Every career has challenges, and that’s certainly true for sales professionals who often experience selling highs and lows.
Sales pros face numerous obstacles in their quest for success. They might have a difficult sales territory that requires lots of travel away from home. They might face a selling slump because of factors beyond their control such as an economic downturn or even a pandemic like COVID-19.
Sales managers can support their teams by motivating them to weather the rough times and inspiring them to keep growing in their careers and persevering even when their goals seem difficult–even impossible–to attain.
Here, we’ve created a resource to help managers motivate their sales professionals to keep striving and building their careers day after day.
Sales can be a dynamic field, and many individuals seem born into the role. Others may need more time to develop their skills. Many managers have teams that encompass various types of personalities and skill sets.
By motivating each member of your team, you can build a stronger, more resilient team that can support your company’s success. Use the following quotes, speeches, and other resources to inspire your sales team.
To motivate your sales team, try the following tips:
Sales managers should take time to recognize salespeople who achieve great milestones like setting records and exceeding their sales quota. While it’s important to recognize the achievement of big goals, don’t forget to celebrate other activities that support your team’s success. Recognize when salespeople display positive and inspiring work habits. Highlight employees who get up after they’ve been down.
Companies will find that their employees invest more of themselves into their job when they’re trusted and are able to enjoy a sense of autonomy.
When a salesperson is micromanaged, their success isn’t quite their success, is it? Hire good people; teach and train them; motivate them; then have the courage to let them own their own work. Be there for support, but encourage them to build their success. They’ll feel more invested in their work, and the benefits of their work can be enjoyed by the company.
During a sales slump, there’s no time to sit back and wait. Encourage your employees to continue to act. Help them focus on key activities like mastering their selling tools, learning about new resources, and practicing good selling habits.
It’s not always easy for managers to confront employees with criticism, but don’t shrink from it. Advise your salespeople from the start that when you offer criticism, it’s to help them grow–not to condemn them.
Have two-way conversations with your sales professionals. Discuss problems; don’t simply talk at them. Professional growth is a process, but it doesn’t have to be a negative one. Criticism, when offered in the right ways, can actually be motivational too.
As a manager, you set the tone for your sales department. You can create a positive culture that prioritizes support and minimizes those behaviors (i.e. backbiting, negativity, jealousy) that tear other teams apart.
Your talent will never have a second thought about leaving a negative workplace. Many people will stay with a company simply because they’re happy there. Keep that in mind as you focus on ways to inspire your team.
Share these sales motivational quotes to inspire your team. In fact, you can even write your own motivational speeches based on each quote offered here.
Click this link for a compilation of motivational speeches and videos: https://blog.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/20-motivational-videos-for-your-sales-team
Here are a few other resources for motivation videos:
5 Sales Podcasts That Motivate Sales Teams
6 Ways to Motivate Your Sales Team
Motivating Sales People: What Really Works
New Research Reveals Unexpected Source of Sales Motivation
Three Important Elements of Sales Motivation
Motivational Playlist: Recommended Best Songs for Sales Teams [VIDEO]
Use these resources to inspire you to find new and meaningful ways to motivate your sales team. You’ll find that some of your pros have their own inner stores of motivation, but others may need your support, especially when they’re not on their game.
By taking time to improve your own motivational skills, you can become a better manager that can truly deliver what your team needs to achieve their goals.