Selling in a Post-COVID World
Prospect meetings, Client visits, upcoming travel plans – POOF. Seemingly overnight, everything changed.
Many Sales Professionals and Managers who have never worked from home, suddenly found themselves in a new environment. Those who heavily relied on in person meetings, found the need to get acquainted with a new way of doing business. Video conferences soon filled calendars and for many, the need to get reacquainted with an old friend, “The Telephone,” became prevalent.
I truly believe and hope we will get back to “normal” - frequent client visits, prospecting in the field, bustling offices, handshakes and all. But what if the fear surrounding COVID lasts beyond 2020? What does that mean for the future of The Sales Professional and selling in a post-COVID world?
This is a question that has been consuming my thoughts. What can be done to prepare? How can we, as Sales Managers, provide the hope and guidance needed to prosper with so much outside of our control? I can’t be alone in my thinking, right?
As my 3-year-old would say, “STOP IT.”
There are still many unknowns left for us to uncover in 2020, but I’m confident in one thing: Some will GROW during this time and others will not. Personally, professionally, spiritually – all of the above.
It’s amazing how the business world, in many regards, has adapted thus far. One point I emphasized to our Team last week was this: sharpen your skills and take pride in improving your approach. Much of what we do is over the phone and would be labeled as “inside sales.” Aren’t most, if not all of us, currently working in “inside sales?” Selling over the phone and phone skills in general may very well be at a premium in the years to come – buy stock in yourself and make sure you are able to reap the dividends in the future. Treat EVERY call as an opportunity to GROW.
Own the phone and you will have ownership over your career.
Each Monday, I like to kick off the week with a “word of the week” for our team. For April, we have had the following – Adapt, Execute, Consistency and Believe. If you haven’t guessed, to cap off the month, our word of the week is GROW.
For many of us, the stay at home order has surpassed a month. I hope you are continuing to GROW during this time. Do not let your skills get dull, continue to sharpen your sword!
At the end of the day, Life’s about choices and I wish all of you the best.
I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts, please share in the comments.
Stay safe, stay healthy and KEEP GROWING!!!
-AB