The road to becoming a sales manager is not always straightforward. There are twists and turns along the way, but of course, there are major steps to tread such as increasing your level of education and information as well as building experience through an internship or entry-level job.
Our guide is to explain what you need to become a sales manager, outline the responsibilities of the job, and also provide some useful tips to keep you focused on your goal.
Platforms like Supportbench provide tools to help companies deal with customer engagements more effectively for smooth workflows. It also provides detailed analytics to continuously optimize the efficiency of sales teams along with support teams.
By integrating such tools, sales managers are able to achieve not only their goals but also allow much needed comfort to their customers for long-term success.
What is a Sales Manager?
As the name suggests, the sales manager is an employee who works in sales. They have to sell a certain product or service, gain new customers, and stay in contact with existing customers.
The work of the sales managers is fiercely measured by their success. A strong track record can also have a significant impact on the sales manager’s salary, since salespeople usually earn commission and bonuses for great work.
Apart from selling, sales managers are also involved in market analysis and sometimes help with marketing strategies to attract new customers. It is an important aspect, and these skills in combination have a high demand in the market.
Being a sales manager is not a management role; it’s a job title. Most start in junior positions and can become senior sales managers in three to five years. They typically move into management roles when they become a Sales Director, and from there, they can advance to executive positions like Chief Sales Officer.
Top Responsibilities of a Sales Manager
A sales manager has to execute several significant tasks. Here are a few key ones:
Setting Sales Goals
Setting sales goals is one of the major responsibilities. These should be exciting, yet realistic. If the goals are set too high, the team will face difficulties in achieving them and may get demotivated. If they are too low, business growth could suffer.
To establish the right goals, track the rate of progress, and determine what changes need to occur to reach targets, sales managers research past and current data.
Developing Sales Plans
Another important role is creating a sales plan, which contains methods through which the predetermined goals will be achieved. The plan should contain several sales methods and schemes that correspond to the strengths of the team. The sales manager tries various methods and tests them in order to arrive at the best approach.
Providing Training
The sales industry changes quickly, especially with online selling. A sales manager should identify knowledge gaps and provide relevant training.
Motivating the Team
Motivating the sales force is key. Many sales managers create a lively work environment to inspire their team to close more deals. They may plan social activities or provide other benefits. Of course financial rewards are key and the sales manager will oversee such initiatives to maintain the motivation of the sales force while protecting profits.
Analyze Sales Data and Reports
Sales managers not only focus on sales growth but also on personal and team development. They need to analyze metrics and KPIs to evaluate team and individual agent performance. This data shows where their team is doing well and highlights areas where agents may need coaching to improve.
Recruiting and Hiring
Sales managers are the right individuals to know who fits well in their team. In some companies, a sales manager is required to hire and fire, while in other cases, they may only play a minor role in hiring and firing. After hiring new team members, they are also responsible for onboarding them.
What Skills Does a Sales Manager Need?
Sales managers need a mix of hard and soft skills to succeed. Hard skills include measurable abilities, like writing HTML or forecasting. Soft skills are personal traits, like being organized or adaptable as well as empathetic.
Knowing which skills employers want helps you improve your strengths and develop new ones. Here are the top skills employers look for in sales managers.
Top Hard Skills for Sales Managers
Focusing on specific hard skills can help you succeed as a sales manager. Understanding these skills also helps you find the right talent for your team. Key hard skills include:
- Sales forecasting
- Product knowledge
- Recruiting and hiring talent
- Leadership
- Data analysis
- Strategic thinking
- Team management
- Experience with sales CRM
Desired Soft Skills in Sales Managers
Soft skills are just as important as hard skills and can sometimes matter more. These skills help you connect with customers and teammates, strengthening relationships and improving your hard skills. Important soft skills include:
- Empathy
- Resilience
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Motivation
- Delegation
- Active listening
How to Become a Sales Manager?
If you are starting from scratch, here are five tips to help you become a sales manager:
Meet Sales Manager Education Requirements
While you can have much success without a college degree, formal education does give you an added advantage. A bachelor’s degree in management, marketing, or business law can open doors.
You can also pursue certifications like SMEI Sales Executive or CPSP to boost your credentials if you have sales experience but no advanced degree.
Develop Key Sales Manager Skills
Sales managers need much more than sales skills. They have to be able to lead, mentor, and strategize. Let your boss or mentor know about your career goals and they can help you develop into the role by giving you new areas of responsibility.
Gain Valuable Experience
Sales roles provide hands-on experience. Aim for two to five years in a sales position or take advantage of internships and entry-level roles while in college or in your learning phase to build a solid foundation.
Meet Sales Goals Consistently
Achieving or exceeding your sales targets is a great way to stand out. Set realistic goals, track your progress, and take a leading role in projects to show you are ready for more responsibility.
Meet Other Sales Professionals
Networking is the backbone. Connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn, attend business and sales meetups, and build connections that will help you climb the professional ladder.
Conclusion
Sales managers are key to success through leadership, planning, and managing customer relationships. To handle these tasks well, using the right tools is important. Supportbench offers a platform that makes customer interactions easier and improves service quality. Its features include ticket management, workflow automation, customer management, and knowledge base creation, all of which help sales managers work more efficiently.
Supportbench also provides advanced tools like SLA management, escalation handling, and detailed analytics for better decision-making. Supportbench’s customizable customer portals, multi-channel communication, and integration options make customer service simpler and enhance satisfaction. Discover how Supportbench can improve your sales team’s performance and customer support. Get started with Supportbench today to learn more.
FAQs
1- How do sales managers make money?
Employers typically pay sales managers with a mix of salary and commissions or bonuses. Commissions are usually a percentage based on the type and amount of goods or services sold.
2- What does a sales manager do daily?
A sales manager leads and supervises sales teams and manages daily sales operations. They have important responsibilities, such as creating the company’s sales strategy, setting sales goals, and monitoring sales performance.
3- Does a sales manager sell?
Yes, a sales manager is often involved in selling, but their primary focus is on leading and managing the sales team rather than directly making sales.
