Thursday, September 11, 2008

Why Sales Training Is Necessary To Modern Companies

By Bob Johnson


Sales development is the act of developing a person in the act of sales. Sales, which can be done individually or as part of a team, is where a person sells a merchandise or service to a client. It is usually believed that selling is the same as marketing but there is a distinct difference - marketing exists to promote a item by making it of use to a potential buyer and, through this, may passively generate a sale. On the other hand, a sales person actively speaks with a potential buyer, showing directly how their goods or service can assist the buyer by giving them tailored data. The best sales person is someone who works in conjunction with their buyer and acts to meet the customer's wants and goals with the item or service to be sold.

Sales is an important part of contemporary work models. Not only does the sales person sell a corporate product or service, they also act to generate unique corporate opportunities and generate clients for their company, thereby sustaining and growing their business' customer base and reputation. Sales is often the public face of a business so it necessary that correct sales development is provided to the sales person so that they can excel in their selling role but also know how to be the best promoter possible for the goods and the corporation.

There is a plethora of techniques a business can use to connect with their buyer. Direct sales - where the business interacts directly with their buyer - is probably the most recognized. The most recognized direct selling techniques are door-to-door selling and telemarketing; in both cases the business directly connects with the buyer at home or at their place of business to inform them about the product. Another form of direct selling is 'consultative selling' whereby the business interacts directly with the buyer but first starts by asking the buyer about what merchandise or services they want and creating solutions in collaboration with the buyer. Corporations also traditionally sell merchandise through retailers - so called 'middle men' - and through mail order, while the rise of the net has given businesses a new way in which to work with prospective buyers. As can be seen, there is an incredible variety in the way businesses contact, connect and potentially sell to a customer, which has increased the significance of new business development.

Sales development concentrates on the range of approaches a sales person can use when directly talking with the customer, so necessary in these days of direct selling. Although there are a range of particular approaches tailored for different varieties of selling, the main thought behind excellent sales practice is five-fold: analyze a client's needs, offer solutions to the client, discuss the benefits of the item, overcome any questions the buyer may have and close the sale. This practice can sometimes be condensed to a three-part methodology: find the client, present to the client and close the sale.

Sales development classes are extensively available with many training academies and expert companies offering classes that you can take in person or via correspondence or the internet. Many large businesses have also developed their own in-house new business development programs. There are also a plethora of books available on the topic.

Exceptional Sales training will always emphasize the need to ask buyers questions in order to better provide them solutions, will always emphasize the necessity of knowing your goods and will include motivational material, as selling is a high-pressure job that not only requires a lot of self-motivation but also deals with a lot of rejection as well.

Incentive programs, what they're for and how to use them are also included in a lot of new business development. These 'sales incentive programs' or SIP's, are a tool used to encourage a sales teams and references specific goals for attainment, which aims to concentrate selling activity.

Sales training will show you self-motivation, direction and great communication skills and, as such, would stand any person in good stead for any managerial role outside of sales, as well as within.

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