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The big data revolution has affected few functions more than sales. Some skills remain perennially important; first and foremost, being able to persuasively explain the benefit of a product or service and drive conversion. However, with more customer information available than ever, it’s those who harness the true power of data that will get ahead in 2019.
Many of the core abilities that define a great sales professional come down to attitude, however, there are also key skills and capabilities which can be fine-tuned for success. Here are 10 of the top skills that will drive sales teams forward in 2019.
Strong and confident communicators make excellent salespeople. In particular, the ability to negotiate is key and can mean the difference between a successful sales deal and losing a lead to a competitor. These attributes are highly prized in a sales environment. Professionals that have an open and friendly personality with the ability to build fast rapport, tend to develop long-lasting business relationships. This is key in a market of uncertainty and high competition.
It is becoming increasingly common for sales teams to work more collaboratively in order to pitch and sell full package solutions. The shift away from the traditional model whereby separate teams sell different products or services, has meant that the role of a sales professional has become more consultative. This is particularly true within the IT sector. Solution selling is a key skill in the sales sector and those professionals who do it well, bring tremendous value to a business.
Planning is fundamental to the success of any sales team, whether this is preparing a sales pitch or scoping out a sales pipeline. Professionals who are experienced in setting targets, developing strategies to achieve sales, and effectively managing those targets, have always been highly prized in the sales sector. All sound business decisions should be data-driven and strategic in order to achieve the overall business goals; in this regard, sales is no different.
Any experienced sales professional will be well versed and competent in territory mapping. Measuring a team’s sales is essential to ensure that organisations can monitor the progress and profitability of business regions, and also identify high performing staff or employees who may need further development. Businesses know that retaining top talent is fundamental to success and that professionals with great territory mapping expertise, gather essential data. Using this information, managers can also help ensure profitability, but also the longer-term development of the wider sales team to retain top talent.
In sales, it is essential that a thorough competitor analysis is carried out on a regular basis to assess and monitor the market. With new products and services emerging, growing competition, and shifting consumer attitudes, a clear and well-rounded understanding of market conditions is not only a useful sales tool, but a crucial guide for all sales professionals. Taking a proactive approach to identify risks and opportunities has never been more important, and territory mapping provides the foundation for a sales team to drive business growth. “It always collabortion between marketing and skills.
An aptitude and desire for learning is a quality that is particularly valuable in sales. As top talent is in such high demand, upskilling and development have become key. Professionals with the core sales capabilities, who learn fast and efficiently, can quickly take on new areas of a market or step up into new roles. Beyond this, professionals who are driven by their career development and are self-motivated to do so, can bring in new insights, create positive conflict, and challenge the status quo. This, in turn, can boost morale and create healthy competition within a team.
There are different challenges, opportunities, and even preferred styles of communication when dealing with a sales company. Professionals who have a history of working within a particular market sector, or have operated within a sales team for a particular sector, can offer great insight and are therefore valuable additions to any sector-specific sales team.
A skill which goes hand-in-hand with negotiating, influencing is key in any sales role. The ability to persuade or influence a customer's purchasing decision is fundamental to a great sell. Professionals with the tactical, yet persuasive skills to navigate a deal towards a business's preferred conditions, or upsell where the opportunity arises, are highly valuable additions to any sales team.
An excellent sales professional is able to listen to the customer’s needs. By gathering information, asking questions, but more importantly; by listening to the customer’s answers a sales professional has the ability to influence and generate a need. The sales professional will be able to present a tailor made and suitable solution towards their customer which will automatically result into providing added value. Find out what is it that drives the customer, by listening to their challenges in order to determine and present a solution.
Presentation skills are essential in a number of roles, but in sales, the way in which a professional presents a pitch to a client can make or break a deal. The ability to pull together a concise, yet engaging presentation and showcase this in a clear and compelling way is key in a market that is saturated with choice and where competition is fierce. Finding new and innovative ways to do this is a way to really stand out against the competition.
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