As an ISO or merchant level salesperson, you are an independent, entrepreneurial person. But have you considered lately how much it helps to be part of a winning team?
In good economic times and bad, being part of a strong team can help ensure that you acquire and maintain the level of residuals you desire to thrive both professionally and personally.
Bringing qualified individuals together in cohesive workgroups can enhance businesses in many ways. It can:
Despite good intentions, not all teams become stellar. Many factors contribute to whether a team fails or succeeds: These include:
If you're in the process of forming, joining or revamping a sales team, consider the following factors:
Team members' work-styles can range from early risers to midnight-oil burners. Some people thrive on multitasking while others need to complete projects one step at a time.
Some desire a quiet environment; others do their best amid lots of hustle and bustle. Whatever the style, pairing like with like translates to increased sales.
Find out what activities your potential teammates enjoy and which they dislike. Does one member enjoy setting up the weekly team meeting?
Does another like to organize the supply room? If people like what they do, they'll do it well.
A winning team is all about ethics: making a connection between personal and professional values. A team doesn't stand a chance unless each member embodies honesty, integrity, respect and trust.
Some people have amazing technological aptitude. Some can put together a marketing plan in minutes. Others are fabulous number-crunchers. Match the right technician to the right task.
It could be courage or a diplomatic nature. It could be intuitiveness or superior communication skills. Whatever the positive attribute, find each teammate's personal strength, and implement it fully.
Now that you've assembled the right team and assigned members to the tasks that suit them best, it's time to think about how to keep your team in play.
The following 10 guidelines may not be the definitive golden rules of teamwork, but they will support a winning strategy:
Even with the best teams, slumps happen. What then? No matter what arena you're in, the mantra that makes the difference is "just one more": just one more sit-up, just one more lap ... just one more cold call.
Unfortunately, you don't have a gravelly voiced coach barking commands in your face. You have to be your own taskmaster. You have to keep yourself on a successful selling track when you veer toward a dead end.
When you are feeling frazzled from a difficult day, take a deep breath, and put "just one more" to the test. The results may surprise you. Try the following:
Your skills, knowledge, experience and heart are unique and irreplaceable. But you don't have to go it alone. Find and shape a stellar team, and see if it just doesn't make your bottom line shine.
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