You’re a Sales Engineer with multiple deadlines. How can you ensure they don’t slip?

How many things did you say no to today? I often find that a big reason tasks are overdue is when people become distracted with busy work. In sales, 20% of the tasks you do get you 80% of your results. You should be very intentional and purposeful about which tasks you do, when, and how much time you spend on these tasks. This sounds obvious, but I think a lot of people forget to think about how they delegate their time and resources. Be thoughtful about the decisions you make and prioritize cleverly.

Para cumplir con múltiples plazos como ingeniero de ventas, prioriza las tareas según su importancia y urgencia, utiliza herramientas de gestión de proyectos para mantener un seguimiento de los plazos, establece fechas límite realistas y comunica claramente cualquier desafío o retraso a tu equipo y clientes. Organiza tu tiempo eficientemente y sé proactivo para evitar que los plazos se resbalen.

Set Realistic Deadlines: Establish achievable timelines by considering task complexity and resource availability Lead by Example: Demonstrate commitment to deadlines to inspire team members to prioritize and meet their own deadlines Use Technology: Leverage project management tools and tech solutions to streamline workflows and enhance efficiency

Prioritize Tasks: Evaluate all your tasks and deadlines, and prioritize them based on urgency and importance. Focus on completing high-priority tasks first while allocating time for lower-priority ones accordingly. Use a Task Management System: Utilize a task management system or tool, such as a digital calendar, project management software, or a simple to-do list, to keep track of deadlines and assignments. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable subtasks to facilitate progress tracking. Set Clear Deadlines: Establish clear and realistic deadlines for each task or project, taking into account factors such as complexity, dependencies, and client expectations. Communicate these deadlines to relevant stakeholders

Prioritizing tasks is key. If everything is urgent, it means nothing is urgent. So, keep the urgent and important tasks on top of your list. Learn to say No to tasks that add no value to the job at hand. The more you say No, the more time you will have to do the tasks that are important in the best possible way.

En ventas establecer plazos cortos pero reales, asegura el éxitos de la ventas, frases como solo por hoy, nada más que hoy etc… ya no funcionan ahora plazos reales compromisos reales

In my experience, missed deadlines often stem from the challenge of managing numerous client follow-ups in sales. One effective solution I've found is utilizing both Google Calendar and Notion. Personally, I've integrated these tools into my workflow, and I've found them to be incredibly efficient in tracking my tasks and commitments

Here are tools that help me manage my tasks, progress, and deadlines: Close CRM: Really, you can use any CRM you feel is right; a good free one is HUBSPOT. These things are extremely powerful and let you keep track of all your leads, where they are in your pipeline, your next follow-up, meeting, whatever. Get a good CRM! Trello: Again, there are loads of great software that let you manage internal progress and deadlines (which will be very important when you are a sales engineer as you have to understand where your team is at all times). We use Trello, and once something goes on there, it gets done. If you create a great culture around organization, it will become a satisfying activity for you and your team rather than a burden.

Identify Common Distractions: Take note of common distractions that frequently disrupt your workflow. These could include phone calls, emails, social media notifications, or interruptions from colleagues. Create a Distraction-Free Workspace: Designate a dedicated workspace that is free from distractions as much as possible. Minimize clutter, noise, and visual distractions to create an environment conducive to focus and concentration. Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries with colleagues, family members, and others to minimize interruptions during designated work times. Communicate your availability and preferred methods of communication to ensure that interruptions are kept to a minimum.

An important resource if you're struggling to manage your workload is your manager. You can have a regular cadence in 1:1 meetings, covering off topics such as prioritising workloads, etc. They should have access to higher-level dashboards & KPIs to help the team focus on the correct areas. In some cases, they may be able to help load-balance your workloads with other team members, etc

If you anticipate that you may not meet a deadline or encounter obstacles that could delay your progress, communicate proactively with relevant stakeholders. Notify them in advance, discuss potential solutions or alternatives, and renegotiate deadlines if necessary.