| Sales Training | Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com |
|
|
|
Top 5 Characteristics of Great Salespeople
I am a big believer that great salespeople generally realize their greatness, rather than being borne that way. OK, sure we've all heard somebody in sales who told us that they've been in sales all their life. It all started when they were a kid, selling lemonade from their lemonade stand for a dime, or selling magazines door to door. But this is really more a reflection of the family environment that they grew up in that may have encouraged or necessitated this than anything else. Even if you didn't sell seeds or magazine subscriptions door to door as a kid, you still have a chance at greatness in sales. I gave this topic some thought because of a call I received today from one of my readers. She mentioned how the perception she had of salespeople growing up, was different than what she felt were her own personal strengths. So I thought today, that I'd share with you what I believe to be the primary characteristics of outstanding salespeople. #1 - Results FocusedIf you are selling for someone else, what they care about most is whether or not you get the sales that they ask for (i.e. did you make your quota or not). One of best things about being a salesperson is you have a tremendous amount of freedom and discretion in how you use your time. In return, you must be able to stay focused on the big picture and not let small problems or dramas distract you. If you sell for yourself and you are not focused on results, then you are not in business. #2 - CourageousWe all experience fear at one time or another. Great salespeople are courageous in that they are able to act and move forward even in the presence of their own fears. Fear is the reaction we have when you know that you need to do something or that something is going to happen soon that you are not prepared for. This could be making cold calls or making a major decision that you believe to be right when you know that your management will not agree with you. #3 - High EnergyThis one is really simple. Despite all the lame jokes about salespeople being out on the golf course all the time, top performers work their asses off. Being able to kick-back and work 30 hours a week while making quota may sound great. But the true top-performers got that way by working long and hard to beat out their competition while the other guys were boozin' it on the golf course. In short, you must be able to do "Whatever It Takes" to get to the top. #4 - Knows PeopleOf all the characteristics that people attribute to salespeople, this is the one the one that people are most often talking about when they describe a "natural". The ability to establish rapport and maintain rapport is probably the single most powerful skill a salesperson can have. The most flexible people can adapt and establish rapport with others from a multitude of backgrounds and cultures. The longer you can maintain rapport with more people, the more chances you will have to ask questions, uncover opportunities, and present solutions that make sales. And as with everything else in sales, this skill can actually be learned. #5 - Committed To GrowthGreat salespeople got that way by always looking for a better way. They are always improving their approach, their techniques, and their attitude. There are many philosophies on what the *best* approach to sales is. Some work better than others depending on one's own personal style, the product you're selling, and the customers that you sell to. Great salespeople know that they must look for the best examples of excellence, and adopt the individual aspects of this that they can use. So what got left out of this list? The two words we've probably heard more often than others to describe salespeople are "aggressive" and "enthusiastic". The first definition in my dictionary for aggressive includes the word hostile in it. I don't know anyone these days who can effectively sell in a hostile manner to their customers. Customers are not enemy territory to be "taken". As for enthusiasm, I believe it has a time and a place. If you run around like a cheer-leader for your company all the time, you'll annoy people, and you probably won't be listening very well. Bottom line is both of these words describe behavior that can destructive to the lifeblood of sales, building and maintaining rapport. © 1999-2004 Shamus Brown, All Rights Reserved. Shamus Brown is a Professional Sales Coach and former high-tech sales pro who began his career selling for IBM. Shamus has written more than 50 articles on selling and is the creator of the popular Persuasive Selling Skills CD Audio Program. You can read more of Shamus Brown's sales tips at http://Sales-Tips.industrialEGO.com/ and you can learn more about his persuasive sales skills training at http://www.Persuasive-Sales-Skills.com/
MORE RESOURCES: Sales Training - Google News GNTO plans to launch online training programme for Indian travel trade this year - TravelBizMonitor
Rainmaker Releases Latest Enhancement to B2B e-Commerce Solution - MarketWatch (press release)
Graduates wanted for Bauer Radio Academy - Radio Today
Trained Realtors help deal with foreclosures - NorthJersey.com
Nissan opens new training center in Irving - Fort Worth Star Telegram
ONTILITY Solar Training - March 1st NABCEP Exam Prep Class in Los Angeles - RenewableEnergyWorld.com
Sales Performance International Launches China Website - EON: Enhanced Online News (press release)
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Is the Sales Funnel Dead? Think about it. If only it was as easy as "filling a funnel" and having sales fall through the other end. You Dont Need Health Insurance! Seems almost every situation in our lives is centered on communication. Good or bad, the way we express our thoughts, wants, and needs to each other determines how we live, love, and learn together. How to Make Training and Development a Power Agent for Change Does this sound familiar? With high expectations, you sent your employees or yourself to a training or personal development program. Six weeks later you're not sure if it was worth the investment. The Top 7 Sales Blunders We all make mistakes when selling our product or service. Here are the most common mistakes people make. 10 High Powered Ways To Magnify Your Sales 1. Give your prospects a f~ree trial of your software product, service, or let them read the first chapter or two of your informational product. Grow Sales Using Image Tactics In my dreams, I envision being the marketing consultant equivalent of Oprah or Tiger Woods. Oprah, for her premise, "You're a woman and only you are responsible for yourself. The Choice between Yes and Yes: A Psychological Revelation Three year old Kara was throwing a tantrum. She didn't want to go to bed, of that she was certain. Attitude Insurance Everyone knows the importance of having a positive attitude, especially in the health insurance industry. Even negative people say that they have a positive attitude. Achieving Sales Goals Requires Drive & Motivation How did you do this past year on your sales goals? Did you write your goals down? Did your review them frequently, and revise them as conditions changed? Or did you set them at the beginning of the year, and forget about them by February? What do you most want this coming year? The first and most basic step to getting what you want is to know what that is, and to constantly remind yourself of that. Goal setting is an important skill. As They Approcah the Finish Line... The Winner Is? Recently, right before I was about to deliver a motivational speech at a sales conference, the Director of Sales took the stage and began talking about the importance of teamwork and how all the reps needed to work more effectively together. At the conclusion of his presentation, he turned to a large flip chart and turned the front page over. How To Improve Your Sales Skills One of the biggest problems for many business owners is the ability to overcome objections. In fact, for many, this skill could be the difference between succeeding and going back to being an employee. Peak Performance One of the best books I have ever read is a 1986 classic written by Charles Garfield; Peak Performers: The New Heroes of American Business. Garfield spent nearly twenty years trying to figure out what causes some people to excel to amazing successes, while others bask in the glow of mediocrity. How to Sound Just Like a Salesperson Prospect - "So now that I've told you what we are looking for, do you think that you can help us with this?" You - "Absolutely!" (or) You - "Definitely!" (or) You - "You have come to the right place Mr. Prospect" Answering questions about your capabilities with enthusiastic affirmative responses makes you sound just like a salesperson. Nine Common Mistakes Salespeople Make 1. They talk instead of LISTEN. How To Get Clients To Take Immediate Action Are you tired of excuses? Looking for a persuasion technique to get people to take immediate action? Are prospects saying things to you like: "I'll think it over and get back to you?" "I need to talk it over with my wife." "Call me next week and we'll set up an appointment. Nine Competencies of the Complete Sales Professional Have you ever tried to explain to someone what you actually do as part of the sales profession? I'm talking about what you do, not what your company does or what your value proposition is, but what YOU do day in and day out as a sales professional?To be a complete sales professional, your daily activities should be in support of creating customer satisfaction and loyalty. What are these daily activities?My Ph. 11 Powerful Methods of Sales Lead Generation Are you searching for new and innovative ways of sales lead generation? Are you lacking in sources of good quality leads? Are you tired and bored using the same methods for generating sales leads?If you answered No to these questions you're either satisfied with the income you're earning - or you're not interested in earning a 6-figure income in sales. Please stop reading this article. Making Sales is Easy When You Learn How to Make Friends Friends buy from friends. Why? Because people trust that their friends will go above and beyond the duties of a typical salesperson. Increasing Your Sales FASTER -- Dealing with Ill Think It Over. Do you frequently hear that from a prospect?"I'll Think It Over."What does this mean? It usually means that either The prospect doesn't know how to say No, or There are real questions he doesn't have the answers to that he will be looking for. Resistance Training for Sales People What was the quickest rejection you ever got? 2 minutes into your call? 1 minute? 15 seconds, 3 seconds?Resistance comes in many forms in sales. Buyers may resist from the beginning of the presentation to the very end. |
|
Looking For Royalty Free Photos for your Website, Business or Advertising?
List4Sale Domain Is For Sale - $10,000 For Enquiries eMail Us © www.List4Sale.biz 2011 |