Here's how you can foster creativity as a sales coach: key skills and qualities.

Sales isn't a straight line. We have to take many different paths to help a prospect make a decision. The key to curiosity is preparation. When you do the work, you know your ICP, your buyer personas, and industry trends and insights, the questions you'll ask, like the back of your hand, you can let your curiosity lead the conversation. The preparation enables the curiosity. You're not paid to walk someone through a discovery or demo, you generate revenue by helping them make a decision. Curiosity is key to knowing what will be the best decision for them.

ABC = Always Be Curious. If there is one quality that surpasses all others in salespeople, it's got to be 'curiosity'. Qualifying prospects involves 'curiosity'. Think of the questions that you want your salespeople to ask: - 'What's driving the need to implement this?' - 'When do you guys need to have this in place'? - 'Who's involved in shortlisting vendors'? Each of these are questions. To ask the right questions, you need to be curious. You have to be curious to qualify.. and you have to qualify if you want to sell, right?

Embracing and cultivating curiosity as a sales leader involves creating an environment where questioning and exploration are encouraged and valued. Leading by example is crucial; show your team that you are committed to continuous learning by actively seeking new knowledge, asking thoughtful questions, and sharing your insights. Encourage your team members to challenge assumptions and explore innovative solutions by fostering a safe space where they can voice their ideas without fear of judgment. Provide opportunities for professional development through training and access to resources that stimulate curiosity. Recognize and reward inquisitiveness and creative problem-solving to reinforce the importance of curiosity in driving success.

Bei meinen Sales Coachings mit dem Verkaufspersonal habe ich immer wieder die Erfahrung machen dürfen, dass die Mitarbeiter:Innen so viel wertvolles zu sagen haben, wenn Sie den Raum dafür bekommen. Sie haben Meinungen und Vorschläge zur Verbesserung der Arbeitssituation, die abgestimmt sind auf ihre Bedürfnisse und Möglichkeiten. Es kann manchmal so einfach sein wenn aktiv zugehört wird!

As a sales leader, encouraging risk-taking involves creating a supportive environment where calculated risks are seen as opportunities for growth and innovation. Start by fostering a culture that values experimentation and learning from both successes and failures. Clearly communicate that mistakes are part of the journey towards improvement and innovation, and provide a safety net where team members feel secure in taking bold steps. Encourage team members to set ambitious goals and explore unconventional strategies, offering guidance and support throughout. Recognize and celebrate those who take thoughtful risks and share the lessons learned.

n meiner Tätigkeit als Sales Coach wurde mir immer wieder bewusst, dass "Wissen ist Macht" so wahr ist. Die Mitarbeiter immer auf dem Laufenden zu halten und sie in z. B. das Produktportfolio einzubinden sowie Hintergründe dazu zu liefern, kann eine starke Identifizierung mit dem Produkt und auch der eigenen Organisation bewirken. Daraus ergeben sich qualitativ stärkere Verkaufsgespräche, da die Mitarbeiter schlicht und ergreifend "im Thema" sind.

Aus meiner Erfahrung als Sales Coach weiß ich, wie wertvoll es ist, das Sales Team regelmäßig in verschiedene Rollen zu versetzen. Dadurch habe ich festgestellt, dass sich das Verständnis für die Kundenbedürfnisse und die Kreativität der Mitarbeiter signifikant steigern lassen. Wenn sie unterschiedliche Perspektiven einnehmen, lernen sie, Herausforderungen besser zu erkennen und innovative Lösungen zu entwickeln. Zudem stärkt diese Praxis das Teamgefühl und fördert die Fähigkeit, flexibel und empathisch auf verschiedene Situationen zu reagieren.