If a sales team played football, the sales director would not only be the star striker but also the manager, physio and PR officer.
Why so many roles, you may ask? Because the director not only personally hits sales targets, they also plan long-term company strategies, help those team members who may be struggling and are often the public face of the company.
So if your dream is to make it all the way to the top, here’s what you need to know.
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Many plans make light work
The most successful sales director – or sales team leader – knows the importance of creating and delivering a wide range of sales strategies that work in tandem.
If one campaign is slow or faltering, there are others, which together, can deliver ultimate success for the company.
This means having excellent communication skills not only to shape these business growth strategies, but also to sell them to other company directors.
Always lead by example
If you thought the first people into work were the cleaners, you’d be way behind the times. As sales director, you need to be at the helm earlier than everyone else.
This will give you a head start on the day ahead – allowing you to prepare for all eventualities and ready to move straight into motivator mode when your team arrives.
And, if you want the best from your team, show them how it’s done – never be too ‘high up the ladder’ that you can’t get on the phones, meet and greet customers and seal deals personally.
Go above and beyond
Leading from the front also means leaving the comfy confines of your plush office and taking part in out-of-hours events.
This could be representing the company at conferences or industry forums, hosting charity fundraisers or even jetting off to exotic destinations to broaden business opportunities in new markets and expand your network of contacts.
Look to the future
Many successful sales directors find themselves moving up and into senior roles, often all the way to chief executive.
Your natural talent for selling goods and services is also perfect for selling ideas that can help a company grow.
This, along with your ability to inspire your team and engage with clients, will be invaluable in your career progression.
From newbie to director, you can find your ideal Sales role on s1jobs.