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The Center for Sales Strategy Blog

Improving Sales Performance Often Requires Changing Focus

Improving Sales Performance Often Requires Changing Focus

How much more productive would you be if you focussed on your inputs? This means avoiding all distractions and only working on planning, pitching, and following up—all the factors that budge the needle, not those that don't. 

A lot of valuable time is wasted focusing on things we cannot control. For example, we have zero control over the economy, competitors, pricing, inventory, or customers' attitudes. Improving sales performance often requires changing focus from things that are out of our control to things we can control.

So, what exactly should you focus on? Here are several things within your control.

Topics: sales strategy sales performance business acumen

Effective Feedback for Sales Performance

feedback for sales performanceTop-performing sales managers are on top because they are continually finding ways to encourage their team to be more productive.

Constructive feedback is vital to ongoing development. In fact, 91% of salespeople said they want more learning and development opportunities.

Almost every sales organization has various types of sellers. There are the highest performers, who are needed even more after they reach their goals, their average performers that are “make or break,” depending on the month, and the low performers, who are a drag on achievement. There is an important technique that can give you a big boost with all of the above: Feedback

Topics: sales performance

Managing a Salesperson Who Consistently Misses Their Goals

Managing a Salesperson Who Consistently Misses Their Goals

Managing a sales team can be challenging, especially when salespeople consistently miss their budget or sales targets.

While it's natural for sales professionals to have their ups and downs, it's essential to address performance issues promptly and effectively to ensure the overall success of your team and organization.

In this blog, we'll explore strategies and tips for managing salespeople who miss their budget, helping you turn underperformance into improved results.

Topics: sales performance sales leadership

5 Ways Your Organization Can Deliver a Higher Renewal Rate

5 Ways Your Organization Can Deliver a Higher Renewal Rate

As businesses focus on attracting new customers, they often overlook the importance of nurturing existing relationships to boost their bottom line.

Don't let your hard-earned customers slip away. Read on to discover five powerful ways to elevate your organization and achieve a higher renewal rate.

Topics: sales performance renewal

12 Expert Tips for Starting 2024 Strong

12 Expert Tips for Starting 2024 Strong

A new year brings new opportunities and a chance to set the foundation for sales success in 2024. With fresh perspectives and renewed motivation, sales teams have the potential to accomplish great things.

By learning from the wisdom of experienced professionals, managers and salespeople can map out a plan to thrive in the months ahead. This year, let's challenge ourselves to implement impactful sales strategies and adopt empowering mindsets. If we start motivated and intentional, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

Topics: sales strategy sales performance sales talent

What’s Your Account List Management Strategy?

account list management strategyToo many sales organizations don't have an Account List Management Strategy (ALMS) or they have one that provides little strategic value. In mature businesses, the lack of a priority-based ALMS is often tied to the following:

  • High levels of account attrition
  • Limited new business development
  • Marginal productivity and missed revenue goals

Topics: sales performance account list management

The Only 6 Reasons A Sales Manager Should Be Attending Sales Calls with Their Team

saving the sale and coaching sales performanceSales managers, let’s be honest… it’s hard to watch a salesperson that seems to be flailing in shallow water when they are on a prospect or client call. However, if you take a step back, you realize they are probably going to find their feet and be able to stand up and be fine.

Recently, I attended one of The Center for Sales Strategy's Talent Focused Management workshops led by Matt Sunshine (CEO), and I walked away with a few reminders.

Topics: sales performance

Implementing Sales Performance Measures

Implementing Sales Performance Measures

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.

Topics: sales performance

Quarterly Reviews: A Catalyst for Continuous Improvement

Quarterly Reviews

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.

Topics: sales performance revenue performance

In A New Business Slump? Try Getting the Rats Out of Your Head!

new business sales slump

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.

Topics: business development sales performance