How To Become a Sales Manager?

A sales career can be both exciting and captivating. As a result, it's no secret that several aspire to have a sales manager position. However, what does it take to move from single contributor to sales manager?

Today's article will show how one can become a sales manager.

What is a Sales Manager?

Sales managers are the foundation of any successful sales organization. They're responsible for coaching and training sales teams, setting performance targets, and meeting sales metrics.

To become a proficient sales manager, it's significant to have a strong understanding of the process and robust leadership and coaching skills. Moreover, building relationships with clients and understanding their demands is vital. Last but not least, managing and encouraging a sales team is crucial.

Prerequisites to Become a Sales Manager

A sales manager is crucial in any organization that sells services/products. But what is the prerequisite to becoming a sales manager, and what are the managers' critical skills and abilities?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most sales managers have a Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, or a related domain. However, some may prefer individuals with a Master's degree.

A sales manager must have good communication and interpersonal skills and experience in sales and customer service. They should also be able to lead and encourage sales representatives' teams.

Some of the critical areas that are covered in the sales management course are:

• Sales fundamentals (Prospecting, qualifying, closing, and account management)
• People management (Coaching, training, and leadership)
• Business awareness (Understanding financial statements, market analysis, and business strategy)
• Technology (CRM, data analysis, and social media marketing)

Personality Traits of Sales Manager

Certain traits are common among sales professionals. They're usually highly competitive, persuasive, and outgoing. They also have much energy and are very determined to reach their objectives. To be successful in sales, it's significant to have a positive attitude and take a rejection pace.

• Resilience
• Passion
• Assertive
• Integrity

Duties and Roles of Sales Manager

The routine duties of a sales manager are comprehensive and can change often. However, some significant functions are always vital. For example, sales managers must encourage and inspire their team, set and track objectives, analyze data, and offer support.

Sales managers are responsible for creating and executing a strategy. They must also coach and develop their sales team, manage customer relationships, and determine new sales opportunities. Moreover, they must often track sales performance and analyze data to optimize outcomes.

When it comes to the roles of sales manager, there are three primary types:

• Hunter: This sales manager is responsible for determining and closing new venture opportunities. They're outgoing and aggressive and try on the challenge of identifying new leads and winning new contracts.
• Farmer: They're responsible for developing and maintaining the business relations that have been established. They're more introverted and focus on building strong client relationships.
• Nurturer: This manager takes care of their clients and nurtures the relationship. They offer an emotional outlet for their clients and are excellent at developing trust. Due to this, they're usually successful in roles like inside sales, account managers, and relationship managers.

Sales Manager Salary

Sales manager salary can vary significantly based on the organization, experience, and position. However, some wide ranges can give you an idea of what to expect.

• According to Indeed, the average salary per year for a sales manager in the US is $76K.
• According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a sales manager is $77,811. This can vary from $41K at the low end to $130K at the high-end.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for managers is $117,960. This too can go from $57K to $208K.

Benefits of Becoming a Sales Manager

The benefits of becoming a sales manager are as follows:

• Sales jobs are often the first to be cut during difficult times; however, sales managers are usually more daunting to replace. Hence sales manager has more significant job security.
• Sales managers have greater control over their work life, allowing them to set their hours to balance work and personal life.
• Sales professionals make more than their sales representatives as they have more knowledge and experience.
• A good sales professional can move up the career ladder more swiftly than a sales representative.

How to Become a Sales Manager

Sales managers are vital for any enterprise. They connect the organization and its clients and are responsible for bringing in new ventures and maintaining customer relationships. However, becoming a successful sales manager isn't a piece of cake. It takes hard work, commitment, and some tips to assist you on your path.

• Understand the services/products that your organization sells
• Develop robust listening skills
• Excel the art of negotiation
• Ensure you give and receive feedback efficiently
• Be passionate about sales.