A new year means a new set of sales goals. It’s a fresh start for sales recruiters and professionals. Whether you smashed your sales goals or fell short last year, there is always room for improvement.

To help you get a head start this year, here are 5 new year’s resolutions that will help you beat last year’s sales goals and set yourself up for a successful year:

1. Rely less on shortcuts or sales tricks

Cutting corners and resorting to sales tricks to close deals will only do you so much good. Consumers and clients today are too savvy to buy into these tactics. Rely less on them, and focus more on developing a strong sales pitch and process that engages new and existing customers.

2. Invest more time in relationship building

Strong relationships matter. People want to buy from people they know and trust. Investing more time in developing relationships with your prospects and customers will help you get to know them better, understand their needs, and uncover the best approach to close the deal.

3. Focus on creating value

Before you talk about features, benefits, and attempt to close a deal, you need to create value for your client. If you make value the focal point of your sales pitch, the other aspects of the deal – including price – will fall into place. Always create value in your sales solutions.

4. Don’t overlook the importance of your current clients

Too many sales reps focus on the shiny new toy and overlook the value of what they already have. Your current customers are a huge source of potential sales and revenue. Pay more attention to your current customers, nurture these relationships and look for new ways to increase sales and help them achieve their business objectives.

5. Add a new skill

Top sales reps are always adding new skills to their repertoire. Taking a new course, signing up for more sales training, and taking sales coaching seriously can help you add new skills and knowledge that can help you overcome obstacles and make more sales. If you put in the work, good things will happen.

6. Avoid giving up too quickly

Pushback and objections are part of the sales process. So are difficult prospects. When you have a tough-to-close customer, treat it as a challenge, not an excuse to disengage and move on.

More Tips From Sales Recruiters to Achieve Sales Goals

5 Ways to Attract New Sales Clients

10 Tips to Improve Sales Team Performance

5 Tips to Create a Successful Sales Plan

SalesForce Search is a sales recruiting company which specializes in the recruitment and placement of sales professionals. We recruit salespeople in every sector of the economy including, software, manufacturing, financial services and medical devices. Find the right salesperson for your organization, start your search here.