Between the Coronavirus and the increasing reliance on technology, the sales job you once knew is changing faster than ever. One thing is clear: sales reps are the bridge between a product and the business, and technology plays a huge role in helping them connect the two. Here’s what to expect in the future of sales, in a post-coronavirus world.
It may be the end of your office job.
Between the universal impacts of COVID-19 and the increasing reliance on technology within the workplace, more companies are looking to hire and work from home. This not only allows for flexibility within work schedules but also tends to the longing for diversity and more experienced sales reps. The ability to work from anywhere in the world opens up opportunities for hiring and selling from international pools of customers and sales reps alike. This changed attitude towards remote work allows for a fully-functional career all within your own home, with technology bridging the physical gap and connecting team members at ease.
In small companies, employees will be expected to adapt to numerous roles. In large companies, there will be defined roles.
Cross-functional talent will become something greatly valued in both small and large companies. In a successful sale, the relationship between consumer and agent begins early in the sales process and continues on beyond the sale: for this reason, adaptability will be something that companies will begin actively seeking within their employees. In small companies especially, employees will take on multiple roles at a time, whereas larger organizations will tend to break these up into multiple roles. Regardless, adaptability and cross-functional talent will be greatly valued.
Those who are “Tech-Savvy” will be highly sought out.
We’ve finally reached that day: being comfortable with email communication and navigating the internet are no longer just useful skills, but now ones that are necessary in applying to certain jobs. The heavy reliance on email and technology in the workplace has led to a more accessible and efficient sales team, yet being proficient in navigating these tools will become a necessity when job-hunting.
Technology will become your coworker.
Softwares that allow for increased productivity and data-based decision making already are and will continue to be on the rise in future sales positions. Due to their versatility as sales tools, sales software solutions that increase productivity and sales will become embedded in the way that each company functions, becoming integrated into every facet of sales.
Customers are no longer wanting a salesperson: they want a tour guide.
Consumers don't want a salesperson anymore. Rather, they are looking for a tour guide-type agent to help teach them about what product works best for them and lead them through making informed and reasonable decisions. The customers are the center focus of sales, and it is necessary that agents are able to quickly adapt to understanding how customers are influenced and what they are looking for. The ideal “tour guide” is one who’s capable of answering questions, navigating around potential problems and being set in finding the product most valuable to the customer.
Why is this? What has changed the most over the last ten years?
While the impact of the Coronavirus is forcing many into remote work, there are numerous factors greatly involved in sculpting the future of sales, including:
- Buyers being educated and more inclined to be particular about what they want.
- The movement away from face-to-face meetings, allowing for more flexibility while still maintaining a meaningful and intimate relationship.
- Email becoming increasingly more and more important in communication.
- Traditional sales tactics are moving over—now, there are numerous types of strategies.
- Sales are becoming less territorial as international prospects and reps become accessible.
While many companies are shifting over to remote work, Digital Market Media is no newcomer to working from home. We have always valued being able to easily balance work with personal life, and we believe the best way to do that is from home. Because of this dynamic, our call center positions are always of high demand and constantly sought out. Our employees enjoy highly competitive salaries and benefit packages all while connecting customers to essential and affordable products. If you would like to learn more about opportunities that Digital Market Media has to offer, visit our careers page.
