It’s truly been a VERY trying few years for humanity at large. In the business world, we continue to experience our ups and downs. Admittedly, for sales teams, regardless of industry, it can be hard to remain motivated. I was speaking with my wife Shannon, the other day about current challenges in the sales business. It’s almost come down to the salesperson versus a post-pandemic sales world. However, I’m here to remind you this week that people still need and want things, so selling is still just as important. You will just need to adjust your strategy a bit.
The Salesperson vs Themselves
Ok, I want to make something very clear right out of the gate. In challenging times like now, you’ve got to make it a priority to take care of yourself. How can you give more of yourself or come up with creative new strategies if you’re downtrodden? You cannot. You’ve got to prioritize yourself to better offset the challenges in this post-pandemic sales world. Now I’m going to run out of my lane here a little bit, and with the guidance of my health certified wife, share a few self-care tips for the weary salesperson. 
- Rest- sleep, relax, go on a staycation, try a retreat! Whatever it is that can help your mind and body recuperate and detox from the constant worries of hitting targets and closing sales deals.
- Eat well- I get it; we sales professionals are naturally highly motivated individuals. It can be hard to step away from the task at hand to get something nutritious in our body. But we can’t keep the motor-running on junk food and the nears Postmates taco shop (or ever ending caffeine rushes). The better things we put in our body, the stronger it’ll be. Get up from that desk, take a walk and grab or make a healthy bite.
- Exercise- I’m not sure if I’ve shared this before, but my wife Shannon is a certified yoga teacher. I’m grateful to have her in my life because she always reminds me to move. Whether it is by taking a trail ride or going for a hike, do it.
These are just a few quick, simple tips. However, they’re necessary for your career to stay afloat by keeping you, the person, mentally and physically able to function at maximum capacity. A tired mind and body cannot perform well, period.
Being a Salesperson in a Post-Pandemic World
Ok, *cracks fingers*, this is where we talk business strategy. Borrowing from my book, Serve Up, Coach Down,
“Challenge yourself and your team to execute serving out by finding ways to do servant activities. What would
shock our customers (in a good way)? What is one change
they would most appreciate?”
There are simple things you can do right now just to remind your customers that you’re still present. They too are feeling the weight of the world on them, so a quick call or email can work wonders. For example, are they faced with cutting back on offering a particular service? Is this a way to mitigate overhead costs? Provide them with other, cheaper but quality products? Never forget,
A sale is still a sale.
Be Available in New Ways
One of the things that has emerged in this post-pandemic business world, is the virtues of virtual sales pitches and meetings. Shoot, I’ve even had a few retail clients offer more viewing options by upgrading their digital footprint. Here’s an example; want to see that new office space on Main Street? No worries, our real estate firm now offers online videos where you can do a virtual walk-through.
The key component to adapting to your customers’ demands is to understand their new wants and needs. Then, strategically, work with your fellow leaders in the middle and map solutions. Perhaps a combined effort across departments will shed new light on viable sales strategies. Remember:
A serve up/coach down mindset sets the tone for, affirms the trust in, and solidifies engagement with our actions in the workplace— even in the most uncertain times.
The only thing certain is life’s uncertainties. In the business world, you’ve got to make the time to check on the mental well-being of your sales team. Affirm, through actions, that as a team, you can still meet the needs of current and future clients. This will enable better trust in your sales leadership skills.
Final Thoughts
I get it, the worlds askew but there’s no telling when or if everything will ever be as it was before, in business or life. Selling is still selling; you can hit those targets by thinking outside the box, taking care of yourself, so you can actually get the job done and serving up and out to your clients.
I practice what I preach. Check out my family-owned and operated The Retreat Ranch, where you can book some well needed to rest, recovery and reset.
