Enhance Goal Achievement by Developing Personal Sales Skills

Whether or not you realize it, you’re in sales. “But I don’t make widgets or own my own business,” you say. If you think about it, you sell yourself every day to just about everyone you know. You sell your services to your employer and customers, your ideas and opinions to your manager and associates at work, your beliefs and values to friends and family, and so on.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The better you are at selling, the more goals you will achieve. Just think of how much your financial situation, for example, would improve if you were able to sell more of your services or command a higher price. That’s why it makes sense to do all you can to improve your personal sales skills.

Begin improving your sales skills by following the Seven Actionable Principles of Personal Sales Success: (1) know your product, (2) know your market, (3) know your customer, (4) service your customers better than anyone else, (5) seek out and exhaust all sales leads, (6) innovate, and (7) continue your education.

Know Your Product: You are the product. Like a company, your goal should be to offer the best option available for the type of services you provide. That means you should know and capitalize on your strengths. You should also know and work toward improving your weaknesses. Make sure your “packaging” is appropriate for and attractive to your market. Get the education and training you need to improve your skills.

Know Your Market: It is critical that you understand what type and size of organization your skills and products are best suited for and what type of customers you enjoy working with.

Know Your Customers: Do your homework! You must know what your customers need and how they want to buy it. For example, maybe you’ve been admiring a company that currently doesn’t have any job openings. How can you work your way in? Do some in depth research and find out what the company needs, understand why the need exists and develop a proposal that shows how you can fulfill this need profitably. This way, you’re offering custom solutions instead of simply asking for a job.

Provide the Best Service: Always deliver the results you promised and then exceed expectations. Remember, your customer (i.e., your employer or who ever else you serve) isn’t buying your time. Your customer is buying results that help him or her achieve specific goals. Show your appreciation to those who help you along the way by sending thank-you notes, gift certificates or whatever seems appropriate.

Develop and Exhaust All Leads: Expand your network and be open to new possibilities. Maybe you’ll meet a great new “customer” — a potential friend, business partner, or future co-worker — at that neighborhood party you really don’t want to attend. Go one step further and host gatherings at your home or office.

Also, be persistent and consistent. Failing to follow-up and stay in contact with prospects is a waste of valuable networking time.

Innovate: Always look for better ways to provide the best product or service in the most efficient manner.

Continue Your Education: Make sure your Action Plan includes time and money to invest in improving your sales skills. It will be an investment that’s sure to pay off!