Q&A for Sales Managers:  Goals in an uncertain economy

Q&A for Sales Managers: Goals in an uncertain economy

Question:  How can I set sales goals with any degree of reliability when this year’s economy is so uncertain? Answer: I can appreciate your problem.  The economic atmosphere is so uncertain it’s difficult to predict what is going to happen even a month from now. But...
Q & A for Sales Managers:  Sales people who whine

Q & A for Sales Managers: Sales people who whine

Question:   Dave, I’m a sales manager, and I’m increasingly losing my patience with sales people who constantly whine and complain. Any thoughts on how to handle the chronic whiners? Answer: Believe me, I can empathize with you. I had my share of whiners in my days as...
Q & A for Sales Managers — Frustrated!

Q & A for Sales Managers — Frustrated!

Question:   I direct a sales force of 15 reps. My pain of getting them to do what I ask has been something that no human being should go through.  First of all, we converted them from commission only to base plus commission.  In doing so, you can imagine my challenges...
Q&A for Sales Managers: Number of sales people

Q&A for Sales Managers: Number of sales people

Question:  What is the ideal number of sales people that a sales manager should manage?  Answer:  Good question.  As is commonly the case, my answer begins with “it depends…”             It depends, first, on the type of compensation plan that is used to pay the sales...
Q&A for Sales Managers:  The right time for sales training

Q&A for Sales Managers: The right time for sales training

Q:  I wanted to do some sales training last year, but it just wasn’t the right time for it. We had too many things on our plate.  Looking at our calendar this year I am coming to the same conclusion.  Am I ever going to have time to do sales training? Will it ever be...