The naira is falling and people take longer to make purchases now. What this means is that the market will not adapt – at least not soon, so it is now up to the sales person to change – in order to meet the needs of this new economic environment. Below are a few recommended strategies you can employ towards achieving your sales target and keeping your job:
1. Start by Moving the Target Up
I know you think your target is challenging enough without putting additional target and pressure on top but the truth is: with a higher target, you automatically increase your chances of hitting and exceeding your original target. It motivates you more and allows you to stretch yourself beyond your perceived limits.
2. Be Confident
Nothing is impossible. Believe it, live it! You can be a great sales person and meet your sales target. All you need is self confidence to make the first step towards achieving your goal.
Click
here to learn the tips you need to boost your self confidence
3. Look out for new Prospects
A key skill for any sales person that must survive in this environment is his/her ability to find new prospects. It takes time and research but it pays to do so. Don’t spend the majority of your time chasing prospects that don’t want to buy rather than finding prospects that do. Remember, research is the key piece when looking for prospects. The more thorough your research is, the better prepared you will be to meet the decision maker and ultimately the greater your chances of success. Don’t rely on just your current customers, step out there!
4. Use Technology
I love technology and I think everyone should too; after all, it has made our lives – professional and personal – easier and better. Information is freely available on the organizations and the people that you want to sell to. It is now easier than ever to connect with these people and networking can happen at a speed only imaginable a few years ago. Embrace rather fight technology, it has made selling a whole lot easier.
5. Become a Business Person, not a Sales Person
The business world keeps evolving and you are expected to know a lot more than merely what you sell. The sales person that will succeed must have a developed and strong business acumen.
You must have an aptitude and appetite to constantly better yourself by devoting your time to learning. Whether it is reading one business book a month or subscribing to a business blog; do whatever it takes to keep learning.
6. Perfect your presentations
I’m not talking about memorizing your sales pitch. Instead, adapt each sales presentation so that it addresses the specific needs of each prospect or customer. It also means investing time to rehearse every sales presentation before you meet with your prospect. Click
here to learn how to make great presentations.
7. Seal the Deal
This may sound obvious but many sales persons fail to ask for some type of commitment when they meet with, or talk to prospects and customers. Asking for a form of commitment at each stage of the process increases your chances of closing the deal. This can be as simple as asking, “So what do you think?” or “Are you prepared to move forward?”
Don’t wait for sales to happen! Take a step, use these strategies and begin your journey towards becoming the best sales person you can be.
About the Writer: Salihu Ejura is a writer and an editor at Connect Nigeria. She is passionate about Nigeria and impacting lives positively. Connect with her on twitter @icyquin_msc
