Sales Manager

If you want to make sure that you’reSales Manager Strategy #6: Reward your
the best sales manager you can possibly be, whyemployees
not check out these helpful sales manager hintsWhen was the last time you rewarded your
below? By employing some of these salestop-notch sales members? Was it today? Was it
manager tactics, you’ll soon be able tolast week? Or would you have to look through
motivate and direct your team better than everyour Palm Pilot to estimate when you last gave
before.your team some “kudos”? As a
Sales Manager Strategy #1: Learn as much assales manager, you should be giving your
you canemployees constant positive feedback in the
To become the best sales manager you can, youform of rewards. And you don’t have to
really need to stay up to date on sales topics andbreak the bank to do this, either. Offer top
trends. This means you must read books andperformers the option of coming in an hour late
articles on the topic of sales, even whenor leaving an hour early; pay for a team luncheon
you’re not on the job as a sales manager.of pizza and soda when your department scores
Keeping yourself informed should always be in thea huge account; or offer small trinkets as tokens
back of your mind, so the next time a brochureof your appreciation as their proud sales manager.
for a sales manager training comes across yourJust make sure that they realize their sales
desk, don’t put it in the “circularmanager is watching and he or she appreciates
file.” Instead, look it over. You just mightwhat they do.
benefit from attending this kind of sales managerSales Manager Strategy #7: Try not to keep
seminar.sales manager secrets from your staff
Sales Manager Strategy #2: Get a sales managerAs a sales manager, you’ll probably learn
mentorsome things (maybe from your sales manager)
One of the greatest ways you can improve as athat your staff doesn’t need to know. In
sales manager is to learn from someone who isfact, your bosses may tell you specifically not to
already a successful sales manager. If youpass information down to your team. However,
don’t currently know someone who fitsit’s important as a sales manager that
this bill, ask around at your local Chamber ofyou understand when to let your colleagues know
Commerce. They might be able to hook you upthat there’s something afoot. Again, this
with a professional sales manager who can assistcan be a very tricky spot to be in… but
you in becoming a terrific sales manager. Andthat’s why you were given the sales
who knows? You may just become such amanager position! You’re up for it; just be
sought-after sales manager that someone askscautious and maintain confidentiality where
you to mentor them!required.
Sales Manager Strategy #3: Give your employeesSales Manager Strategy #8: Don’t blame
the tools for successyour team for negative outcomes
It’s tough for sales staff to perform atIf your sales were down last month, you probably
their highest levels if they haven’t beenwanted to blame your lackluster sales staff for
given the tools necessary to succeed. One of thethe low figures. However, as a good sales
best items you can offer your employees asmanager, you have to realize that the buck
their sales manager is a sales managementactually stops with you. This means that if your
software program. There are some terrific onesteam didn’t perform well, you have to
on the market, such as Prophet, a program thattake responsibility for any failure on their part. Is
works with your current MS Outlook system.this difficult for a sales manager to accept?
(You can find out more about Prophet at ) ByAbsolutely. But if you stop blaming others,
enabling your colleagues to become lucrativeyou’ll be in a much more powerful position
sellers of your products or services, you’llbecause you’ll begin to take action when
be doing them a huge service as their salesyou see things starting to head south.
manager.Sales Manager Strategy #9: Learn from your
Sales Manager Strategy #4: Provide consistent,team
measurable feedbackA great sales manager is a coach who listens to
It can be very tough to offer feedback as ahis or her players. When was the last time you
sales manager, because you’ll sometimesasked for one of your employees’
be seen as the sales manager “badadvice? Chances are, if you’re like most
guy” (or gal). However, every salessales managers, you’ve simply made
manager must be willing to sit down with his ordecisions on your own. Instead of continuing on
her employees to provide ideas and suggestions.this dictatorial path, allow your people to help in
If you’ve been avoiding this task,some of the managing of your department. Give
it’s time to start. After you institutethem a voice, and you’ll actually be
regular feedback sessions, they’ll becomestrengthening your position as a sales manager.
much easier for you. Just remember to focusSales Manager Strategy #10: Have an open-door
these sales manager/sales staff pow-wows onpolicy
measurable data and leave emotions at the doorIf you want to be known as the
for maximum benefit.“best” sales manager your
Sales Manager Strategy #5: Be a hands-on salesemployees ever had, you’ll need to
managerimplement an “open door” sales
Don’t sequester yourself in your office.manager policy. This means that your staff can
Instead, be out and about. Show your sales teamcome to you with questions or concerns any
that you’re not just the sales manager;time. Formerly, a sales manager was not
you’re also a sales person just like they.encouraged to have such open dialogue with team
If you’re afraid to make cold calls,members, but times have changed. If you want
don’t let them know it; go ahead and fightto be known as a 21st century sales manager
past any of your personal fears. If you do this,and leader, you need to start welcoming your
you’ll be showing everyone thatcolleagues, even if you’re busy.
you’re willing to jump in the fray, andThat’s what separates a so-so sales
they’ll respect you more as their salesmanager from a phenomenal sales manager.
manager and leader.