After a long process and extensive planning, you have forged your ideal sales team. You have complete confidence in the team members and see no reason why the team could fall short. And yet it feels as if they have not yet managed to get the most out of it. What could be missing? In this blog we give you 9 tips to use the full potential of your sales team!

Facilitate training

Even if your employees already have experience in the sales profession, (sales) training after the contract has been signed is crucial. In this way you update the skills and knowledge of your employees and introduce them to the working methods of your company. Moreover, you ensure that everyone in your sales team is on the same page

Develop a clear sales process

Without a clear sales process you cannot achieve defined results. Everyone should know what is expected of him or her and how to implement it. There are countless ways a team can work together. But if each individual member uses a different method, the end result becomes messy and ineffective. An unclear process ensures that your employees do not reach their potential, and perhaps even worse; it can disrupt the entire team's progression!

Create space for change

A defined sales process is essential for success, but you can never exactly predict every outcome, every situation, or every need in advance. A (too) rigid sales process is not desirable; there must also be room for new ideas! The approach you take this month may be dated in a few months. Innovation ensures that companies continuously change and grow. So make sure that your company and team are able to grow with you.

Set goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

One of the many famous statements of the Netherlands' greatest ever football player, Johan Cruijff, is as follows: “I really hate someone who moves but doesn't know where to go.” This can be applied to any company: without clear goals, your employees are directionless. Therefore, set realistic goals for your sales team, so that they know what they are working towards. Furthermore, it is essential for both the team and you as a leader to be able to see how progress is progressing. Therefore, make use of it Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): statistics that show what is needed to achieve the goals.

Provide feedback and follow-ups

KPIs help your team move in the right direction. The results show whether the team is “on track” or not. In both cases it is important to provide feedback. By giving good feedback you boost morale, lead the way, recognize performance, or give tips on how things can be improved. But just giving feedback won't get you there; proper follow-up is also important. This way you find out whether you are heard and understood, it shows commitment, and serves as a way to evaluate any goals that may have been set.

Get to know your team members

As a leader, you want your team members to be able to carry out assignments successfully. But to do that you have to know what drives them. To inspire an employee, you need to know who they are, what goals they have, and what plans they have for the future. That is an investment that does not take one day, but it will pay off in spades in the long term.

Reward your employees for good performance

Every person gets a good feeling when a goal is achieved. To further boost the morale of your employees, as a leader it is wise to reward achieved goals. A reward for services rendered can excellently motivate your employee to get the most out of themselves. Whether it is a bonus, a commission, or a “prize”, it gives your employee a boost and contributes to the will to improve.

Encourage self-improvement in whatever form it takes

The market is constantly changing. The playing field will always continue to change, also within sales. It is therefore essential that your employees continue to hone their skills and knowledge. By encouraging self-improvement you show that employees can always develop themselves further. You can facilitate this by having them follow training, workshops or courses, and then paying for them. For example, take a look at our offer sales training. Perhaps we can ensure that your employee(s) can bridge the gap between good en great!

Dare to invest in technology

We mentioned it earlier; Innovation ensures that companies change and grow. If applied effectively, technology can certainly improve the performance of your employees. For example, there are countless applications for smartphones that can simplify processes and increase productivity. Curious which apps these are? We wrote one earlier this month blog with the 5 top apps for the sales professional.