Commandments for Sales Team Leaders

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Being a sales team leader is not the easiest job in the world. There is a lot of pressure, and if you don’t know how to deal with it, it can turn into a disaster. Here are a few laws to follow that can turn you into a fearless leader in an army of salesman.

1. Learn and Practice Fundamentals: There is no official list of basic rules to leading a sales team, but there are a few starting points. Find the right talent for your team. Know the item or service you are selling front to back. Understand the customers you are trying to sell to. These may be simple tips that you are already familiar with, but still strive to master them.

2. Take Responsibility: You are the leader, which means you are accountable for any setbacks or missteps that may occur. Avoid the blame game at all costs; it’s just a response to protect underperformance from consequences. Live with what happened and focus on leading your team to better results. Emphasize hiring the right people for the job, and any slipups will dwindle.

3. Help to Create More Leaders: You’re not going to be around forever. It’s your duty to discover capable leaders that you can help to develop. A great leader understands they’re not going to be around forever. Assist your legacy and build people that can easily transition to leading the team themselves.

4. Accept and Flow with Change: The world is always changing and so is the sales industry. Be able to “go with the flow” and understand that change is for the better. It might take a while to get used to, but it is to your benefit to follow change, and avoid getting left behind with old techniques.

5. Establish Rhythm: Have a game plan that you can execute weekly. Schedule meetings, one on one sessions, and performance reviews ahead of time and stick to them. You need a system that can work at any time and can be followed easily by your team. This way, they can become comfortable with how your system works, while also receiving enough individual attention.

6. Be Approachable and Available when Needed: A sales leader that is not accessible doesn’t help the team at all. Make sure your team understands that you want them to succeed, and can make time for them whenever they need it. This will easily make your team admire you more while also keeping them calm and comfortable with any tasks.

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Hello, My Name is Ken Lear

Hello, world!

Ken Lear, Sales expert

I am Ken Lear, and this is my new sales blog. This is where I share my advice, motivation and ideas about how to succeed in the tough world of sales.

I played soccer from Penn State while earning my Marketing and International Business degree from the Smeal College of Business Administration.  My time at college taught me how to think critical, be a problem solver, be persistent and refine my leadership skills.  Playing soccer was a great lesson in learning how to work with and motivate others.

Today I am an entrepreneur with a great network of sales people bringing in great results years after year.  I recently relocated to the Detroit, Michigan area with my wife Sara and my son, Brady.  I am working out a colleague's office right now and preparing to launch a sales office of my own.

The key to success in sales is persistence and great relationship building skills.  I'm hoping to sure my share ideas here and that they will be of use to anyone looking for a new career.

You can follow Ken Lear on Twitter and on Google Plus.