Starting a new sales role in Chicago can be an exciting and intimidating experience. It’s important to make the most of your first 90 days, as this is when you’ll lay the groundwork for success.
During this period, it’s essential that you take the time to get familiar with the company culture, meet key stakeholders and potential customers, and build relationships that will help you succeed in your job. While a good first impression can land you a job and build stronger relationships, you’ll now have to prove your worth and demonstrate your ability to be a successful salesperson.
In this article, we’ll discuss some tips for making the most of your first 90 days in a new sales role in Chicago.
Day 0-30: Learning And Orientation
The first 30 days of a new sales job, also known as orientation and discovery, can be a crucial time for establishing oneself in the organization and setting the stage for future success. Not only is this when you’ll get to know the company culture, but it’s also a time to learn about the sales process and build relationships with other team members. Here are a few of the most important steps to take during this period:
Establishing a Visible Presence in the Organization
One of the most important things to do during the first 30 days of a new sales job is to establish a visible presence in the organization. This means getting to know your colleagues and making yourself known to them. Some ways to do this include:
- Attending team meetings
- Introducing yourself to coworkers
- Reaching out to team members to learn more about their roles and responsibilities.
Another key aspect of establishing a visible presence is to familiarize yourself with the company’s products or services. This can be done by attending training sessions, reviewing marketing materials, and even trying out the products or services yourself. By doing so, you will be better equipped to represent the company and its offerings to potential customers.
While your company will likely hold an orientation and onboarding session, it’s important to take the initiative and use your own resources to learn as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or speak up in meetings – this will help you gain a better understanding of the company’s operations and build relationships with other team members.
Building Relationships with Key Stakeholders
In addition to establishing a visible presence in the organization, it is also important to build relationships with key stakeholders. This includes not only your direct manager and colleagues but also other departments that may be involved in the sales process, such as marketing and customer support.
Building these relationships can take some time, but it is essential for success in a sales role. One way to do this is to schedule one-on-one meetings with key stakeholders to learn more about their roles and responsibilities, as well as to discuss ways to collaborate more effectively.
Understanding the Company Culture and Values
Another important aspect of the first 30 days of a new sales job is understanding the company culture and values. This includes not only the formal policies and procedures but also the unwritten rules and norms that govern behavior within the organization.
To gain a better understanding of the company culture and values, it can be helpful to observe how colleagues interact with each other, as well as to ask questions about the company’s mission and vision. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the company’s code of conduct and ethical standards, as these will guide your behavior as a salesperson.
Assessing the Current Sales Processes and Tools
Finally, during the first 30 days of a new sales job, it is important to assess the current sales processes and tools. This includes understanding the current sales pipeline and lead generation process, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of the tools and technologies used by the sales team.
To do this, it can be helpful to review sales reports and metrics, as well as to talk with your colleagues about their experiences using the various sales tools and technologies. Based on this assessment, you can then begin to identify areas where improvements can be made and make recommendations for changes or upgrades to the sales processes and tools.
Identifying Opportunities And Challenges
Congratulations! You have made it past the first 30 days of your new sales job. As you settle into your new role, it is time to identify opportunities and challenges to help you achieve your sales goals, become more productive, and grow the business.
Identifying Areas for Improvement in the Sales Process
One of the first things to do during days 30-60 of your new sales job is to identify areas for improvement in the sales process. This could include everything from lead generation and qualification to sales pitch and closing techniques.
To identify areas for improvement, it can be helpful to talk with your colleagues and managers about their experiences and to observe other salespeople in action. Based on these observations, you may be able to identify areas where you can make improvements to your own sales approach.
Analyzing Data to Identify Trends and Patterns in Sales
Another important aspect of days 30-60 is analyzing data to identify trends and patterns in sales. This includes not only sales metrics such as revenue and profit margins but also data on customer behavior and preferences.
To analyze this data, it may be necessary to work with others in the organization, such as the marketing or data analytics team. By identifying trends and patterns in sales, you can then begin to make more informed decisions about how to allocate your time and resources in order to achieve your sales goals.
Developing a Plan of Action to Improve Sales and Grow Business
Based on your analysis of the sales process and data, the next step is to develop a plan of action to improve sales and grow the business. This plan may involve changes to the sales process, such as implementing new lead generation techniques or refining the sales pitch.
To develop this plan of action, it can be helpful to work with your colleagues and managers to gather input and feedback. By involving others in the planning process, you can increase the likelihood of success for your initiatives.
Focusing on Closing More Deals and Showing Your Worth
Finally, during days 30-60 of your new sales role, it is important to focus on closing more deals and showing your worth. This means not only hitting your sales targets but also demonstrating your value to the organization through your contributions to the sales process.
To do this, it may be necessary to focus on building stronger relationships with customers and prospects, as well as developing your sales skills and techniques. Another way to demonstrate your worth is to take on additional responsibilities within the sales team, such as mentoring new hires or leading training sessions.
Implementing And Selling
As a new sales rep, the first 60 days on the job were all about getting up to speed and learning the ropes. But now, as you enter days 60-90, it’s time to start implementing what you’ve learned and putting your sales skills to work.
Implementing Processes and Tools
One of the biggest challenges in any sales role is managing the sheer volume of tasks and information that comes your way. From prospecting and qualifying leads to following up with customers and closing deals, there’s a lot to keep track of. That’s why it’s essential to have robust processes and tools in place to help you stay organized and efficient.
Implementing New Tools and Processes
To start, take a close look at your current sales processes and tools. Are there any gaps or inefficiencies that are slowing you down or causing you to miss opportunities? If so, it’s time to make some changes.
Consider implementing new tools such as a CRM (customer relationship management) system to help you track leads, deals, and customer interactions. You might also look into sales acceleration software, which can automate many of the time-consuming tasks involved in prospecting and outreach.
Streamlining Workflows and Eliminating Inefficiencies
Once you have your new tools in place, it’s time to streamline your workflows and eliminate inefficiencies. This could involve automating routine tasks, such as sending follow-up emails or scheduling meetings, so you can focus on the more strategic aspects of selling.
You might also consider setting up standardized processes for tasks like lead qualification and deal closing. By having clear guidelines in place, you can ensure that everyone on your team is aligned and working toward the same goals.
Leveraging Technology to Close Deals
In addition to improving your workflows, technology can also be a powerful tool for closing deals. For example, you might use video conferencing software to conduct virtual demos or presentations, or leverage AI-powered chatbots to answer customer questions and provide support.
Consistently Outperforming Sales Numbers
Ultimately, the goal of implementing new processes and tools is to help you consistently outperform your sales numbers. By staying organized, efficient, and focused on the most high-value activities, you can build momentum and close more deals.
To achieve this, it’s important to track your progress and measure your success against clear metrics. This might include tracking your sales pipeline, conversion rates, and average deal size, among other key indicators.
Wrapping It Up
The first ninety days of a new sales role are all about learning and adapting. As you enter the final stretch, it’s important to focus on evaluating the success of your implemented changes and continuing to build relationships with key stakeholders. Additionally, focus on ongoing professional development, staying organized, and encouraging a culture of growth and innovation within the sales recruitment team. With this approach in place, you can set yourself up for long-term success in your new role. Good luck!
If you’re trying to find a new job or hire new sales candidates for your team, let Sales Recruiters Chicago help you. Our team of sales headhunters specializes in finding and placing top sales talent. If you want to learn more about how we can help you, just give us a call today.
Comments are closed.