If I were the Sales Manager...



Managers  are like parents, you believe that they are stupid, and have no idea of what they are doing. After many years, hyou realise that your parents actually meant well,( Exceptions arise for really Crazy parents.)

Management tips have sprung up from various angles, (In Nigeria, we follow every latest Management fad and slogan to be seen as Educated).  Companies invest Millions of Naira investing in Human Capital, so we would be more alike our European and American Counter parts. Some Companies even prefer Foreign degrees just to assure themselves the quality of the Work Force.  ( Quality of Work force in Nigeria is complicated, Another topic for another day.)   Just like our Educational System, so is the Work system, "Obey the Last order!"  we have been trained as a Nation not to question authority, however this has begun to change, this is the reason that on Social Media, we have to see the negative in everything, to make up the lost time of being Zombies.

I had a huge culture shock when I became a Manager, I was trained on Leadership and Coaching, The Trainer said that Leaders inspire the Team to succeed, My Manager was a bully, The Manager before that Manager was a bully, and the Manager before that manager before that Manager was a bully. My Teachers had been bullies, My Parents instilled  fear as training tool, and you tell me to inspire the team.....  "that will be difficult I mutter under my breath" as I grew into my Managerial role, I understand that everything has a balance.

You need to be strong as a Manager.

Being the Boss is lonely.  Pressure mounts on your shoulders in achieving the continous expectations of the Stakeholders. You have this fear that you can not  afford to fail, you can not afford to lose your job at this point of time, The team is putting in thier best, you have out in your best, but things are not adding up. If only you had something else to move on to, but this happens each time. Tough times will always come along in Sales.

Take a deep breath.........

  1. Poor Sales volumes to not define who you are:  Do not be too proud to re check your strategy, Every game should have a differnt approach. Twerk things around abit.

  2. Share your Burdens: Learn to tell your team the truth at all times. The Comradeship in teams will always come alive when the team is aware that things are not going smoothly.

  3. Learn to Explain the Fundamentals:  Never assume the "Team Knows". As a Manager you need to know each of your team mates and Manage each person accordingly. Explain the Company Policies clearly, explain your policies clearly, stating your expectations and requirements .

  4. Constant Feedback:  Yon need to give your team feedback, telling them about what is going on in the Department, Changes to expect, nobody likes being treated as a sidekick. Respect should be mutual.

  5. Respect is Earned, not bought: You need to earn the respect of your team. Fear wears off with time but Respect and trust stays on longer.

  6. Divide and Rule is outdated:  Times have changed. be fair too all.

  7. Do your best and leave the rest: Your Best is all that is required, do not beat yourself up if things are not going your way. things will surely pick up.

  8. Sell the Strategy not force it down your Team's throat: If you can not sell it to your team first, then there is sometghing wrong with the strategy, ask the team how it can work with your own situation.


Life is worth living Happy.

Even as a Sales Manager.







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