Here’s my motivation check list...how many of these questions can you
say YES to?
If you alone are responsible for the sales results where you work, ask
the questions of you. Otherwise ask them for your team and anyone who sells on
behalf of your company.
- Does each member of your team know where they fit in to the bigger company objectives?
- Do you know the higher purpose of each of your team?
- Are your team’s targets realistic bearing in mind your industry’s current market conditions?
- Do your team members only very occasionally contact you for guidance?
- Do you know the meta-programmes of each of your team?
So...how many did you answer yes to? Clearly the more you could answer
yes to, the more motivated your team is likely to be.
This morning I quickly jotted down just a few of the many principles
that I think are important when it comes to motivating a sales team. Of course
there’s many more but I’m pushed for space and you’re pushed for time. So let’s
throw a bit more light on these five.
Where do they fit in?
Be sure you’ve explained where everyone fits in to the bigger company
picture. Where is it all leading? Company growth? How much? And what’s their
role in achieving that growth – individually and as a team? Make it simple. No
need for fancy charts!
What’s their higher purpose?
Each of your team needs to have identified a higher purpose for
themselves. In simple terms why they are doing what they are doing? And you
need to know that purpose. Are they working towards a new or bigger car? A
bigger house? An engagement ring? To retire early? Find out - and remind them
regularly. Help them to constantly make that link between their day job, their
target and that higher purpose.
Targets should be er...on target
Set your targets too low and it will be feet-up time for everyone. Set
them too high and you ‘lose the team’ i.e. everyone knows they’re unachievable,
so unconsciously they don’t try. I’m for flexible but stretching targets which
take into account the prevailing market conditions, which may well conflict
with those the Managing Director came up with 8 months ago but which now look
pure fantasy. Let him/her explain their budget away elsewhere - in the meantime
set stretching, realistic targets which will get the best out of your team
right now.
Do they have to ask you about everything?
If you hired them to do a good job, trust them! Surely they don’t have
to ask you about everything? Let them scuff their knees and they will grow into
the role. Sure you might have some challenges along the way but you’ll end up
with a motivated and developed member of the team – and you get some of your
time back too! Read this previous article for more about
giving your team more autonomy.
How are they wired?
Heard of Meta-Programmes? These are the ‘internal wiring’ mechanisms
that make up the individuality in each of your sales team. Know these
programmes and you’ll never look back in terms of motivating your team.
Remember each of your team are different – so your approach needs to be
too. Click here for an example of just one meta
programme (there are up to 16 in total!). You'll see how useful meta-programmes
are for communicating with your team - and your customers.
What about money?
Phew - I’ve ran out of space and I haven’t even mentioned money. That’s
deliberate though. Most meaningful research suggest money is only ever an
effective motivator in the short term. And that’s borne out when I talk to
sales directors and sales teams.
For now, work on getting these five right and you’ll have a more
motivated team – and more sales success.
Until next time
Leigh
The 9 Biggest Sales Mistakes identifies
those key mistakes that are stopping sales teams, companies and business owners
fulfilling their sales potential. The report establishes how to identify these
errors, indicates how they can be eliminated - and sets out how to avoid them.
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