A career in sales is certainly a busy one.  It can sometimes seem that there aren’t enough hours in the day, whether you are out on the road visiting clients or in the office prospecting, there is always a task that needs doing to meet your targets and increase your commission in all sales jobs.  Whilst this is always going to be the bulk of your work, you should not forget the bigger picture and should regularly take time out to brush up on your core skills and keeping up to date with the latest developments in both your industry and sales in general.

Training courses are quite a divisive subject, but love them or loathe them you should certainly be receptive to going on one at least once or twice a year.  Whether you are fresh to sales or consider yourself a bit of an “old hand” at the sales game, there is always room to improve and refresh your sales skills.  Many employers will be supportive of you wanting to improve your skills and may have funding arrangements for you to utilize to attend any number of courses.  Although the ability to sell and be a great sales person is often an ability some will have more naturally than others, training courses will give you a chance to meet with fellow professionals in your field and share your knowledge and experiences.

If you feel you cannot spare the time to attend some off site training, then you must still make the effort to keep up to date with the trends in your industry.  You cannot be the best sales person if you are not in the loop regarding product development, new legal issues, and competitor strategies for example.  Knowing your industry inside out and keeping up to date with the news is vital so that you appear knowledgeable to all potential customers you go out and meet.  It is little things like this that will keep you ahead of the competition and make you appear more genuine in your sales pitch, rather than just coming across as someone after a quick sale.

However training goes beyond knowing your industry; sales training should also include personal development.  It is only natural to pick up bad habits over time, and the ability to objectively look at yourself regarding your inter-personal skills is vital.  Equally so is the skill of adapting your communication style to the type of person you are speaking too.  Excellent communication is a vital part of being a successful salesman, and communication is as much non verbal as what is spoke, so make sure you appearance is always of the highest standard to make that perfect first impression.  There are many self help guides, blogs and books on the subject out there but often the people that know you best might be the best place to start, never be afraid to ask for help from those around you.

Source: James Martin link