreElement 2: Create Your Sales Organization
Posted by David Wallace on November 20, 2019
There are 8 Elements of Effective Sales Management Element 2: Create Your Sales Organization How you define your sales organization depends on your strategy – what you’re selling, where your target market is, who you’re selling to, and how you plan to reach your market. You may need an inside sales organization that focuses on lead […]
Read MoreWhat do you look for in your sales reps?
Posted by David Wallace on July 29, 2019
Sales representatives bring a lot of skills and qualities to your company. Here’s a list of skills and qualities I think every sales rep should possess. Integrity – honest in all their dealings with you, your company, customers and prospects. Intelligence – understand their customers’ businesses, anticipate needs, adapt your solutions to meet new challenges, […]
Read MoreInside Sales and Outside Sales – Working Together
Posted by David Wallace on March 18, 2010
When you employ both an inside sales team and an outside sales team, how do you divide your sales responsibilities? Without a clear definition of responsibilities, inside and outside sales reps can battle with each other instead of with the competition. If they battle over territories, customers and job roles, your customer gets caught in […]
Read MoreInside Sales vs. Outside Sales
Posted by David Wallace on February 11, 2010
Business owners and sales managers frequently debate about whether to invest in an inside sales force, an outside sale force, or some combination of the two. With inside sales, your sales reps visit with customers and prospects via the telephone, email, and internet. They do not leave the inside of your office, hence the name. […]
Read MoreManaging Your Sales Force
Posted by David Wallace on February 3, 2010
Five key elements help you manage effective sales teams and grow a successful business: Well-defined plans Clear communications Processes and tools Performance metrics Flexibility and adaptation Well-Defined Plans Well-defined, precise plans are roadmaps to success. They present your goals and strategies for how you will achieve those goals. Success follows when you develop specific plans […]
Read MoreSales Training
Posted by David Wallace on December 18, 2009
Sales reps are made, not born. Plus, selling is a skill which has evolved from “getting people to buy” whatever you are selling to fulfilling customer and market needs with your products. Like elite athletes, your most successful sales representatives are always “in training.” They are learning your market, products and competition. They’ve been trained […]
Read MoreSales Force Mix
Posted by David Wallace on December 8, 2009
Multiple channels exist for bringing your products and services to market – inside sales, dealers and distributors, and direct sales. Is one channel preferred over another? Can you use multiple channels simultaneously? Can the different channels support one another? Channel Preference Different channels efficiently address different markets and situations. Inside sales teams effectively sell commodity-like […]
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