If you want people to think you’re going places, there’s no need to try to win their approval. Just do your best and take action. But it’s not just about working hard—it’s also about making an impact. Focus on people first and the business second. This is how you’ll accelerate your career as a sales professional.

In sales, it’s often said that you’re only as good as your last close. You might be the best salesperson in the world, but you need to have a good relationship with your customer to make sales. 

The same is true in life. Nobody has it all figured out, so we need to help each other. If we can build each other up and help each other win, everyone will be better off. Life is better when we work together instead of trying to do everything alone.

1. Understand that sales skills are life skills

Sales skills are life skills that allow you to succeed in both professional and personal realms. Understanding the sales process, from cold calling to product or service discovery and negotiation, will help you overcome most social anxieties while enabling you to take on an active role in any team setting.

Cold calling requires courage and confidence while asking discovery or questions is your way of engaging with customers and utilizing your curiosity as a tool. Knowing how to negotiate is a powerful skill, professionally and personally, allowing you to build relationships and gain respect from those around you. Strong sales skills can open up many opportunities on various levels, so take the time to understand the importance of this subject matter.

2. Network often or learn in public. Better yet, both.

Taking the initiative to network and learn in public can be a great way to help your sales career. This helps you practice all of the amazing skills you’ve learned while being able to share your knowledge with others. Don’t let “it’s my day job” deter you from networking for yourself; it’s something that highly successful sales teams and sales reps do every day.

It allows people outside of your company to recognize you as an expert in your field, which helps open more opportunities for you. Opportunity comes from people who know you (not who you know), so don’t be afraid to take risks.

3. Treat your career milestones like sales cycles

Ensure an end goal is in sight. To achieve this, create a work-back plan with clear steps and objectives that can be achieved. Communicate clearly with the parties involved to get buy-in and investment in your growth.

Use platforms such as LinkedIn to network and build relationships that can help you achieve your goals by providing insight into different career paths, industry trends, and job opportunities. Set realistic expectations for yourself, stay motivated, and take actionable steps toward reaching those milestones.

4. Talk to as many people as possible

Talking to as many people as possible is an important part of networking. Building genuine relationships from the start is essential, and the best way to do this is by getting to know the person you’re talking to – ask them about their interests, hobbies, and passions.

Don’t keep it too formal – make it a two-way conversation where you both share about yourselves. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of networking with multiple people, set aside a specific time each week – like Friday afternoons – just for networking with one new person. This will make it easier to manage your time while still building up your network.

Even if you face some objections here and there, don’t get discouraged—try again, and eventually, you’ll find the right people who are interested in hearing what you have to offer!

5. Give people small wins

The key is to ask how you can help in their role. Once you understand what they are trying to accomplish, try your best to give them something that will help. This could be providing helpful sales enablement tools and best practices, or assisting with setting achievable sales goals.

Sometimes, there may not be an immediate value you can provide but you can still make a difference by offering curiosity and brainstorming sessions. Ask questions and guide them as they come up with solutions. The goal is to make it easier for them while still allowing them the flexibility to find their own solutions.

6. Celebrate your successes

Celebrating your successes in sales and marketing is an important part of growing your career. It can be easy to focus on the losses, but it’s essential to recognize and celebrate the wins. Bringing up wins to peers with the intent of getting more feedback, or sharing your process so others can learn how you succeeded, will help you become a valuable team member.

You’re not boasting; you’re simply saying, “This worked. Here’s what I did. What else could we do?” Don’t forget that you don’t need to be a top-performing sales talent to succeed in this field—sharing knowledge, connecting with the team, and celebrating wins all contribute to growth and sales success.

Bonus: 3 skills that will grow your career beyond belief

1. Being present (true active listening)

The sales pitch is a time-honored tradition in the world of commerce. But what if there was a way to make your sales pitch even more effective? Enter the power of being present.

When you’re truly present with another person, you can detach from everything else and focus on the moment. This allows you to connect with the other person and understand their needs, which will make them feel heard and valued. Being present will also make you more memorable and create an even larger impact with them, resulting in greater success for both parties involved.

2. Questions that move things forward

Others have the opportunity to be heard, and you can lead the pace and direction of the interaction. Asking questions is a crucial sales skill, but not just any questions will do. You need to ask relevant, targeted, and intentional questions to help uncover your prospect’s needs and desires. 

And remember, your questions should always be focused on moving the conversation forward. Otherwise, you’ll just be spinning your wheels (and probably annoying your prospect in the process).

3. Prioritizing action over everything else

From the moment you start gathering information and asking questions to build your sales funnel, all the way through to executing effective sales strategies, you need to ensure that you are taking action. That is why it is important to constantly push toward the outcome, without any fluff or delays.

Taking action ensures that things actually get done; moreover, if you are able to combine both information-gathering and action-taking together, then not only will you get things done but so will those around you. Therefore, prioritize action over everything else for a successful sales experience.

BD Paths’ Takeaway

Notice that these aren’t personal habit skills (though those are important skills), but professionally, these are how relationships are made and things get done. The world only works if we collaborate—our best work is done when we act with others.