Leadership, Communication, Presentation & Sales Development Blog

7 Signs You Need A Strategic Sales Plan

Let's face it, strategic sales planning doesn't sound fun...

It is the kind of thing most salespeople go into kicking and screaming, at least mentally.

Often, sales planning is one of those "I know I should do this but really don't want to" items on a to do list.

Not every salesperson needs a strategic sales plan. Here's a quick checklist to see if you do:


1. EXPENSES vs. OUTCOMES

If you look at your expense report and you cannot trace each expense to a desired outcome, you need a plan.

Having a strategic sales plan ensures that you determine ahead of time what you'll be spending money on and that all expenses are aligned with a specific purpose for your sales. With a plan you will stop wasting money in the wrong places.


2. YES vs. NO

If you look at your calendar and to do list then feel overwhelmed, you need a sales plan.

Sales planning is really just a process of deciding what you most want and laying out specific steps to achievement.

A good plan will tell you what to say "no" to as well as what to say "yes" to. Having a strategic sales plan will eliminate wasted time on low-value tasks and focus you on the things that drive real sales and value.


3. CONFIDENT DECISIONS

If you ever wonder if you're making the "right" decisions on a day-to-day basis, you need a sales plan.

A strategic sales plan will allow you to prioritise each action in your day to ensure you know right decisions from poor decisions not just in the short-term but in the long-term as well.

With a good sales plan, "wondering" is replaced with "knowing" what to do.


4. BLUEPRINT

If you've wanted to hire someone to help you do the small things so you can focus on the big things, you need a sales plan.

Imagine you are a general contractor and you have a team of subcontractors building a house for you. Could they do it without a blueprint and a punch list? Of course not! If you want to hire someone, they need to know exactly what to do to grow your business.

A strategic sales plan is the blueprint for your future career and a good strategic sales plan leads to a punch list of tasks that your team accomplishes to turn the concept into reality.


5. DIRECTION

If you consistently miss the goals you set for yourself, you need a sales plan.

A good strategic sales plan will align all of your time, money and other resources towards your goals. It will focus all of your energy in one direction, all but guaranteeing you will achieve the goals you set at the beginning of each year.

A great strategic sales plan will also ensure you hit your mid to long term goals as well!


6. ENERGY

If you find yourself feeling worn out and worn down, you need a sales plan.

A strategic sales plan will inspire and re-energise you each and every day. It will rekindle the spark you had when you first started and it will spread beyond you to each person you interact with.

Even your clients will notice the change!


7. BALANCE

If you feel like you can never get it all done, you need a sales plan.

With a strategic sales plan, you know exactly what it takes to reach your goals. You have a step-by-step guide to tell you what to do and when. Each day you will have a short, focused task list that drives the results you want in the short- and long-term.

When the list is done, so are you. You can go home each day relaxed. You can engage with your family and not think incessantly about work.


In conclusion… If you see yourself in one or more of the above, you need a strategic sales plan.


All the best with your future business growth!

Posted in , , , , by effectivecommunication.com.au

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