Differences in successful and average sales people

Successful sales people can get away with murder. Average sales people can only wish they could kill the many ‘problems’ that afflict their selling. This is the difference between successful and average sales people. Average sales people are bogged down with average sales people problems. Successful sales people are bogged down with too many sales. Average sales people problems include complaining about the administrative work they must do that ‘limits’ their selling time. “You are telling us to get two client meetings a day and yet we have office meetings to attend, reports to do, accounts to open in the system, prepare sales action plans,…” on and on.

Average sales people have average sales people problems

Now then. Good sales people don’t have this problem. There’s one I know whose boss regularly pleads with to do reports. As for the other mediocre sales people, the boss just glares at or ignores when they so much as mumble a grumble. He knows they will do their reports. As for this stellar seller, he is known to grudgingly respond to the manager with, “Argh! Ask Rehema to do it. Or get a sales administrator.” Many, many times Rehema does it. And the boss looks the other way and is even considering a sales administrator. You see, he knows on which side his (and the businesses’) bread is buttered, and it’s not in administration work. It’s in sales bagged. And he will compromise when necessary not to frustrate but keep alive the goose that lays his golden eggs. These are the attributes of a top sales person.

Difference successful average sales people

Stellar sellers are more equal than average ones

In addition, the qualities of a good sales person make the problems of the average sales person important, but not urgent. This is because, top performing sale people are also managed differently. For instance, the successful sales person will ask for a personal cab while the rest of the average sales people in his team are bundled into one van to be ferried around in the name of saving transport costs.  And while the rest of the soldiers mumble and grumble about time wasted travelling in the van and meetings are considered to look into this, for the general, the cab is authorised stat. One of the most successful sales techniques used by these top sales performers, whether in retail or corporate, is having increased face time with the buyer. They are clear on which side their bread is buttered and manage their time accordingly.

How to manage a top sales performers

Now then. The daily routine of successful sales people is dynamic. Where average sales people mumble and grumble about having to report to the office at 8 and leave at 5, successful sales people inform the boss that they will be away that week as will be reporting straight to their chosen market and back home. The boss nods in agreement. He knows that it wasn’t permission that was being sought, just information being shared as a matter of courtesy. He also knows that the goose will lay more golden eggs. This is how to manage a successful sales team or sales person. You see, average sales people are managed by processes, successful sales people are managed on results.


Check out our short courses and other services here. If you would like to have your sales team sell more, we can help. In order for us to do so we propose a free consultation meeting or a call. If in agreement please complete the form below and we will get in touch after receiving your details, none of which will be public. Thank you.

Views – 644

About Author

Related posts

Effective salespeople aren’t always likable personalities. Here’s why

Contrary to popular belief, your personality does not determine success in Sales. For instance, there’s a pervasive myth that effective salespeople are extroverted, charming, charismatic, and instantly likable. The only problem is there’s no evidence that it’s actually true; it’s a widely held belief but just that-a myth. While charisma can certainly be an asset

Read More

Connect the dots to being a seasoned salesperson or entrepreneur

Connect the dots is a form of (children’s) puzzle containing a sequence of numbered dots. When a line is drawn connecting the dots, the outline of an object is revealed. In the sales profession, connecting the dots will determine professional health or morbidity. Connect the dots to sales success Why? Because, the ability to discern

Read More

Bye-bye 2023. Out with the old, in with the new. Here’s 3 ways how.

“Bye-bye 2023. Welcome 2024.” 2023 is gone. It’s never coming back. So, quit driving looking at the rear-view mirror of ‘should have’ and ‘could have.’ Look, instead, at the windscreen of “Can do” and “Will do”. Otherwise, forget the mishaps you had in 2023. In 2024 you’ll be rushing headlong into a crash. As you

Read More
Stay ahead in a rapidly changing world with Lend Me Your Ears. It’s Free! Most sales newsletters offer tips on “What” to do. But, rarely do they provide insight on exactly “How” to do it. Without the “How” newsletters are a waste of time.