No matter if last year was your best year ever or one you wish to forget, taking time for self-reflection on what you learned is a powerful way to kickstart your new sales year. Every situation – win or loss – has a lesson in it.
The new calendar generates its own optimism, but many sales teams, individuals, and leaders would do well to look carefully at their last years performance for opportunities to do better in the new year.
As Jeb Blount says in his article and podcast Reflection Vs Regret: “When you reflect, you detach from your emotions with objectivity to look at your entire body of work from the past year.”
Here are nine reflection prompts that will help you kick start your new sales year.
Look at your wardrobe
Do you look the part of the professional salesperson or phone number library leader? Your personal attitude and how you carry yourself is affected by what you wear and your own self perception. Shined shoes, fresh shirts and blouses, pressed slacks and color are key. As a sales leader, you might consider running a contest where the winner gets a clothing allowance.
Honestly Review Each Sales Opportunity You Lost
Were you creative or did you simply work as if you were on autopilot? Were you ever really in the opportunity or simply comparison fodder? What could you have done differently, if anything, to have won each of those opportunities?
Did You Grow Professionally?
Did you move forward in your sales, organizational, technology or industry your post-pandemic cybersecurity roadmap skill level? How many books or seminars did you read or attend this past year? Write out a plan for this year in which you will do something personally to improve your level of professionalism each quarter.
Who Did You Add To Your Network?
Building leverage in your local market by actively building relationships is critical. Each salesperson should have a minimum of five relationships with other non-competitive contacts that sell into the same types of accounts. They may refer you into accounts you are not aware of or even provide you information that can help you win once an opportunity opens up.
Did Your Build Your Social Media Network?
How active are you in using LinkedIn and other social networks? How is your personal branding znb directory on LinkedIn? Does your profile need an update? Were you using LinkedIn to develop your relationships or prospects? How consistent are you with posting and commenting?