As a manager, one of the best things you can do for your company is create a successful team. In today’s competitive market, it’s the same team that can either make or break your company’s success in achieving its goals. But where do you start? What does a successful sales team look like? 

If you’ve been wondering how to build a successful sales team, you’re reading the right blog. Today, we’re going to uncover what it takes to build a successful sales team as well as tips to help you shape yours. Read on to find out what it takes…

What is a successful sales team? 

The definition of “success” varies from person to person as well as between industries, a successful sales team often shares some common traits. 

Here are a few traits of a successful sales team you should keep an eye out for: 

• The team swiftly adapts to new market conditions and sales trends, 
• The sales process is streamlined, efficient, and optimized,
• Every team member is motivated to achieve their responsibilities in the workplace,
• Team members are actively engaged in sales coaching programs to grow their skills,
• There is a strong team dynamic and alignment between sales and marketing teams.

And of course, a successful team development will always need an effective leader at the helm. With the right leadership and management, even an average sales team can achieve high-performing numbers!

8 tips on how to build a successful sales team

1. Set clear goals and expectations

Clear goals and expectations are the cornerstone of effective communication within a sales team. When objectives are clearly defined, sales reps know exactly what is expected of them, leading to greater alignment and productivity. 

One effective way to set clear goals and expectations is by providing sales reps with tangible examples of customer success stories. This way your team gains a clear framework to model their behavior and actions.

2. Identify who you need on the team

Building a successful sales team requires careful consideration of the skills, experience, and personalities needed to drive results.

Remember it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach when you’re learning how to build a sales team. You’ll need a diverse group of individuals and talent to really make your team successful. Plus, each company will have a unique requirement, based on factors such as:

• Industry (Some industries require more salespeople than others)
• Geographical location
• Your target markets (Targeting diverse markets requires diverse skills such as language)
• The type of products/services being offered
• Size of your company (Larger companies require more managerial talent)

Furthermore, you’ll need to be deliberate in your recruitment efforts to assemble a team that complements each other’s strengths and abilities in terms of both soft and hard skills. Start by defining the roles and responsibilities necessary to achieve your sales objectives. 

Then, identify individuals who possess the requisite skills and qualities to excel in those roles. Some roles you should identify in your sales team are: 

• Sales development representatives
• Sales assistants
• Account executives
• Customer success managers
• Team leaders
• Sales representatives 

Did you know? According to The Sales Management Association, companies that focus on excellent onboarding practices enjoy 10% higher sales growth than companies that don’t.

3. Allow space for personal motivations

Every employee is more motivated and engaged when they have a clear personal motivation in the workplace. This can be rising through the ranks, making extra money, or simply playing out as the best player on the team. 

And when you recognize and honor these personal motivations, you build a successful sales team that doesn’t falter at any step. While financial incentives are important, they are not the sole drivers of motivation. 

Take the time to understand what motivates each individual on your team, whether it’s career advancement, recognition, or personal growth. By aligning individual motivations with team goals, you create a more engaged and committed sales force that is driven to succeed.

4. Foster an engaging culture within the team

An engaging and supportive work culture is vital for fostering collaboration, creativity, and high performance within a sales team. Therefore, you should create an environment where team members feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their ideas and insights. 

There should be no room for discrimination at any level. When you encourage open communication, celebrate achievements, and provide opportunities for professional growth and development, you’ll build a successful sales team in no time! 

5. Give your team all the tools they need

If you’re pondering on how to support sales team, the solution is to give them the tools they need. When they’re equipped to do their job, they will bring you their personal best performances. 

Your company should provide access to cutting-edge technology, AI-driven smart tools, and a simple and empowering CRM to effectively engage with prospects and close more deals. With Jaldi, all your CRM needs are met in the simplest ways possible, one that’s loved by salespeople around the world!

6. Coach and mentor

If you want your team members to unlock their true potential at work, constant professional development becomes a must. If your sales team isn’t being mentored by industry experts or attending informative workshops, their skills will soon become redundant. 

But you can’t also just tell them to “go learn something new!”

Here is what you can do: 

• Implement a structured coaching program that provides regular feedback, guidance, and support to your team members. 
• Offer personalized development plans tailored to each individual’s strengths, weaknesses, and career aspirations. 
• Create a shared folder on Google Drive with useful material your sales team should check out occasionally as well as a list of resources they can look into to polish their skills.

7. Open a loop of consistent feedback

Only the most effective sales managers know the importance of open feedback and communication. With sales reps being at the forefront, feedback is critical for them. After all, how would they know what they’re doing right, what they’re doing wrong, or what you want them to do differently?

So you should provide regular feedback on individual and team performance, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for growth. And watch as your sales performance dramatically goes up a notch!