Thursday, October 2, 2008

What Employees Are Needing In Sales Training

By Hugh Roberts

Sales training is the act of developing 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 goods or service to a buyer. It is often believed that selling is the same as marketing but there is a distinct difference - marketing exists to advocate a product by making it of use to a prospective customer and, through this, may inactively generate a sale. On the other hand, a sales agent actively speaks with a prospective customer, demonstrating directly how their product or service can assist the customer by offering them detailed information. The best sales team is someone who works together with their customer and acts to meet the client's wants and goals with the goods or service to be sold.

Sales is an important part of contemporary work models. Not only does the sales agent sell a company item or service, they also labor to generate new business prospects and generate buyers for their business, thereby sustaining and growing their company's client base and reputation. Sales is often the community face of a company so it necessary that correct new business development 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 corporation.

There is a plethora of methods a business can use to connect with their customer. Direct sales - where the company deals directly with their customer - is probably the most familiar. The most recognized direct selling methods 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 tell them about the goods. Another form of direct selling is 'consultative selling' whereby the company deals directly with the buyer but first begins by asking the customer about what goods or services they want and developing answers in consultation with the buyer. Companies also often sell goods through retailers - so called 'middle men' - and through mail order, while the rise of the internet has given corporations a new way in which to connect with future buyers. As can be seen, there is a large variety in the way corporations contact, connect and potentially sell to a customer, which has increased the significance of sales training.

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

Sales training courses are widely available with many training schools and specialist companies offering courses that you can take in person or via correspondence or the internet. Many large businesses have also developed their own in-house sales training programs. There are also a plethora of books available on the subject.

Competent sales development will always highlight the need to ask buyers questions in order to better give them solutions, will always highlight the necessity of understanding your merchandise and will include motivational material, as selling is a high-pressure job 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 agent and sets out specific goals for achievement, which aims to concentrate selling activity.

Sales development will teach you self-motivation, focus and exceptional communication 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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