Sunday, September 21, 2008

Sales Development Made Simple

By Steven Jones


Sales development is the act of training a agent in the act of sales. Sales, which can be done individually or as part of a team, is where a person sells a product or service to a client. It is commonly believed that sales is the same as marketing but there is a distinct difference - marketing exists to endorse a item by making it desirable to a potential buyer and, through this, may passively produce a sale. On the other hand, a sales agent actively communicates with a potential customer, demonstrating specifically how their goods or service can assist the customer by giving them detailed data. The best sales team is someone who works in conjunction with their customer and works to solve the customer's wants and goals with the item or service to be sold.

Sales is an important part of modern work models. Not only does the sales agent sell a company item or service, they also act to create new business prospects and find clients for their business, thereby sustaining and growing their business' client base and reputation. Sales is often the community face of a business so it necessary that correct sales training is provided to the sales agent so that they can do well in their selling role but also know how to be the best promoter possible for the goods and the company.

There is a plethora of methods a company can employ to connect with their client. Direct sales - where the business deals directly with their client - is probably the most recognized. The most familiar direct selling methods are door-to-door selling and telemarketing; in both cases the company directly connects with the client at home or at their place of business to inform them about the goods. Another way of direct selling is 'consultative selling' whereby the business deals directly with the customer but first starts by asking the client about what products or services they require and developing answers in consultation with the client. Corporations also often sell products through retailers - so called 'middle men' - and through mail order, while the rise of the internet has given companies a new medium in which to work with future clients. As can be seen, there is a huge variety in the way companies contact, connect and potentially sell to a customer, which has increased the necessity of sales development.

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

Sales development classes are widely available with many training academies and specialist 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 subject.

Exceptional Sales training will always stress the need to ask clients questions in order to better offer them solutions, will always stress the necessity of knowing your product and will include motivational material, as selling is a high-pressure career that not only needs 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 sales development. These 'sales incentive programs' or SIP's, are a method used to encourage a sales person and sets out specific goals for achievement, which aims to focus selling activity.

Training in new business development will show you self-motivation, focus and exceptional interaction talents and, as such, would stand any person in good stead for any leading role outside of sales, as well as within.

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