Kristy Schafer (Shipman)’s Post

Your jobventure awaits

Congratulations on your new role as Director of Sales! This is a significant milestone in your career, marking the beginning of an exciting and challenging journey. With this new responsibility comes the opportunity to lead your team to new heights, drive revenue growth, and make a lasting impact on your organization. Here’s a roadmap to help you navigate your first days and beyond in your new role Read Article

Promoted or hired as a Sales Manager? Here's what to do on Day 1. I've been in this position several times. There's a lot to earning respect as a new Sales Manager. So, let's just start with the first day. ✅ Gather the team together; sales, pre-sales, support. ✅ Introduce yourself, give your background and then, most importantly, explain why you are there. Don't hold anything back. Expansion, replacement, whatever it is. ✅Let everyone know, "We are all here to succeed. And to do so, will require some changes in our processes." (Avoid talking about changes in personnel at this point.) ✅ Tell them you will be speaking with them 1:1 soon to get to know them and understand their perspective. ✅ Ask for questions. This is your first, and best, chance to show your listening skills, honesty, and empathy. All the traits you want to see in them. Finally, let everyone know, "We succeed as a team. And I am right here with you!"🌠 📍If you're an experienced Sales Manager, what would you suggest?

It should be a mandate for everyone to at least spend the starting years of their career working in sales function. It helps 1. In getting rid of unnecessary ego. 2. In getting comfortable with chasing numbers. 3. In working hard on chasing the milestones. 4. In getting to know how relationships and partnerships help in creating value in business.

I became a VP of sales at the age of 26. 4 years prior, I had quit my sales job because I was scared. A lot can change in just 4 years. But for the first 2 years of my VP role, I almost burned my sales team down. I made the classic mistakes you think are smart strategies at first: 1. Expected my team to be the exact salesperson I was 2. Expected my team to always know the answers 3. Thought it was motivating to call out my team in public. 4. Thought I was leading them when I was telling them what to do. 5. Cared more about the mistakes they made than the wins they had. The best sales leaders work for their sales reps, not the other way around.

Your jobventure awaits

🌟 Celebrating a decade in the world of sales! 🌟 ✨ Starting my journey in the back office, supporting sales managers in different corners of the globe, I've learned the intricacies of the sales world firsthand. ✨ From those humble beginnings, I've climbed the ladder to the position of Senior Management, where I orchestrate a blend of traditional sales techniques and modern consultative approaches. ✨ Crunching numbers and crafting solutions, I've found my passion in serving people with the right answers. ✨ Sales isn't just a department; it's the lifeblood of any business. It's where challenges meet creativity and solutions are born. ✨ Every day, I face rejection with a smile, knowing that it's just a stepping stone toward the next opportunity. ✨ Whether I receive a pat on the back or a swift kick, the management's guidance fuels my drive to get things done. PS: The people to the bottom right are my inspiration. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey! Here's to another decade of learning, growing, and making meaningful connections in the world of sales! 🚀 #SalesJourney #SalesExpertise #10YearsInSales

Every opportunity is not an opportunity. Storytime This salesperson had excellent skills. From start to end of the sales cycle, she knew exactly what to do. However, she had an Achilles heel. She pursued the wrong opportunities. She didn’t like it that I continually pointing out that these won’t come to fruition. I was protecting her from the future. RFQ season came and went. There were no wins. A years’ worth of work gone. Another year ahead of her before anything significant could happen. Other peers had a terrific year. She started emulating a couple of them. The biggest change came soon thereafter. She went after 3 very large and more importantly the right opportunities. She won big next year. Got promoted a few months later to another team. I was overjoyed with her progress. Sometimes when I reminisce. This still brings a smile to my face. Sales leaders are often disliked. The best ones even more so. Some sales guys don’t want to hear the truth. The best sales leaders solve problems before they happen. It comes with the territory.

Every opportunity is not an opportunity. Storytime This salesperson had excellent skills. From start to end of the sales cycle, she knew exactly what to do. However, she had an Achilles heel. She pursued the wrong opportunities. She didn’t like it that I continually pointing out that these won’t come to fruition. I was protecting her from the future. RFQ season came and went. There were no wins. A years’ worth of work gone. Another year ahead of her before anything significant could happen. Other peers had a terrific year. She started emulating a couple of them. The biggest change came soon thereafter. She went after 3 very large and more importantly the right opportunities. She won big next year. Got promoted a few months later to another team. I was overjoyed with her progress. Sometimes when I reminisce. This still brings a smile to my face. Sales leaders are often disliked. The best ones even more so. Some sales guys don’t want to hear the truth. The best sales leaders solve problems before they happen. It comes with the territory.

In sales it's hard to be successful alone, you NEED the team... Check it out: 👇 When I first became an AE... I thought the best reps did everything by themselves. Lone wolves. So, I tried to learn, and rely only on my knowledge. I was able to move deals quick, BUT not in the right direction. I would end up losing deals at various parts of the process. So... Instead of trying to do everything on your own. Acknowledge when you need help. The best reps know when to call in reinforcements. When you get into areas you don't feel 100% comfortable in. Leverage: - Engineering.  - Sales leadership.  - Existing customers. It'll help you get around roadblocks. Show a team effort to the customer. Put yourself in a position to WIN! ➡️ How do you make sure you're making use of the team? Like, follow, and comment below 👇