Is What You're Doing Reducing Sales And Marketing Productivity?

I regularly ask smart sales and marketing managers, "If what they are doing is in some way reducing team productivity?" Some look at me like I'm crazy, but the really smart ones consider the question seriously, because ... what you do (or don't) with your sales and marketing team could hurt your results.

I ask this question because it's critical to eliminating any excuse for low production and because it unlocks their relationship with employees. It's a question you should be asking yourself regularly.

For example, it only takes once to be harsh with an employee for them to take that behavior to a customer engagement. What's worse, if your work environment is stressful; even good employees will make relationship mistakes. Often based on your example.

What does this mean to the sales and marketing manager under the gun for results? It means employees are taking "company" business with them, stresses the professional sales person should learn to drop at the door.

Your relationships with subordinates are critical to strong customer relationships because that connection defines the behavior expected of them. I highly recommend you humbly evaluate your own ability to build strong business relationships, not buddy-buddy back-slapping but real comradery.

The key to building employee relationships and gaining voluntary compliance that improves overall performance is getting team members involved. Everyone wants to be a part of something exciting and challenging ... Is what you're doing creating these things?

You don't have to be the "life of the party," it's more important to productivity if you become a catalyst for strong business relationships. You can make your career more rewarding with just a few little changes. Again, ask yourself, "Is there something you are doing that reduces sales and marketing team productivity?"

For more insights to building productive business relationships, take a moment to read this report, "Who Else Wants Strong Profitable Business Relationships That Create And Keep More Customers?"

© 2006-2009 Ask Justin Hitt, All rights reserved.

Justin Hitt helps sales and marketing professionals in business technology service fields attract customers that stay longer and buy more. For training and tools for a more productive sales force, visit http://ApplyingStrategicRelations.com/