The Value of Non-Sales Related Technical Skills
As the sales industry moves towards a technology-based platform rather than face-to-face sales meetings, it is essential to the success of sales teams that the sales leader has a solid understanding of the many non-sales related technical skills.
The following are six non-sales related technical skills that need to be well-developed and fully mastered for any sales leader. Mastery of these non-sales related technical skills will ensure you and your sales team have the tools and resources to communicate with customers, stay organized, and track leads to effectively close them.
1) Time management
The ability to use technology to effectively manage your time as a sales leader is a critical non-sales related technical skill that should be mastered. Using technology to streamline the time you spend on each task frees you up to coach, mentor and work directly with the sales team.
2) CRM expertise
Most companies are now using CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software or cloud-based applications. Understanding how to maximize the potential of this information and educating the sales team on its features is an essential non-sales related technical skill for increasing the productivity of each team member.
3) Apps and platforms
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Sales leaders should get to know the various apps, platforms and systems your sales team use, as well as how customers prefer to be contacted. This non-sales related sales skill is critical for communicating with customers and generating new leads. Programs such as Zoom, Google, Ready Talk or similar apps and platforms allow personalized communication from any type of Internet-connected device.
4) LinkedIn
Sales leaders should familiarize themselves with LinkedIn and maintain a healthy online presence within their industry groups. Understanding the LinkedIn social media platform helps to promote both the sales leader as an authority as well as the company. It can also be used a recruiting option for sales leaders when looking for new sales team members.
5) Analytics
The ability to “run the numbers” is no longer a time-consuming task. Having the right software allows for the sales leader to have real-time access to all aspects of the performance of the sales team, allowing for more precise and effective decision-making.
6) Tapping into virtual training, coaching and other growth options
Utilizing sales technology to train sales teams is one of the most important non-sales related technical skills that sales leaders should master. Sale leaders should integrate a combination of highly accessible online webinars, virtual classrooms, attendance at conferences via web services, and even personalized sales coaching to promote sales team growth and encourage professional development among sales professionals.
Sales leaders can find ways to embrace the use of various forms of technology to boost the productivity and personal development of themselves and all members of the team. These non-sales related technical skills will ensure your sales team keeps up with the changing technological landscape of the sales industry.
