The most important skills of sales representatives
If you are thinking about working as a representative For sales Or you are already a sales representative, you need to know how to increase sales through improving your communication skills to become a professional in this field, but what skills must a sales representative have? This is what we will learn about in the following lines, as we explain the most important skills of sales representatives.
Read also what is the concept of marketing deception.
Skills that a sales representative must have
The skills of sales representatives are divided into basic skills and personal skills, or what are called soft skills. Basic skills are those skills that every sales representative must have, while soft skills or personal skills are those skills that distinguish one representative from another. Below is a further explanation of these skills:
First: basic selling skills
As we mentioned previously, basic selling skills are the skills that all workers as sales representatives have. They are the selling skills that you will need to work in sales organizations. These skills include:
- Good product knowledge
In order to be able to sell a product or service, you must be fully aware of this product and how it works, as you will not be able to convince the customer to make the purchase unless you have extensive knowledge of the product, and companies or institutions give time to the sales representative to get to know the product and experience it directly. , so he can get a detailed view of what the product is and how it works.
- Knowledge of company policy
In addition to the necessity of knowing the product, it will also be necessary to know the company’s policy, vision, and strategic goals that it seeks to achieve. Knowing the company’s policy helps in making the right and appropriate decisions by sales representatives when dealing with customers, so be sure to get to know the company’s policy and goals as soon as Joining the company's sales team.
- Master the art of sales
In addition to the previous two skills, you will also have to master the selling skill, understand the sales process and have sufficient ability to navigate this process with high efficiency. The sales process consists of a series of steps that the sales representative takes to attract customers and make purchases.
- communication skill
One of the most important skills of sales representatives is the communication skill, as the sales representative needs to be able to establish professional communication with customers, using communication methods that may differ from one company to another, such as using e-mail, telephone, and messaging, in addition to social networking sites. Get to know the means of communication. Your company's sales process and be sure to train well on these methods.
- Research skill
Through research skill, the sales representative will be able to find customers and know the problems that the product that the representative is promoting may solve, and through strategic research it will be easy to obtain the right customers.
Second: Personal skills of sales representatives
Personal skills are the skills that distinguish a sales representative from others. Personal skills or soft skills can make a big difference to the company and customers together. Below we explain the most important of these skills through which you can become a sales professional:
- negotiation skills
Your first step to becoming a professional sales representative is to master the skill of negotiation, by convincing customers that the best way to solve a problem they have is for them to seize the offer you present to them. The negotiation skill, which is in line with your company’s policy, helps you succeed as a sales representative and satisfy all parties. There are four basic techniques. For successful negotiations they are:
- Make sure to use logical reasons
- Highlight the losses that the customer may suffer if he does not purchase the product
- Make sure to divide the negotiation process between offering losses and offering gains
- Avoid exaggerated justification
- Relationship building skill
We cannot limit sales skills to conducting the sales process only, as there are some products and services that need to build trust with the customer in order for him to make the purchase, which requires the skill of building relationships. One of the most important advantages of building relationships is that it works to create a balance between frequent communication and participation in a way. Helpful without putting pressure on customers to make a purchase.
- Effective listening skill
A large part of building relationships depends on the skill of good and effective listening. Through it, you can know all the weak points of customers and understand their requirements. There are some ways that will help you develop the listening skill, such as:
- Make sure to put devices away or turn them off while speaking with customers
- Make eye contact if possible
- Take notes on the important points the customer talks about
- Make them feel that you are listening to them
- Paraphrase the client's thoughts for a more comprehensive and better understanding
Use these methods to develop your listening skill and you will find improved customer relations and increased sales.
- Organization and time management skill
Sales representatives may face many customers at the same time, which requires more effort, so sales professionals use the skill of organization and time management, which is one of the most important skills of sales representatives. Having the skill of organization and managing your time and tasks well helps you maintain the greatest amount of money. Of customer information.
- Critical thinking skill
Thinking critically to solve problems has the greatest role in your success as a sales representative, as this skill is one of the most important selling skills that you may need at a time when you lack one of the other skills that every successful sales representative uses. There are some steps that help you improve this skill. Your critical thinking includes these steps:
- Define the problem and collect information
- Carry out the examination and audit process
- Determine the most appropriate solution to the problem
- Self-evaluation and drawing conclusions
- Finally, explain your conclusion to the client
From this, we have clarified the most important skills of sales representatives that can transform an ordinary, novice sales representative into a professional sales representative. If you work in the field of sales or may want to work in this field, tell us which skill you possess and which of these aforementioned skills you will be keen to learn and possess. .
