[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1452687555475{margin-bottom: 100px !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-9 vc_col-md-9″ css=”.vc_custom_1452702342137{padding-right: 45px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”no_stripe”][stm_post_details][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1483615994095{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Sales and accounts managers will often tread a rocky path towards success in their chosen fields. They love sales, they are good at it and now you find yourself leading a sales team. Leading a team of salespeople that you used to be part, a team that you competed with every week to stay at the top of the totem pole.
And now the challenge starts. It really does.
Just because you are good at sales, doesn’t automatically mean you will be good at leading a team of sales people. To top it off, it doesn’t come automatically either, or naturally. Depending on what is happening within the team and your promotion, you may also face jealousy, resentment and bitterness towards you, these challenges you don’t need.
I will outline six steps to take to give guidance on one way to get started as best you can. Each situation is different and each manager has had varying exposure to leadership disciplines and development.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1452700243026{margin-bottom: 39px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
- Take stock of the sales team current reality. That will be different for everyone, but get a clear picture of the current environment within the team, the better performers and those not quite hitting the marks. Snapshot the culture and the reasons for the current state, whether good or bad. Assess the results from the team and match it back with current company expectations.
- Assess your people. Outline their strengths and where they perform best. Meet and review their current frustrations and the block they have, whether self-placed or external obstacles. Ask yourself where they are best suited for the team and whether they are playing the best role.
- Now you have clarity on your current reality, now is the time to start looking forward. Review the budget outlined by the company and the business and start visualising what it would take to over achieve the targets. What team member do you need to stand up and take charge and what strengths within the team can you call upon to achieve.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
- Sit down with every team member and provide personal targets and goals and align them to the team goals, and the team targets. It is important to ensure that each individual needs to be cohesive within the team and that all work achieve for the overall good of the company.
- Develop a personal growth plan for yourself. Look to join a leadership development program like a Mastermind or undertake personal leadership coaching. Or, simply increase your leadership library and undertake to read a book a week. If you haven’t started a development program before, be disciplined enough and dedicate time daily to achieve.
- Start developing your sales team. You have set the example, and now it’s time to set the schedule. Regular meetings are great for business, but ensure that each meeting has a focus on how each member is developing themselves. This investment, reaps rewards.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][stm_post_bottom][stm_post_about_author][stm_post_comments][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][stm_sidebar sidebar=”527″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” el_class=”third_bg_color” css=”.vc_custom_1451889219674{margin-bottom: -60px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Want a Better Performing Sales Team?” h2_font_container=”font_size:20px|color:%23000000|line_height:24px” h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” add_button=”right” btn_title=”Check Out Our Programs Now!” btn_style=”flat” btn_color=”theme_style_2″ btn_align=”right” btn_i_align=”right” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-chevron-right” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” btn_button_block=”true” btn_add_icon=”true” el_class=”third_bg_color” css=”.vc_custom_1485513705973{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fthinkandgrowbusiness.com.au%2Fcustomer-service-skills%2F|||”][/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row]
