Does one really need all those sales training to be that good? The answer is yes. Good salespersons are not born. But why settle to be a good salesperson if you can be a professional.

A lot of newbie salespersons who have undergone several sales training are still having difficulty in building rapport and closing deals not because they aren't giving enough effort or that they are under trained but because they lack some areas which make them a professional salesperson. Experience will teach them these things but better to learn it earlier to get ahead of the race in making sales. A salesperson should learn that before he sells his products, he should first sell himself as well as the company he is representing.

IMAGE is naturally the first thing that a buyer looks at. Not the image of the product but the image of the Salesperson and the company being represented. Grooming is important. Good clothing is a must. Your health is important. Shape up your body and it will shape up your attitude. Your customers relate financial success with competence. Does your posture, attitude, personality style, tone and inflection of voice create integrity and communicate success? Modern Sales Professionals radiate confidence and strength in their walk, talk, and overall presence.

LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE about the product what he is selling and the company one is representing is always a priority. One should take time to learn more about products and where it stands in the market with other competitors. One should also take on more sales training to broaden their knowledge not only about the products but also about clients and how to approach them. One's knowledge can determine what he sells, how many and to whom.

KINDLINESS AND ENERGY are strong assets if one learns to develop them.

FRIENDLINESS AND WARMTH are weapons most cared by the professional sales person. The best conversational skills will be wasted if the salesperson fails to address the client's needs. The professional salesperson's enthusiasm to solve his client's needs assures his clients that he can solve their problems so they let him. To know what is needed and the willingness to act toward it is an imperative skill in selling.

PROFESSIONALISM is the ability to perceive a client's need and act towards its solution whether you like it or not. Being professional means taking responsibility for your actions whether admitting mistakes or reaping rewards for your accomplishments. The best selling skills will be wasted if you are not sensitive to your clients needs. Professionalism is not what you do, but how you do the tasks given to you. Pride is your motivation for performing better, knowing that you are a part of something important, knowing that what you are doing is important gives importance to who you are and what you do.

EXPERTISE is the soul of the professional sales person. Without it there is no sale. It is a constant state of mind and conduct. It is not what the salesperson does but how he does it, with integrity and pride in his work. Expertise is the core which allows the other mentioned qualities to grow and vice versa. Expertise allows him to stand tall in the midst of corporate giants, knowing that he is acting towards his potential, is in the control of his destiny and it is important and worthwhile.

Source: Deborah Jacobs link