Here's how you can navigate a boss's lack of clear direction in outside sales.

Here are some strategies I've used to address unclear expectations in my experience: 1. Clarify Expectations: Ask specific questions to understand what is expected of you. 2. Take Initiative: When directions are unclear, take the initiative to outline your plan and propose it to your boss for approval. 3. Communicate Regularly: Keep your boss updated on your progress. 4. Seek Feedback: After completing tasks, seek feedback to understand what you did well and where you can imprice. 6. Build a Network: Collaborate with colleagues or team members who might have more experience or a better understanding of the expectations. 7. Stay Adaptable: Be prepared to adjust your approach as new information becomes available.

The reality is that most times in sales you have to rely on yourself to figure out how best to crush your numbers and surpass the quota you been assigned to. An outside sales lead your assigned sales, growth and market numbers are your compass and to figures. You got to own them and then explore and elaborate how best you can execute to meet such business goals.

When you are in charge of your territory, you have to consider the territory as your kingdom and take every single decision seriously and proactively. Sometimes you may find your boss and colleagues are back-biting you but don't stop there. Just do your best if you find the initiatives relevant but obviously with the alignment with your boss, not the colleagues. I can remember my first joining day in a sales function where I had been posted to Cumilla. Everything was new there. I was so young just 24, completed the graduation and started the Sales career. When I met with my boss, my line manager didn't seem well but he started liking me when I had taken several game-changing initiatives within a very short time. So, be handy and SMART.

1 Clarify Expectations: Take the initiative to schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss your goals and objectives. Clearly outline what you understand your role to be and ask for confirmation or clarification. This demonstrates your commitment to succeeding despite the lack of clear direction. 2 -Set Your Own Goals: In the absence of specific direction, set your own SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals aligned with the company's objectives. This allows you to have a clear focus and direction for your sales efforts. 3 Communicate Regularly: Keep your boss informed about your progress and any challenges you encounter. 4 Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback on your performance and areas for improvement.

It will give you clear way and bring confidence in you to deliver on your goals,self creativity. Defining your own direction in ensuring the goal is achieve helps in affirming your leadership

I agree setting your own goals are important. If you lack the direction making sure that those goals align with the boss's and or companies goals is incredibly important. If not you may find that the last quarter or more you were going in the opposite direction from everybody else. As good as your goals may have been it then appears that you are working contrary to the company .

I think most people understand the principle of goal setting. Taking it a step forward I would say checking in frequently to ensure the goal hasn't changed is necessary. Goal confirmation frequency is situational. There's nothing worse than crossing the finish line only to find out that the route you ran changed mid-race and you have been disqualified.

Setting your own goals is key, especially without a clear direction from the sales manager. (It seems obvious ??) but knowing where you want to go can help you to stay on the track?? Self-organization and structure in your day-to-day business will only help you, no matter what the situation ??

Set your own goal based on your understanding of the company's overall objectives and previous sales data, set your own realistic and measurable goals. Present these to your boss for feedback and approval

Prioritize clear and proactive communication. Initiate regular updates with your managing director, providing detailed insights into your activities and seeking clarification on priorities. When uncertain about strategies, ask specific questions and propose well-reasoned approaches backed by data. Solicit feedback on implemented strategies to fine-tune your approach. Keep your boss informed about successes and challenges, demonstrating transparency and a solutions-oriented mindset. Document key decisions and agreements in writing to ensure alignment and avoid misunderstandings. By fostering open and structured communication, you can effectively manage outside sales efforts even in the absence of clear direction from your boss.

La comunicación es muy importante porque promueve la interacción a todo nivel y favorece la gestión y la consecución de los objetivos

If you are still determining what your boss wants, it's up to you to ask them professionally. Example: If I understand what you need from me, it is the _______? What is our goal? Be clear, concise, and direct with your question. Be bold and ask questions when you get directions. The biggest misconception with communication is assuming it happened in the first place.

Make proactive communication which keep your boss informed about your activities, strategies, and results. Proactive communication can help compensate for their lack of direction and show that you are taking initiative.

Communication is probably one of the greatest assets of great leaders. People retain info as follows: 10%% of what they Read 20% of what they Hear 30% of what they See 50% of what they See and Hear 70% of what they Discuss with Others 80% of what they Experience. With this in mind, it is important to vary your communication methods and not get frustrated when you must repeat feedback multiple times in multiple ways.

Operating in a silo won't get you anywhere. Be a collaborator within the organisation to get full benefits and synergies from other departments (finance, value chain, production, dispatch & stores) to enhance your sales end goal. For example, collaborate more with the finance team on debt collection plans with clients who have overdues, to ensure serviceability, but to also allow for debt to be sorted within an acceptable time span.

Leverage with team input to collaborate with your colleagues to understand their approaches and strategies. Sharing insights and best practices can help you create a more cohesive and effective sales strategy.

Leaning on the wisdom of a cross-functional team will help you avoid mistakes, increase your situational knowledge and ultimately lead to a better result. But it takes work, the ability to handle feedback, and flexibility when developing strategies. Slowing down to improve outcomes can be very difficult for high achievers.

At the end of day, month, or even at the end of the year, we are all responsible for our own sales. It does not matter how competent or incompetent your supervisor may or may not be .

Be prepared to adapt your strategies as you receive feedback or as the market changes. Flexibility can help you stay on track even when direction is unclear

Indeed, the sales target number and achievement, is your full responsibility. Therefore it is paramount to ensure that you spend sufficient time improving on your personal sales capabilities. Take time to explore other methods of consistently and profitably securing these orders. You work in a team, but you are an individual in that team, who has to play your part well to attain the desired deliverables.

Establish regular check-in meetings with your boss to provide updates on your progress and to seek feedback. This helps ensure you are aligned with their expectations and can adjust your approach as needed.

I was once working on a project that involved auto-enrolling clients at the point of renewal. A co-worker was concerned that our internal systems wouldn't be able to process the auto-renewals. I was dismissive at the time but once the auto-renewals started to be rejected it created a huge headache for our customer service team. I wish I had slowed down to listen to this process gap that was identified before it became a headache to fix. I'm a lot more attentive to others who are concerned about any process I'm creating.