What are the best ways to avoid overworking as a Sales Manager?

A simple way to delegate effectively is to first understand your team motivations and areas of interest (development), this way delegation will not feel like an imposition but as a way to improve/develop skills for your team.

Ensure that everyone on your team knows what the goals and quotas are. If you are working towards a shared goal, your team is more likely to feel empowered and want to help each other.

We all must understand that we can only grow in an Org if we continuosly keep empowering our teams to make us redundant. That's the one way sales managers can keep moving to higher roles. However, many practice to be present all over & land up operationing at 2 levels lower. Another set believe that the lower order can't achieve the results. Both ways they fail to deliver on their role expectations which is equally strategic & tactical. The only way they can be separated is to have different elements in KPI & ensure they stick close to their roles & responsibility.

As a Pre-Owned Sales Manager at Porsche Marin, I've been there: long days, seven days a week, all driven by ambitious goals. My lessons: I adjusted my goals, reduced overwork, and achieved success. Delegating tasks, using Rapid Recon, and Microsoft Teams for communication saved time. Blocking off uninterrupted 30-60 minute slots and communicating my unavailability in advance helped focus. Balancing work and personal life is vital; burnout doesn't help. Clear boundaries reduced after-hours work. Regular evaluations and staying updated improved efficiency. Mentorship was crucial. Working smart is key. These are my experiences and I hope they resonate with your journey.

Sense of insecurity. This is a big challenge and the big elephant in the room which does not come out. Organisations should create a culture where people should be rewarded for keeping a ready successor.

Some of the ways to deliver better results as a leader and high performing team are: 1. Share and align the goals you are trying to achieve. 2. Have a clear plan to achieve the goals with timeline. 3. Understand unique strengths of each team member and back them up with required tools and training to deliver better outcomes. 4. Assess the progress with periodic one-to-one meetings. 5. Always prioritise tasks which has direct effect on results and say no to unnecessary tasks/meetings.

I believe one of the most important parts of being a leader is to know where the boundaries are. No one, especially you, will gain from you hitting a wall because of unrealistic goals put up by yourself. Most of all, you will not be a good leader to the people around you. Therefore, it is imperative to seek out the balanced approach and work with priorities. 20% of your tasks will lead to 80% of your gains, so find those 20% and focus fully on those.

The Eisenhower Matrix is a great tool to use here: Instead of merely adding tasks to a never-ending to-do list, consider each new task as it comes in and determine its place within the four distinct categories of the Eisenhower Matrix: Urgent and Important: These tasks demand immediate attention. They should be your primary focus. Not Urgent but Important: These tasks are vital for long-term goals and require careful planning and scheduling. Urgent but Not Important: Although they may seem pressing, these tasks don't contribute significantly to your success. Delegate or minimize them. Not Urgent and Not Important: Tasks falling into this category should be kept to a minimum or eliminated to optimize your productivity.

If you don't have boundaries, there's going to be some confusion & resistance to creating them because you're probably a "YES-AHOLIC." A "boundary" is a "No," protecting you from the toxic behavior of others. NO: You can't talk to/treat me that way I'm not compromising my personal time I'm not doing what you're asking I'm not suggesting to always say NO. However, setting boundaries=COMMUNICATING them. The next time someone crosses a boundary, be prepared to protect it. "I'd love to help. Let me check my calendar so I can confirm my commitment/availability to you." "Based on your tone-it sounds like this may not be the best time to talk. Can we reset this conversation & talk respectfully to each other or is it best to reschedule?"

One of the priorities that most people overlook, is the own time off. While working in Sales, I always found myself working in a overdrive - Trying to work on good quality, while challenging myself to work faster. This is how burnouts happen. I have learned to schedule my breaks in my calendar, if it is for a short walk, or even just going outside and "touch grass" - The key is not to be in the office. After working hours I take 10 minutes for myself.

First, look for any repetitive tasks that can be automated - things like data entry or reporting. See if your CRM has built-in automation features you can use, or explore other simple tools. Taking these small daily tasks off your plate really helps. Next, streamline and organize your processes for efficiency. Standardize routines like follow-ups, contract approvals, onboarding. Document processes so your team can execute without constant oversight.

Cut out the fat. Automate your reporting, automate your calendar, automate your inbox. Streamline inefficiencies so you can make more room for what matters. To lead and prioritize correctly, you’ve gotta drop dead weight.

Automating and streamlining processes is a third method to prevent overworking as a sales manager. Utilize technology and tools to simplify tasks like report generation and email communication. Implement Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to efficiently manage leads and customer data. Automation reduces manual work, saves time, and enhances productivity, allowing you to focus on high-impact responsibilities while maintaining a healthier work-life balance.

If you aren't using AI in your sales process and you aren't empowering your reps to do so, you are doing something wrong in 2023. Leverage AI for Automation: Harness the power of artificial intelligence to simplify and expedite tasks, from report generation to lead tracking. Use Zapier for simple automation, get help from ChatGPT to help your reps personalize their messaging further. Standardize workflows with templates and checklists to enhance efficiency and reduce errors. By implementing these strategies, you can strike a balance, reduce overwork, and enhance your effectiveness as a Sales Manager.

Plan Plan and Plan ...and it is true that well planned things are done well at the first place. I find "90% and 10% execution" is definitely a mantra for success...one must spend enough time in doing R&D so that when you actually do things it will be a cakewalk ( not really :), but you get it ...). It becomes much more easier when you have run things well enough to jot down pros and cons and are ready with counter strategies when Plan A doesn't work ...there should and always be Option B.... Repetitive tasks should be automated and the more we streamline tasks the better productivity there will ever be.... I feel every second is precious and we must utilize every nano second of a second to live mindfully.

SYMBIOSIS - You be there for your team so that they can be there for you when you need them. 1. Give before asking 2. Articulate your asks well 3. Reinforce the fundamentals 4. Respect individuality 5. Trust always Be the supporter of your team in forums where they don’t have a voice, reward them where they go above and beyond, understand their challenges and help them through it.

In the relentless hustle of sales, pausing might seem counterintuitive. Yet, intentional breaks and recharging moments are the secret weapons of top-performing managers. Remember, sustained success isn't a sprint but a marathon. Periodically stepping back can propel you forward more effectively.

As the COO, I fully support the implementation of this strategy within our sales management team. It aligns with our commitment to the well-being and productivity of our employees, and I believe it will lead to more effective and sustainable results. It's essential that we create a work environment that values self-care and work-life balance while continuing to meet our organizational goals.

You lead by example. If you’re answering emails as soon as they come in on PTO, you’re setting your team up to feel obligated to do the same. Time is a thief. If you don’t take it to take care of yourself, you rob your team from getting led by the best version of you.

Sales management can be a very tough gig. We need to know our abilities as well as the team's. Furthermore, we need to review our passion and our "why" often to check our alignment so that we can continuously offer our wisdom to our team in a timely manner. A good practice is to use the Eisenhower Matrix to constantly assess our action. I discover that most sales managers are working long hours is because they are not good with technologies and processes. They seem to take longer to get things done than those who excel in these tools. Secondly, bad sales manager are not good at helping the team become independent. As the results, they are constantly putting out fires and solving other people's problems.

In sales management, no one operates in isolation. Embracing the collective wisdom of those around you is both a sign of strength and a strategy for success. Every interaction holds lessons that can pave the way for growth. Constructive feedback acts as a mirror, reflecting areas of improvement that might be overlooked. Moreover, in moments of uncertainty, tapping into the expertise of others can offer invaluable guidance. This collaborative approach not only enhances problem-solving capabilities but also fosters a culture of continuous learning. By actively seeking feedback and support, a sales manager not only elevates their own capabilities but also strengthens the bond of trust and camaraderie within the team and with stakeholders.

Feedback shouldn't be annual or even left to a point where a manager is thinking they need to provide feedback. Feedback should be given regularly and the opportunity to have the team provide feedback to the manager is critical.in making this process effective. Continuous Improvement means identifying and eliminating roadblocks and wasted effort and resources. Nobody in the organisation is immune from contributing to waste and managers should also be willing to receive feedback as well as deliver the feedback that in consistent with the situation and aligned to the Communication style of the individual. It is not your teams job to communicate how you like to hear information. It's your job to communicate how they will best absorb info

Foster a supportive team culture: Encourage open communication and collaboration within your team. Foster a supportive environment where team members can share the workload, provide assistance, and offer solutions. This not only lightens our load but also promotes a positive team dynamic.

Whom should you take feedback from - 1. Folks - both performing & non-performing in your teams 2. Colleagues you admire 3. Managers / Skip managers the Org admires It is important to build habit learn-unlearn-learn , but more imp to know what & when to learn & unlearn; and for that take diverse feedback

Who do you admire for their ability to manage their time and maintain a healthy work-life balance? Find that person, buy them a cup of coffee, and ask them about their experiences and lessons learned.

I will drop the mic at this! Period! Please appreciate your sales team, encourage them, motivate them - they are struggling more than you can think. Everyone talks about the numbers but forgets that they are doing their best in terms of efforts (I am talking about honest and intelligent working salespeople and not the sandbaggers). Numbers are only the outcome; the little you can do is to appreciate them for what they are doing. Just tell them, "Hey! I got you!"

Celebration and Appreciation are paramount! Ask your people how they like to be recognized, how they like to be recognized, rewarded, and celebrated, then DO THAT! If someone likes to be recognized publicly and let the team see what they have accomplished, then do so. If they like private recognition, then call them and recognize them privately, thank them and congratulate them for their achievements. Remember, you work for your teams, not the other way around. Focus on servant leadership, remove roadblocks, make their lives easier, and they will reciprocate!

I've witnessed the profound impact that celebrating and appreciating achievements can have on an individual. Acknowledging milestones and successes serves as more than mere recognition; it acts as a morale booster, reinvigorating motivation and rekindling enthusiasm. The act of celebrating accomplishments cultivates a deep sense of fulfilment, inspiring further success without succumbing to burnout. It offers a valuable moment for reflection, rejuvenation, and the maintenance of a harmonious equilibrium between professional dedication and personal well-being. Embracing this practice not only diminishes burnout but also fosters a positive, invigorating sales environment conducive to consistent success and sustained high performance.

In a widespread function like sales, many milestones of paramount value to the individual go unnoticed. This kills the energy and takes the life out of future efforts. So, celebrate and appreciate to keep the wheel rolling.

I'm really big on this one, "celebrate and appreciate." We all know that sales can be, and is, a really tough job. There are a lot of highs but even more lows. It is vital that we celebrate even the smallest of wins. If you don't do this, you're going to burn out. Closing big deals, especially in B2B SaaS, can take a very long time. So if you're not celebrating the small wins throughout the journey, it's going to be extremely tough on you. Celebrate little wins, each day. It'll keep you going, I promise!

Know your clear objectives and help your team align with what you think is the need of the hour. Transparency is the key to ensure your team is working with you

The answer is an Eisenhower matrix. List your to do's as such: Critical and Urgent = do Critical and not urgent = schedule Not critical and urgent = delegate Not critical not urgent = delete

Stretching the list further with few tactics that I’ve found can make a difference in boosting the quality of work managers are able to achieve: 1. Start working earlier than your team, and while the rest of the world is sleeping. Those early distraction-free minutes can be you most productive and focused, setting the mood and mindset for the rest of the day 2. Adapt an “always hiring” mentality to identify exceptional talent - Always interview potential candidates even if you’re not hiring. Finding the right team player makes a mega difference in boosting efficiency and performance, thus doing more with less 3. Be tech savvy, and use technology to your advantage 4. Have fun along the way

I would very much like to understand the strengths of my team members, in order to achieve maximum potential out of their piece of Sales. Not every sales rep is able to hunt and harvest. There is a distinct difference in what team members do best. Create a team that adds to each other's strengths. Not hire just to fill your team with 'possible' all-around salespeople.

Try to enjoy the different sales processes as much as possible, individually and in groups. Learn from each stage. Be grateful for every achievement, every advice received or every result obtained. Do not minimize the efforts and contributions of your collaborators, each one has a valuable space on your team.