Stop Settling for Mediocrity: 10 Commandments for Continuous Sales Improvement

Stephen Tierney • October 3, 2024

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Ask yourself this question: if the company you are working for right now in your OWN company, would you be doing what you are doing now? If you are a manager who handles a team of people, ask your staff this question, too. Get them to think like entrepreneurs and empower them to make decisions.


A commitment to excellence is not a switch that you can just flip on or off when you feel like It. This “commitment has to be done every day until it becomes a habitual behaviour. Of course, a habitual commitment to excellence leads to continuous improvement. But all these may seem abstract. What exactly must you do to eventually achieve excellence?


Here are the 10 Commandments of Continuous Improvement. I encourage you to use them on your own, and on your own sales team:


ABANDON FIXED IDEAS

ABANDON FIXED IDEAS


Look, we all know the sales world is constantly changing. What worked last year might not cut it today.  If you're stuck in your ways and clinging to old habits, you're going to get left behind. To really thrive in sales, you've got to be open to new ideas and willing to experiment.  That means ditching the "we've always done it this way" mentality and embracing a "what if we tried this?" approach.


Think of it like this: your customers are changing, technology is changing, the whole market is changing.  So why shouldn't your sales strategies change too?  Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, try new tools, and learn from your mistakes.  The most successful salespeople are the ones who are constantly adapting and evolving.


THINK OF WAYS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE.

THINK OF WAYS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE.


Alright, let's talk about those big, hairy, audacious goals. You know the ones – they seem so out of reach they almost feel impossible. But here's the thing:  don't let that "impossible" label stop you.  Instead of getting overwhelmed, get creative!  Think of it as a puzzle to solve, a challenge to conquer.  Ask yourself, "How could this be done?"


Maybe it means breaking that massive goal down into smaller, more manageable steps. Maybe it means finding a totally unconventional solution. Maybe it means collaborating with someone who has a different skillset.  The point is, don't give up before you even start.  Push the boundaries of what you think is possible and see what you can achieve. You might just amaze yourself!


NO EXCUSES NEEDED

NO EXCUSES NEEDED


Okay, let's be real – we all love a good excuse, right? "The dog ate my homework," "My internet was down," "Mercury was in retrograde..."  But here's the deal: excuses might get you a chuckle, but they won't get you a sale. In the world of sales, it's all about results. And let's face it, nobody ever hit their quota by blaming the universe.


So ditch the excuses and focus on what you can control.  Instead of explaining why something didn't happen, channel that energy into making things happen.  Take ownership, be accountable, and get those tasks checked off your list. Remember, it's not about being perfect, it's about making progress. And that starts with dropping the excuses and picking up the phone (or sending that email, or scheduling that meeting, you get the idea!).


GO FOR THE SIMPLE SOLUTION, NOT THE PERFECT ONE.

GO FOR THE SIMPLE SOLUTION, NOT THE PERFECT ONE.


Ever notice how we sometimes overcomplicate things?  We get so caught up in finding the "perfect" solution that we miss the simple one staring us right in the face.  In sales, this happens all the time. We overthink our pitches, we overanalyze our strategies, and we end up creating more problems than we solve.


The truth is, simplicity often wins. A clear, concise message will resonate with customers more than a convoluted, jargon-filled presentation. A streamlined sales process will close deals faster than a complex, multi-step system. So next time you're facing a challenge, take a deep breath and ask yourself: "What's the simplest way to achieve this goal?" You might be surprised at how effective a straightforward approach can be.


CORRECT MISTAKES RIGHT AWAY

CORRECT MISTAKES RIGHT AWAY


Okay, let's talk about mistakes. We all make them, right? It's part of being human. But what separates the pros from the amateurs is how we handle those slip-ups.  When something goes wrong, it's easy to panic, make excuses, or even worse, play the blame game. But honestly, none of that helps.  The best thing you can do is own it, fix it, and learn from it.


Whether it was your fault or someone else's, the priority is getting it corrected ASAP.  Don't waste time pointing fingers or dwelling on what went wrong.  Focus on finding a solution and moving forward.  Remember, mistakes are inevitable, but they don't have to define you.  It's how you respond that truly matters.


USE YOUR IDEAS, DON'T HIDE THEM AWAY

USE YOUR IDEAS, DON'T HIDE THEM AWAY


Ever have that lightbulb moment, where a brilliant idea pops into your head? Maybe it's a new way to approach a client, a creative marketing campaign, or a streamlined process for closing deals.  Whatever it is, don't let that idea fade away!  We all have valuable insights to share, and those sparks of inspiration can be the fuel that drives innovation and growth.


So speak up! Share your ideas with your team, your manager, even your clients.  You never know what kind of impact it might have.  Maybe your idea will be the key to unlocking a major deal, or maybe it will inspire someone else to come up with an even better solution. The point is, ideas are meant to be shared, not hidden away.  Let your voice be heard and contribute to the collective brilliance of your team.


PROBLEMS ARE OPPORTUNITIES

PROBLEMS ARE OPPORTUNITIES


Let's be honest, nobody likes problems. They're stressful, they throw a wrench in our plans, and they can make life feel a whole lot harder. But here's a little secret: problems are also opportunities in disguise.  Think about it – every problem you encounter presents a chance to learn, grow, and improve.


Instead of getting bogged down by the negativity, try shifting your perspective.  Ask yourself: "What can I learn from this situation?" or "How can I use this challenge to my advantage?" Maybe a customer complaint reveals a weakness in your product, leading to valuable improvements.  Maybe a lost deal forces you to re-evaluate your sales strategy and come up with a more effective approach.  See? Problems aren't always roadblocks, sometimes they're detours that lead to even better destinations.


REPEAT SAYING

REPEAT SAYING "WHY AM I DOING THIS?' 5 TIMES WITH ANYTHING THAT YOU DO.


Ever find yourself going through the motions? You're busy, you're checking things off your list, but you feel kind of...lost?  Like, what's the point of all this anyway?  We've all been there.  That's why it's so important to hit the pause button every now and then and ask yourself: "Why am I doing this?"  And don't just ask it once, ask it five times!


Seriously, try it.  Each time you ask "why," dig a little deeper. You might be surprised at the answers you uncover.  Maybe you're making those sales calls to hit your quota, but why is that quota important?  To get a promotion?  To provide for your family? To achieve financial freedom?  By repeatedly asking "why," you connect with your deeper motivations, clarify your goals, and reignite that fire in your belly. It's a simple exercise, but it can make a world of difference in your focus and drive.


SEEK IDEAS FROM MANY PEOPLE

SEEK IDEAS FROM MANY PEOPLE


You know what they say, two heads are better than one!  It's easy to get stuck in our own little bubbles, thinking we have all the answers. But the truth is, everyone brings a unique perspective to the table.  So why not tap into that collective wisdom and seek out ideas from others?


Talk to your colleagues, your mentors, even people outside the sales world.  You might be surprised at the fresh insights and creative solutions that emerge.  Maybe your marketing team has a brilliant idea for a new campaign, or maybe your customer service reps have valuable feedback on how to improve the client experience.  By actively seeking out diverse perspectives, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities and increase your chances of finding the best solutions.  After all,  collaboration is key to continuous improvement.


SEEK IDEAS FROM MANY PEOPLE

THERE IS NO END TO IMPROVEMENT


Okay, you've crushed your sales target, landed that huge client, and earned that well-deserved promotion.  Time to kick back and relax, right?  Well, sure, celebrate your wins! But don't get complacent.  In the world of sales, there's always room for improvement. It's a continuous journey, not a one-time destination.


Think of it like this: even the best athletes never stop training, even the top musicians never stop practicing, and even the most successful salespeople never stop learning and growing.  There's always a new skill to master, a new strategy to try, a new challenge to conquer. So keep pushing yourself, keep setting new goals, and keep striving for excellence.  The pursuit of continuous improvement is what keeps things exciting and keeps you at the top of your game.

Don't let your sales team fall behind! The world of sales is constantly evolving, and only those committed  to continuous

improvement will thrive. Join the ranks of elite sales organizations by  partnering with Mindcell Sales Training.

Limited spots are available, so sign up for a free consultation using the form below and secure your team's future success!


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