Podcast: Play in new window
We all know that salespeople are busy juggling scheduling appointments, replying to quotation requests, and meeting with prospects – but how can we improve? Tom Abbott sits down with friend and productivity expert Colin Boyd in this expert interview. Join them as they discuss three ways to be more productive in our days and increase sales team productivity.
3 easy ways to increase sales team productivity | The structure of focus
Our brain can only really process one complex task at a time. However, it’s also supposed to be distracting. In other words, we notice things in our peripheral vision to keep us alive. In prehistoric days, the saber-tooth tiger was going to jump out and kill us. Now that saber tooth tiger is a mobile phone beeping with text messages, Facebook notifications and endless emails.
So, Colin designed the structure of focus – a set of limitations set to aid the part of our brain called the reticular activation system with productivity. Check out these three easy ways to increase sales team productivity below.
It’s almost like they’re swimming against the current – they’ve jumped into the water, and they’re swimming the wrong way. They’re getting exhausted, and they’re not seeing the results.
Colin boyd
Also read:
- Asynchronous Team Communication – The Future Of Managing Remote Sales Teams
- How To Run Great Sales Team Meetings
- How to Identify Drive In Sales Candidates With Dr Christopher Croner
1. Provide a clear task
The first step in increasing your sales team’s productivity is encouraging your sales reps to set clear, specific, and essential daily goals. Moreover, these objectives need to be very specific. Why? Because there’s a part of our brain called the reticular activation system, the area responsible for goal-setting, and it expects a specific outcome. For example, suppose you don’t set a particular outcome. In that case, it will get distracted by another outcome, whether that be checking your Facebook, LinkedIn, or emails.
2. Set a fixed timeframe
The second way to increase sales team productivity is actually to set a timeframe. Too often, we sit down at our desks and think I’ve got eight hours of work today. However, if you encourage your sales team to think about it in the sense of “From now, I have 30 minutes to finish this task. That’s it.” They now have a structured timeframe that helps them stay focused.
3. Encourage distraction-free environments
The third and final way to increase sales team productivity is to encourage a distraction-free environment. Ultimately, this will help your sales team get into the hustle flow and enter a deep focus state.
The daily output booster tool
Have you ever finished the day and are unsure what you got done? The daily booster output tool (DBO) is a one-page cheat sheet to maximize your day’s productivity by organizing your to-do list.
Ultimately, this tool will get you into a routine of prioritizing effectively. Additionally, you’ll start to make room for notes that you can transfer into the next day – streamlining your processes even more. Overall, the tool helps you to create a clean process with the bigger picture in mind.
You can learn more about Colin Boyd and the daily output booster tool here.
More about Colin Boyd
Colin is obsessed with helping experts and entrepreneurs sell from the stage in a non-pushy or sleazy way. He keynotes at conferences worldwide on topics such as persuasive communication and selling ideas. Colin is a Certified Speaking Professional, and his clients include Coca-Cola, Suncorp, Fuji Xerox, and Hewlett Packard. He runs high-level mastermind programs for speakers and content creators. He also delivers his signature program, Sell From Stage Academy®, which helps people turn every presentation into a money-making machine.
When I think about productivity – it’s about how you swim with the current.
COLIN BOYD
Hone Essential Management Skills & Build High-Performance Sales Teams
A high-performing team is highly motivated. They take on challenges with an eagerness to exceed expectations, and they don’t blindly follow orders; they look to improve upon them.
Leading a team to new heights takes understanding your team’s unique strengths, how to navigate uncharted territory and how to inspire them to reach their maximum potential. It takes a talented leader to do that.
Join SOCO’s Management Mastery course, where we cover the essential management skills every leader needs to bring out the best of their team, whether they’re working in the office, at home, or in a blended environment.
