A big part of the sales manager’s role is to monitor the strategies being used to drive sales and recognise when a change needs to be made in the approach of a sales person or team. However, implementing a new sales strategy is not always easy, especially amongst those who have been working in a certain way for a long time. Here are a few suggestions as to how you can implement a sales strategy as seamlessly as possible.
1. Plan
Before you even begin to think about implementing a new sales strategy, you will need to draw up a clear plan of the changes which need to be made and how you will go about making them. If you only have a vague idea of how to improve sales, then your new strategy is unlikely to prove successful. Try and iron out any issues which might occur before you introduce your strategy plan to the rest of your team.
2. Clarify
Whilst you may have a clear understanding of why certain strategy changes need to be made, it is important that the rest of your sales team do too. After all, if employees have been meeting their sales targets, then they may be of the opinion that such a change is unnecessary. Take time to explain why you are changing the way that you work and what you hope it will achieve.
3. Give Training
Don’t assume that everyone will be able to instantly adapt to a new sales strategy. Some members of your sales team may not have the necessary skills to facilitate a new approach, but a small amount of training could supply a simple solution.
4. Measure
Make sure you have a method in place to measure the success of any new strategy. Not only is this essential for monitoring the impact on sales, but it is also a good opportunity to demonstrate to your team why certain changes are being made to the way in which they work.
5. Ask for Feedback
Even if sales figures have improved since implementing a new strategy, it is still worth asking members of your team for feedback. There may be problems which you have not anticipated or experienced, but which still need addressing. This can help to shape your strategy and ensure that it becomes as effective as possible.
6. Encourage
It often takes time to get used to working with a new sales strategy, so it is worth rewarding the extra effort that your team will be putting in. Initially, it may seem as if your strategy is not as successful as was hoped, and so it is important that your team do not become demotivated. Recognising the efforts of those adhering to the new strategy plans can also be a good way to avoid team members slipping back into their old sales habits.
7. Fine Tune
As your team become more comfortable with working in a new way, it is important to take time to fine tune your strategy. In addition, this is also the perfect opportunity to review your own strategy implementation process, so you can ensure that any future changes will be executed even more smoothly.
How do you avoid disruption when implementing a new sales strategy?
Hays Sales UK are experts in all areas of sales recruitment. To find out more about how our highly skilled consultants can support you, please visit our website.
Before you even begin to think about implementing a new sales strategy, you will need to draw up a clear plan of the changes which need to be made and how you will go about making them. If you only have a vague idea of how to improve sales, then your new strategy is unlikely to prove successful. Try and iron out any issues which might occur before you introduce your strategy plan to the rest of your team.
2. Clarify
Whilst you may have a clear understanding of why certain strategy changes need to be made, it is important that the rest of your sales team do too. After all, if employees have been meeting their sales targets, then they may be of the opinion that such a change is unnecessary. Take time to explain why you are changing the way that you work and what you hope it will achieve.
3. Give Training
Don’t assume that everyone will be able to instantly adapt to a new sales strategy. Some members of your sales team may not have the necessary skills to facilitate a new approach, but a small amount of training could supply a simple solution.
4. Measure
Make sure you have a method in place to measure the success of any new strategy. Not only is this essential for monitoring the impact on sales, but it is also a good opportunity to demonstrate to your team why certain changes are being made to the way in which they work.
5. Ask for Feedback
Even if sales figures have improved since implementing a new strategy, it is still worth asking members of your team for feedback. There may be problems which you have not anticipated or experienced, but which still need addressing. This can help to shape your strategy and ensure that it becomes as effective as possible.
6. Encourage
It often takes time to get used to working with a new sales strategy, so it is worth rewarding the extra effort that your team will be putting in. Initially, it may seem as if your strategy is not as successful as was hoped, and so it is important that your team do not become demotivated. Recognising the efforts of those adhering to the new strategy plans can also be a good way to avoid team members slipping back into their old sales habits.
7. Fine Tune
As your team become more comfortable with working in a new way, it is important to take time to fine tune your strategy. In addition, this is also the perfect opportunity to review your own strategy implementation process, so you can ensure that any future changes will be executed even more smoothly.
How do you avoid disruption when implementing a new sales strategy?
Hays Sales UK are experts in all areas of sales recruitment. To find out more about how our highly skilled consultants can support you, please visit our website.
Awesome tips! Even sales professionals with years of experience lack these basic strategies. These strategies also need to be implemented in team sales training.
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