SALES LEADERS- Steps to Tune up Your Team!

“Today I will do what others won’t,

So tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.”

In today’s virtual marketplace, you must implement new ways to stay competitive. Keep in mind that you not only compete for product sales you compete for your down-line's time, energy, focus and commitment.

Consider your Team. Are they as productive as they could be? Do they have the initiative or skills to produce spectacular sales? If not, then it’s time for a team tune-up.

Effective leadership must entail getting your followers to buy-in and fully commit. By implementing some team building actions and improvements, you can help your team come together as a stronger unit to work toward a common objective with shared trust, expectations, respect for the contributions of every person, and pride in their own achievements.

1. ENCOURAGE YOUR TEAM TO BRING IN THE RIGHT PEOPLE

 Bringing the right team members into a downline can be the single most important factor to everyone’s success. The right mix of people with experience or a particular skill set or knowledge in sales and marketing will help ramp up your team and your downline’s growth and success.

2. MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONSHIPS

 As a leader, part of your job is hiring good people. It doesn’t do you any favors to bring on “projects,” or hang on to ineffective reps longer than it takes to give them a fair chance at stepping up or stepping out. It’s impossible to achieve world-class results if you don’t have the talent needed to succeed. Even when they discontinue doing the business, inactive IBOs can continue to be loyal customers who use the products. They are an important part of your overall business base.

3. SET GROUND RULES

 Sales is a tough job, and the day-to-day grind can take its toll on reps with even the thickest of skin. Giving your reps the safety to vent about their problems and frustrations can go a long way in building their trust and letting them see you as a human being, not just a boss.

Make the rules as a team, and make sure everybody agrees with them. Taking part in discussions about best practices and actions that team members need to follow will help to hold and focus their energy and keep everyone accountable. They should be on time for calls and have task due dates.

4. DEFINE CLEAR GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS

 If they want to make real money, your people need to have set expectations of how to work effectively and defined goals to measure their performances and success. To boost performance across an entire team, a team leader needs to make sure that they set realistic goals and expectations.

5. COMMUNICATE CLEARLY AND HONESTLY

 Make sure people know what they can and cannot say about the products, the sales and recruiting process, and revenue expectations. A common challenge for most team-selling organizations is that although sales reps are not writers, social media marketers, email marketers, or marketing automation experts it is the sales teams who establish and nurture the relationships that are vital to growing your business.

 So encourage communication across your down-line to prevent confusion about the business. Brainstorm on team calls and encourage everyone to discuss what is working and what is not. This will allow you to improve marketing material before it gets created by leaders and shared. Communicate clearly particularly about your expectations and listen to the responses. This approach will help to build true residual income for everyone, increase retention of customers and create stronger teams and leaders.

6. INTRODUCE THE CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS LEARNING

 People who are open to learning breed success. They help to increase sales and the growth of a down-line at a much greater, more sustainable pace. Create an environment where continuous learning is encouraged and supported. Offer training programs, technology, webinars, workshops, and brainstorming sessions that allow everyone on your team to continually improve their skills.

7. UPDATE YOUR TRAINING FOR THE BEST

 We are all connected, all the time, via computer and mobile devices. So don’t wait any longer to connect to this new world of consumers.

  

8. SHOW YOU CARE

 Successful leaders work in the spirit of true partnership with their teams. Give recognition to each and every team member. Give them a chance to feel appreciated. When a person feels that they are appreciated, they will give back more than you can imagine. Care can be given in the form of public appreciation on social media, special gifts for great performance, or even simple happy birthday wishes.

9. APPRECIATE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS

 Most importantly, celebrate achievements and recognize the team for each of their efforts and contributions. Reward your team with a special celebration, and bring their success to the attention of your entire company when you can. Highlight their successes in organization publications and strengthen the team unit by presenting them as a model for teamwork and joint effort.

 Good sales leaders have vision, trust of their team and respect in their circle. They see, think, and plan ahead. They are also dreamers. They dream big and with their eyes open.  They imagine what could be and ask, “Why not?” Leaders keep their followers on track and on time. They say, “Get moving or get left behind.”