The Center for Sales Strategy Blog

You've heard the ominous predictions about the future of sales in the age of AI and automation.

Will machines replace us? Are we on the brink of becoming obsolete?

Relax, put those fears to bed. Today, we're diving into how you can not only stay relevant but thrive in this new world.

LinkedIn defines business development as "the process of identifying and pursuing new opportunities to grow a business."

Business development is essential for sales teams, as it helps to generate new leads, build relationships with potential customers, and close more deals.

The role you play as a leader in the retention of your salespeople has a huge impact on your business. The more you develop yourself as a leader, the greater influence you have on keeping the team you built in place.

This is important because when your salespeople stay, your organization has the ability to retain customers and maintain a loyal customer base, which leads to your success.

When you have effective leadership practices in place, you can create an environment that fosters a positive work environment, building strong relationships and helping to develop a customer-minded approach. With this attitude, your people will be more willing to stay and give their best every day.

The difference between success and failure is your new business!

Even the most seasoned sales veteran will experience 30% attrition every year. That means if we do not add new business in three years, your sales will dwindle to almost nothing. And if you add 30% in new business or incremental business each year, you'll basically just be treading water, not actually growing.

Implementing the right sales performance measures is crucial for success.

While there is little doubt in the minds of sales leaders that measurement is important to drive results with their salespeople, I often find the focus is too wide or shifts based on any change.

In other words, tracking everything doesn’t help you to see what is truly impactful, and improvement in performance only comes when you measure the same performance measures over time.

It can be tough to find top talent! Not only do you have to find that talented person, you also have to convince them to come on board with your organization. Why should they choose you over the other competitors?

As a sales manager, you have the task of finding the best candidates who can drive revenue and help your business grow. Your employer brand can make a big difference. A strong employer brand not only helps you stand out from the competition but also attracts the right candidates who align with your company's vision and goals.

Four months are remaining in 2023.

Yes, you read that correctly. And with only a few months left in the year, boosting sales motivation is crucial for achieving your annual targets and ending the year on a high note.

Why am I obsessed with quarterly reviews?

It's quite straightforward. Clients who implement them almost always gain a clearer understanding of what each Account Executive (AE) needs to succeed. And AE’s who actively participate in them, coming prepared with a review of the last quarter’s performance and a plan for the upcoming quarter, are more engaged and prepared for success than those who don’t.

In this fast-paced environment. distractions are inevitable. Emails pile up, urgent issues arise, and salespeople often find themselves pulled in multiple directions at once. It's easy to let these distractions derail us from our most important sales activities - developing new high-potential accounts.

Many refer to these distractions "the rats in our heads." They gnaw at us constantly, invading our mental space and eating up valuable time we should spend on productive business development. The "rats" can be loud and frenzied, making it hard to stay focused.

But we can regain control. Here are some strategies to share with your sales teams to keep the rats at bay.