Not all sales managers are successful. Some struggle with the transition from sales rep to team leader while others flourish. Here is some important advice to keep in mind if you want to be a successful sales manager:

1. Remember that you are only as good as your sales team:

Don’t lose sight of this. The quality of a sales rep or team is often the result of their leaders. You play a vital role in the success of your team. It’s your job to set the tone and create a culture where your team can thrive. If you don’t do this, your team could suffer, and so could your reputation as a sales manager.

2. Don’t be a credit hog:

No one wants to work with a sales manager who takes all the credit. When your team does well, make sure that you recognize those who are responsible for your successes. Give credit where credit is due, and recognize the hard work put in by your team.

3. Have an open dialogue with your sales team:

Holding your reps accountable for their performance is essential; so is providing constructive feedback. However, if you want your sales team to take your feedback seriously, you also need to be willing to listen to their concerns and feedback. Creating an open dialogue and taking a team approach to sales will help you create a more open and honest team culture.

4. Make time for your sales team:

Successful sales managers make time for their team. They provide an ample amount of coaching and training, and make an effort to help individual reps improve and become better sales reps.

5. Focus on innovation:

A strong sales process is always evolving. Sales managers who focus on innovation and give their reps the opportunity to try new things put their team in a better position to be successful and reach new heights.

6. Leverage technology:

New technology is always becoming available, such as new CRMs, software features and new applications that can be used by sales teams. As a sales manager, it’s your job to stay up to date with new technology and figure out how to best leverage these options in a way that will benefit your team.

More Sales Manager Blog Posts

Learn more about being a successful sales manager by reading these blog posts from our expert sales recruiters:

4 Tips for a Sales Manager to Do Immediately After Landing the Job

7 Key Characteristics of a Successful Sales Manager

The 5 Qualities of Top Sales Managers

How to Become a Great Sales Manager from 10 Sales Experts

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