A great sales representative goes beyond just mastering the typical tips and tricks of being an effective salesman. A great sales representative recognizes what personal traits will ensure their success, and works on fostering those traits within themselves.
Our sales team narrowed down 10 traits that they believe every great sales representative should possess:
- Honesty
- Patience
- Empathy
- Competitiveness
- Confidence
- Organization
- Resilience
- Adaptability
- Passion
- Initiative
1. Honesty
Our Marketing team posed the question, “What quality do you value most when working with a sales representative?” to our LinkedIn audience and 74% of our followers chose honesty.
2. Patience
Not every client is going to be the same; while one client may only have a few questions and be ready to purchase, another one may need multiple meetings or touch-points before they’re ready to commit. A good salesperson will have the patience to work with any type of client.
3. Empathy
Understanding and resonating with your client is key in sales. In a world full of virtual meetings and remote work, most people are looking for that real human connection. A client will feel more comfortable with your company if they feel like they experience that connection throughout the sales process.
4. Competitiveness
Competitiveness is a positive attribute that most successful people share; it’s a drive toward success that motivates people to achieve their goals. There are plenty of companies who would love to have your clients time and business, so you have to show them why they should choose your company instead.
5. Confidence
The first thing a client will notice in a meeting is your confidence level. If you don’t believe in yourself and your company, then neither will your client.
6. Organization
The worst thing you can do is show up to a meeting unprepared. Stay organized with all your client information so that way you always know who you’re talking to, what you’re talking about, and why your company needs to talk to them.
7. Resilience
You’re not going to make every sale, and that’s okay. What’s not okay is losing your confidence or competitiveness because you didn’t make it. There’s going to be a difference between your expectations of sales and the reality, but if you recognize that now it’ll be easier to manage.
8. Adaptability
A salesperson has to be ready to adapt to any situation. As stated above, every client will be different. A tactic that worked for one may not work for the other, so it’s up to you to adapt and make the sale.
9. Passion
Just like confidence, if a client can’t see your passion for the product, then they won’t feel passionate about it either.
10. Initiative
Clients won’t just be handed to you on a silver platter. A good salesperson will take the initiative to find prospective clients, meet with as many clients as possible, and represent your company to anyone you talk to.
Overall, a great salesperson will use various traits and skills to connect with their clients in the best way possible. If you begin by mastering these traits, you will set yourself up for a successful career as a salesperson.
