Sales Motivation In The 2009 Economy

Sales motivation in today's economy is moreunlisted, you need a sales motivating environment.
important than ever before. As the economy slowsYou also need a sales motivated Management team
down, so do sales. Unfortunately, most sales peopleto support a motivated sales team. It is most
slow down too. Sales people, like the masses,important to engage, create and maintain a vibrant
become a product of the environment. Nonetheless,and sales motivating environment. One in which the
what do most organizations do when the economysales people and the support team take ownership.
heads south? They cut costs, typically in the wrongHow do you do that? Your can improve your current
areas such as training, sales conferences, coachingenvironment. Get your team together and engage
and sale personnel. Sales motivation does not exist.them in finding the solution. Make it the team's idea
They create an environment of uncertainty as welland allow them to take ownership and ultimately,
as contributing to and supporting the downfall of themake it happen. Now is the time for Management to
economy. Somewhere along the way the corporatebe the facilitator and/or coach. Help your sales team
world must understand that the economic worldget where they want to go. As an expert in
revolves around sales. There won't be anymotivation, I know you cannot make someone else
transactions without sales and consequently, there ismotivated. Only you can motivate you. Management
no revenue without transactions. Without revenue,can simply create an environment in which people
organizations cannot survive, and no one would havemotivate themselves. Any attempt to motivate
a job. Sales is the heart of most jobs in ansomeone else is considered external motivation.
organization. Sales is by far the most importantExternal motivation is temporary and usually doesn't
profession in every organization, in every industry,last. However, personal or internal motivation is the
and in every country in the world. The worldtrue and deepest form of motivation. Internal
revolves around sales. Without sales, the economymotivation is everlasting. We must engage teams to
dwindles and we head directly into a recession. Wechallenge themselves and find the solutions. I
cannot stay afloat without sales motivation. Now isreiterate the need to create an ideal environment in
not the time to cut back in sales personnel, saleswhich motivation comes from within the individual. In
training, or sales motivation. Now is the time to stepturn, that forward moving environment will stem
up and to increase your sales force or at least,from Management's support and trust in the sales
maintain and motivate the present sales force. Why?team. There is an additional challenge. People have a
It is not considered selling simply by taking ordersnatural tendency to be negative especially during slow
during a booming economy. It is necessary thator uncertain times. I strongly suggest you turn that
organizations have a strong, sales motivationalnegativity into a challenge. Firstly, re-secure your
structure during these uncertain times. The salesteam's trust before moving forward. If the
group must seek out sales transactions even whenorganization has already contributed to cost cutting
their prospects are few and far between. There is aby eliminating part of the team and/or the sales
definite need to target efforts in a direction that willtraining and conferences; then, involve the remaining
give you measurable results within a short period ofteam to work on the solutions. They must believe in
time - R.O.T.I. - Return On Time Invested. Marketingthemselves and the future of the organization.
and prospecting activities need to step up becauseManagement can turn a negative into a positive with
one must do more to sell and do more to maintainthe right perspective and discipline. Move sales
any sales during this uncertain economy. In order tomotivation to the front of the class and don't ignore
accomplish all these things and many more that arethe possibilities of positive reinforcement.