How can you use self-assessments to improve your Outside Sales performance?

1 Choose the right self-assessment tool

There are many types of self-assessment tools available, such as quizzes, surveys, checklists, scales, and feedback forms. Some are designed for specific skills, such as communication, negotiation, or presentation, while others are more general and cover multiple aspects of outside sales. Depending on your goals and needs, you should choose the self-assessment tool that best suits your situation. For example, if you want to improve your communication skills, you might use a quiz that tests your knowledge of effective communication techniques, or a feedback form that asks your clients or colleagues to rate your communication skills.

2 Set a regular schedule for self-assessment

Self-assessment is not a one-time activity, but a continuous process that helps you monitor your performance and track your improvement over time. Therefore, you should set a regular schedule for self-assessment, such as weekly, monthly, or quarterly, depending on the frequency and duration of your sales activities. By doing so, you will be able to compare your results and see your progress more clearly. You will also be able to identify any patterns or trends in your performance, such as strengths or weaknesses, opportunities or threats, or areas of improvement or decline.

3 Review your self-assessment results and take action

After completing a self-assessment, you should review your results and analyze them carefully. Look for any gaps between your expectations and your reality, and any feedback or suggestions that you received from others. Ask yourself what you did well, what you need to improve, and what you can do differently next time. Based on your analysis, you should create an action plan that outlines the specific steps that you will take to improve your performance. For example, if you scored low on negotiation skills, you might decide to take a negotiation course, read a book on negotiation, or practice negotiation scenarios with a mentor or a peer.

4 Evaluate the effectiveness of your self-assessment and action plan

Finally, you should evaluate the effectiveness of your self-assessment and action plan by measuring the impact that they have on your performance. You can use various indicators, such as sales volume, revenue, customer satisfaction, retention, referrals, or feedback, to assess whether you have achieved your goals and improved your performance. You should also reflect on your experience and ask yourself what you learned, what you enjoyed, and what you found challenging. By doing so, you will be able to celebrate your successes, learn from your mistakes, and adjust your self-assessment and action plan accordingly.

5 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?