What do you do if your outside sales performance is receiving conflicting feedback from different sources?

1 Assess Feedback

When faced with conflicting feedback, start by assessing the validity and source of each piece of advice. Consider the context in which the feedback was given and the expertise of the individual providing it. Clients may offer insights based on their preferences, while managers may focus on sales targets or strategy alignment. Understanding where each piece of feedback is coming from will help you determine its relevance and whether it aligns with your sales goals and personal selling style.

2 Identify Patterns

Look for common themes or patterns within the feedback. If multiple sources are pointing out similar issues, there may be a genuine area for improvement. For example, if both a client and your manager suggest that your product demonstrations are lacking clarity, this is a pattern worth noting. Identifying these patterns can help you prioritize which feedback to act on and which might be more subjective or less critical to your overall performance.

3 Set Priorities

Once you've identified key areas for improvement, set priorities on what to address first. Tackle issues that have the potential to make the most significant impact on your sales results. For example, if improving product knowledge could lead to better client interactions and increased sales, prioritize this over less impactful concerns. Prioritizing allows you to focus your energy on making meaningful changes that will enhance your performance.

4 Create a Plan

Develop a plan of action to address the priority feedback. This might involve seeking additional training, adjusting your sales pitch, or changing how you manage client follow-ups. A structured plan with clear objectives and timelines will help you systematically improve your sales approach. It also provides a framework to measure the effectiveness of the changes you implement.

5 Implement Changes

Put your plan into action and start making the necessary changes to your sales approach. Be patient with yourself as you adapt to new methods or strategies. Change can be challenging, but it's essential for growth. Keep track of your progress and be open to adjusting your plan if certain strategies aren’t working as well as expected. Implementation is a critical step in turning feedback into tangible results.

6 Reflect and Adjust

Finally, reflect on the impact of the changes you've made. Have they improved your sales performance? Are clients responding more positively? Use this reflection to fine-tune your approach further. Continuous improvement is a hallmark of a successful outside sales professional. By reflecting on the outcomes of your adjustments, you can continue to evolve your sales strategy to better meet the needs of your clients and achieve your sales targets.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?